Spring is a beautiful time of year. It is often described as the season of renewal and I’ve certainly felt a lift in spirits with a couple of days of sunshine in a row, blustery walks by the sea and seeing the beautiful blossom on the trees. And the sunny bunch of bright yellow daffodils that I was given by my neighbour this morning has certainly cheered up my sitting room.
I’m also midway through a practice of ‘letting go’. I am sorting out and giving away or getting rid of twenty-seven items that I no longer need every day for nine consecutive days. It’s quite a daunting challenge to begin with but I’m loving it; going through and cleaning out cupboards, drawers and bookcases, and I haven’t even got to the attic or shed yet – you know, all those places where things accumulate and gather dust! In case you’re wondering, all those odd pieces of paper and old receipts each count as one item. I have made several trips to the charity shop, a fullish bin and one very messy room that is currently the container for things still to be sorted; and other rooms that are sparklingly clean and feel uplifted and very spacious. The inner space reflecting the outer.
And I was considering that in a similar way to spring-cleaning our homes, meditation can offer us a form of inner spring-cleaning. It can allow us to let go of old stress, negative thought patterns, and emotional clutter.
In its simplest form, meditation gives us an opportunity every day to be present. During a practice of meditation, old patterns of thoughts, jobs to be done, things we’ve forgotten to do or past conversations can arise and often do, and that’s the reality of our active minds. In meditation, once we notice this happening, we can choose to gently let go of these thoughts and return to the present moment and the magic of just ‘being’ again and again.
Across many cultures, spring symbolises rebirth, growth, and fresh beginnings. Seeds that were hidden begin to sprout, reminding us that growth often happens quietly before it becomes visible. In many ways, I feel that meditation works in the same way. The benefits may not appear immediately, but with patience, love and consistency, a deeper sense of peace and understanding may emerge.
Indeed, when we meditate, we are perhaps like gardeners observing the soil. Meditation creates this space. We can become both the gardener and the garden. We notice or witness what is already there - worries, hopes, patterns of thought, dreams. Without judgment, we observe. And this compassionate awareness in itself can soften the soil of the mind and heart.
This spring, as the world outside begins to bloom again, I’m consciously practising seeing my inner world in the same way a gardener treats a garden - with patience, curiosity, and care.
Spring vibes can also support our meditation practice. Longer days and increased sunlight often bring a sense of motivation and optimism. This makes spring an ideal time to begin or deepen a meditation practice.
Nature meditates in its own way - rhythmically, joyfully and without hurry. When we align with this pace, we can feel less rushed and more present. So a mindful walk, listening to the sound of birds, or feeling the gentle warmth of sunlight on our skin can become moments of meditation in themselves. You might like to take a few moments each day to pause, breathe, and observe – perhaps outside.
Or I can highly recommend the ‘letting go of twenty-seven items every day for nine consecutive days’ practice for an outer and inner spring-clean!