Symbolically, we turn inward in the winter time, a little bit like hibernating bears. Although we don't sleep the winter away like they do, we do slow down, crave different kinds of foods, and experience a changed metabolism. We also tend to turn in a little earlier at night when the sun sets sooner than other times of the year.
Winter also moves us to seek out things that are cozy, like warm fires and hot coco, as well as soft sweaters, fleece hats and wools socks. These cozy things are reminiscent of our time in the womb when our surroundings were literally wrapped around our entire being, and brought us the support of our universe as we knew it then.
While turning inward we become more contemplative, perhaps do some writing or artwork (such as painting and drawing), or maybe some cooking and baking, reading, and other home projects. We tend to get a little more creative overall.
Winter is also a great time for meditation. The push to be indoors brings us right to the company of our meditation mat and the quiet surrounding is perfect for our practice of stilling the mind. Always remember that you won't do this perfectly as the determination of the monkey-mind will want to interrupt the peacefulness of any soft winter sitting. But do your best and allow yourself the patience you deserve to approach your winter stillness with self-compassion.
Your meditation can include the contemplation of your unanswerable life's question (your koan), or perhaps the meaning of a good poem can help you stay focused. Here is one by Robert Frost to give you some pause.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The
woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Thanks to Jonathan Cook-Fisher for the great photo from Truckee River South Lake Tahoe, CA
