Five Elements: The Energy of Teaching
The Five Energy Needs
The Five Elements Philosophy is an observation of natural rhythms, cycles and energy flow. It is called the five ELEMENTs because it begins with the basic essences of nature, fire, earth, metal (mineral), water, and wood.
A basic nature observation is the shift of seasons. Fire is associated with summer, earth with late summer, the time of harvest, metal with fall, water with winter, and wood with spring.
Wood: The energy of Teaching
Teaching = To impart knowledge or skill, to give instruction
This is the energy of non-preference converted to preference. This is the energy of taking on the responsibility of teaching everyone you interact with HOW TO TREAT YOU. This is the energy of “That is NOT OK.”
If this is your need, you might notice bossiness, disrespect, or abusiveness in your life and relationships.
Increase this energy begins with noticing your non-preferences. Make a list, including large and small non-preferences. Everything…the looks…the voice tone..the words…the actions. For each non- preference, consider what the boundary crosser wants from their energy output. And then memorize this statement:
“You wanted __________, so you did _________________, if you want ___________, then you may __________. Would you be willing to do that?”
If your spouse left his socks on the bedroom floor, he may have wanted you to wash them. If your friend called you an idiot, she may have wanted you to do something differently. If you child kicked you in the shin, she may have wanted you to let her do something.
“You wanted me to wash your socks, so you left them on the bedroom floor…if you want me to wash your socks, then you may put them in the hamper. Would you be willing to do that?”
“You wanted to have a treat, so you kicked me…if you want a treat, say “mommy, I want a treat. Try that now.”
This is the energy of teaching others how to get what they want. Never say no again. Instead, give the precise instructions as to HOW they can achieve their desire.
“Mom, I want to burn the house to the ground.” Mom teaches how to make that happen… “Of course…well first, you need to purchase the house…then get a burning permit from the city…then you take a course on safe burning…” I support you completely in your every desire. (I’ve never encountered that request, but if you can handle that one, you should be fine with the treat, right?) Just in case…
You want a treat…if you want a treat, you will need to finish your chores and have a vegetable and protein. (our rules…you can make your own or steal ours)
This is the energy of agreements and accountability to agreements.
“Would you agree to do this instead of that?” (OK) When it doesn’t happen… “You agreed to do this, and you still did that. I need this, so what do you need to make this happen?” (something) “Ok, so if you get that, you agree to this?” (yes). If it still doesn’t happen… “You agreed to do this, if you got that, and you still did that. I need this, so what else do you need to make this happen?” Rinse and repeat.
If it never happens…THAT IS NOT OK. “I’ve kept every agreement that you have asked for….you asked for something, and then something, and I’ve provided something(s). You did not give me this…that is not ok.”
Yes, it is possible that the person in front of you CANNOT or will not give you what you need, and it is possible that the need you are asking for is non-negotiable (ie. physical abuse, or any abuse, disrespect, etc.). People get divorced more than they stay married, but I think they find solutions much more often if they use this energy. The point is, teach them how to treat you…give them room for error…and if they still won’t keep their agreement, like the energy of water, you will know without hesitation that they are not meant for your life.
This is the energy of confronting. To confront in this sense means to stand strong and tall, like a mature tree…for your values, which are your strength or roots. This is the energy of uncompromising. If you compromise your value, you “sell out” your true desire and weaken your roots.
This is the energy of honesty and authenticity. What is your highest or greatest truth? Are you communicating with yourself and others based on your highest truth? Are your actions for yourself and others based on your highest truth?
This is the energy of acceptance. Trees, grass, weeds, and other sprouting energies all have a unique role and benefit on the environment. Your roots can coexist with every other root. Differing values must be considered and recognized. The statement above requires you to understand their desires and values, while maintaining a focus on and requesting from your values.
Does that feel practical enough to apply immediately…even if 5% more? We rarely transform our being…but with little changes, we see transformation happen over time. Go for 5%…or even 2%…more of the energy YOU need, and get curious…perhaps excited… to see what changes in your life.
The five elements philosophy is practical. Without knowing anything about the history or studying the application, you can connect to the essence just through common knowledge. Fire and summer are hot, energetic, alive, colorful…it is easy to see the passion and desire attributes of fire. Water and winter are cold, still, and dark…it is easy to see the patience and flexibility attributes of water.
That is the beauty of the five elements…it is based on common observations, and then applied to all cycles of nature, using the same characteristics and attributes.
The development of an individual passes through these elements many times. An egg resting in the ovary is the essence of water…as it is released into a fallopian tube, it is sprouting from rest, the essence of wood….we won’t get into the fire essence to keep this G rated…and the earth essence is harvest…the birth…which is followed by the essence of metal…reflection, richness, and relaxation.
Once a child is born, the emotional needs become the primary goal. Here are the goals of each element emotionally, how it develops naturally, and what experiences impact the health of each energy (which associates with organ health also).
Fire element: A healthy fire energy allows a person to give and receive love in many relationships,
appropriately and confidently. This element is developed through inclusion and acceptance. Experiences of feeling rejected, abandoned or unloved create imbalance in this element and lead to challenges in developing and maintaining relationships.
Earth element: A healthy earth energy allows a person to give and receive emotional support and nurturing.
It is formed largely by the relationship to mother, or the primary caregiver. Experiences of a lack of bonding or lack of support or care lead to imbalances, resulting in a continued need to seek support or nourishment throughout their life (always looking for someone to take care of them).
Metal element: A healthy metal energy allows a person to take in the richness of life, feel that they have purpose and meaning, and process loss…
(grief/sadness) and move onward in life. This element is developed through validation (you are OK/normal) and the father relationship. Experiences of not receiving validation create imbalance and leave the person seeking recognition and approval in life.
Water element: A healthy water energy allows a person to assess risks and use good judgment in making decisions.
It is formed through reassurance in the face of fear as a child. Experiences of fear without acknowledgement or reassurance or projected fear (over-protection) lead to imbalances and a life of “bad decisions,” which can include a fear of worst case possibility in routine aspects of life.
Wood element: A healthy wood energy allows a person to have a clear vision of their path and the patience to allow it to unfold.
This element is developed by clear rules and structure as a child. Experiences of unclear boundaries leaves a person struggling with their own boundaries and a seeking of power and needing to be right or correct.
When emotional development has been affected with imbalance, there are characteristic observations that can be made in life experiences, particularly with relationships.
FIRE: You will know you need the energy of the fire essence when you observe a lack of appreciation for your efforts, being taken for granted, or being blamed for others problems. This experience indicates that this energy is weakened, and needs the energy described below.
EARTH: You will know you need the energy of the earth essence when you observe a “backing away” in your relationships, leaving you feeling alone and unsupported.
METAL: You know you need the energy of the metal essence when you observe immaturity or selfishness in the people around you.
WATER: You know you need the energy of water essence when you observe feeling disappointed or betrayed by others.
WOOD: You know you need the energy of wood essence when you observe bossiness, overbearing, disrespect, or abuse from others.
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