And this is part of the reason why we use mindfulness and slowing down in our Hakomi-informed counseling work: it gives us just that little extra bit of space to turn down left-hemisphere inhibition, sense our bodies, feel our emotions, and hear from those small, quiet voices inside that guide us toward deeper truths about ourselves and how we want to be in the world.

In East Asian Medicine (EAM) each season brings with it an elemental aspect; the aspect of autumn is Metal. Metal shines brightly, reflects truth, and it also severs — it releases. Its energy chops things up and makes them easier to metabolize, both physically and emotionally. Metal helps us let go. One of the organs associated with Metal is the Lung. This relationship can be seen through the breath: inhalation, pause, and letting go with exhalation.