A West Coast Winter Spirituality

One of the best things about Vancouver is the very un-Canadian nature of its' winters. While the rest of the country is digging out from mounds of snow, we on the west coast need nothing more than an umbrella and a good warm jacket. Winter temperatures are bitter cold in Canada and require many layers of clothing in order to stay somewhat warm. However even in the dead of winter, Vancouver temps may dip right at or just below freezing at night. And during the daytime, the temps average between 7 and 9 degrees Celcius (44 and 48 degrees Farenheit). Being from the American South and therefore pretty fragile when it comes to extreme cold, I rejoice in these mild winters.

My spiritual life has begun to draw from the rich traditions of earth-based spiritualities. I look at each season as not just 4 months in a year, but as a season of life that I can grow into and grow with. Living in a country with a cold climate, much of the writings and discussions concerning a winter spirituality reflects that cold climate reality. Dead. Barren. Snowy. But what does a winter spirituality look like coming from a place that doesn't fit the norm? The west coast winters are typically rainy with cool, mild temperatures. Far from barren, the place is green year-round. Vibrant. Misty. You can hike and play golf year round here as well. So what does it mean for me to enter into a winter spirituality while living in a rain forest on the west coast of North America?

As I've reflected on this, a few images have emerged. One is that of reflection. Generally speaking, Vancouver winter days are shorter, greyer, and darker than during any other season. Even though we have winter sunshine, the darkness is the dominant trend. As a response to this, people tend to gather together with family and friends in a different way. With a winter energy. Enjoying steaming winter soups. Drinking hot beverages. Huddling together. A west coast winter spirituality first calls me to reflection. To allow the shorter days to remind me to rest. To look inward and take inventory of my life. Spend extended time in prayer to consider how my life reflects my values and the vision I have for myself. Listen for that still, small voice.

Another image is that of cleansing. One of the reasons that Vancouver is so beautiful is because we have plentiful amounts of rain. Beautiful, gentle west coast rain. We live in a rainforest, and the lushness of that fact is evident. 90% of our 46 inches of annual rain falls in the winter. So a west coast winter spirituality calls for cleansing. Purging. Just like the winter rain washes all the dirt off city sidewalks and buildings, so the winter season is a time for personal cleansing. A west coast spirituality encompasses a flushing out of all the "junk" that can build up in my life. A time to slow down from the fast-paced, active summers and let the gentle, light rains clean the soul. What toxic attitudes have found their way into my heart? What thought patterns that limit spiritual growth need to be washed away? Through spiritual practices, a west coast winter spirituality is one of releasing accumulated toxins that come from living in our modern world.

A final image is that of refreshment. Because the temperatures are mild, the snow is rare, and the trees and surrounding mountains are green year-round, we west coasters can get out and enjoy our winters. We hike, golf, ski, snowboard, sip coffee at outdoor cafes, and take walks around the seawall right in the middle of January. A west coast winter spirituality is one in which we are refreshed. We don't have to wait until the spring thaw to see signs of life - those signs are all around us during our winters. The sound of the ocean waves. The thick, majestic spruce and fir trees with their vibrant colour. The sound of laughter and conversation on a Sunday afternoon as people stop along the sidewalk to visit with friends. In winter, we still sense a connection to all living things because signs of vibrant life are all around us. Different than the spring renewal and quieter than a loud summer party, the winter refreshment is tranquil. Composed. Unruffled. It gently refreshes our spirit as we journey through this season.

So I now begin to look forward to winters. Winters in which I let the shorter, darker days call me to reflection, prayer, and inventory-taking of my life. Instead of complaining about what can seem to be relentless rain, I instead use that as a reminder to take time to detoxify and release all the negativity and junk that has built up over the last 3 seasons so that I emerge more loving, centered, and whole. And I allow the signs of continuing winter life all around me to bring refreshment and renewal to my soul.

A west coast winter - I think I like it!