SEASON OF DEATH and GRATITUDE

The season of death is upon us. The veil with the spirit world has become very thin and we can more easily communicate with our ancestors at this time.

With our ancestors nearby, its a good time to offer gratitude to them and to all those beings that have come before us. The beings that we stand on. Literally, their bodies have decomposed and create the very soil of the earth. This includes Indigenous peoples of this land. Stop and consider what land you’re on, and who was there before you. This website for “so-called” Canada, is helpful in identifying who those people were and are; www.native-land.ca.

Is there anyone from your life who has past on that you feel called to connect with at this time? Anyone who may be watching out for you? Or who you want to ask for help?

Now is the time to offer them a bit of food and drink as a thank you. This practice is somewhat universal from cultures around the world. Sometimes with strict unique practices of how and what to prepare. Explore what feels right for you and your culture. 

A daily gratitude practice is also helpful. As part of an acknowledgement of the beings that surround me, I bow to the 4 directions every morning as I offer gratitude to them for allowing me to be here and ask for their support as I walk through my day.

Gratitude is important for health. Whether you have a spiritual belief system or not, being grateful is proven to alleviate anxiety and depression (PUBMED ). 

What are you thankful for today? 

A good time to do this gratitude practice is at mealtimes. It allows us to switch into rest & digest mode, and prepare to receive nourishment. The number one problem I see in practice is people with digestion issues, or other health issues that stem from digestion issues. And 99% of the time, its due to insufficient stomach acid (which is why so many people suffer from heartburn and reflux, YES, these conditions are actually due to LOW stomach acid, not an excess – for a complete explanation of the pathophysiology of heartburn, GERD, reflux see here). 

When you don’t break down food in your stomach and it passes into your intestines undigested, it ferments and irritates your intestinal lining, leading to IBS, and IBD. This comes from eating on the go, feeling stressed when eating, not taking time to chew… being able to switch into rest & digest mode is essential to allowing stomach acid to flow, and many other digestive processes that ensure you can properly digest your food.

Often people think they need to take a bunch of vitamins, but the lack of vitamins is because people aren’t extracting them from their food to begin with. Before you take yet another vitamin, pay some attention to your digestion and see if you can get those vitamins from your food, if properly digested and absorbed.

Create a mealtime gratitude practice that feels right for you. Taking the time to offer gratitudes before eating will make you feel better. I guarantee.