Spring has sprung, the grass has riz ….

Lately the 5 phases balance, based on the wisdom of Chinese Medicine, has been coming up for many of my clients. This process is about balancing the energies of renewal with the energies of letting go. I find the concepts contained within it reflect essential wisdom of life so this is the basis of my article for this month’s ezine.

SPRING INTO BALANCE

by Gay Landeta

Here in Queensland we went from winter through spring to summer in only a few hours last week; Winter jammies and hot drinks one night, cool drinks on the balcony on a balmy evening the next. Lovely for us but have you noticed how disrupted nature is by this abrupt change in seasons?

The wisdom of Chinese Medicine speaks of the importance of each season in the cycle of growth. Chinese Medicine practitioners often recommend a tune up as the seasons change to keep us in the flow, they know that we often need a little nudge to shift into the next cycle and if we don’t dis-ease can erupt.

They look at the body as a system of energy and call the balanced flow the Shen cycle. The Shen cycle features 5 phases, these correspond to the seasons, colours, sounds and emotions as well as the meridian system (the energy map) of the body.

In kinesiology we also use the wisdom of this system as it so accurately portrays the flow of life. Once you understand it you can start to recognise if you are working with – or against – the natural flow and find balance once again.

THE PHASES:

The colour green signifies spring. This is the wood element and, as in spring, it is time to transform and make choices, let go of the old and begin the creation of the new. The sound associated with this element is shouting and the feeling is anger. While in the west we may consider anger inappropriate, it is so only when used inappropriately. Within it lies the energy of boundaries and clarity about who we are.

Summer follows spring and the colour of summer is red. This is the fire element and contains the fires of passion. In Chinese Medicine the heart energy lies here as does the energy of assimilation, understanding and moving forward. The energy of Will is strong here. In the fire element the emotion is joy and the sound is laughter.

Once the heat of summer is over it becomes time to re-group before autumn arrives, Indian Summer in North America. I used to love this time of year, it feels sort of timeless. This grounding element, Earth, is the colour yellow and contains the energy of reflection and contentment. At this time we make balanced decisions about our life. In the Earth element you will find compassion. The sound is singing.

Autumn follows, the element of Metal and the purity of white. Precise and clear. This element holds our self worth. At this time we begin to let go of the old as insights emerge. In Metal lies the sound of crying and the feelings of grief. This feeling is often difficult for us, but it is essential to grieve the loss of the old to create the space for the new.

Finally the cycle enters winter, the Water element. The dissolution of the old and the stillness while waiting for the new. Blue is the colour of winter. This time fears emerge and inner direction is needed before moving once again into the renewal of spring. The sound of winter is groaning, like the trees in winter wind!

In the Shen cycle each phase follows the other other naturally and easily. We synchronistically move from ideas into actions, then into re-considering, slowing, stopping and letting go, moving gracefully through the phases.

Unfortunately many of us end up in what Chinese Medicine practitioners call the Ko cycle, lurching from wood to earth to metal to fire. Chaotically moving from reacting, instead of responding and then growing before letting go.

So how can we regain balance once we find ourselves in the chaotic Ko cycle?

Firstly, stop and listen to where you are in the cycle, notice if you are roaring into the next phase before completion of the present.

Then experience the element you are stuck in – or avoiding – and explore the feelings, the sounds and the colour. You may notice an extreme reaction – love or hate – to the sound or the colours of the one that is over or under energised.

For example, you may feel out of phase with the wood element, unable to transform the old or make choices about the new. You may be angry and shouting or unable to express yourself at all. You may detest the colour green or be drawn to wearing it constantly. To transform this element consider if you need to sacrifice something for the sake of the greater. Find a quiet place to scream and yell, fill yourself with the colour green or spend some time in the green of nature.

If you aren’t sure, another way to feel the flow of Shen is to sit in meditation with each colour in order. Green, red, yellow, white and then blue. Imagine yourself in a room of each colour or fill yourself with the colour in whatever shade is right for you. You may want to spend more or less time in each, allow yourself to flow in your own natural rythm and relax into the gentle flow of the Shen cycle.

And if it that still leaves you feeling chaotic consider calling your acupuncturist or come and get a balance and regain the peace of the Shen cycle.

Enjoy!