A few days ago, I returned from Assisi, Italy where I went on a personal meditation retreat.

The life of San Francesco (Saint Francis of Assisi) and his dedication to G-d and his connection to the world around him deeply inspires so many people.

I learned about his life’s journey and visited the places where his transformative experiences took place. I spent hours in meditation and the lessons of his life were brought to life: how to surrender the heavy burdens that seem to plague many of us, how to stay connected to the divinity that is inherent in all things, and how to welcome discomfort and disturbance as a call for deepening one’s faith.

I’ll share more insights with you at the online Equinox Meditation gathering coming up on the 23rd of September. Register for free here. 

In the northern Hemisphere, it’s the season when the plant kingdom slows its cycle of growth, the deciduous trees effortlessly let go of their leaves, and wildlife prepares for the winter by donning thicker coats and gathering stores of food.

All sentient beings know earlier sunsets and later dawns are coming. Every living thing on earth must surrender to the winds of change, challenged to bend but not to break.

It’s my favorite season. The world is painted with what seems like divine light: glorious autumn leaves, spectacular sunsets, and the burst of color in plants’ final blooms. I harvest the last of my melons and squash, and learn ways to store the fruits of my efforts.

The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night): whether you are in the southern or northern hemisphere, it’s a time of equal nights and days –

This equality won’t last long. And this gives us the opportunity to let go.

Autumn is the perfect season to practice letting go, welcoming what is, and resisting nothing: all essential keys to practicing meditation and living a powerful life.

I once heard that there are two paths to enlightenment: one is the path of inquiry, and the other is the path of surrender. This is the season for surrender.

Surrender seems to make sense in relation to conflict or fighting. But what does surrender mean to someone who is sitting in meditation? What conflict goes on when your eyes are closed?

Perhaps it is the conflict between what you think should be happening in meditation and what you are actually experiencing.

Maybe you have preconceived notions of what is supposed to be going on during meditation, such as how you should feel or what you should experience. Perhaps you label some meditations “good” and others “bad” based on past experiences. Or, you wish your meditation was different when it’s not.

You’ve probably seen the photos of monks in robes or yogis sitting cross-legged, and you imagine they are having a wonderful internal experience. Perhaps you’ve heard reports about the other worldly experiences some meditators have and you want to be a meditator like that.

But, instead, your meditations are full of thoughts and distractions. Or you fall asleep.  The practice of meditation is a great opportunity to practice surrendering; you get to surrender to what is going on, whether you like it or not.

Meditation also helps you to meet your own mind, discover who you really are outside of the roles you play and the conditioning you’ve had, and wake you up to what you really want. When you do, you’ll lead a more dynamic and meaningful life. Learn more about how to meditate here.

How will you know you’re meditating correctly? When you approach meditation without expectations, without trying to control your experience, and without resisting what is happening, then you are doing it right.

You’ll be happy to know that every meditation is good for you, no matter what your experiences are. And, the benefits of meditation show up after the meditation is over–as you open your eyes and live your life.

It’s similar to how the shorter days of Autumn and Winter, the slowing of plants’ growth, and the hibernation in the animal kingdom are all in preparation for an amazing symphony of new life at the arrival of the Spring Equinox. Surrender leads to renewal.

Meditation is also good training for surrendered living. Though in Western culture, surrendering seems to go against the grain. After all, it doesn’t seem right to give up in the face of difficulties especially if you feel the call to activism. Let me be clear, giving up is not what I suggest.

Instead, I suggest that you recognize, rather distract yourself from, what is happening while it is actually happening. Then, instead of putting your head in the sand and shouting “No! No! No!”, you can surrender to the reality of what is going on, and instead of denying it, you are truly present for it.

This being present and seeing clearly is referred to as bearing witness. Bearing witness leads to inspired action: action that is powerful, clear, and directed instead of the kind that resembles fighting your way out of a paper bag.

Surrendering to what is in meditation allows you to discover who you really are. From this expanded awareness, you’ll see the world clearly with an awakened heart and mind. And, with clear vision, your inspired action will have far reaching effects.

Enjoy your Self.