Today I'll talk about the spirits of the 5 elements (Wu Shen). Just as there are 5 elements or phases related to the seasons,
and to organ pairs (a Yin organ and a Yang organ), there is also a spirit for each element.
The spirit of the Water Element (winter season) is zhi (pronounced zhur), which represents will, purpose, and each person's destiny. The will of your life's purpose: a force that drives a person toward their destiny without much conscious thought or effort. It is also believed that zhi is the innate power of life itself: life that longs to live and survive.
Zhi is also perceived as a product of the Jing we looked at in the last newsletter. To understand a little better how to cultivate this energy, we need to look at the kidneys, where zhi resides.
A person with strong kidney force (Kidney Qi) has a strong zhi—that is, a drive to be alive—while a person with less kidney force may lack drive. Anything that damages the Kidneys will also damage the zhi. Things like chronic fear, trauma, constant stress, intense cold, addictions, overwork, and lack of sleep all help drain Kidney Qi and zhi.
When zhi is out of balance, the result can be one of two extremes: lack of drive or excess of drive. So a person may experience apathy and weakness, withdrawal and despair. Or, on the contrary, they may become restless, relentlessly active, and hyper-determined. When zhi is balanced, the person moves forward without much effort, as if propelled by an invisible force. It is a kind of "going with the flow," living life with ease and without strain.
Ultimately, the highest form of zhi arises when personal will is aligned with the "will of heaven."
If you're interested in going deeper into zhi and the practices of the Water element, I'll be offering an online course starting next week:
Want to practice this in your body? Each course works with one element at your own pace, with immediate access. And if you don't know where to start, write to me.
