The Gift of Summer: Resting the Mind, Nourishing the Soul

Satsang #4 23/08/2025

Turning Light Inward

As we gather in Satsang at the closing of Summer, let’s reflect together: How has this season nourished us? What inner treasures did we uncover when we allowed ourselves to slow down, to rest, to breathe?

In yogic tradition, the sun is both outer and inner — it shines in the sky, and it also glows within our hearts as awareness. In the final days of summer, our practice becomes one of turning that outer brightness inward. The relaxation, peace, and joy that summer gifted us are not lost; they are seeds, planted within, ready to grow through the autumn and winter.

A simple teaching from the Yoga Sutras guides us here: “Meditate upon the inner light, and you will be free from sorrow.”(I.36). This is the essence of our satsang — to remember that the light we seek outside is already within us.

As Summer slowly begins to draw its golden curtains, many of us pause to notice how different we feel compared to the darker, busier months of the year. Summer is more than just a season — it is a teacher. With its long days, gentle evenings, and radiant sun, it reminds us of the importance of rest, joy, and renewal.

During the Summer months, we often give ourselves permission to take holidays, to step away from routine, and to immerse ourselves in moments of lightness. A simple walk by the sea, laughter with friends, or time spent in nature opens space inside us. This space allows the mind to soften, worries to dissolve, and the soul to breathe more freely.

In yoga, rest is not seen as laziness but as a vital practice. Just as fields must lie fallow to regain their fertility, so we too - must allow our minds and hearts to rest in order to flourish. Holidays and quiet moments under the Summer sun restore us in ways that no constant striving ever could. They help us return to ourselves — lighter, clearer, and more connected.

Summer’s Wisdom

Summer teaches us:

🌞 To expand — to open our hearts, connect with others, and embrace joy.

🌿 To rest — to find balance between doing and simply being.

🔥 To renew — to recharge the spirit so we may enter the next season with vitality.

✨ Pause here for self-reflection:

• How did summer invite you to expand beyond your usual routines?

• In what ways did rest or holidays change how your mind and soul feel?

• What moments of joy or stillness do you want to carry with you into the next season?

This Satsang is a celebration of Summer’s blessings — of sunlight, of holidays, of rest, and of renewal. It is also a gentle call to carry those blessings inward, to sustain us through the coming season.

May we gather in truth, reflect together, and keep alive the flame of joy and peace that Summer has lit within our souls.

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I hope that Sunday letters with your morning coffee will become a special ritual for you.

And if you know me, you know that a good cup of coffee is one of my simple joys.

So, if today’s Satsang brought you a moment of inspiration or peace — and you feel called to give a little something back — you’re welcome to treat me to a virtual cup of coffee. It’s a sweet way to support the quiet moments of creation that go into each Sunday reflection.

Thank you for walking alongside me on this gentle journey of words, stillness, and soul.

I’m grateful we get to share it. 🌿Inga

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