The Wind Element

The third element in our tradition is air — and more precisely, wind. What is most significant in this element is the freedom that comes from a true understanding of spirit. The earth element is heavy and sinks, even creating gravity, drawing all physical things downward. Water has the capacity to evaporate, yet always falls back down and in its liquid state always seeks the lowest level. But air is free. In our ceremonies, we are always very attentive to what the wind is doing, for it reflects almost immediately how the environment receives our prayers. Those who master the wind know how to call it and even fly through the air. They are called Sky Walkers. It is said that we will again see those who have thus understood the wind.

Wind represents spirit within us — more precisely, its intellectual manifestation, which we call the mental body. Like thoughts, wind is invisible — recognized only by the influence it has around us. It can be gentle and refreshing like a zephyr, or destructive, like a tornado or hurricane. Similarly, our thoughts are not visible, yet have this capacity to be either beneficial or destructive. Every thought creates a ripple in the karmic energies to which we are bound. Thus, in our ceremonies and teachings, we convey the importance of being guardians of our thoughts. We must always be attentive to how we think about others. One frequently given example is the serene attitude with which our spiritual elders recount the horrors of the many forms of genocide imposed upon our nations by European colonizers. Rather than dwelling in bitterness, grievance, hatred and other negative emotions, a great mindfulness shines through in the way they speak of these events. They are in equanimity and serenity — a striking contrast to the events they describe. Even the way they refer to those responsible for these violent acts reflects this attitude. Rather than saying those who are evil, they say those who seem to act out of malice — leaving room for transformation, a door through which these people may improve and correct their ways.

It is good and right to always be guardians of our thoughts. To be attentive to which thoughts are generated by our mental body, and to know how to call upon the antidote that transmutes the negative thoughts we carry. We all have our moments, but it is always possible to transmute them. For example, we notice that we have generated aggression and impatience toward other drivers in a traffic jam. But once felt, immediately, we think: they are in the same condition as I am — I have compassion and I forgive. This cancels the effect of the impatient thought and generates peace.

Sun Bear used to say that 90% of the illnesses we carry have their origin in our thoughts and the emotions they generate. Thus, the true keys to healing reside in the way we manage the mental body. Hence the importance of conscious breathing and breath control through the exercises recommended by our practices and by the vast majority of spiritual traditions throughout the world. We have a direct means of influencing our thoughts through the breath. Simply breathing slowly and calmly immediately soothes the way our thoughts unfold. There are many exercises and practices, but the essential thing is to slow the breath and remain aware that our thoughts and our breath are linked.

The path is long. It takes years of practice — even entire lifetimes — to reach the original state that is free of all thought. But already, here and now, in our human condition, we can free ourselves from what binds us so heavily to suffering and the difficult circumstances of a world living through so many traumatic and violent events. By being guardians of our thoughts and remaining aware of the breath, we are liberated from the influence of these circumstances. Quietly, our wings will grow and we will take flight toward the beatific worlds where only Peace, Joy and Love exist.

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P.S.- My favorite of all the Sacred Essences – Yuutin Wind

https://www.invocation.ca/en/shop/invocation-canada-9/ves-yuut-sacred-essence-yuutin-wind-1886?attribute_values=10