water is the most gentle and yielding of all substances. yet what is stronger than water? a rock gets in its way, it simply goes around it. years later, the rock is but sand, and the water flows in its place.
This quote is adapted from Lao Tzu, and I read a version similar to this, many years ago. It's stuck with me all this time. I find it inspiring and helpful when I feel rigid or emotional about something.
There is a kind of magic in surrendering and moving with the flow of things. Energy doesn't need to be forceful or aggressive to be powerful. In fact, the more you get to know yourself and find serenity within, the more you realize the immense power that comes from ease.
Imagine your energy as water. Now imagine something gets in your way and blocks your flow. You could get angry. You could get aggressive. But that won't move the block.
With a lot less effort and less emotional aggravation, you can go around the block. You can find a new route. Reorient your energy in a more productive way.
There is strength and power in perseverance. Determination. Discipline. Resiliency.
There is power in not letting your emotions take over or cloud your judgement. Because when you do let the emotions take over, it often leads to being at a stand still. Or spinning in circles because emotions tend to make the mind do that.
When you feel like you're stuck, you're blocked, you're angry, or whatever it is, take a moment to sit and breathe and release whatever is weighing you down. You can't force something to happen, or control every situation. But you can control your reactions. You control how you see and deal with the situation. You can decide not to resist and to go with the flow. To flow like water.
Remember, what is soft, is strong.
Water is a beautiful and magical substance. You can connect with the energy of water through meditation and by taking a bath, going for a swim, finding a stream, etc. Approach water with a curiosity, an openness. In doing so, you may learn something new. Water is a great teacher. She is intuitive, reflective, mysterious and wise. She represents emotion, the mind, life essence and is, of course, powerful and ever-flowing.
Water Meditation
Try this meditation to flow like water and let your energy move freely.
This meditation is even more powerful when practiced in or near water.
1. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Silence your phone and remove distractions.
2. Get comfortable in a seated position, sitting tall and with ease. Close your eyes or lower your gaze.
3. Turn your attention to your breath. Begin to slow down and deepen your inhales. Slow down your exhales.
4. Spend a few moments connecting to your breath, feeling it move throughout your body. On each exhale, releasing any tension.
5. Once you feel a sense of being grounded, try your ocean breath. Breathe in through your nose, exhale through a wide, open mouth, making a "haa" sound. Pay attention to the constriction in the back of your throat as you exhale. Imagine the waves of the ocean as you breathe. Flowing in with the inhale, and flowing out with the exhale.
6. Now try the same breath with your mouth closed, keeping the constriction in the back of the throat. Your breath is the water of the ocean. Flowing naturally, ever soft and ever strong.
7. "Water is the most gentle and yielding of all substances. Yet what is stronger than water? A rock gets in its way, it simply goes around it. Years later, the rock is but sand, and the water flows in its place."
Your energy is water. Flowing freely and without resistance. When you meet an obstacle, you choose not to resist, and instead you adapt, you alter your course to keep flowing with ease.
8. Imagine what it feels like to be water. To flow with such power and adaptability. At any obstacle, you transform. You keep moving onwards. You are wise and do not focus your energy on that which you cannot control. You focus your energy on flowing and moving with ease. How does it feel for you to be water?
9. Hold onto the sensations of being powerful and adaptable like water, as you repeat this mantra to yourself, out loud or in your mind.
My energy, my spirit is like water. I flow with ease around the obstacles that face me.
10. Sit in stillness for a few moments. Allow the breath to flow naturally. Allow the images of water to fade away. Notice your body, your mind, your spirit. What messages come up? How are you feeling?
11. When you are ready to close your meditation, feel the ground beneath you. Notice the sounds, the smells, in the room. Gently stretch your body. Thank yourself for taking this time. Open your eyes, carrying a sense of ease and flow.
Allowing your energy to flow freely takes practice. The goal is to live with ease, uninhibited by our own thoughts, expectations, and external obstacles. Remember the mantra any time you feel stuck. Write it on sticky notes and post it around your home or office.
My energy, my spirit is like water. I flow with ease around the obstacles that face me.
Once you've tried the meditation, share your experience with friends. Water is a supportive, healing, and gathering energy, so having support (and providing it) is encouraged. We are all on our personal journeys together. ♥