Product Description

Qualities: Flexibility and Self-acceptance

Message of Self-Mastery: Sense of humor; fluidity; ability to “go with the flow”; at ease with self and others; self-liberating; energy to move forward in life; relaxation; for setting healthy boundaries; ability to “roll with the punches.”

Pattern of Disharmony: Rigidity; tension; an uncompromising nature; difficulty with change; unrealistic expectations of oneself; fanaticism; self-limiting; too strict a sense of discipline; for over-extending oneself; self-dominating; suppression of faults; trying too hard; self-martyrdom; judgmental of self.

AFFIRMATION

I am relaxed and peaceful: I am one with all that is!

POSITIVE EXPRESSIONS

NEGATIVE CONDITIONS

POSITIVE APPLICATIONS

The positive Fig state is expressed as flexible, fluid, adaptable energy. Easy to get along with and open to new ideas, individuals in the positive Fig state make great companions. Arbitrators, umpires, emperors and judges-all are fitting Fig-like roles. Ask them for help in making decisions. Able to see both sides of the picture, they can dive into their bag of wisdom without inhibitive rules blocking their understanding. These are classic “go with the flow” people.

Fig supports the development of discrimination without judgment and clear observation without criticism. Feeling comfortable about yourself-your appearance, your daily habits and your outlook on life-is the voice of Fig. The ability to accept both your strengths and weaknesses, and your victories and mistakes, is the echo of Fig. Living in the positive Fig state allows us to adapt to changes, ranging from sudden to long anticipated. And since change and growth are inherent to the human condition, we all need Fig’s remarkable support at one time or another. This essence exemplifies a state of relaxation-the perfect balance between discipline and flexibility.

NEGATIVE INDICATIONS

The negative Fig state manifests as too many self-created rules that confine instead of freeing us. Negative Fig forces us to live in a little box of “should’s” and “have-to’s.” It is said that too many rules kill the spirit. Perhaps we have created ideals that we cannot live up to. Maybe we have placed unrealistic expectations on ourselves that have only constructed walls of tension and frustration.

It is important to note the difference between Fig and Date. Whereas we project Fig’s perfectionist attitude onto ourselves, the judgmental attitude of the negative Date condition is aimed at others. Fig is self-critical; negative Date is critical of others.

Fanaticism, dogmatism and many other “isms” are symptomatic of the negative Fig state. Fanaticism can easily find fertile soil in the garden of daily habits, diets and religious beliefs. Its fruits, though, are always the same-mental rigidity. “I have so many food allergies that there’s very little I can eat without having reactions,” Cheryl lamented. “I have to deal with bloating, constipation and skin rashes. When I took Fig, I noticed that my symptoms were greatly lessened. With this encouraging sign, I’ve been eating a greater variety of foods.”

Indeed, diet is a well frequented arena for the indication of Fig. We live in a society where obesity is a serious health problem, not to mention the opposite extreme of eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. Obsessed as we are with the stick-like figures adorning glamour magazines, it’s no wonder we’re confused! As the New Age saying goes, “denial” ain’t just a river in Egypt. Fig, then, not only works with excessive food intake; it also helps those on restrictive health diets to relax with their prescribed programs.

ESSENCE ENHANCERS

Mentally note areas of your life where you are self-critical. Focusing on one area each week, consciously redefine yourself in positive and supportive ways.

Do yoga postures through the aid of a class, a book or a good video.

Allow enough time in your daily schedule for relaxation and enter-tainment-anything from a leisurely walk to having friends over for dinner.

Read light fiction or humorous pieces every day.

VISUALIZATION

Summertime closes its doors in the face of autumn. The warm sunny days, like candy wrappers, are pinched at both ends by a new chill in the air. Sweaters at dawn and dusk are now a must. The leaves have not yet put on their new colors, but you can tell they’re thinking about it. “What to wear?” you almost hear them muse. “A rusty red, perhaps? A grocery bag brown? This green has got to go!” Their sense of humor, stemming from complete acceptance of the changing seasons, makes you chuckle.

But dress they must for this most special event of their lives-the windborne descent from limb to ground. No matter that the trees’ withdrawn life force relegates them to the category of vestige. Their final role is the fluttering, earthbound dance. At curtain call they will either be raked up into large piles on lawns where children will gleefully pounce on them, or quietly compost themselves to nourish their beloved mother trees in the timeless cycle of death and rebirth.

Ah, here comes the wind now, right on schedule! Mother Nature’s arm sports no wristwatch; she knows by sixth sense when everything needs to happen. But very few people know the truth about the wind- that it is Mother Earth’s breath. She blows and blows, like a child extinguishing festively lit birthday candles-over the mountains, through the mesas and around the trees. Her wind-breath bends and bows; its strength lies in its flexibility. The wind plays by the rules-but it also knows when to break them.

You, too, are like the wind-strong yet gentle and disciplined yet malleable.