In 2014 I studied to become a massage therapist. In doing so I found that I was drawn towards Chinese Healing Modalities; specifically shiatsu/acupuncture points, hara work, as well as fire cupping. At the time I was doing a lot of Taoist-like meditations; meditations that involved pulling in light energy from the cosmos, moon, and sun, or pulling in light energy from trees, rocks, and earth. I say they were Taoist-like because at the time I believed they were meditations of my own creation, but after reading books on Taoism I discovered it was similar to what I was already doing. Zhan Zhuang or standing meditation also became a favorite practice. Incredible how a simple stance in a sunlit forest can be so rejuvenating.
Even though I meditated on different parts/aspects of nature my connection to the moon began to grow in intensity. Firstly, because it reminded me of when I was a kid and the summer nights when I would walk along the dirt roads under the moonlight. Second, because it seemed to bring out a kind of divine feminine nature in me. I guess when we think of femininity we may think of a woman’s ability to nurture? Or perhaps we may think of her heightened emotions. However my own experience with it was quite different. It wasn’t some emotional outpouring (as some might imagine it would be). Rather, it was a time to let go of emotions and ‘just be’. It cracked open this mature place within myself that wanted to let go of the old and welcome in the new. It was like a fresh start, which brought along with it this sweeping peace.
I love the stillness that the Tao has to offer. Stillness is the only thing that makes sense. I’m just taking a moment to revel in its beauty.
