Reflecting on the Water Element

As many of you know, I’m fascinated with systems of meaning - sacred geometry, artistry, the miracle of nature, and the many paths of discovering who we are and returning to what we deeply know as resonate truth.

Recently I’ve been reflecting on the water element inspired by the research of Dr. Masaru Emoto in The Hidden Messages in Water. His findings reveal the formation of water as influenced by our thoughts. I especially relish looking at his pictures of ice crystals and find myself drawn to their visual symmetry and exquisite patterns, not to mention the power of mind and interdependence.

Dancing with Attention

In some ways, the water crystals remind me of the mandalas that I’ve enjoyed coloring over the years. There’s no one spot where I’m supposed to start coloring a mandala. Rather, the mandala invites my mind and heart to begin wherever I want. Then, as I make my way around or into the mandala, the coloring process finishes itself. Color choices, the pressure of my hand against the paper, the margins of the lines – all fuse together in a blissful expression, and often a satisfying release. I marvel at the fluidity of the water element and its cohesive properties.

When I look at an ice crystal, I also drop preoccupations with where to begin. I may notice the faint trace of a hexagonal prism at first. But by now it has morphed into some other symmetric shape suggesting a star, a diamond, a beautiful fern. Our mind works the same way - it constantly dances with you, inviting you to look closely at its delicate patterns. With presence, you are invited to soften and let go of too much analysis. As you zoom in and zoom out, you can experience and even appreciate the mind coming into ease through this graceful dance.

I imagine the crystals melting or morphing into some other hybrid of water molecules. The earth element of my body would hardly hold together or be purified without the softening contours of the water element. That’s what makes a glass of cool water seem so satisfying and nourishing. The water just flows, while my body’s earth element knows how to take it in, absorb it, swim in it. The fire element in my body knows how to keep it at the optimal temperature, and the wind element knows how to suffuse it with oxygen.

Water Prayers

l often look beyond my favorite pictures of ice crystals, beyond my body and coloring, to see a declining democracy, racial hatred, planetary destruction, and an overwhelming inner tsunami of muddy waters. I allow my rage and grief to swell, to soften, and then dissolve. In these moments, I experience the water element as a force of nature. Water collects itself, flows into other instantiations of itself, becomes larger. Oceans are fed. It also erodes the earth element if the conditions are right. Entire canyons are carved out. I gaze at these displays of gravitas with deep appreciation and gratitude for the life-giving force of water. I'm humbled by the generosity of water and I pray to water for racial healing and global wellbeing, and that the purity of water remain protected from human harm.

I bow to the nature of water, intimately recognizing myself: how it crystallizes, coheres, becomes different forms, dissolves, flows into others, becomes larger, and merges. I’m mindful that the water element is unpredictable under changing conditions. We can experience it as a scarce resource or an overwhelming flood. I'm thankful that I can feel a blissful release of racial distress when I surrender to the nature of water. At the same time, there must be a level of ease and comfort within my body to reflect this way. A body that feels disconnected, anxious, or traumatized needs a steady dose of mindful settling to soften then open to the refreshing flow of water. That’s why I’m so grateful for learning insight meditation many decades ago. In this practice, we learn to sit with ease – many of us for the first time. We learn to recognize and embrace our disguises of rage, fear, perfection, depression, or ignorance often for the first time. We discern our identity as racial beings from an embracing and inclusive perspective. And we can more intimately discern our humanity, perhaps for the first time.

Crystalizing Your Journey

Do conditions in your life feel supportive of such an inquiry? We'd like to help! A good place to start is a Beginner’s Guide for Meditating with Race, which is freely offered on my course website. Importantly, like the water element, we naturally cohere with others of like minds. Perhaps you are ready to form a Racial Affinity (RA) group and go through my Brave Space course together. Through May 30th, receive a 25% discount on the Six Hindrances to Racial Harmony course. Or sign up for my newsletter so that you can get regular updates on all my offerings!

The Mindful of Race Institute nurtures space that supports mindful, honest inquiry. And, when the time is ripe, we gift each other with precious reflections, just as I have gifted you with this water element reflection.

You know, they straightened out the Mississippi River in places to make room for houses and livable acreage. Occasionally the river floods the places. “Floods” is the word they use, but in fact it is not flooding; it is remembering. Remembering where is used to be. All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was ~ Toni Morrison

We look forward to supporting your flow and purifying your waters!

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