The Dao of Life: 5 Elements
The Dao of life The periods of life from the perspective of the five elements according to Daoism By Ulrike Schmidt
By observing nature the ancient Daoists have found certain rules of nature that are reflected in our human existence.
Using the example of these periods of life we can study the system of elements very directly.
Within this system of elements imbalances, disruptions and stagnation may occur. Let us consider, say, someone who hasn't yet left his parental home even if old enough: a person who is unable to break free from his parents at the end of the fire period. He still lives with his parents and may even be alienated by them. There is a lack of impetus, braveness and curiosity. Possibly the outer world seems too threatening and dangerous to him.
The Shiatsu touch enables us to help those who find themselves in like situations of imbalance.
Another example for disruptions in the cycle of elements may be someone who cannot accept aging: By means of cosmetics, clothing or even surgery a completely different period of life is simulated. A lot of energy is wasted if we do not acknowledge what we are here and now. This can lead to a striking imbalance especially in the period of metal. Even in this very deep pattern a change can come about with the help of Shiatsu: the understanding of accepting ourselves as beings that are subject to change.
According to Chinese tradition the life of a woman is governed by a 7-year cycle, the life of men by an 8-year cycle. One elementary period spans a double cycle. The years should be considered as approximations.
The Dao of life The periods of life from the perspective of the five elements according to Daoism By Ulrike Schmidt
By observing nature the ancient Daoists have found certain rules of nature that are reflected in our human existence.
Using the example of these periods of life we can study the system of elements very directly.
Within this system of elements imbalances, disruptions and stagnation may occur. Let us consider, say, someone who hasn't yet left his parental home even if old enough: a person who is unable to break free from his parents at the end of the fire period. He still lives with his parents and may even be alienated by them. There is a lack of impetus, braveness and curiosity. Possibly the outer world seems too threatening and dangerous to him.
The Shiatsu touch enables us to help those who find themselves in like situations of imbalance.
Another example for disruptions in the cycle of elements may be someone who cannot accept aging: By means of cosmetics, clothing or even surgery a completely different period of life is simulated. A lot of energy is wasted if we do not acknowledge what we are here and now. This can lead to a striking imbalance especially in the period of metal. Even in this very deep pattern a change can come about with the help of Shiatsu: the understanding of accepting ourselves as beings that are subject to change.
According to Chinese tradition the life of a woman is governed by a 7-year cycle, the life of men by an 8-year cycle. One elementary period spans a double cycle. The years should be considered as approximations.
Wood - the beginning
(0-14 years, 0-16 years)
Springtime
In nature trees begin to come into leaf; seeds grow roots and sprout, blossoms form. Energetic direction: upwards. Our birth marks the beginning. Childbirth labour is a process of tremendous strength which brings us into this world. This unstoppable process is a tremendous performance. The mighty growth processes that already started in the womb continue: never again in our life will we grow as much in height as in the first year.
In the subsequent years an unstoppable growth takes place. Not only physical, also mentally: we learn!!! We learn an unbelievable quantity of things with an ease so amazing we will never attain again in our lives.
The emotional expression of wood is anger, rage and aggression. Sometimes it can take almost nothing to annoy us or let us cry. The quality of wood energy is very lively and powerful, in nature this power lets grass break through asphalt. It is the power of youth, the young Yang, the springtime, and it should never be suppressed. The joints, the muscles, the tendons, the nails, the eyes, the sense of seeing, the eyesight, the green colour, the taste of sour, the morning, the wind are associated with the wood element.
The gall bladder (stands for decisions and distributes energy) and the liver (stands for planning, purifying and preserving or storing) are the organs connected to this element. They have their most active time between 11 pm and 3 am. This is the best time for the body to process things and make decisions and plans, and that's why the sleep before midnight is so important. We will realize that the world looks different the next morning.
Gallstones can be understood as the materialization of anger that has been suppressed over many years. Flexibility is an important expression of wood, if you are flexible you can adapt to all situations.
(0-14 years, 0-16 years)
Springtime
In nature trees begin to come into leaf; seeds grow roots and sprout, blossoms form. Energetic direction: upwards. Our birth marks the beginning. Childbirth labour is a process of tremendous strength which brings us into this world. This unstoppable process is a tremendous performance. The mighty growth processes that already started in the womb continue: never again in our life will we grow as much in height as in the first year.
