Cooling Summer’s Heat
Approximate average reading time is 5 minutes.
The original version of this article was written by Beverly Leopold for her blog almost ten years ago. When I initially read it, I noticed her juxtaposition of “cooling” the “heat of summer” with meditation. I was thinking about air conditioners and icy drinks. After a moment, though, it made perfect sense. I am a creature of nature that acts in accordance with my environment. I started to think about that little engine running deep inside of me like a steam locomotive and the importance of taking a few minutes to cool it down to keep everything working in good order. Otherwise, thinking again of the locomotive, we risk a melting firebox or an exploding boiler. With Beverly’s permission, I offer to you a slightly edited version of her “Welcome Summer” article from June 2014.
Summer, represented by the fire element, is the most energetic season of the year. This fire energy is connected to the Heart. Ancient healing systems teach that the Heart is the seat of emotions. It governs all emotions, but with a heavy emphasis on love, joy, compassion, generosity, openness, and abundance. Summer excites us. It fuels our passions. We feel exuberant. If your Heart Chakra is open, you will enjoy all these positive emotions. If on the other hand, you have any blockages in the Heart Chakra, you may experience hysteria, hypertension, nervous disorders, or problems with circulation.
Summer brings heat. The fire element is bold with yang energy that can intensify the heat and light of summer days. Many of us are aware of the ill effects of too much heat. We search for ways to “stay cool” or “keep our cool.” Most ancient teachings see the colors of Summer as red, orange, and yellow — the same colors as fire. They speak of heightened emotions, days that seem to pass by too quickly, and everyday demands seem more poignantly focused.
So how do we keep our cool during the heat of summer? How do we create a healing space? Summer is about the Heart chakra so nourish it with the fullness and the generosity of your spirit:
Widen your perceptions.
Become more aware of your feelings.
Understand how you give and receive.
Understand how you express love.
Look at the whole emotional aspect of your life.
In addition, a good practice for creating a healing space is to meditate. Take just a few minutes each day, perhaps morning and night, to sit quietly with your Self. Breathe. Let your mind relax into a calmer state. Release any tension you perceive in your body. Allow your Self a few minutes to relax. Meditation does not have to take a long time. Just a few minutes makes a difference in your mind-body connection. Also, it doesn’t have to be perfect. If your mind travels to events of the day or previous night, gently guide your Self back with your breath. Settle into your Self again while listening to nothing else but your breath. The flow of inhaling and exhaling is very peaceful. Consider lighting a candle to gaze at or choosing an object to focus on. A focal point can enhance the meditation experience.
Massage and bodywork, associated with relaxation, can also help create a healing space during the heat of Summer, making sure your circulatory and lymphatic systems are not congested. During a massage, clients frequently experience not only a physical release of tension but also an emotional release that can display in several ways including muscles that twitch, audible sighs, laughter, even tears.
If you find your Self struggling to “keep your cool” during the heat of summer, expand the fullness of your Heart, introduce meditation into your daily routine, and increase the number of massages you get.
You’re a steam locomotive running at full speed in high summer.
Cool that engine down.
