In the five-element way of thinking,
The solidity of earth follows the explosive growth of fire.
The earth phase embodies nurturing,
Balance,
Stability,
And boundary setting.
Quite literally,
It is the grounding element.
In the cycle of our lives,
Our middle years are our earth phase.
We've left behind the voracious development and growth of our childhood and adolescence and have entered into the relatively stable period of adulthood.
In the 24-hour cycle of a day,
Earth is active in the mid to late afternoon.
Seasonally,
Earth is active in late summer,
After the period of the rapid growth of the crops but before the harvest.
Earth is also embodied in the in-between times of transition.
It's the moments where we are perfectly balanced between one thing and the next.
So in addition to being active in our middle years,
Earth is also active when we are perfectly poised between childhood and adolescence,
Between our teen years and adulthood,
And between middle and old age.
In a day,
We feel this shifting balance when we're moving from morning to afternoon,
Afternoon to evening,
Evening to night,
And night to morning again.
Seasonally,
This means that the earth phase is active in late summer and also in the 18 days before and after each solstice and equinox as we move from one season to the next and one phase to the next.
It's those days where you can feel that fall is coming but isn't quite here yet,
Or when you can smell spring in the air at the end of winter.
This is called doyo time.
When I started learning about the five-element philosophy,
I had a hard time wrapping my head around how something as stable as the earth could be associated with what I thought of as the instability of change until I came to understand that taking a moment to stop,
Replenish,
Refocus,
And regain your balance is absolutely crucial during transitional times.
I've come to think of the earth phase as the time when you've finished the dishes and you stand back with your hands on your hips and say,
Ah,
That's done.
I'm going to have a cup of tea and then start folding the laundry.
One job is done and now it's time to recharge and then move on to the next thing.
If we don't come back to a place of balance before we move on,
The next phase is harder than it needs to be.
For this meditation,
We're going to focus on grounding and finding that still,
Stable,
Centered place within ourselves that will let us move on to the next thing,
Whatever that may be.
Let's begin by settling into your most comfortable meditation position.
If you'd like,
You can close your eyes.
Take a few slow,
Deep,
Easy breaths all the way down into your belly without forcing anything.
And with each exhale,
Let yourself sink deeper into your position while at the same time maintaining the uprightness of your spine.
As you breathe,
Let yourself sink into your cushion.
Really become aware of the heaviness of the part of you that's touching the ground and of your solid,
Stable connection to the earth.
Life is a continuous cycle of growth and change.
Take a moment to reflect on any areas of your life that are on the cusp of change.
It may be a small,
Everyday shift,
Like transitioning from your lunch break back to work.
Or it may be a bigger change,
Like becoming a parent or getting married.
Anything that comes to mind for you in this moment is just right.
Take a moment and picture this change as a journey from one place to another.
In your mind,
In as much detail as you can,
Envision a road that leads you from one point to the next on this journey.
Walk along this road until you come to a bridge that leads from where you are to where you will be after this shift.
When you reach the exact midpoint of this bridge,
Stop.
The hard work and excitement of the last phase is coming to a close.
The next phase is unknown and uncertain.
What does it feel like as you contemplate taking that next step?
Notice whatever thoughts,
Feelings,
Or physical sensations come up for you.
No judgment.
Just observe.
Because of the nourishing aspect of the Earth phase,
It's associated with hearth and home and the people in your life who greet you with open arms,
Just as you are.
Pour you a plate of cookies and let you be you.
They may have suggestions and observations about your life,
But they know that you will make your own choices and they offer their support unconditionally.
As you observe what you feel around the thought of the upcoming changes in your life,
Picture one of those people with you.
It may be someone that you know,
Someone in your life who has been supportive in the past,
Or you can imagine someone,
Completely new,
Who makes you feel safe and loved.
What would you like from them?
Do you need words of encouragement?
Do you need a moment to rest?
Or a sympathetic ear?
How can they best help you center yourself?
Imagine a few moments taking in their support.
Earth creates the boundaries that help us know who we are,
That give shape to ourselves.
The banks of a river define the river.
The mountains define the valley.
And the clay of the pot defines the vessel.
What defines where you've been?
What shape would you like the next phase to take?
Imagine sinking your hands into some nearby wet clay and build a model of what you would like the next episode of your life to look like.
You might find that your nurturing person has suggestions,
And if so,
Consider them and see if they feel like they're useful to you.
When you're ready,
Picture yourself standing up and wiping the clay from your hands,
And take the next step on the road towards the upcoming phase of your life.
Take a nice deep breath and allow yourself to feel a sense of quiet contentment and peace.
When you're ready,
Open your eyes and just sit with this feeling for a little bit.
Appreciate the stable nature of the earth below you.
Take one or two more breaths.
If it feels right,
Direct a little gratitude towards yourself for taking time for you today.
Thank you for joining me.
