Autumn Light, Inward Breathing

There is the first sign of chill in the night, and dew in the morning… In early autumn I notice the depth of sleep, and the richness of dream. Warmth, the clarity of light, and traces of mist already in the valley…

Do you keep a nature table with your children? Here is a source of wonder, of imagery, of story — here, an education of the senses can be nurtured, and an awareness of the rhythms of the year, and a first feeling for the seasons of life. Why is this important?

We have a feeding trough on the deck outside the dining room. The forest birds come down and feed (we never overfeed, so that they will not lose their instinct to forage) — crimson rosellas, king parrots, bronzewings, firetails, a shrike thrush… And numerous others in turn. Their antics as they jostle for a place are often amusing, and one day I murmured, ‘Anyone who watches birds couldn’t remain depressed. It’s so healing.’

So often our lives today are disconnected from such simple pleasures — from light and air, from seeing and breathing, from the steady pulse of the world-processes. Just try connecting, and notice the change in the family dynamics. However, don’t expect it to be immediate — perhaps your children have been addicted to other things such as TV and food, and replacement therapy is never straightforward, especially in its early stages. But as the days grow shorter, it’s tempting to allow these ‘drugs’ to intrude more into children’s lives, so some effort may be needed. Try setting up a nature table.

Wonder is part of a child’s birthright, an opening to mystery and enquiry. It is a path, via the senses, into the world, into a reflective mind — and therefore into a constant renewal of faith and hope. I use these old words for eternal values that need to be re-sourced, in order to counter the often-cynical values espoused by those who want to control our society. Faith. Hope. And that other one… Love.