Self Esteem (Wood) Vs. Self Worth (metal)

[Guest guest]

From Nourishingdestiny.com

 

 

Lonny, could you please discuss the relationship between self esteem as

associated with the liver and self worth as associated with metal?

 

Lonny:

 

This all depends on what " self " we are talking about. The last few generations

have focused on building self esteem and self worth in children and the results

have been a self centered bunch of narcissistic monsters. The sense of

entitlement and lack of gratitude for their good fortune of the boomers onward

in overwhelming.

 

Always the differentiating factor is Color, Sound, Odor, and Emotion.

 

Self Esteem is related to the upright (zheng & #27491;) striving nature of

healthy wood. It is rooted in a perspective of that which fundamentally cannot

be compromised. We can trim (metal acting on wood across the ke cycle) a branch

but not a root. When fundamental values (metal) are compromised then confidence

is shaken and our nature (de & #24503;) becomes bent. This is reflected in a

distortion of the soul (both wood and metal, hun and po are involved). The soul

is the twisted and in need of rectification ( & #24755;). Wood can aggressively

deny conscience as we strive for the ego's goals and ignore that impersonal

perspective (metal: heaven's values) beyond the contracted self sense.

 

Self worth is based on the jing ( & #31934;) as the inspiration from heaven

instilled at conception as the breath of dao (Zhuzngzi). Vanity and pride are

the soul level distortions of conditioned metal. They are present as clinging to

and longing for the forms of the world and failing to recognize the value of

emptiness.

 

True self worth is based on seeing through the self and recognizing one's self

as emptiness. Self esteem is based on striving to be a reflection of that in the

world. The enlightened perspective holds all of existence in it's majestic,

living, and natural hierarchy while striving (wood) to do what one can to move

it all along and recognizes the impersonal (metal) nature of the entire process.

 

Hierarchy is the lattice work in the diamond (metal) that gives it it's value

and this natural hierarchy is established in the world through the vision and

striving of wood. Hence, the inspiration and pure motive of emptiness in

creating a universe (metal/breath) is realized in the universe through the all

embracing vision ad striving on wood. In this way the " inner " and " outer " are

one through the awakened human.

 

This union results in the virtue of humility (wood:ren & #20161;) and

Righteousness (metal, yi: & #32681;). True self esteem is associated with

humility, the virtue of the wood element. The character depicts a man rooted in

emptiness whose vision extends to heaven. It is through his submission and

striving that the gap between earth (his conditioned self) and heaven (his

unlimited divine potential) are closed. It is through righteousness, placing my

self ( " I " & #25105;) beneath the emperor ( & #20027;) representing heaven, that

self worth is established. The character for righteousness depicts the natural

hierarchy between humanity and heaven.