I have been contemplating on the similarities regarding the changing of the seasons and my Taiji practice. We can all see and experience the four distinct seasons here in Canada as they are all different to the extreme. But I have been to places like Hawaii where the changes are much more subtle yet the locals are keenly aware of the differences.

Looking back over the last decade of training I can see where my “springs” and “winters” have been. I can relate my times of great change where new concepts, techniques, forms and practices have been learned and incorporated. I can also see the dormant periods of little to no growth. I think it is important to realize that we have these ebbs and flows to our maturation and even more important to use the periods of “dormancy” wisely (I define wisdom as the proper application of knowledge).

This seasonal perspective to growth and maturation also seems to be tied to five element theory where there are creative and destructive cycles. The creative cycle makes full and productive use of the naturally occurring elements in our world to evolve towards a higher state while the “destructive” cycle tears down what needs to be dismantled in order for the creative cycle to be even more successful. This is a kind of out with the bad in with the good scenario.

Thus if we are aware enough and introspective enough to “see” where we are at any time within our own training cycles we can make determinations based on logic or reason or feeling or intuition about what seeds we wish to nourish in our next growth cycle.

Peace

Rod