In the subsequent years an unstoppable growth takes place. Not only physical, also mentally: we learn!!! We learn an unbelievable quantity of things with an ease so amazing we will never attain again in our lives.
The emotional expression of wood is anger, rage and aggression. Sometimes it can take almost nothing to annoy us or let us cry. The quality of wood energy is very lively and powerful, in nature this power lets grass break through asphalt. It is the power of youth, the young Yang, the springtime, and it should never be suppressed. The joints, the muscles, the tendons, the nails, the eyes, the sense of seeing, the eyesight, the green colour, the taste of sour, the morning, the wind are associated with the wood element.
The gall bladder (stands for decisions and distributes energy) and the liver (stands for planning, purifying and preserving or storing) are the organs connected to this element. They have their most active time between 11 pm and 3 am. This is the best time for the body to process things and make decisions and plans, and that's why the sleep before midnight is so important. We will realize that the world looks different the next morning.
Gallstones can be understood as the materialization of anger that has been suppressed over many years. Flexibility is an important expression of wood, if you are flexible you can adapt to all situations.
Fire - live in the moment
(14-28 years, 16-32 years)
Summertime
The blossom has turned into a flower: magical, perfect, unique, magnetic. Energetic direction: to every side.
With the beginning of puberty the growth in height in nearly finished. Nevertheless the body continues to change: we grow to be a woman, a man. And just like the energy spreads to all the sides our life becomes the same:
We discover and try out many things: first experiences with cigarettes, with alcohol and other drugs occur in this period of life. It is all about testing and trying out as much as much as possible. We discover the other sex as what it is: lots of experiences, falling in love the first time, the loss and sorrow of love.
We accumulate working experiences, experiences in travelling (by ourselves), discovering the world in all directions, even feel as if we are the centre of the world (nobody understands anything, especially the oldies). We earn our first own salary, have our go here and there, study this and that. The desire to become! We leave our parents' house. Freedom! It is the time of boundless joy of life, a enviable carelessness which throws us into the real life, never to be reached ever after.
We are not considering retirement; we do not plan on having children yet. We change places and live with different people or experience living by ourselves. We live the moment. The time of self-development and self-discovery. Protest against parents, teachers, state are natural and necessary. Only in clear definition and delimitation can self-discovery happen. In this period revolutionaries and world changers crystallize.
Shen is the spirit of fire, it will always attract others when it is in harmony. Shen is the calm and clear radiation from the face, strongly expressed in the eyes. It is the typical brilliance noticed in the eyes of children. The face is associated with the fire element. Fire expresses the ability to be happy, to laugh, to be creative and curious.
It also stands for your inspiration and enthusiasm. The blood vessels, the red colour, the heat, the sweat, the summer season and the middle of the day, are all associated with the fire element as well as the bitter taste, the tongue and the sense of "speaking". When you take something to heart, it can leave you speechless, this creates a disharmony within the fire element, as well as someone who can't stop talking.
The blood is associated with the fire element. High blood pressure might be due to too much excitement, stress, restlessness and anxiety which harms the heart. The organs associated with the fire element are the small intestine (stands for assimilation, separation and assortment, it divides and sorts out everything), heart constrictor (stands for circulation and protects the heart), triple heater (stands for protection) and naturally the heart itself (which stands for integration, interpretation). It is possible that all these functions are represented as different themes on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
(14-28 years, 16-32 years)
Summertime
The blossom has turned into a flower: magical, perfect, unique, magnetic. Energetic direction: to every side.
With the beginning of puberty the growth in height in nearly finished. Nevertheless the body continues to change: we grow to be a woman, a man. And just like the energy spreads to all the sides our life becomes the same:
We discover and try out many things: first experiences with cigarettes, with alcohol and other drugs occur in this period of life. It is all about testing and trying out as much as much as possible. We discover the other sex as what it is: lots of experiences, falling in love the first time, the loss and sorrow of love.
We accumulate working experiences, experiences in travelling (by ourselves), discovering the world in all directions, even feel as if we are the centre of the world (nobody understands anything, especially the oldies). We earn our first own salary, have our go here and there, study this and that. The desire to become! We leave our parents' house. Freedom! It is the time of boundless joy of life, a enviable carelessness which throws us into the real life, never to be reached ever after.
