Late Summer & Self-Compassion
Developing self-compassion is the stepping stone to enabling true connectedness.
Late summer is the ‘season’ Chinese medical theory ascribes to late August and early September. During late summer abundance is seen in nature. The fields are at peak production with fruits and vegetables ripened and ready to harvest. This time of year is filled with tall green flora and increased rain. Chinese medical five element theory relates late summer to the earth element. The five elements are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each element is not only related to a season, but also other aspects that tie human existence with nature. Each element has its corresponding virtues, emotions, and health challenges which is reflected in the human experience.
Chinese diagnosis includes a determination of the patient’s element. Those with the earth element as part of their diagnosis tend to have strong virtues of being analytical and compassionate. When imbalanced, the earth element individual may be consumed with apathy and obsessive thought. Physical symptoms may include poor digestion, insomnia, apathy, fatigue, and anxiety.
Healing involves thoughtful diligence on the part of the practitioner and the patient. Alongside healing there is growth and transformation. Propelled by positive change the earth element’s challenge of apathy and overthinking transforms into clarity of thought as well as compassion for self and others.
What opens your heart? What settles your mind? What calms you and helps you unwind? These are the questions to ask yourself to nurture self-compassion. Self compassion opens our attention to our own needs. This is not a selfish endeavor when it comes from a clear mind. It is a necessary component of creating solid ground from which to function with integrity and act with compassion towards others.
According to sinologist Claude Larre, “compassion is the understanding that we are one with others, and with that, freedom of movement is necessary.” This means that in order to communicate with compassion it is important to be present to what is happening in the moment, and when you have tended to that moment, allow the mind to move to the next situation in need of your attention.
Claude Larre continues by saying, “when you are just talking to people from your sympathy they suspect that you are deceiving them. But if you are talking to them from solid ground you are really helping them.” Here, Larre is speaking about integrity that is developed from the insight of self-compassion.
Whether you are an ‘earth element’ individual or not, developing self-compassion is the stepping stone to enabling true connectedness and giving to others. In order to truly give, we must receive.
Reference:
Larre, C., Rochat de la Vallee, E. (1996). The Seven Emotions: Psychology and Health in Ancient China. Monkey Press, Cambridge,
