Photo: Mary Jane Kasliner
This is the time of year when things may seem all tangled up. There is uncertainty, malaise, heaviness, and an overall feeling of fogginess. Late winter is the time of Kapha dosha in ayurvedic philosophy. Kapha dosha is a combination of the element earth and water. The earth is moist from harsh weather making it feel unsteady under our feet. When our footing is uncertain, we lose our equilibrium and have difficulty managing everyday decisions. You may be wondering how the time of year can impact how we manage our life. The answer is simple. Everything is connected from the smallest atom to the highest mountain peak, and everything in between.
Albeit the earth is muddy during Kapha season, it is necessary for spring to rise. In essence, these two elements work to support growth. From the Chinese perspective however, these two elements fight one another. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Here's why. Water, the element of winter from the Chinese system, and the secondary element of Kapha from the Indian Ayurvedic system, corresponds to our life path. It's our earthly journey, the long haul, where we have been and where we are going. It is associated with our kidneys, ancestors, and overall energy. For you to realize where you are going in life it requires introspection, a delving inward to discover if you are on the right path. Meditation is a perfect way to get inside and tune out the outer world. It is a practice that naturally activates a grounding and stable sensation in the mind and body. This is essential to counteract the otherwise "foggy" feelings this time of year can present.
If things didn't seem confusing enough, there is a third underlying element this time of year. From the Chinese system, yang wood begins to rise in the beginning of February marking the mid-point between the winter solstice and vernal equinox. Yang wood is very active. In nature, it is working overtime so new shoots can sprout in spring. This requires a great deal of focused energy. In everyday life yang wood presents as a constant need to create, spin new ideas, start new projects and continual movement. With these qualities underlying the heaviness of Kapha, the result is a tugging between Tamas (lethargy/illusion), and Rajas (driving of motion). It's no wonder why you might feel all tangled up.
In the Chinese system of elements it requires three elements for energy to flow. In this season there are three elements interacting; earth, water and wood. There is a struggle however between the earth and wood and earth and water. Whenever elements struggle there is friction and discord, as a result it impacts how you manage your life on a daily basis. Albeit there are deeper assessments that I take into consideration when evaluating my client's personal energy, the macrocosm impact of seasonal changes is substantial for everyone. For flow to return and stabilize these elements from disrupting one another, it is beneficial to infuse one more element. In the Chinese system this element is metal. It is an element that normally rises in the fall season. From the Indian map perspective this dosha element aligns with vatta or air. Metal is an element of precision and clarity. It is malleable and organized. Air (vatta), is required when speaking, and therefore is associated with the throat chakra or our ability to speak our truth.
Putting It All Together:
Now that you have the low down on what's happening with all these elements, this is what you can do to bring a state of harmony into the mix.
- Daily meditation practice to ground and center yourself. If meditation isn't your thing, then yoga, qigong, tending to your herb garden or plants will work just fine. The idea is to tune out all the noise from the outer world and tune into your inner world.
- Organize your daily routine by setting realistic goals and keeping track of what you are doing via a notepad. Refer to it throughout the day and notice where you may have derailed from your plan. Sometimes taking a new route is beneficial, so don't beat yourself up if you needed to revise your plan.
- Think before speaking and acting. Metal is a quality of precision, so be precise with your words and actions.
- Tune into your intuition. It is a powerful pathway to revealing your truth. You'll know when you are off course, as your body will give you indicators.
How to Work With the Power of Nature:
Make no mistake, God knew exactly what he was doing when he created the earth and the cycles of nature. We all have free access to this information, and if used wisely, it can assist us on our earthly journey and spiritual growth. The answers exist all around us if we are willing to take notice.
In 2011, my husband and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was on that trip I really moved into the workings behind the wisdom of elements in nature. This came to me during meditations while hiking through Olympic National Park. As a result of my meditations, I decided to write my third book, Mother Nature a Bridge to Conscious Living. It never seizes to amaze me how nature speaks to us if we are willing to take the time to listen. If you want to really understand how the power of nature aligns to your personal energy, I discuss this in my book. Plugging into a simple formula you can learn more about yourself, what force of nature you align with, and how to work with your energy in an impactful way.
Om!
Mary Jane Kasliner
Feng Shui Yoga Girl - www.fengshuiyoganj.com
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