Lessons from the Elements: Earth

Earth is a very profound element. It is not particularly revered in religions besides the worship of, what we now call, ‘Mother Earth’. It is not difficult to ascribe meaning to things like water, fire, and air, due to their prominence in spiritual practices world-wide. Earth, on the other hand, is less thought of. However, I would venture that Earth holds the keys to leadership and humility more so than any of the elements.

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Many would argue that Earth represents opposition to change and stubbornness, I would disagree. The Earth does not resist change, but guides it. Change that happens too quickly can often be detrimental, just look at the ‘democracies’ that Western governments have created after toppling dictators. The Earth guides change gradually, beneficially. Crops don’t just spring forth, they grow gradually and at different times so as to ensure constant food supply. Water does not just instantly form a river or an ocean, instead it must carve a path in the earth, distributing the water underground and across paths formed by the topography of the land. It is in this idea of guidance that we find the teachings of Earth.

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Strength

There is no doubt that the earth is a physically imposing aspect of nature. From mountains to stones and soil, the earth supports not only the growth of life, but also the physical masses of everything that dwells on the planet. Even whilst being tormented by humans (because we are, and have been for years, deeply damaging the earth) it continues to support us. If we think of the earth in that manner then we learn the true virtue of strength of character. It is a pure form of love and requires immense strength to go on protecting, providing, and supporting those who hurt you ceaselessly.

Now, just for clarity, I am not saying we must not be fluid and adapt to situations. I am not suggesting that we let people use us and try to maintain toxic friendships. Even the earth has earthquakes, droughts, and famines.

Instead, I am suggesting that our character must be like that of the earth. If we have a duty we must perform it despite hardships. As Water has taught us, we must not only have fluidity, but fortitude. Earth now demonstrates that which complements fortitude: strength. Fortitude is courage in adversity. Strength is our ability to resist pressure- to act in adversity. There is a reason we say that our characters must be “grounded”. More than that, we must have the confidence to stand by our principles. It is not stubborn to resist those who would change you wrongly. Remember, Earth guides change gradually.

Aside from how we interpret strength of character, Earth also teaches physical strength. To us, this is a lesson of health and mentality. We must be physically strong in body and in mind. To accomplish that which we must accomplish, we must feed the strength of that by which we will accomplish it.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will.” – Bruce Lee 

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Humility

Earth, the strongest of all the elements, is the one which all creatures walk on. One of the most powerful aspects of our world teaches us the virtue of humility. Earth makes itself a servant. It gives of itself so that plants may grow, so that we may build and farm, so that rivers may flow. I spoke earlier of how the earth guides change in a gradual manner instead of resisting it. The chief example of this is in the example of rivers. Water runs over the earth, following the path of least resistance. As it does this, being guided by the topography of the ground, it wears away at the rock and earth beneath it. The Earth lets itself be eroded as the water flows, guiding the water to the sea.

It has been said that humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. This is exemplified in Earth. It does not think less of itself. It knows it is strong. It raises its mountains high for all to see. But even those mountains, the pinnacles of the earth, have rivers which flow from them.

When we learn to think not of ourselves and instead to think of how we may help others, when we learn to give of ourselves so that others may prosper, when we learn to sacrifice even at the peaks of our achievement, then we have learned humility. There is a reason the old saying goes, “You must be down to earth.”

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Leadership

How then does the earth speak to us of leadership? Simply put: strength and humility are the primary aspects of leadership. It is humility which makes you want to give of yourself that others may benefit, it is strength which allows you to do so.

By ‘guiding change gradually’ through erosion of itself, Earth shows that we should lead by serving. When we give of ourselves and guide people to their benefit in a gradual way, not allowing them to simply rush into things, we foster a sense of trust in others. By using the leadership shown in Earth we not only further others, but further ourselves as well.

If you ever chance to speak with a soldier who has seen active combat and saved a fellow soldier, and then you ask them why they did it, they will say one thing: “They would have done the same for me.”

