For some of us, it may seem like a lovely idea that we are aspects of God in the process of evolution. It's an abstract idea, but an attractive one. It inspires us to think that we are part of a whole, larger than ourselves.

Whatever you call it -- your soul, your heart, or your Buddha nature -- I believe it's the essence of our true selves, that place of clarity, kindness, and purity that never changes.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if instead of shocking us, kindness was just plain regular, something we all shared and spread around freely, and that we all took time to celebrate along the way?

We can learn a lot from nature. Most striking in autumn is what we see happening to the trees. I'd like to reflect upon this and offer some thoughts on the matter of letting go.