Winter's Solace

Friends,

I wrote this back in December for the American Society of Dowsers's Digest and it just came out a few days ago in their Winter Issue. Next time I should plan better and write something before the season is over.

madis

Winter’s Solace

While many see winter as a time of bitter cold, being housebound, limited activity, snow shoveling and other dreads, I see it otherwise. To me it is a time of reflection, inner growth and spiritual development. It is time to look within, at the journey of the past year and prepare for the time ahead. Winter is a refuge for our soul that brings a quiet beauty and serenity. 

We have become so disconnected from Mother Earth, at so many levels. One of which is the diminishing of  the  powerful impact that Her seasons have upon us. We have heated and air conditioned houses, trips to different climes whenever we wish, or we can eat foods out of season. We are increasingly less and less at the mercy of seasonal changes.

Winter brings shorter days and colder weather. It is a time of hibernation, of drawing in and solitude; which unfortunately many see as loneliness. So instead we turn to our savior of technology and surf the net, or call friends. But are we really connected and what does this bring us—little good. Technology disconnects us. Punch up  “technology disconnects us” on the Internet and you will get a slew of articles and books.

It is that solitude that winter forces upon us, if we let it, that I so much appreciate. I long for wintry days that make me housebound and force me to meditate more, disconnect from technology and explore and reflect. It is a gift from our Mother and Great Spirit.

Have you ever spent a day not talking, or using technology?

The Hindu mystic Meher Baba spent the last 44 years of his life in silence. He often fasted and took long secluded retreats. He achieved the meditative state of Samadhi and was considered by his devotees, to be an avatar, or incarnation of God.

Ask yourself, “Am I afraid to be alone and in silence?... Am I afraid to give into to the direction our Mother wishes to lead me?”

I have spent many winter days in solitude, days when I would spend all day in my pajamas in front of my altar meditating and contemplating and asking God for direction. Only taking time out to read sacred texts. I imagine everyone else complained about those bitter cold days; to me they were a joy, as I vacationed from everyday life with God and great souls.

Take a day, a weekend and see how long you can remain silent, not use technology and put yourself in a contemplative mind.

Years ago I read a quote from a Transcendentalist, Thoreau or Emerson, I forgot which one. It was a quote about the fellow who got 12 to 13 letters consistently with each post office delivery, many more times than anyone else. But the author questioned whether the person knew themselves, because they spent so much time writing and had little time for solitude and reflection. Change letter to technology.

Even before I began my spiritual quest I subconsciously knew the benefits of solitude. I would annually take solo canoe trips to Canada’s Algonquin Park that would last a week, or longer. I would often go in the spring to reduce the chances of seeing others; it even snowed one spring when I was there. I would run around with my backpack and canoe on my shoulders like a mad man and push myself on the water. But I always dawdled and spent hours for breakfast and after supper reflecting upon my current state and life in general. I would always be healed on those sojourns, no matter what my travails were. I look back at those trips with great joy.

While many great mystics and teachers who lived in warmer climes did not have the Master of winter to guide them, they understood the transformative power of solitude. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness before he began his ministry. Buddha roamed as vagabond, often in solitude and meditated for long periods.  It is said he mediated underneath the Bodhi Tree for seven days before he reached enlightenment. Native American’s would go into the Wilderness and Cry for a Vision. Great Buddhist and Hindu sages would spend years in solitude meditating in caves and achieved the highest states of Samadhi and enormous spiritual gifs. The cave where the Tibetan Buddhist Milarepa meditated for years in solitude still contains the imprint of his hand where he plunged his fist into the wall of the cave.

Winter is trying to guide you, to nudge you toward that solitude that will transform you and elevate your consciousness. The great sages have shown you the fruits of solitude. Say thank you to your Mother. A great gift has been provided to you. Embrace it.

Madis Senner is former money manager turned Seeker. He is a Keeper, watches over/maintains, several sacred sites. His fourth book. SacredSites in North Star Country, Places in Greater New York State (PA, OH, NJ, CT,MA, VT, ONT) That Changed the World is available for sale at the ASD bookstore. It catalogues sacred sites in the northeast, teaches about the transformative power of place and how we can heal our Mother. You can read his musings at http://motherearthprayers.blogspot.com.