For me (& possibly you?), the end of the year could not come soon enough! After months of action - endless doing, constant creation, perpetual motion – my body and soul are calling for deep rest and replenishment.
January is the month for stillness and reflection, ruled by Water and Winter. The Water Rhythm is the first rhythm of life. Infants emerge from the watery womb and remain in the Water Rhythm for the first years of life (regardless of the season they were born!). In both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Tibetan medicine, a balanced Water Rhythm allows you to “go with the flow”, feel a general sense of well-being AND easily connect into childlike joy.
Revel in the deep nourishment of the season. Do not deny Winter’s gift of renewal, trust and hope.
Most years, Minnesota offers full opportunity to layer-up, make snow people, fly angel wings, and play snow mountain. And yet, rarely do adults engage in these joyful activities. With winter blues effecting many in the northern region and seasonal affective disorder impacting ~5% of the population, taking a slightly varied strategy may offer significant value.
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, a treatise on health/disease written ~300 BC, reminds us that seasons affect all living things and suggests in the winter we should
“retire early and get up with the sunrise. ... desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret.”
One of the simplest energy exercises you can practice is a rhythm wisdom meditation. Say what!? Yes, you read that correctly! Being still is an exercise. And one that does not come naturally in our current culture! In Tibet, ‘taking the 3 precious pills’ is a meditative practice using silence, stillness and spaciousness. You can practice for as little as 7 minutes a day and all you need is a quiet place to comfortably lay, sit or stand.
In this exercise, you will be sinking into the 3 precious pills to more deeply connect with the rhythm/season wisdom. Begin by taking several deep breaths, allow your shoulders to settle and your chest to open. Now, add a gentle smile on your lips and call in the feeling of gratitude. Recall positive elements of your life. It can be as simple as “I am thankful for a warm house.” or “I am grateful for my ability to read.” The important component is feeling the gratitude in your body. If at first you aren’t ‘feeling it’, don’t fret – trust and practice.
Next, invite your body to be still and your mind to be silent. If your body twitches, gently call it back to stillness. If your mind wanders, welcome it back to silence. Again, no stress, no straining – just go with the flow. As your mind and body settle into the present moment, allow a sense spaciousness and expansiveness to push away any last tension. Now, recall the Winter season / Water rhythm. You can envision snow falling from the sky or a large body of water, like the majestic Lake Superior. Remembering the wisdom of this season is a state of calm, peace and comfort with the ability to flow around obstacles and easily respond to changing situations. With each inhale, allow this energy to enter your body. As you exhale, release any discomfort and invite blockages to dissolve. Continue for 7 minutes or as long as feels right. As your meditation ends, return to your statements of gratitude. Offer an additional expression of appreciation - to yourself - for taking a few minutes to connect to the healing energy of the season.
Every season holds divine wisdom! By practicing this meditation regularly, you will open to this natural wisdom provided by the five rhythms. In doing so, your spirit will be lifted, your heart will be lighter and your cheeks will certainly be rosier!
