Water - Its Elemental Dear Bagua

How would you describe your favorite body of water? 

How would the water be moving or is it still?

Would it be deep or shallow?

Would it be calm or energetic?

Off the top of your head, what water metaphor could you use to describe your life at this moment? 

Does that metaphor match your ideal Flow in your life?

Water is an essential ingredient in our life.  Literally.  Our bodies are composed of 50-75% of water.  We can live without food but we can not sustain our life without water.  

Water is the source of Life, it is connecting to spirit and spirituality.  It is the Flow of life.

When we have to much water energy in our lives we can 

• lack form
• overwhelm ourselves and others
• tidal waves of emotion; flooding
• unprocessed stuff
• feel wishy washy

When we have too little...

• anxiety
• like we've lost the/our flow
• lost connection to our Higher Power
• lack synchronicity
• dehydrated, dry and combustible.

Momentum would also be a great way to describe Flow. That feeling of being in the groove.  

Where in your life are things not going with the flow?

Where have you sprung a leak?

What could you add to your life or let go of in order to improve your momentum?

We can unclog our flow by letting go of things that seem to be holding us back.  It could be letting go of literal things, people, relationships, thoughts, clutter and even the simple act of deep breathing can help to release energy to get your flow back on. 

What parts of your life are going with the most perfect flow?

What can you learn from those tributaries and apply to the areas that need some help?

I believe that we could associate multiple metaphors of water to describe our lives.  Your ideal career pace may look completely opposite from what you want your home life to feel like.

The magic is finding the Balance that suits you best.

Going with the Flow

Listening, watching and being within the ocean during my vacation reminded me of the environment’s physical ability to compliment itself with change. As well as at home, the cold harshness of winter is letting go to the gentle renewal of spring. Everything has its own rhythm.

I really enjoy going into the ocean and floating, rolling with the water as it crests and just letting my body be moved and supported by the water. Someone nearby was trying to do the same and asked me how I was able to keep my toes out of the water while doing so? From a physical standpoint I explained that I was keeping my body lifted towards the top of the water and then just breathing and floating. No real technique, just “going with the flow”.

I watched as they forced their feet to the surface but kept their backside closer to the bottom so when the water would rise they would get a face full rather than floating atop as a leaf would. It appeared that they were working against the water, trying to control the movement and working to keep afloat rather than “just going with the flow”.

Working with your current momentum of your life can be challenging. Perhaps you are in a low tide place where things are seemingly moving at a slower pace; allowing your mind and body to be in restoration in order to prepare for the high energy of high tide.

I love my high tide; when I’m going and doing, connecting and building, riding the wave! However there can be times when while on the move I look forward to the ebb. Contrarily there are times when I less than love the low tide and am working vigorously towards getting back in the flow; but am beginning to understand and appreciate the benefits of this balance.

Just as the lesson of floating in the ocean; it is distracting to think about the ebb while in the flow and vice versa. Being present can be the largest lesson to learn and a most valuable habit to cultivate. The Yin/Yang symbol shows us the balance of light & dark and is constantly moving in synchronicity. And just as our physical environment teaches us that surely spring follows winter; low tide follows high tide; and day will turn to night; we sometimes have to let go of our idea of control and trust that the pattern is working synchronistic ally in our lives even though it may not be readily apparent.