When you give of yourself to others they know that you are someone who will be there for them. The only natural response to this, is to want to support you too. By becoming servants of each other we are able to grow ourselves and grow others in exponential leaps, leading to a better society.

This is how to lead: Strength in Humility; Humility in Strength. This is the Way of Earth.

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Lessons from the Elements: Water

No doubt you will be familiar with the concept of the five elements: water, earth, fire, air, and spirit/void. In Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings), Miyamoto Musashi uses each of the five elements to explain and teach different elements of his Way of the Warrior. In this short series of posts, entitled Lessons from the Elements, I will attempt to follow in Musashi’s footsteps: sharing lessons I have learned from contemplation of these fundamental aspects of nature.

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Water. Chemically speaking it is one of the most important substances in the universe; it is necessary for life to exist.  Spiritually it is viewed as pure. In the Bible water is essential in cleansing rituals and the creation of life. Jesus even went so far as to say, “Ye cannot enter heaven unless ye be born again of water and the Spirit.” For Buddhists, water symbolises purity, clarity, and calmness. For me, water teaches fortitude, fluidity, and serenity.

Fortitude

A striking characteristic of water is its ability to overcome any obstacle set before it. At its full force water is deadly, decimating entire cities in tsunamis and floods. Even when it is ‘weak’ it has the ability to erode deep into the earth forming massive canyons and caves. Simply by throwing a rock into a stream we can observe the natural inclination of water to overcome. But that’s only the obvious. If we think a little more carefully we can see that this inclination to overcome can show many small, encouraging lessons for us to learn.

Let us suppose that we build a small dam. We take rather large stones and block the flow of a stream. As we observe, we see the water level begin to rise. Take note. We see previously unnoticed lines of water that have managed to find gaps in our stonework. Take note. The water then, not only rising, swells in width. Take note. Eventually the water is flowing over the top, through the holes, and around the sides of our little dam.

There are four key lessons to be found in this simple observation. The first is found in the rising water levels. Very often we attempt to tackle a problem only to give up when we find ourselves failing. The water, instead of ceasing to flow or trying to create a new river, builds up. To us, this would be the equivalent of asking someone for help. Far from helplessness, this is actually an act of humility and fortitude. Instead of refusing to deal with the problem, we do what must be done to overcome it- even if that means enlisting the help of others.

The second lesson is found in the small streams of water that found their way through the holes in the wall. To a martial artist, this is a lesson in exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses. To your average person, this is a lesson in optimism. No matter how big a problem may seem, there is always a way to get through it, even if we cannot overpower it. A wise person will use this optimism, not as a way to avoid trying to fully overcome an issue, but as motivation to continue her efforts in dealing with the issue completely.

The third lesson is in the widening of the water, but I wish to discuss this under fluidity. The final lesson in fortitude is found in the path the water takes after overcoming the obstacle placed before it: it continues down the same river. Now, obviously we know that, in terms of geography this is simply the easiest path to take, and there is much to be said for that observation. However, for our purposes I would like us to view the water following the same path as analogous to us getting on with life. After we have overcome a problem, we must not dwell on it but instead press on comfortable in the knowledge that we have, indeed, overcome that which hindered us.

Fluidity

I said before that the third lesson was to be found in the widening of the water. In our little story this would have been the water’s attempt to simply flow around the dam. For us, it speaks about being willing to adapt. Sometimes it is better to not obstinately bash our heads against something which stands against us because, although we may overcome it, it is simply more beneficial to avoid the issue. As much as we must have fortitude, it must be kept from becoming pride and stubbornness by being tempered with a willingness to change.

Serenity

The last lesson to learn from water is to always return to serenity. Though outwardly we may have to rush with the force of a strong river at first, once we overcome that which besets us we must return to a sound mind and a sound heart. More than that, we must always seek to have this serenity. A river always runs to a calm lake, or the ocean, no matter how many waterfalls it has. Why is this important? Because serenity gives us the ability to accept the things we cannot change. Fortitude gives us the courage to change the things we can, and fluidity gives us the wisdom to know the difference.

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