The first in a series on a Christian priest’s perspective on the Five Elements in Chinese medicine and philosophy. I have been invited to collaborate in this project by Leah Kim.
Metal: A Framework for Spirituality
by Chase Danford
Metal provides structure. Think of the steel skeleton of a building under construction. The risk of metal in our lives is that it can become too rigid. But to experience balance, we all need structure.
As a priest, I often hear people say that they are spiritual but not religious. Often, they mean that they do not subscribe to a particular set of beliefs or belong to an institutional faith. I am glad when anyone feels connected to Spirit, but I also believe that structure facilitates spiritual experience. Religion is the metal framework of spirituality. It not only guides and directs spiritual experience into well-worn paths that other seekers have traveled over the ages, but it also allows us to enter into spiritual experiences. If you experience the divine on your morning run, that’s wonderful. But for those of us us who need a little help in connecting to the world of Spirit, structured liturgies, prayers, meditation methods, and readings from sacred stories can help us to more deeply encounter ourselves, our fellow human beings, and all of creation. These spiritual practices can help us to find the sacred in all of life.
Metal calls us to examine ourselves and engage in the work of transformation. Setting aside those things that prevent us from being who we would like to be and cultivating those ways of doing and being that help us to be our true self. Structured spiritual practices can provide a helpful framework for the work of transformation.
One practice I find helpful is saying a prayer attributed to St. Francis. It is rooted in Christian tradition, but has universal spiritual wisdom.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The Reverend Chase Danford 