Overcoming anxiety through balancing the 5 elements
Dear Friends,
The Buddha once said:
"We are what we think. With our thoughts we make the world."
And so he emphasized a top down practice of realization through logical principles and mindfulness.
In Judeo/Christian traditions there is the concept that one has a soul, and that this soul can be brought back into wholeness with God either through faith in God's son(Christianity) or "tikkun hanefesh" the Jewish term for (repairing the soul) through prayer, study, and mitzvot (good deeds).
In all three of the above traditions, and many more for that matter, the methodology for reducing anxiety and coming into wholeness of self/God has to do with the narratives and beliefs one chooses and the ethical actions one takes.
But most of those schools of thought have little to say on how one's bodily needs affect one's thoughts... Except to offer that the body's "desires" are to be conquered through faith, ethical action, and higher ideals.
Taoist philosophy (and yogic philosophy) agree with the other traditions that wisdom and clarity of mind produce wholeness, BUT they have an additional major emphasis on practices of breathing, movement, body awareness, and awareness of one's feelings.
Taoism argues that before thought there is feeling...
Prior thoughts and feelings can affect how we interpret feelings in the present but at the end of the day we are not disembodied heads in a jar... we are living flesh in a slowly aging meat sack and are constantly bombarded with its endless desires and feelings! Have you ever felt "hangry" before? Are you a perfect peach after a sleepless night? It's clear that one's bodily feelings are constantly affecting one's mind.
As a practicing Taoist yogi it's evidently clear to me that when I harmonize my body through exercise, energy and breathwork, and meditation then my mind is much more open to comprehending the sacred texts and attempting to live them.
I've always believed the Taoist Philosophy is like complimentary medicine to the teachings of the major world religions, bringing them to earth to work from the bottom up and not just the top down.
In Taoist philosophy there is a deep desire to understand the body and to manage one's body in order to manage one's emotions and mind. This teaching is expressed in the 5 Elements.
If you'd rather EXPERIENCE DIRECTLY how the 5 Elements can help you manage anxiety and shift your perspective check out my workshop coming up next week here.
If you're hungry for more then read on...
The Five Elements, also known as the Five Phases or Five Agents, are a framework used in Taoist philosophy to describe the dynamic interactions and interrelationships of the natural world. These elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Here's 5 principles for understanding them that can help with anxiety and emotions:
1. Recognizing Interconnectedness
2. Balancing the Elements
3. Self-Reflection and Inner Harmony
4. Cultivating Mindfulness and Flow
5. Using Elemental Correspondences
1. Recognizing Interconnectedness: The Five Elements emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. This perspective can help you understand that your anxiety and emotions are not isolated phenomena but are influenced by various factors. By recognizing the interconnected nature of emotions and their root causes, you can gain a broader perspective and reduce the tendency to become overwhelmed or consumed by anxiety.
2. Balancing the Elements: Each element in Taoist philosophy is associated with specific qualities and characteristics. For instance, Wood is associated with growth, Fire with passion, Earth with stability, Metal with clarity, and Water with adaptability. Imbalances or excessive dominance of one element can lead to emotional disturbances. By understanding the qualities of each element and cultivating a balance among them, you can promote emotional well-being and manage anxiety more effectively.
3. Self-Reflection and Inner Harmony: Taoist philosophy encourages self-reflection and understanding of one's inner landscape. By observing your own patterns, reactions, and emotional tendencies, you can gain insight into the underlying causes of your anxiety. Through this process of self-awareness, you can identify imbalances in the Five Elements within yourself and work towards restoring harmony and balance.
4. Cultivating Mindfulness and Flow: Mindfulness, a central practice in Taoism, involves being fully present in the current moment and accepting it without judgment. By cultivating mindfulness, you can observe your anxiety and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. This allows you to experience your emotions more objectively and respond to them with greater clarity and self-compassion. Embracing the concept of flow, which is aligned with the Water element, can help you navigate and adapt to emotional fluctuations with greater ease.
5. Using Elemental Correspondences: Each element has correspondences with various aspects of life, including colors, seasons, organs, and emotions. By understanding these correspondences, you can consciously engage with the elements in your environment. For example, spending time in nature (Wood), engaging in creative activities (Fire), grounding yourself through physical activities (Earth), practicing deep breathing exercises (Metal), or connecting with water-related practices like swimming or taking baths (Water). Engaging with these correspondences can help regulate emotions and promote a sense of calm and balance.
Applying the Five Elements to manage anxiety and emotions is a personal and experiential journey. It's important to explore what works best for you and adapt the practices to your unique circumstances. If this is a topic people want to learn more about please let me know. I'm considering launching a Taoist Yoga Teacher Training this summer and the 5 Elements would be an important part of that.