Ancient wisdom offers us valuable insights into how to live better, even in modern times. Many people find solace and advice within the Tao Te Ching, which was written 2,400 years ago and roughly translates as the “way of integrity.”
The Tao refers to resting in awareness, a state of perfect being that’s undefined by name. However, according to this ancient text, the divine spirits of male and female give birth to five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These, in turn, transform into all the myriad richness of creation.
These five elements also demonstrate the interrelatedness of all things, with earth giving rise to metal and fire tempering it, for example. They correlate to specific colours, seasons of the year, foods, bodily organs and senses, and even feng shui principles. By harmonizing your habits with the intrinsic flow of Mother Earth, you may enjoy improved physical wellness and more mental clarity and peace.
So how can you incorporate these five principles into your life to enhance your mental and physical wellness? If you’re interested in doing so, here are some fairly straightforward ways you can use the Taoist five element theory to improve your life.
Wood
The first element is wood. Appropriately enough, it’s associated with spring, the initial season of the year. It’s the perfect season for new beginnings and getting back in harmony with the planet’s cycles, especially by planting your summer garden and dining on the freshest new shoots.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that spring’s colour is green, the sign of life renewing the Earth, and you can invite harmony into your home by incorporating this colour into your decor. Could your house use a fresh coat of paint? Perhaps you don’t have the time or energy to do the entire exterior, but refinishing your front door, garage and shutters in a vibrant lime shade can revitalize your decor with the power of the new season. Add a few festive window boxes and feel more welcome when you arrive home.
The wood element correlates to your liver, one of your body’s primary detoxifying organs. Give it a boost this season by reducing or eliminating toxins like alcohol from your diet. If you broke your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, pick back up where you left off—and take comfort. Many people make multiple attempts before truly establishing a healthy habit.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the wood element is associated with the sour flavour. Perhaps you can boost the cleansing of your liver by swapping your usual nightcap for a glass of lemon water before bed. This beverage will provide an antioxidant boost to help your body eliminate damaging free radicals from your body as you sleep.
Fire
You can observe the interrelatedness of the five elements by realizing that wood gives birth to fire. Unsurprisingly, this element is associated with the colour red. Perhaps that’s the reason traditional summer picnic blankets have checker patterns in this colour! Fortunately, it’s a snap to beautify your home with shades of red by bringing in bundles of fresh flowers to create a centrepiece for your dining room table.
The fire element correlates to your heart and small intestine. It reminds you that getting your adrenaline pumping a bit is OK. Maybe this summer will be the one when you swim with the sharks or finally book that parasailing adventure you’ve watched longingly from shore in seasons past.
You may be wondering, though, how can you nurture your small intestine other than giving it a mild case of the butterflies? Dig into the fruits of the summer season. All that fresh produce will increase your fibre intake. Fibre, in turn, will nourish your gastrointestinal tract, providing food for beneficial bacterial colonies.
Metal
Fire shapes metal, which then becomes incorporated back into the Earth when it outlives its usefulness. This element corresponds to autumn, when people’s minds turn to home, harvest and preparing for the holidays. Perhaps it’s unsurprising that it’s also associated with the nose and mucus, as allergies and cold and flu season tend to arrive during this time.
Metal’s colour is white—a blank slate, which serves as a reminder of the importance of renewal. Take it as a sign that fall house cleaning matters as much as your spring job—maybe even more, if you plan on hosting holiday parties later. Use this time to clean out your closets and decide what you can donate, letting go of those things you no longer need with gratitude for your plenty and a blessing for the next wearer.
The metal element also correlates with your lungs. Why not nurture these organs by paying more attention to getting sufficient cardiovascular activity? The World Health Organization advises that adults should average between 30 and 60 minutes of movement most days of the week, so dust off those jogging shoes and go for a brisk outing around the block.
Water
The water element corresponds with winter. Depending on where you live, winter’s precipitation might arrive as snow. Typically, winter is a time for staying indoors and enjoying time with family and friends.
This element is also associated with your kidneys and bladder. Let this connection serve as a reminder of the importance of hydration. Although you might not feel as parched over the winter as you do during the summer months, your body will always need plenty of fluids to function at its best. Perhaps you should add a reusable water bottle to your holiday wish list or download an app that alerts you when it’s time to sip.
Furthermore, the water element correlates with the Ayurvedic salty taste. However, you don’t want to use too much of this type of seasoning in your food. Instead, start reading labels—you might be surprised by how much sodium lurks in that soup can, for example. Remind yourself that homemade is better, as eating homemade products will allow you to reduce food waste by using your scraps and more effectively controlling your use of the salt shaker for flavour.
Earth
Earth is the final element in the Taoist theory. Unlike the other four elements, it doesn’t correlate to a specific season. Rather, it concerns the changes that occur as spring shifts to summer, then fall and eventually winter.
Earth is the element of change. It’s also what you connect with through your root chakra as you sit in meditation. The next time you head to your Yoga or meditation mat, take a small piece of clay to mold and shape with your hands as you contemplate what shifts you need to make to improve your life. Maybe you want to shed a few pounds or improve your carbon footprint by telecommuting a few days a week. Make a meaningful plan to reach your goal.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners associate the Earth element with the stomach and pancreas, and meditating on this element can lead to necessary dietary improvements. As an example, your pancreas manufactures insulin, but modern foods laden in all-purpose flour can impair its functioning. Instead, experiment with alternatives, such as ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth or high-protein substitutes like chickpea.
The value of ancient wisdom
Modern minds can learn a lot from ancient wisdom. Although it might never appear on your Western medical chart, incorporating the Taoist five elements theory into your life can enrich your health in a variety of ways.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Please refer to the full text of our medical disclaimer.
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