The Heart of the Matter

Painting by Roc Caivano

Every winter I enjoy growing paperwhite narcissus bulbs. Watching those brown, papery bulbs flower into fragrant white blossoms during the coldest days of the year is a nice reminder that nature is cyclic and spring will return. Recently, I found a bulb leftover from a previous year. It appeared to be a goner, dried up and exhausted, but once I peeled away a few layers I was surprised to find a nice green sprout, ready to grow as soon as it was planted it in a dish of pebbles and water.

Yesterday in class we practiced the exercise “Dancing with the Trees” to remind ourselves that just like those paperwhite bulbs, the winter trees are guarding within their sapwood the flowing juiciness of springtime. We have that energy in ourselves, too, only it’s contained in human form. We soak up energy from all around us, just as roots soak up water or leaves absorb sunlight. Unlike the trees and paperwhites, however, we can actually move around! What a gift! Moving and spiraling energy through our joints, bones, nervous system and organs keeps us flexible and resilient in body, mind, and spirit. In Chinese medicine, this is exemplified by the Wood element and is associated with the energy of the liver/gallbladder system. When activated, the wood energy enables us to transform stress into a sense of abundance, and turn anger into kindness and creativity. Like those papery brown narcissus bulbs and leafless trees, we will continue to metamorphose and regenerate.