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As we move into the winter season, we have the opportunity to reflect on the essence of this time of year, and connect deeply with the forces that sustain it.
In the Five Element Theory, winter is connected to the water element. Water is the most yin of the elements; it is the cache where our essence is held, vital to our very being.
Nature is a great teacher when learning how to exist in harmony with the seasons. In the winter, having relinquished their foliage, plants retract to their core. By concentrating their power into trunk and roots, they survive this season with grace. In the spring, having grown their energy quietly, they burst forth in vibrant displays of life. For us, winter is the same, a time to contain, contemplate, and grow internally. By directing our energy to activities that align, we can help nourish ourselves during the darker season.
One way to do this is by setting aside time for stillness and reflection. Like a pool of water deep in a forest, our essence waits. Through meditation, we can return to it, exploring all its unique beauties.
If you are just starting to meditate, it can feel supportive to create an environment of calm to help yourself fall into the practice easily. Some like total quiet, a closed door, eyes unfocused while they face a blank wall. Others enjoy ambient noise, the feeling of the sun on them as they practice, or closed eyes. There are no wrong ways to connect with yourself when meditating. If you have access to water, this season is a wonderful time to sit by its shore, connecting with it and yourself.
Water is a root, a tether to our core. We are born from it, and it is a part of us. May this season be one of homecoming for you, of solace and self-discovery.
From myself and everyone at the Five Lights Center, wishing you a warm winter.
About the Author: Casper Valentine a Shiatsu practitioner based in Tucson, Arizona. After graduating from college with a degree in psychology, personal development led him to desire education in bodywork. He attended massage school and after trying out several forms post-graduation, he found his way to the Five Lights Center of Shiatsu and began to study Shiatsu. In Shiatsu, Casper has found a form that both grounds and inspires him. Additionally, he is trained as an acudetox specialist through NADA. He enjoys practicing Aikido and QiGong, crocheting and making rugs.
As the Student Liaison for the Five Lights Center, he is excited to support both new and continuing students as they learn Shiatsu. If you have any questions about our courses, you are always welcome to reach out to him at admin@fivelightscenter.com.
Transparency: Images were AI generated for the purpose of this blog.
