If I were to paint a picture of inner wisdom, there would be plenty of open space and a central point made of quiet and stillness. What does this all mean? What is intuition and how is it related to the age-old ideas behind Taoism? Taoism guides us to slow down, trust in the moment, and move in harmony with the world around us. There is a belief that to push and strive in life is to go against the natural order and waste precious energy. Instead, one is to trust in the flow of life, moving along without digging one’s heels in or rushing ahead. This is the place of minimum effort where our energy is utilized most efficiently.
This natural flow of life is depicted clearly when observing the life cycles of plants and animals. The quiet and dark environment in which lives the seed is where it all begins and happens to also be where inner wisdom finds its voice. The life cycle is depicted by five elements or phases and mirrors the seasonal changes too. Water (seed, winter), Wood (sprout, spring), Fire (Flower, Summer), Earth (Fruit, Late Summer) and Metal (Withering Leaves, Fall)
The beginning of the cycle is the most Yin (the dark, cold, still energy), then peaks at the greatest Yang (the bright, hot, active energy) then makes its way back to the greatest Yin to begin again. All of life follows this rhythm, even the moon. This flow is an eternal dance with its own divine timing. Most of us agree that the seasons are created by the turning of the earth and its relationship to the sun. This can not be changed or forced. We are at the whim of these changes within and around us. The same is with learning to receive insights and hear the voice of your intuition. This is a practice that will require patience, gentleness and letting go of old habits.
Many of us are accustomed to the idea that if we put enough time and energy and focus into something that we will become successful at it. We just have to push ourselves. By the Tao’s very nature, it is intangible, unknowable, indescribable and most definitely out of our control. And we as humans are also inextricably linked to the Tao. We are a part of it.
So if you wish to hone your intuition and ability to perceive information on a deeper level, start by finding parts of your day where you can slow down. Notice your mind’s voracious appetite for information, for figuring things out, then pause and bring your mind’s attention to one of your senses. Our senses help to ground us back into the present. Also, become aware of the mind’s negative voice. This is the voice that might be drowning out your intuition. Next time you hear it, just giggle at it, and take a breath. Maybe even name it. Listening to this familiar voice unconsciously holds you in a state of unconsciousness.
Consider this, imagine what it’s like to be a seed under the cold dark earth, sitting in the unknown. As far as we understand, the seed does not know what is coming next. It just is being a seed. We can say the same for a caterpillar who has enclosed itself in a cocoon. These examples give our executive thoughts a rest, opening a small path for our intuition to begin to unfurl.
Reminder: to strive is the antithesis of the energy that supports inner wisdom. Just know that we all have the ability to cultivate this practice. Slow down and trust in the wisdom that is ever present.
A Taoist Meditation to Cultivate Inner Sight
-Find a comfortable position.
-Close your eyes to the outer world, to open your inner vision.
-Imagine it is winter and you are a seed sitting under the soil.
-Feel the need to know begin to drop away. No concern with past or future.
-Bring awareness to the peace, stillness and quiet around you and inside of you.
-Remain here for as long as you have time for.
(Optional Part 2)
-Allow a question bubble up slowly.
-Feel what the quality of the question. How does it feel to sit with it? Allow any discomfort in your body to arise and settle.
-Then allow an answer to bubble up and again feel your body’s response. Notice when your body feels more settled, open. That is your answer.
And, to take it a step further, consider making time for this meditation at the most yin time of the night, between 1am-4am. This also happens to be when our serotonin levels are at their highest and there fewer distractions as well. And during the month, the new moon will likely provide you with the most supportive environment for this subtle cultivation.
