Kisetsu: The Art of Flowing with the Seasons of Life

Life, in its purest essence, is a constant cycle of change, an endless flow of seasons that come and go. In Japanese, the word Kisetsu means “seasons,” but its meaning extends beyond mere climatic changes. Kisetsu is a metaphor for life itself, a reminder that balance resides in the ability to accept and flow with these cycles, without clinging to what departs or resisting what arrives.

Just like the seasons of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—life goes through moments of light and shadow. The key to maintaining balance does not lie in avoiding low moments or clinging to highs, but in understanding that both are necessary. Learning to navigate these changes with grace is the secret of life.

In Japanese culture, Kisetsu holds a profound meaning. The Japanese value and celebrate each season with a unique respect and appreciation. The arrival of hanami in spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, is a reminder of the fleeting beauty of life. The warmth of summer brings festivals that celebrate life itself, while autumn invites reflection and letting go of what no longer serves. Winter, cold and silent, is an invitation to introspection and the hibernation of the soul before a new rebirth.

I remember one of my visits to Japan when I was still trying to understand this concept. I was in a small village in rural Japan, where winter was especially harsh. Everything was covered in snow, and the icy air cut through the skin as I breathed. However, the locals lived with an enviable serenity. As I walked through the streets with a friend who lived there, a smiling elderly man said something in Japanese while looking at me with wisdom. My friend, with a smile, translated: “Winter is also part of life, and if you accept it, you will find its beauty.”

Kisetsu invites us to understand that life is not linear but cyclical. In that cycle, balance is not a static state, but an art practiced every day. Just as the Japanese celebrate the seasons of the year, we can learn to celebrate and honor the seasons of our lives.

At Kisetsu, our Reiki and meditation school, we integrate this seasonal wisdom into our personalized sessions. We combine meditation, Reiki, and mindfulness to help students align with the natural rhythms of life. Each encounter offers the opportunity to connect with these cycles and find the internal balance necessary to adapt to changes, both internal and external. Through these spiritual practices, we guide participants to center themselves amid the turbulence and serenity of life, discovering that balance does not depend on circumstances but on an internal understanding that everything changes, and that is okay.

Below, I share four haikus that represent the fusion of Japanese culture and spirituality with Kisetsu:

A breath of wind,
the cherry blossoms
say goodbye.

(Shiki Masaoka)

The summer breeze,
the song of the cicada
in the fields.

(Matsuo Bashō)

Under the gray sky,
the leaves fall like
golden memories.

(Yosa Buson)

Snow falling,
the sound of the door
closing.

(Yosa Buson)

Jordi Ibern Novell