SPRING: A TIME OF RENEWAL

This winter has been harsh for many of us. Looking forward to warmer weather, longer days, and spending more time outdoors is on everyone's agenda. But more than this, spring is and has always been a time that symbolizes renewal, the promise of a fresh start—and for some, even rebirth.

Many years ago I visited India for the first time. At dawn on one special day in Varanasi, I observed life unfolding as our boat gently floated upon the sacred waters of the Ganges River. I wrote about this journey in Transitions: How Women Embrace Change and Celebrate Life. It was one of the most memorable and meaningful days of my life.

It is the dream of all spiritual followers to make the journey to the Ganges at least once in a lifetime. All of life unfolds on the river—people pray and meditate at the water's edge, they bathe and cleanse themselves, they eat and wash their clothes, and the souls of the dead are released on the banks of the river. The cycle of life continues into eternity as the river flows on and on.

On a recent trip I returned to Varanasi. Surely, I knew my experience would not be the same—all first time experiences are unique unto themselves and not to be duplicated. Since I’d been there before I knew what I’d see. But I didn’t know what to expect since so much had changed within me during the intervening years. This time I had the chance to experience the river, both at dusk and at dawn.

Every night at the main ghat (steps) the ritual of “putting the river to sleep” is performed. It is an elaborate ceremony attended by hundreds of pilgrims and tourists, many on boats. Flower offerings and lighted candles are released on the waters and all of the senses are invited to participate—praying and chanting, color and light, burning incense. The notion that the sacred river needs a rest from the day’s activities is magical to me. How many of us stop to celebrate the end of the day; to honor the quiet of night as a time of renewal for the new day to follow?

At dawn we watched a red sun rise upon the river and all of life beginning once again. The power of ritual is to bring you back to an “original time”—the first sunrise, the first sunset--- and to a first enactment. In this timeless place, on this sacred river I witnessed, once again, the beauty and sanctity of every day life. Only this time, I had a different takeaway: a promise to myself to take the time to remember, to stop and honor the night and day of everyday of my life.