SEASONS OF THE BREATH

Gather, Release, and Breathe in the Pure

A Reflection for the Season of the Metal Element – Autumn & Early Winter

“Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day.
Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day.
They let go and let go, until reaching no action.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 48

Autumn invites us to release, refine, and attune to the wisdom of the Metal element. This reflection offers insight into the energetic qualities of this season, and how we can harmonize body, mind, and spirit through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine and nature’s cycles.

As summer’s brilliance fades, nature offers one last celebration — a blaze of red, orange, and gold before the leaves let go and return to the earth. Life’s energy begins to draw inward, and we, too, are invited to follow this rhythm: to shed what is no longer needed, to gather our strength, and to breathe in what is fresh and pure.

When we align with this season, letting go becomes an art of trust. By releasing what has served its purpose, we enrich the soil of our lives and open space for inspiration and new vitality to enter.

The Metal Element and the Lung–Colon Energies

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), autumn is governed by the Metal element, expressed through the Lung and Large Intestine. Together, they form a partnership of taking in and letting go:

• The Colon clears away what is unnecessary or toxic — not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

• The Lungs receive the pure, filling us with breath, vitality, and inspiration.
  
  

When these energies are balanced, we can grieve our losses and then move forward with clarity and resilience. When imbalanced, grief may linger too long or feel absent, leaving us numb. We may also lose touch with our inner worth, seeking value in outer possessions or recognition instead of remembering our own essential dignity.

Grief and Inspiration

Grief is the natural emotion of Metal. It arises whenever we experience loss or change. Healthy grief allows us to honor what was and then release it, cleansing and renewing the heart. Blocked grief, however, can leave us weighed down or closed off from life.

In balance, grief gives way to inspiration. The Lungs, known as the “receivers of pure Qi from Heaven,” open us to life’s clarity and beauty. Each breath becomes a practice of release and renewal: exhaling the old, inhaling the new.

The Gift of Metal: Value and Clarity

Just as metals deep within the earth hold great worth, the Metal element within us gives a sense of inner value and clarity. At our core, each of us is a unique expression of life — precious beyond measure. When we remember this, we no longer cling to what is stale or unnecessary. We can release with trust, knowing that what is essential remains.

Seasonal Wellness as a Spiritual Path

Like nature, our health and inner life shift with the seasons. Rather than resisting these changes, we can welcome them as invitations to deeper harmony.

Autumn is the time to:
🍂 Strengthen the lungs and immune system
🍂 Practice the art of letting go — in body, mind, and spirit
🍂 Create space for fresh inspiration
🍂 Reflect on what is truly valuable and essential

By attuning to the wisdom of Metal, we prepare for the inward stillness of winter with resilience, simplicity, and renewed clarity.

“Each breath is a letting go. Each breath is a new beginning.”

Those of you in the ongoing Seasons of the Breath classes are receiving practices to support this season of Metal. For others who feel drawn, individual sessions are also available to explore these teachings and practices more personally. You are warmly welcome to reach out for more information.