Dear all,
I've been thinking about being in a body. And feeling being in a body. The gladness and unique glory of it, and also the challenges. It can be so frustrating, when we wish our bodies were doing something different than what is actually happening, and especially when we are confused or uncertain about the why or what or how of it all. I guess it is kind of like the rest of life, joys and sorrows and mysteries of being human, in that way!
Interestingly, the season of Autumn is linked to the element of Metal (and the organ systems of the Lungs and Large Intestine) in Chinese Medicine, and the soul of Metal is considered to be the Po soul, which is thought of as the corporeal soul and connects with our animal selves, our body selves, every aspect of the physicality essential to life. This is the soul of the breath, especially the exhale, and so also relates with release and letting go, and with loss and dying and grief. The sound associated with Metal is weeping.
I have been crying some recently, for various reasons, and I'm kind of in awe of the process. It's pretty amazing to see so vividly and immediately the tangible effect that emotion can have on the body; the whole phenomenon of tears is particularly powerful and miraculous to me. That our feelings can result in producing (sometimes copious amounts of) salt water out of our eyes, which is the same water that makes up most of our bodies and most of our earth body. The relief and release of crying, the connectedness of it. It is often a prayer, an expression of love, as well as of grief, or sometimes of joy or anger, or simply poignancy...
The element of Metal is also associated with preciousness and presence-- awareness of each precious moment of our existence, the fleeting beautiful sacred mystery of body and life. The bittersweet ache of being alive and human. We are invited to surrender to this mystery, to breathe and cry and feel, to exhale and release and let go, and in time make space for inspiration and renewal.
In the interactive cycles of Chinese Medicine, the Metal element gives birth to the Water element (Kidneys and Urinary Bladder) and controls the Wood element. This reminds us that being present with our breath, with each moment, with our human feelings and somatic activities/sensations, can help us strengthen our foundation, the balance between will and acceptance/surrender, and our wisdom-- all qualities associated with the Water element and it's corresponding soul (Zhi). And that being present with our exhales, with our grief, with tears and letting go, can also be helpful and supportive as we navigate frustrations, anger (including righteous anger at injustice), and stress-- some qualities associated with Wood.
This Autumn, I send you blessings to tend lovingly to your grief, tend lovingly to your body, tend lovingly to your precious alive soul infusing it all. To forgive yourself, be kind to yourself, trust yourself. To allow yourself the in-breath and the out-breath. The savoring of beauty and joy and love, alongside being present with loss and grief and decay. Blessings for the sacred pause, light and action balanced with darkness and rest. For the release of tears, the relief of letting go, the embrace of the mystery of it all. To feel the wisdom of deep surrender, the return to and re-sourcing with essence and spirit. To feel magic and wonder, care and love, always strengthening your faith in the face of despair.
With prayers for peace, justice, healing, and democracy,
and gratitude to each of you for all you do,
Much love and Fall blessings,
Shoshana