Vata and Me

Tonight, after another long day at work where I stretch myself too thin too often, I noticed the sky. It’s getting dark so early since the time change, I’m surprised by the sun’s setting. From my upstairs office window, the sky was backlit, somehow – the clouds were blue, and the sky was pink and white. I ran down the stairs, through the kitchen, out the door with my Labradoodle and my husband, too. Outside, where I could see the bigger picture, the sky seemed haunted. My office window faces east, but the backyard faces west. The western sky was thick at the horizon, banded by long, black clouds, and above that, a pure gold. East, fluffy blue clouds against a soft pink backdrop.

On a most basic level, I understand so many concepts of Ayurveda to mirror nature. We look to the changing of seasons to wake us up routinely. Remember, the Earth says, to change. This is a difficult reminder, sometimes. It’s stark as a long band of black clouds. Of course, it’s easier not to change. It’s easier to be always in a Southern California state of mind, with its fluffy blue clouds. Yet, we try to embrace it bravely, the hope of golden sky.

At the same time, and with as much change as a new season brings, we know what to expect. There is a pattern, a consistency, in the change. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. Remember to be consistent, say the seasons. And remember to change.

I teach college, which means I was a student for a long time, first. When I was a college student, the fall was exciting, rich with surprises and discovery. Change was constant – new friends, new books, new teachers, new roommate, new job. I would romp around campus joyfully, running through piles of yellow leaves, drinking strong coffee and reading Milton on a cold bench wearing a big sweater. Everyone had perfect pink cheeks.

Now that I’m a teacher, the fall is more the end of a too-short summer than an anticipated beginning of fall. The consistency of work-a-day life enters in, always abruptly. The summer ends. My work begins. The winter is on its way. It takes effort to remember to look at the leaves. I have to remind myself to marvel at all the beauty. It helps to be surrounded by pink-cheeked students, some of whom carry strong coffees and ask about poetry.

I am glad to be starting this study group in the fall. I am a student again. It’s an exciting beginning, and I know no attempt to understand life in a deeper way can fail. So far, I've noticed that it is easier to remember to look outside, to notice the change in the season. That’s what Ayurveda is teaching me today. I am looking forward to changing, with a gradual and consistent approach. Like the fall, I might be more summer one day, more winter the next. My mind feels constantly windy, and I suppose the trees feel the same way. This is how I picture Vata. I remember to wear a hat and take deep breaths. Tonight, I am going to make the rice date pudding recipe we were given in class. I suspect it’s going to be a delicious fall night.

 - What happens to you in fall? How does fall make you feel? How do you understand Ayruveda?