A TCM Checkup - the metal element
April 13th 2007 22:41
In Traditional Chinese Medicine our lives are seen as being made up of the balance of “the five elements”. These elements are: water, wood, fire, earth, metal.
This is a quick look at what it means for the metal element to be in balance in our lives.
The type of metal meant is probably most easily thought of as a knife or sword, metal cuts. It cuts free and allows us to let go.
For our health getting rid of food and stale air is essential. The metal element in our lives is about getting rid of what has served its purpose. This may mean moving on from a relationship or an old pattern of relating in a relationship. It may mean that we have learnt what we can in a particular area. Any problem with letting go of what no longer nourishes us (whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual) is a problem with the metal element in our lives.
If we can’t do this we become bloated and overwhelmed. When the metal element in our lives is healthy we can deal with the details and process our experience. We are able to say that we are finished with something. This need not be harsh, it applies to times of beauty and exhileration as well as times that are painful. We can let go with gratitude for what we have learned and what has nourished us.
Dealing well with the details in our lives will lead us to a sense of who we are and what we are here to do. We won’t just deal with every little thing we will choose this and not that and know that we can move on when we have extracted the nourishment from our experience. This gives us a sense of ourselves. This is the water element. The metal element supports the water element.
A problem with the metal element is that it can become harsh, too hard. Those who decide coldly, without gratitude for what has brought them to where they are and without thinking about consequences, can often have ‘a steely gaze’. To avoid this we need a sense of warmth and serenity. This is the fire element. Fire melts metal, it stops us being cold and harsh and gives us clarity and compassion.
When the metal element is healthy we can let go of the old and welcome the new and nourishing. Just as we can breathe easily, letting go of the old and taking in the new, hundreds of time a day. So when the metal element is healthy we let go of what has served us.
This is a quick look at what it means for the metal element to be in balance in our lives.
The type of metal meant is probably most easily thought of as a knife or sword, metal cuts. It cuts free and allows us to let go.
For our health getting rid of food and stale air is essential. The metal element in our lives is about getting rid of what has served its purpose. This may mean moving on from a relationship or an old pattern of relating in a relationship. It may mean that we have learnt what we can in a particular area. Any problem with letting go of what no longer nourishes us (whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual) is a problem with the metal element in our lives.
If we can’t do this we become bloated and overwhelmed. When the metal element in our lives is healthy we can deal with the details and process our experience. We are able to say that we are finished with something. This need not be harsh, it applies to times of beauty and exhileration as well as times that are painful. We can let go with gratitude for what we have learned and what has nourished us.
Dealing well with the details in our lives will lead us to a sense of who we are and what we are here to do. We won’t just deal with every little thing we will choose this and not that and know that we can move on when we have extracted the nourishment from our experience. This gives us a sense of ourselves. This is the water element. The metal element supports the water element.
A problem with the metal element is that it can become harsh, too hard. Those who decide coldly, without gratitude for what has brought them to where they are and without thinking about consequences, can often have ‘a steely gaze’. To avoid this we need a sense of warmth and serenity. This is the fire element. Fire melts metal, it stops us being cold and harsh and gives us clarity and compassion.
When the metal element is healthy we can let go of the old and welcome the new and nourishing. Just as we can breathe easily, letting go of the old and taking in the new, hundreds of time a day. So when the metal element is healthy we let go of what has served us.
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