We are not considering retirement; we do not plan on having children yet. We change places and live with different people or experience living by ourselves. We live the moment. The time of self-development and self-discovery. Protest against parents, teachers, state are natural and necessary. Only in clear definition and delimitation can self-discovery happen. In this period revolutionaries and world changers crystallize.
Shen is the spirit of fire, it will always attract others when it is in harmony. Shen is the calm and clear radiation from the face, strongly expressed in the eyes. It is the typical brilliance noticed in the eyes of children. The face is associated with the fire element. Fire expresses the ability to be happy, to laugh, to be creative and curious.
It also stands for your inspiration and enthusiasm. The blood vessels, the red colour, the heat, the sweat, the summer season and the middle of the day, are all associated with the fire element as well as the bitter taste, the tongue and the sense of "speaking". When you take something to heart, it can leave you speechless, this creates a disharmony within the fire element, as well as someone who can't stop talking.
The blood is associated with the fire element. High blood pressure might be due to too much excitement, stress, restlessness and anxiety which harms the heart. The organs associated with the fire element are the small intestine (stands for assimilation, separation and assortment, it divides and sorts out everything), heart constrictor (stands for circulation and protects the heart), triple heater (stands for protection) and naturally the heart itself (which stands for integration, interpretation). It is possible that all these functions are represented as different themes on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
Earth - time of ripening, of coming home
(28-42 years, 32-48 years)
Late summer
The flower turns into the fruit, abundance in all its beauty. Energetic direction: balanced, in a circle. We have become something, someone. We have matured. Prosperity moves into our lives, we buy nice furniture, enjoy our home.
Studies and apprenticeships are completed and our vocation in life is found. It ist he time in life where we find our place, our home, where we belong. We decide for a partner who we want at our side through our life; it is the time to beget and give birth to a child, build a house, plant a tree. We have become more grounded, gained the ability of responsibility for ourselves, for others, for our children, our house and our garden as well as for our own parents who age noticeably. During this period we start a company, realize our projects. The spontaneity of the fire period is followed by the habits which give security. It is the time for insurances as well: suddenly we make several contracts, e.g. life insurance.
The earth element is responsible for the intake and digestion of nutrition as well as of the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects in life. All the variety of impressions and experiences of our everyday life must be digested and processed. The spleen (stands for digestion and our thinking, the mental part of us) and the stomach (stands for nursing, caring and intake of nutrition). If too many outward things are happening and there is no time to digest, this can be the cause of stomach problems and confuse the appetite. Further symptoms of imbalance can be difficulties when swallowing or even vomiting. If the earth element is in balance then also our giving and taking is. Neither it is necessary for us to be in the centre of attention nor that we always have to strive for the best.
A singing voice, the mouth, the lips, the saliva, the sense of taste are all associated with the earth element, as well as the late summertime, the daytime afternoon, the brown and yellow colour, moisture, the tissue and the sweet taste. Sympathy is a typical emotional expression of the earth element, also the habit of collecting, of storing and preserving (e.g. food), of caring for others and ourselves, as well as to be grounded and rooted into the earth. The earth stands for our centre! A further possible expression of earth is the dream of the paradise, to live in abundance.
When you would go to a bank to ask for a loan you would just "borrow the energetic quality of the earth element" represented by the money. Not being able to clear the mind from thoughts and too much pondering show an imbalance of earth and might indicate spleen stagnation.
Fertility is another important aspect of earth, without being centred, pregnancy isn't possible.
(28-42 years, 32-48 years)
Late summer
The flower turns into the fruit, abundance in all its beauty. Energetic direction: balanced, in a circle. We have become something, someone. We have matured. Prosperity moves into our lives, we buy nice furniture, enjoy our home.
Studies and apprenticeships are completed and our vocation in life is found. It ist he time in life where we find our place, our home, where we belong. We decide for a partner who we want at our side through our life; it is the time to beget and give birth to a child, build a house, plant a tree. We have become more grounded, gained the ability of responsibility for ourselves, for others, for our children, our house and our garden as well as for our own parents who age noticeably. During this period we start a company, realize our projects. The spontaneity of the fire period is followed by the habits which give security. It is the time for insurances as well: suddenly we make several contracts, e.g. life insurance.
