The "mind-body connection."
Many of us may have heard this phrase, yet struggle to truly grasp how to feel it within ourselves. Academically, psychology delves deeply into the mind, and anatomy into the body, each explored individually. However, they don't fully reveal how these two are intimately interwoven.
We often tend to perceive the mind and body as separate entities. Yet, as the saying "mind and body are one" suggests, our very life, encompassing both mind and body, is indivisibly linked.
At Unfolding Bodywork, to holistically embrace this "entire being," we highly value the concept of "The Five Elements (Goso)," a wisdom passed down through ancient Indian traditional medicine.
The Suffering Multiplied by "Dividing"
In modern times, those who can intricately "divide" complex concepts are often considered intelligent. Ancient wisdom suggests that by "dividing" things, they acquire "names," and when these "names" lead to "suffering," they become "troubles."
We have continually pursued further subdivision in our quest for deeper understanding. Yet, in parallel, suffering seems to be steadily increasing.
For instance, in ancient times, perhaps there were only simple ailments like "headache," "injury," or "stomach ache." Today, however, with the advancement of medicine, the number of diseases is said to be in the tens or even hundreds of thousands.
As this illustrates, the more medicine advances, the fewer diseases do not become the reality; instead, the "types" of diseases multiply, and so do the individuals afflicted by their symptoms.
Therefore, we believe it is crucial to approach the mind and body not by dividing them into mind, body, and spirit, but by re-perceiving the entire being as a single, integrated whole.
Our "Five Elements" Resonating with Nature
The Five Elements are "Sky (Ku)," "Wind (Fu)," "Fire (Ka)," "Water (Sui)," and "Earth (Chi)."
These represent the five energetic qualities that comprise the universe and the grand tapestry of nature. And as integral parts of this vast natural world, we are believed to encompass all these Five Elements within ourselves.
Most notably, these elements serve as a profoundly crucial concept, connecting the visible "body" with the invisible "mind."
We tend to perceive the mind and body separately, attempting to approach them individually, which is akin to forcibly trying to untangle a complex knot of threads. The more force applied to tangled threads, the tighter they become. However, by sensing the quality and flow of these threads through the lens of the elements, we can discern where to begin unraveling. The elements become the "clues" for naturally untangling this knot with your innate strength.
In Japan, the concept of these Five Elements was introduced from China through Buddhism and is known as "Godai." The Gorintō (five-ringed pagodas) seen at shrines and temples also embody these Five Elements.
"Embodied Experience" Beyond Academic Limits
Academia deeply scrutinizes the essence of things by meticulously breaking them down. However, by segmenting life, a unified whole, into "mind," "body," and "spirit," we can sometimes lose sight of the entire picture.
At Unfolding Bodywork, we deeply value spending time in nature. This is because we prioritize feeling the energy of the elements firsthand in nature and learning profoundly from that experience.
"Decoding the Elements" in Unfolding Bodywork
During a session, we ascertain the state of the elements manifesting in the client's body. This is less about visual observation and more akin to the sensation of "perceiving with intuition."
- From bodily sensations: When specific symptoms are present, we use the element corresponding to that symptom as a clue.
- From words and movements: Furthermore, we observe the content of what the client is saying, their tone of voice, and even their body movements and habits while speaking, to discern which element's state they express.
In this way, through the lens of the elements, we carefully decipher the current state of a client's mind and body. Therefore, the concept of the elements serves as a vital compass for approaching holistic well-being.
The Journey of the Elements Begins
In this series, we will delve into each individual element, elaborating on its characteristics and how it manifests in the mind and body.
Next time, we will unravel "Sky," the origin of all and the most fundamental element. We eagerly anticipate embarking on this journey of the elements with you, which will serve as a new compass for listening to the voice of your mind and body.
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