Talking Wellness with Dr. Peter Borten: The Wood Element (video)

“The place of wood is to grow upward towards the fire element. It’s always trying to reach the sun.”

How will you grow and move past the obstacles in your way? Leave a comment below and let us know.

39 thoughts on “Talking Wellness with Dr. Peter Borten: The Wood Element (video)

  1. Loved this. Was just what I needed today.

    1. Thank you!

      1. You’re welcome, Erin

    2. Thank you for your work. It is exactly the refreshments and reminders I need as I continue on my journey.

      1. You’re welcome, Rachel. I’m glad these words are helpful.

    3. Thanks, Leslie!

  2. Thank you.. simply said and so much easier for me to integrate!!

    1. You’re welcome, Annie. Happy you’re able to integrate it.

  3. I’m not going to find the cheese in the way I thought I was…not sure how I’m going to find it now but I believe it was moved so I could find a better way, and trust that I will still find it. Great video, thank you!

    1. None of us are going to find the cheese the way we thought. We’ll probably also discover that the cheese isn’t what we expected – nor that it’s outside of us at all. You’ll find it, though, I’m sure of it.

  4. Timing of this was perfect for where I am in my personal journey

    1. I love when that happens.

  5. I let myself receive all the support I need as I face the reality of my Mum’s death. With nature as my greatest ally, I process what life brings, steadied through the shaky moments by my connection with all life.

    1. Hang in there, Shealagh. Yes, you absolutely are connected and held.

  6. This was very mind-opening, thank you! When you said “obstacles are not injustices” the proverbial scales fell from my eyes. I need to step back and look at my obstacles from the perspective of the Big Picture and see how I can grow around them. I figured they were insurmountable, but maybe they aren’t.

    1. I believe they are always surmountable. Though from a big enough step back, “surmounting” them may take on new meaning.

  7. Loving the way you explain the Five Elements! Thank you for your wonderful insight. Keep ’em coming!

    1. You’re welcome! I did record 5 of these, though I think we’re going to spread out publishing them, so the next one may not be for a month or so.

  8. Thank you for this insight. I’ve had the cheese moved on my path many times in this life. Each time, the new path has led to greater things. My path now is not clear, so this reminder in a beautifully stated way was perfect information to ingest! In gratitude!

    1. Glad to hear it, Sherry. Yes, it seems when the cheese moves, we’re presented with ever higher grades of “cheese.”

  9. Great video. I will continue to practice my breathing and taking yoga, tap dance and jazz dance classes. I take 4-1/2 hours of yoga weekly. These classes help me stay strong and they help with the muscle and joint pain too. Your muscle melt plays a big roll in my pain management too. The tap dance and jazz classes also keep me moving and are super fun to take. I’m about to turn 71, so being able to move and enjoy life is important to me.

    1. I’m inspired by your commitment to your fitness, Judi. Especially later in life, it’s so essential.

  10. I love and look forward to each of your teachings. Kind of you to do a video! Special to learn “face-to-face” or face-to-screen, seems the same on this end :-). I read the small book you reviewed and forgot about the “getting angry/upset” portion. Your reminder gave me more personal gain than reading the popular book did.
    I am working this year on growing with “The Well Life” you and Brianna signed when in PDX. One happy gal here.

    1. Hi Susan, thanks for supporting our work. I’m glad to hear it’s been helpful for you. Be well.

  11. Thank you, and speaking of Who Moved my Cheese, you may be interested in this book: I Moved Your Cheese …for those who refuse to live as mice in someone else’s maze…by Deepak Malhotra.
    Namaste

    1. Thanks, Alecia. I love the title “I Moved Your Cheese”! In truth, I’ve only browsed “Who Moved My Cheese” – I mostly appreciate the core concept regarding how humans respond to unexpected change. From what I can garner from reviews, it seems that Malhotra’s book stems from a criticism that “Who Moved My Cheese” encourages people to to be slaves to the maze and chase the “cheese.” He seems to be offering a way to transcend the maze altogether. I can’t tell whether that’s an accurate characterization of the first book, nor am I sure that any of us need to read either one. The key, to me, is to continuously inquire as to WHAT, REALLY is the ultimate “cheese,” – is it actually outside of us at all? And what are we willing to let go in order to experience “cheese consciousness”? 😉

      1. This is my 1st look into “The Dragontree”. Your analogy on “Who Moved My Cheese”, is quite insightful. However, I’ve reached a point in my life where I don’t even know “What My Cheese Is”, let alone “Who Moved My Cheese”. I’m at a time in my life that is physically, medically & emotionally draining. The thought of another maze in life, along with going around more obstacles, seems paralyzing to me. I know I need a new mindset and probably a different book to peruse.
        I’m going to delve deeper into “The Dragontree” in hopes of acquiring a better outlook and direction.
        Many thanks,
        Julia

        1. thanks, Julia. I’m sorry to hear life’s not feeling fun at the moment. You might get some insight into what your “cheese” is through the book I wrote with my wife – The Well Life. Perhaps your library has a copy. Maybe consider starting with what kinds of *qualities* would your ideal life have, rather than the material specifics.
          Be well,
          Peter

  12. Great analogies made the points so simple to understand and envision. Thank you!

    1. You’re welcome, Diane!

  13. Thank you for the insightful teaching today. It will be especially helpful for me as I head into a meeting at work where I will be making suggestions and requesting some changes regarding our policies and procedures. This helps me to remember that I don’t have to right and that the obstacles encourage growth in new ways.

    1. You’re welcome, Dori! I hope those conversations went smoothly!

  14. I enjoyed this and look forward to hearing about the other elements. Thank you for posting it!

    1. Thanks, Jen. And you’re welcome.

  15. “Our obstacles aren’t injustices” beautifully stated Peter. I’m going to let this one percolate in my soul all weekend. Thank you for your teachings.

    1. You’re welcome, Lilah. I hope you’ve been well.

  16. The tree -especially one that is narled and twisted is a good visual for me. Its canopy will receive sun and still experience being a tree but those are, for me, the most interesting trees

    1. They’re interesting trees to me, too!

  17. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! I enjoy learning as I travel along this path of life.

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