The earth element is responsible for the intake and digestion of nutrition as well as of the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects in life. All the variety of impressions and experiences of our everyday life must be digested and processed. The spleen (stands for digestion and our thinking, the mental part of us) and the stomach (stands for nursing, caring and intake of nutrition). If too many outward things are happening and there is no time to digest, this can be the cause of stomach problems and confuse the appetite. Further symptoms of imbalance can be difficulties when swallowing or even vomiting. If the earth element is in balance then also our giving and taking is. Neither it is necessary for us to be in the centre of attention nor that we always have to strive for the best.
A singing voice, the mouth, the lips, the saliva, the sense of taste are all associated with the earth element, as well as the late summertime, the daytime afternoon, the brown and yellow colour, moisture, the tissue and the sweet taste. Sympathy is a typical emotional expression of the earth element, also the habit of collecting, of storing and preserving (e.g. food), of caring for others and ourselves, as well as to be grounded and rooted into the earth. The earth stands for our centre! A further possible expression of earth is the dream of the paradise, to live in abundance.
When you would go to a bank to ask for a loan you would just "borrow the energetic quality of the earth element" represented by the money. Not being able to clear the mind from thoughts and too much pondering show an imbalance of earth and might indicate spleen stagnation.
Fertility is another important aspect of earth, without being centred, pregnancy isn't possible.
Metal - Letting go
(42-56 years, 48-64 years)
Autumn.
The ripe fruit has fallen off the tree. Energetic direction: downwards. Here we find the time of menopause. We have to let our children go and trust that they find their own ways. As well as saying farewell to the job.
It simply becomes obvious that half of life has passed irrevocably. Retirement is recommended and at the end of this period we pass on everything we built and created: our company, our farm. By giving away part of the inheritance we are able to help others and to attach less importance to ourselves.
We make room for the new generation: at work - and possibly also at home, enjoy our retirement. Grandchildren arrive and we become grandparents but also presidents or chieftains. We shrink, get wrinkly, fragile and our hair gets grey, we lose our teeth. But we have gained life experience. We have celebrated the triumphs and suffered the defeats, we are familiar with the pain of life. We have grown spiritually, have grown up. Our own parents pass away and deep inside us the realization becomes clear: we will be the next.
A strong quality of the metal element is to have a precise instinct of perception, to foresee and sense. The nose, the skin, the sense of smell, dryness, the daytime evening, the autumn, the white colour, the spicy taste, sadness, are all associated with the element of metal. In this element we find the ability of being tolerant as well as to keep a distance or nearness to other people. Otherwise other people cross our borders and get on our nerves.
The element of wood gives us structure, the ability of letting go, in the end just the essence will remain. Thus we can create a space for something new to come into being. Especially this letting go and finishing things or coming to a conclusion isn't easy and very often a theme we have to learn through all our life. The lungs (they are standing for the in take of Ki) and the large intestine (stands for letting go) are associated with the metal element. Isolation and contact problems are showing an imbalance in the metal element, as is the case with someone who is always at home all by himself.
These people often live in different realities and it can take a long time to get in contact with them. It often seems that they have no interest at all and aren't touched by anything. Fanaticism and dogmatism could be the way to cover their insecurities.
(42-56 years, 48-64 years)
Autumn.
The ripe fruit has fallen off the tree. Energetic direction: downwards. Here we find the time of menopause. We have to let our children go and trust that they find their own ways. As well as saying farewell to the job.
It simply becomes obvious that half of life has passed irrevocably. Retirement is recommended and at the end of this period we pass on everything we built and created: our company, our farm. By giving away part of the inheritance we are able to help others and to attach less importance to ourselves.
We make room for the new generation: at work - and possibly also at home, enjoy our retirement. Grandchildren arrive and we become grandparents but also presidents or chieftains. We shrink, get wrinkly, fragile and our hair gets grey, we lose our teeth. But we have gained life experience. We have celebrated the triumphs and suffered the defeats, we are familiar with the pain of life. We have grown spiritually, have grown up. Our own parents pass away and deep inside us the realization becomes clear: we will be the next.
A strong quality of the metal element is to have a precise instinct of perception, to foresee and sense. The nose, the skin, the sense of smell, dryness, the daytime evening, the autumn, the white colour, the spicy taste, sadness, are all associated with the element of metal. In this element we find the ability of being tolerant as well as to keep a distance or nearness to other people. Otherwise other people cross our borders and get on our nerves.
