There is a Taoist observation that all phenomenon follow a cycle of beginning,
Rapid growth,
Stability,
Decline,
And rest.
This is true for every observable phenomenon,
From our breath to the creation of galaxies,
From our life cycle to the cycle of the seasons.
These stages are described in five-element theory in terms of elements – wood,
Fire,
Earth,
Metal,
And water.
The wood element is characterized by the will to become,
By new beginnings,
And is generally thought to be more active during the spring,
But the very beginning of any new thing is in its wood phase,
Regardless of the actual season.
Today we're going to explore this wood energy,
The energy of beginning and becoming who you really are.
Settle comfortably into your favorite meditation position.
Let gravity pull your shoulders away from your ears and your seat into your chair or cushion while at the same time letting your spine be long and effortlessly upright.
Rest your hands comfortably on your legs or on your belly.
Wherever is most comfortable for you is perfect.
If it feels right to you,
You can close your eyes or soften your gaze and let it rest on a point in front of you.
Take some deep but gentle breaths in through your nose,
Gently allowing your belly to expand as you breathe in and contract as you breathe out.
Let notice of what you're feeling as you sit here,
The feel of the air on your skin,
The sounds around you,
Any smells that you may notice.
No judgment and no need to change anything.
When you're ready,
Think about something within yourself that is aching to become.
It may be a project you've been thinking about or a creative endeavor.
Or maybe you're realizing that who you were in the last phase of your life isn't quite who you are now.
You might not even be able to identify what that something is,
But you know that it's there and that it's just been waiting for the right time to begin.
Envision this something as a seed.
In your mind's eye,
Hold it in your hand and examine it.
Try to imagine this seed of an idea in as much detail as you can.
Is it small and tough like an apple seed?
Is it bigger like an avocado pit?
Is it light enough to float on the wind like dandelion fluff?
Let your mind show you what this seed is like.
This seed contains the potential of a fully developed version of itself,
Maybe hundreds of times larger than it is now.
All it needs is a little nurturing and opportunity.
Plant that seed within yourself.
Imagine holding it in your palm and then place your palm over your belly just below your rib cage and slightly to your right and visualize pressing that seed into the warm,
Soft,
Safe place in your body.
This is the general area of the liver and gallbladder,
The organs that five element theory associates with this wood energy.
Traditionally,
The gallbladder meridian was said to control decision making while the liver meridian controls planning.
What decisions and plans need to be made to give your seed life?
Imagine that decision making energy soaking into your seed like spring rain soaks into the soil.
Take a few breaths here and see that seed as if it were nestled in the warm,
Moist earth.
Safe and warm,
It can begin the process of transforming itself.
It has everything it needs to start.
See if you can have a sense of that seed beginning to swell and split as it reaches for its potential.
Can you feel its roots reaching down into the earth,
Finding stability and nourishment,
Grounding you with strength and clarity?
Can you feel its tiny shoot pushing its way up through the earth towards sunlight,
Up through you towards your heart?
In five element theory,
The heart is the seed of the spirit or shen.
How can your spirit nurture this new beginning?
Continue to follow this growth in your mind's eye,
Down into the earth,
Finding stability and nourishment,
And up towards the sunlight where it can grow and thrive.
As you envision this journey,
You may find that this sprout meets obstacles along its way.
This is perfectly fine and normal.
All endeavors run into obstacles of some sort.
Remember,
This seedling is young and flexible.
It can find a way around or through the obstacles it encounters.
If you've ever seen a tree that's had to grow around a boulder or in the shadow of a much larger tree,
You know that young saplings can adjust and adapt to reach for what they need.
There's more than one way to get where they want to go.
Now,
Envision this tiny green shoot triumphantly poking out of the soil into the light.
Imagine the warm spring breeze ruffling the new leaves,
Challenging this new life to become stronger.
It's come this far,
And it's just the beginning.
It is up to the challenge,
And so are you.
Just like the tiny sprout,
You are assertive enough,
Flexible enough to take the first steps towards what you want to accomplish,
What you want to manifest in your life.
Sit here with this feeling for a few moments.
When you're ready,
Start to bring your awareness back to the room.
Open your eyes.
Move or stretch your body in a way that feels good to you.
Take a few more nice breaths,
And if it feels right,
Thank yourself for taking time for you today.
Thank you for joining me.
