Virtues of the Zhi Spirit

The Kidney Spirit is called the Zhi.

Related to the water element, the Zhi is the most dense aspect of our soul, and directly impacts our longevity and vitality. Translated as “will”, the Zhi houses our purpose for living. The Zhi is the “horse power” that sustains our life.

The Zhi is what propels us into action. When taking action out of fear, or from the ego’s “will” it depletes our energy and life force. For example, putting all your energy into a dead-end job you hate, simply for the cash, will drain your life-force.

When the Zhi is aligned with our soul’s purpose, our actions have meaning. This meaning is energy giving: it provides us with the power to keep going. To keep sharing. To keep on living.

This does not mean we don't work. It simply means that we allow our work to flow with the current of our natural gifts, interests, abilities. The result: a sense of personal power, agency and overall vitality.

It is not uncommon for someone's health to decline retirement, a major life change, or after they lose a loved one.

In many ways, when we lose our purpose, we lose the Zhi, our will to live. We lose our power.

No one can tell us what our soul's purpose is.  Not even our “thinking” or rational mind can tell us. We do not rationally choose what we are alive to do, we are called.

And so we must listen. "The way stones listen to the sea."

What is your deeper calling? What is it your soul is here to do?

When you can align your energy with the way your soul naturally wants to flow, there is an inborn power that begins to arise. Your actions and energy output is sustainable.

How to Nurture the Zhi:

1. Notice what activities energize you. Do more of those things.

2. Notice what activities drain you. When, and if possible, do less of those things. If not possible, make sure you take time to do things that are "soul fulfilling".

3. Take time for self-reflection. What matters to you in your life? What are the gifts that you want to give back to the world?

4. Sometimes the things that energize us are also the things that scare us a little. Especially when trying something new. Give yourself a little "push": Feel the fear and do it anyway.

5. Take time to rest and re-charge. Eat nourishing foods. Spend time doing nothing. Even when you are doing the work you love, it is critical to find a balance between work and rest.