The image of a wheat stalk bending in the wind easily brings to mind the idea of flexibility. However, I don’t just look at how it moves with the wind; I also look at what keeps it standing firm whilst it does so.
We do not see the root system in the same way as we see the ear of wheat. Nor can we discern the nourishment coming from the soil at a single glance. Yet they are important parts of the picture through which I would like to view our human lives.
What lies beneath the surface
To me, the ear of wheat serves as a reminder that development is not merely a question of willpower. As well as our inner qualities, the environment in which we seek to grow, what nourishes us, and what we can rely on are also significant factors.
In this picture, the potential inherent in the seed, the soil and the nutrients are all important.
Translated into human terms, such nourishment might take the form of security, attention, a clear framework, or a relationship in which we do not constantly have to be on the defensive. And our inner strength may also include learning, rest and being honest with ourselves.
Not everyone starts out on an equal footing. I do not wish to draw any conclusions from this, either in terms of one’s ultimate fate or as a value judgement.
Flexibility and rootedness
In the ear of wheat swaying in the wind, I do not see self-abandonment. Rather, I see that stability and movement can coexist.
In our own lives, too, there can be a difference between being flexible and abandoning what matters to us. I can listen to another point of view without giving up what matters to me. I can change a plan without losing my sense of direction.
At other times, however, we must not just keep bending, but seek protection. To me, the image of the ear of wheat is not a call to endure every storm in the same place and at any cost.
If someone is overwhelmed by a situation, it does not follow that they were not mindful or strong enough. Instead, we might ask: what burden are they facing, and what might help them cope with it now?
Our responsibility to nurture
In my own spiritual outlook, connecting with the Source is also part of maintaining inner balance. Prayer, silence or the practice of love can help ensure that our view of ourselves is not determined solely by the storms raging outside.
This connection does not render earthly help superfluous. Inner awareness and shaping our environment are not in competition with one another: we may need both.
It is worth bearing this in mind, even when standing alongside others. We can ask not only how they might adapt, but also what kind of environment we are creating for one another. Is there room for questions, for rest, for learning, and for saying ‘no’?
For me, the ear of wheat is a symbol of growth, where one’s own nature and the nurturing environment come together. When I look at myself in this image, I ask: what nourishes me, what sustains me, and what would I need to be able to grow more freely?
With love,
Georgina
Soul4you