Intro to 5 Element Theory : Earth Element

Have you ever heard of the term

"mindfulness?"

Mindfulness basically means :

Observation without attachment.

When practicing mindfulness, we learn a great deal.

I know my thing seems to be #nervesandfascia (spirit)

But, there is so much wisdom and insight from (#structure) aka : 5 element theory.

5 element theory is based on #mindfulness

of nature in fact.

and YOU are part of nature

So, here goes...

.. A brief overview of 5 element theory

And why we are in a unique season

~Right Now~

5 element theory has been around for 5000 + years.

When studied, we can gain personal power.

The most basic foundation is

there are opposites in the world.

Day and night, night and day. Men and woman, woman and men (good and evil - not in TCM, but in the world) #opposites

The principle of opposites in TCM would be considered the Yin / Yang principle (Things that contrast) Yin things would be considered : "the shady side of the mountain" the cool side, the dark side, the slow side, it is considered feminine ; receiving & soft Yang would be, the opposite "the sunny side of the mountain" the hot side, the hustle and bustle side, masculine, hard, outward extension

After the Yin/Yang principle we get into

the Elements. There are 5 elements. Wood Fire Earth Metal Water The Elements all have unique functions,

that do two things- either generate or control other elements. This is a very basic overview But, the elements

are based around the seasons. (seasons of life, seasons of the earth) You may think there are 4 seasons in nature? But in Chinese Medicine there are 5 seasons. and guess what, ....we are in the the 5th season now. It is called "late summer" :-) (or in my opinion, that slim point in time, when things are perfect) Late summer is related to the Earth Element and sweetness Each element has certain attributes. Correlating to.... seasons, medians -> foods, sounds, color + + #function A main function of the Earth Element is : Digestion, inner and outer stuff.

(have you metabolized lately? rested and digested?)

My theory is Metabolizing ... Is Most Important Try not to move on, before you have processed In Chinese it is important to be "In Season" I love how TCM is pretty , basic. In summer, the most Yang season -> you work hard, hustle and bustle In Winter, the most Yin season -> You receive and lay low, rest and relax Follow the flow of nature. So many people, even in exercise ..... do the same thing, all the time, year in, year out > regardless of anything. (runners only run, bikers only bike) And really, that is hard on the body. It pays to switch things up here and there and be fluid

(if you like to stay flexible and green :-)

There are attributes to each element.

There is always a yin meridian and always a yang meridian in each element- When you are in a certain season, you bolster that element.

I am with Al Bailey,

The

Most

Powerful

Thing

You

Can

About

Any

Problem

#breathaboutit

Breath is the bottom line, for life -

and we can control our breath

(but we don't)

I am a fan of Qi Gong,

because it is breath with movement.

In fact, breath with movement along meridians

The literal meaning

Qi - life force energy

Gong - cultivation of

We Are In The 5th season, earth element The yin meridian is the spleen

and yang meridian is stomach In this season, we bolster those meridians.

And the other attributes of that element. The emotion related to the earth element is Worry or over thinking it causes "dampness" in the body (heaviness) When we are in tune with Our Body Our Emotions We can : Bolster what needs to be bolster and suppress what needs to be suppressed. My Question : From a mindfulness perspective Why are there 5 elements when seemingly there are 4 season