Immanent elements of behaviour

[Xentor]

In reaction to a previous post in an other thread, I received the request to post behavioural patterns based on one interpretation of natural elements. This interpretation, if I'm not mistaken, bears upon the Japanese / Chinese Godai system of elements... resulting in a familiar collection of elements consisting of earth, water, fire, wind, and the encompassing everything.

I received training in how to categorise behavioural patterns in one of those 5, as part of my martial arts studies, how to recognise which element drives someone's behaviour, and which element to apply in reaction, in order to reach a desired effect. This knowledge and experience is of far greater use than martial arts... I use it on a daily basis when dealing with colleagues, clients, friends, family, and yes, even you.

Since this system bases itself on nature and things found in it, not only would anyone studying nature might come up with a similar categorisation, but it might also fit nicely into a pantheist view of the world, especially the more naturalistically inclined. It certainly does for me, and found its way into the teachings of my path.

Without further ado, the elements:
Earth
Water
Fire
Wind
Everything

[Xentor]

Earth

As the largest source of gravity in our vicinity, earth symbolises steadiness and constance. Animals most affected by gravity are the largest ones: elephants and whales. Their motions are powerful, seem slow even when going fast, they can hold their ground against most opponents, and they provide a stable and safe environment for their community.

The average earth person may find it easier to proceed into the element of fire than into that of water to shape their next behaviour.

Positive uses
Stability
Continuity
Calming
Protecting
Deflecting
Peaceful


Negative uses
Stubborn
Blind ignorance
Refusing
Bias
Procrastination


Positive usage example 1
Johnny is outside playing, falls and breaks his arm. Using earth, you stay calm instead of panicking, apply first aid, sooth the boy, and arrange to have him transported to the nearest hospital. (Can be attacked using water.)

Positive usage example 2
One of your clients is very angry with you over a badly executed job. Getting offended or angry at your customer may cause them to leave and seek out a competitor. Instead, letting earth drive your actions, you let your client air out their frustration, and show understanding for their situation, upon which you can proceed to actively find a solution (using the element of wind). (Can be attacked using fire, if relentless.)

Negative usage example 1
The upcoming elections once again focus on republican versus democrat. Instead of actively seeking information and making a well-thought decision, you vote for the same party for which you've voted the last 30 years, because you've always done that, closing your eyes to (or accepting) the mistakes the representatives of your party have made. (May be overcome using fire or water, but it won't be pretty.)

Negative usage example 2
Despite medical evidence proving it detrimental to your childrens' health, you continue to refuse having them innoculated, basing your behaviour either on the tenets of your religion, or on scare-mongering. When someone has the audacity to point out your bias, you refuse to listen, with the possibility of invoking the element of fire. (Best dealt with using earth, too.)

[Xentor]

Water

Influenced by various gravitational pulls, water comes and goes, withdraws and returns, lays dry only to hit with a tidal wave, floods, drowns, erodes, smashes anything that hits it hard, but also parts without a problem when persuaded. This makes water the perfect element to symbolise behavioural patterns connected with fear, panic, and revenge. Passive aggression, playing victim and playing underdog also are driven by the element of water.

Positive uses
Game tactics
Live to fight again
Flight response avoids injury
Bend but don't break
Improving onself


Negative uses
Combat tactics
Excerting revenge
Insisting on having the last word
Passive agression and reverse psychology
Internet trolling


Positive usage example 1
After scoring a devastatingly low grade for school, you go home to cry, then change that frustration into insistence, after which you proceed to study harder and score high grades.

Positive usage example 2
When you don't know whether an electric fence is powered, you touch it with the back of your fingers. If you do get shocked, your hand will automatically collapse and move away from the fence. (If you had grasped the fence with the inside of your hand, its automatic collapsing would've increased the contact instead, resulting in far greater injury.)

Negative usage example 1
A competing seamstress created a garment you fear will win the designing contest. Instead of voicing that fear, you will try to delude your competitor into thinking his work isn't nearly good enough, preferably by referring to other (unspecified) people's assumed opinion.

Negative usage example 2
In a debate, your opinion is questioned on technical grounds. In reaction, you resort to personal attacks.

Negative usage example 3
The suspect is being interrogated, but he proves quite stubborn. Using the element of water, you reflect the suspect's own statements in such a way that they feel compelled respond, and think they did from their own free will.

[Xentor]

Fire

In progress.

[Xentor]

Wind

In progress.

[Xentor]

Everything

In progress.

[Saggitario]

Thanks for posting these Xen.

Can't wait to read the rest.

[Poledra]

This is really interesting, thanks for posting it!

Poledra