Bones

Hiking in the late October woods today reminded me how powerful a teacher nature can be. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and crisp air. I was walking where I usually do; up on top of the mountain where I live.

At this time of year, the foliage has all fallen and the ground is orange and brown with leaves. We call it "stick season", as the bare trunks and branches of the trees reach up to the sky like sticks or bones. When the foliage is gone and winter is setting in, there is revelation in the landscape. Today, I saw peeping through the leaves the skull of a deer that had died last winter and been sunbleached and cleaned by the weather throughout the summertime. "The bones are being revealed." I thought to myself.

As I continued my hike, I realized there was an ancient stone wall running through the woods that I had not noticed before. This is not unusual for Vermont. A hundred years ago, this state was 90% deforested and made pasture for sheep and cows. Now, the state is 90% wooded and the forest has swallowed the fields once again; leaving remnants of the old stone walls that used to define property and keep animals contained. "More bones." I said to myself.

I could feel some deeper meaning behind the bones of the land being revealed in this season, and so I took a few minutes to sit in the sunshine under an old birch and feel it out. It didn't take long before the land spoke to me, as it often does, like I'm a small child that is none-too-bright.

"Its when you are laid bare that your bones are revealed." the Earth said. "In the hardest times, when you see winter coming in your life and the bounty is gone, you find those solid bits of yourself that have been brought to light for just such times. Some of these bones are ancient things that you were taught in childhood or when you walked upon me in another suit. Some of these bones have been grown in this life, through hard work and hard experience. Others are remnants of your ancestors, propping you up with deep knowledge.

When you are covered in the verdant green of summer-- the bounty time-- you forget about these bones; these hard, strong parts of you. Its when you feel the cold coming that you look around and find them. Don't turn away from these bones. Sit with them. Own them. Rub them together and sing over them. Let them hold you up and keep you company through the long nights ahead.

The challenges you face and the bones that are revealed show you who you are-- and who you must become if you are to complete your walk in good form and with beauty."

As the voice in my head quieted, I thought about my bones; those parts of me that show themselves when I face trying times or difficulty. These are the parts of me that I honor most. It's easy to be spiritual when things are going well. But it's the times when challenge bites us that were made for Spirit. Its those times when you're meant to pull out your bones...and sing.