AIR HARMONY
"We
live that we may learn to love, We love that we may learn
to live.
There is no other lesson required of man." -
Mirdad
Air
is contained in the space around us and within us, as we
breathe it into our bodies and transport it through the
blood to provide oxygen to all the tissues, systems and
organs of our bodies. The air element is associated with
compassion, unconditional love and nurturing on the
positive side and with the mental and emotional conditions
of speed and greed on the negative side. Just as we can
live only a few moments without air, our life becomes less
than ashes and dust when the heart is closed and love and
generosity can not flow inwards to the self or outwards
towards the world around us.
This element that is so important to our well being can not
be seen yet we can see and experience its effects. A gentle
breeze on a hot day cools our skin, dances the leaves on
the trees and refreshes our mind and soul. Air energy can
be harnessed to sail a boat across the ocean or to turn a
wind mill or generator. It can also blow out of control,
lifting sand or dust or rain to create wild storms and in
its extreme form manifests as hurricanes that flatten
everything in its path.
Creating balance in the air element is a subtle process. On
the one hand an imbalance can create intense greed, fueled
by a feeling of inner starvation. There is never enough
time, money, success, belongings, power or love and one
moves faster and faster, falling over oneself, in an
attempt to attain what one believes will satisfy this
hunger. Always feeling a sense of lack one can justify
selfishness and abuse of others to achieve one's ends.
Physical symptoms of this imbalance are gas in the
digestive tract and in the muscles, breathing disorders and
shoulder, arm and hand problems.
It is also an imbalance when a person experiences
sensitivity and compassion for others suffering and, rather
than rising to these feelings with unconditional love,
falls into rage, impotence, futility and a broken heart so
that they feel that they must cut off their connection to
others for safety and protection. By blocking the flow of
energy the heart becomes stagnant and cold, breathing
becomes restricted and the ultimate result is numbness to
one's self and others, lack of energy, and lack of oxygen
in the body.
The air element must flow in and out with the ease and
abundance of breathing for balance to be found. The gift of
the air element is a connectedness to all life through
respect, compassion, awareness, understanding, acceptance,
sensitivity, caring, unselfishness and an openness to
loving relationships.
We trust that we will always have enough; that giving is a
cycle that flows back and always leaves us fuller and more
complete than before. We realize that we are most deeply
protected by the love we give and receive rather than what
we take from the world. Like the air that we breathe it is
always there. Whether rich or poor, whether alone or
surrounded by loved ones, the sun and the moon bathe us
with their love, the flowers laugh with joy as they offer
their love, every step we take the earth says "I love you".
It is always there for us to receive.
The challenge of the air element is to let go of wounds,
slow down and stay in the present. By being in the moment
one can rejoice in what is being given and enjoy being
rather than doing. The insecure, needy, wounded and
helpless child can become a joyful, playful child of the
universe. When the air element is positive we realize that
there is enough of everything, an abundance that must be
shared and enjoyed by all. The heart opens and giving and
receiving freely becomes a way of life.
Air healing is received through breathing exercises, yoga
pranayam, fresh air, ocean air, mountain air, heart-opening
counseling, therapy and body work. Elemental Energetics is
an ideal approach for healing the elements as it moves your
awareness through each element, opening the way for healing
with movement and inner attention.