When I think of the word ‘harmony,’ my mind’s eye immediately brings me to serene scenes of nature. Lush green hills full of timber and big trees. Clear beautiful blue skies with a few cumulus clouds passing by and a soft breeze of the wind gently brushing through blades of grass and wildflowers. Animals roaming freely and birds soaring through the skies effortlessly. For me, Mother Nature is the ideal representation of harmony. She can be very tranquil, peaceful, and equanimous, yet at the same time beautifully destructive, transformative, and chaotic.

Within harmony there is a balance. A balance that is not rigid in shape nor structure. Rigidity is not sustainable, and one common truth we can all agree on is that change is inevitable. Rigidness and change do not coincide. Fluidity on the other hand is sustainable. It is adaptable, constant, and ever changing, amongst many other qualities. A favorite quote of mine that touches on this matter is from Bruce Lee, who said,

“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”

Therefore, bamboo and willows are a great representation of harmony. Harmony within, and harmony with the universe.

The element which I feel best represents harmony and fluidity is water. Another one of my favorite quotes from Bruce Lee says, 

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” 

Our bodies and our cells are mostly made of water, so it is in our nature to be harmonious.

I believe that even though we may not consciously be aware of it, there is something instinctual within our DNA that is always seeking to be in the state of complete harmony. Though, aspects of modern day life and many societal norms have other plans to keep us in distracted, chaotic, and out-of-balance states of being. For a moment, this moment, close your eyes and consciously take a deep breath in through your nose, followed by a gentle sigh out of your mouth. Go ahead.

Welcome back. Did you feel that? The ability and the power to re-harmonize your state of being within seconds. All it took was a little bit of awareness, determination, and one of the most precious gifts you can give to anyone, including yourself, your presence. 

“He (or She) who lives in harmony within himself (herself) lives in harmony with the Universe.” 

A quote by philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Be like water, and seek harmony within yourself.

On this Earth Day, below are some practices to help you feel more in harmony with nature and within yourself!

https://www.innerdimensiontv.com/classes/harmony/

https://www.innerdimensiontv.com/classes/alchemy-water/

https://www.innerdimensiontv.com/classes/spinal-harmony/

https://www.innerdimensiontv.com/classes/earth/

By Mychal