The element of wood gives us structure, the ability of letting go, in the end just the essence will remain. Thus we can create a space for something new to come into being. Especially this letting go and finishing things or coming to a conclusion isn't easy and very often a theme we have to learn through all our life. The lungs (they are standing for the in take of Ki) and the large intestine (stands for letting go) are associated with the metal element. Isolation and contact problems are showing an imbalance in the metal element, as is the case with someone who is always at home all by himself.
These people often live in different realities and it can take a long time to get in contact with them. It often seems that they have no interest at all and aren't touched by anything. Fanaticism and dogmatism could be the way to cover their insecurities.
Water - Dying and being reborn again
(56 years onwards, 64 years onwards)
Of the rotten fruit the seed remains. Energetic direction: to the inside. Whereas metal was about letting go and keeping the essence, water is about the quintessence: the essence of the essence! The tendency to let go of worldly belongings completes in this period: we cannot take anything with us! Money and possessions lose their meaning because it becomes obvious that we cannot stop the process of dying. Health and satisfaction become the highest goods in this part of life. It is about saying farewell to the world.
We have to be ready. Some choose a disease to retreat the mind while the body is still functioning. Possibly our partner dies. Loneliness. Fear is the emotion associated with the water element. Fear of dying, fear of what happens and of what comes afterwards. The eyes and ears become weaker, we don't talk much anymore, and these are only preliminary steps of leaving this known world and travel on to the next. Often we have to let others take good care of us: our children, the state. We are old, wise great-grandparents, ready for the next change.
The sense of hearing and the sense of balance, the ear, the bones and the spinal cord, the hair, the urine, the wintertime, the night, the cold, the blue and black colour, the salty taste are all associated with the water element.The organs related to this element are the bladder (stands for cleaning) and the kidneys (stand for fear and for "going ahead").
We need to be very attentive and to take care of this element, otherwise we will be exhausted very quickly. This can be caused by stress and might lead to a hearing loss. This significates that the body demands silence and repose immediately. Anxiety and fear are the emotional aspects of the water element. Fear can attack the kidneys and harm them. Courage and willpower help us to overcome our fears.
By risking too much and being careless it is much easier to die fast. When we really want to accomplish something the power of the water element is necessary. An imbalance of the water element can lead into depression and agony, our head hangs down and the bladder meridian on the back of the body might be empty. We are discouraged and we lack the power to accomplish something. The quality of the bones is also an expression of this element. Anxiety and fear can go straight into our bones. The real depths of this element can be explored in meditation.
(56 years onwards, 64 years onwards)
Of the rotten fruit the seed remains. Energetic direction: to the inside. Whereas metal was about letting go and keeping the essence, water is about the quintessence: the essence of the essence! The tendency to let go of worldly belongings completes in this period: we cannot take anything with us! Money and possessions lose their meaning because it becomes obvious that we cannot stop the process of dying. Health and satisfaction become the highest goods in this part of life. It is about saying farewell to the world.
We have to be ready. Some choose a disease to retreat the mind while the body is still functioning. Possibly our partner dies. Loneliness. Fear is the emotion associated with the water element. Fear of dying, fear of what happens and of what comes afterwards. The eyes and ears become weaker, we don't talk much anymore, and these are only preliminary steps of leaving this known world and travel on to the next. Often we have to let others take good care of us: our children, the state. We are old, wise great-grandparents, ready for the next change.
The sense of hearing and the sense of balance, the ear, the bones and the spinal cord, the hair, the urine, the wintertime, the night, the cold, the blue and black colour, the salty taste are all associated with the water element.The organs related to this element are the bladder (stands for cleaning) and the kidneys (stand for fear and for "going ahead").
We need to be very attentive and to take care of this element, otherwise we will be exhausted very quickly. This can be caused by stress and might lead to a hearing loss. This significates that the body demands silence and repose immediately. Anxiety and fear are the emotional aspects of the water element. Fear can attack the kidneys and harm them. Courage and willpower help us to overcome our fears.
By risking too much and being careless it is much easier to die fast. When we really want to accomplish something the power of the water element is necessary. An imbalance of the water element can lead into depression and agony, our head hangs down and the bladder meridian on the back of the body might be empty. We are discouraged and we lack the power to accomplish something. The quality of the bones is also an expression of this element. Anxiety and fear can go straight into our bones. The real depths of this element can be explored in meditation.
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