无为

Wu Wei 无为 Action Through Non-Action

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

Do not burden yourself with depressing thoughts, do not get anxious about future events that may never happen, and do not dwell on things that are well in the past. All of these emotions dissipate the brightness of Shen (Heart Spirit). If we over-extend our Heart we will harm its Qi. If this happens, Jing (Kidney Essence) will also suffer damage, and the Shen, consequently, will lose its residence.

Doctrines of both Confucius and his student Mencius taught to refrain from striving, inflexibility, egotism, self-righteousness, expectation, and the use of force at any level. Even though both masters never said much about medicine, the art of nourishing the Spirit and Essence was understood. Wu Wei is a common truth in Taoist Chinese practices that can help to preserve this interdependent relationship between the Heart and the Kidney and show the path of Tao.

Dreaming of Butterflies. Yuan Dynasty.

An understanding of Eastern philosophy benefits us today as much as ever. The ‘causality’ approach to life is very often anathema to the timeless Tao (or Way) of the Universe. Countless scenarios play out before us that we become compelled to change. Do we engage in interactions through which we intend to prevent, prepare, or secure an outcome? Any force-of-will moves to create specified responses to our desires. Whatever must be asserted and managed is necessarily skewed to a particular perspective and liable to subsequent folly.

The wisdom of the Tao values balance, receptivity and emptiness. Many problems arise from re-acting, striving, and controlling.

Tao is eternally inactive,
and yet nothing is left undone

A Taoist pivot is active in cultivating awareness of the ways of the universe and one’s part herein. Cultivating a state of being that flows and responds with minimal action for our efforts reflects Wu Wei. This is not an expression of laziness or a lack of interest, but rather effortless efficiency. Guided by elemental rhythms of the natural world, as well as supernatural and alchemical influence, a classical Taoist finds an earthly pivot in Wu Wei. Letting all things play out, not engaged by will and ego, but keenly observant of an authentic progression of every moment, is Wu Wei. We are neither caring nor uncaring and yet Wu Wei does not imply overlooking those who are afflicted. Wu Wei may be considered an experience of one’s life path that is clear of rote emotional reactions, favoring a pivot where one acts rather than reacts, and one allows rather than resists changes. Our progress occurs naturally when we act in harmony and seek no progress at the expense of our genuine devotion to the ways of the Sage. Correcting our own thoughts, attitudes, and actions sets a course for whole-hearted improvement.

Action by non-action thereby allows evolution to take place instead of revolution and conditions that might further extremes.

The Taoist path of Wu Wei is neither difficult nor easy. By observing and simply ‘being’ we come to sense the natural and the supernatural and align with the way of Tao. Mirroring the universe we become whole. Our experiences and interests in the outside world become synergistic and complete. “Cherish the people and order the kingdom, and you can do without meddlesome action.” “If kings and nobles could but hold fast to this principle, all things would work.” Remember, these ideas are most valuable when they are absorbed slowly and applied loosely to everyday life. 

The Tao that Can Be Named

is Not The Eternal Tao

www.ElementalChanges.com Yin_Yang

Posted by Wendy in analytical

Chinese Congee Cooking Tutorial

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

Congee, also known as Jook, is a long-cooked rice porridge that conveys notable nutritive effects to the Spleen and Stomach Qi, which are the roots of postnatal Qi, acquired from what is digested, and known in Chinese medicine as Gu Qi. Congee is a simple food that promotes the prosperity of good health. Congee is often a perfect food for introducing infants to solid food. Congee is essential for everyone, from our pediatric friends to elders, people of delicate constitutions, and everyone in between. There is a Chinese adage: “One receives more health benefits by eating congee to their fill than by drinking of any amount of Chinese medicinal wine”. Eating healthy, well-prepared food requires some planning but is the only way to maintain the health of Spleen and Stomach Qi, produce Blood, and nourish Body-Mind-Spirit.

Try this stovetop recipe for starters

1 Part Organic (Sushi or Short Grain) White Rice to 8 Parts Water – so, 3/4 cups of rice to 6 cups of water, etc. Bring rice and water to a boil, then down to the lowest simmer. Cook for 4 hours on the stove with the lid on the pot. To provide a nourishing breakfast, a crockpot may be used to cook congee overnight. Set the crock pot on low for 8 hours.

Depending upon the condition of the person, the following are nice additions to breakfast congee:

6 grams of Cinnamon, 6 slices of fresh Ginger Root,

3 Red Dates, 2 tablespoons of Honey, 6 mashed Walnut halves

There are many medicinal foods that you can add to congee for various health benefits. For example, rich in nutrients of vitamin C and calcium, and sweet, astringent, and cold in therapeutic nature, persimmon enters the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. Directing stomach Qi downward, it treats epigastric pain, hiccups and belching, mouth ulcers, and high blood pressure. Persimmon fruit (much like loquat, lily bulb, and fig, which are also congee additions one could opt for) engenders essential Yin fluids that moisten the lungs and help to treat a dry, painful throat. Fortifying the spleen, Persimmon also treats dysentery and some lower G.I. bleeding.

A profusion of ripening persimmon fruit in the garden. Mother Nature’s abundance! Image ©W.Brown

Pearl and Jade Breakfast Congee

Here is a fortifying cool-weather congee recipe using persimmon and other herbs to supplement Yang, boost Heart, Lung, and Kidneys, and warm the extremities. It enriches the Lungs, Spleen, and Expels Phlegm

9-18 grams Chinese White Yam (Shan Yao)

9-18 grams Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren)

5-12 grams Persimmon Fruit (Shi Di)

1 Part Organic White Rice to 8 Parts Water. Bring rice and water to a boil, then down to the lowest simmer. Cook on very low or simmer for 4 hours with the lid on the pot. If using a crock pot, congee can be left cooking overnight for 8 hours on the low setting.

Regurgitation, Reflux, and Damage from Food Stasis (Add-in) 3 grams Hawthorn (Shan Zha), 10 grams Tangerine Peel (Ju Pi), 5 Pieces Red Date (Hong Zao), 5-12 grams Persimmon Fruit soaked in warm to hot water for 10 minutes first, Honey (Feng Mi) to taste.

Harmonize Digestion Following Cold Illness (Add-in) 10 grams Tea Leaves (Folium Camellia Thea), 3 Slices Ginger (Sheng Jiang), 2-3 Clove Buds (Ding Xiang), 5-12 grams Persimmon Fruit soaked in warm to hot water for 10 minutes first, Honey (Feng Mi) to taste.

Useful References

Chinese Medicinal Teas: Simple, Proven, Folk Formulas for Common Diseases, By Xiao-Fan Zong and Gary Liscum.

The Book of Jook: Chinese Medicinal Porridges, By Bob Flaws.

Contraindication 

Simple congee is a perfect food, although rice, before long cooking time, disinhibits water and is thus mildly diuretic. Mung, Adzuki, and fermented beans are also lightly diuretic and should not be added to congee in wintertime as these medicinal foods will further add to draining valuable Yang Qi, particularly in people who exhibit urinary frequency. Use all medicinal substances and methods with care and proper understanding.

This-> www.ElementalChanges.com Congee is an example of the consistency I aspire towards when making congee. The very smooth, cream-like texture requires adding more water on an hourly basis and more hours of simmering, which many will not wish to undertake. All congee variations hold nutritional and healing properties, so enjoy what yours turns out to be.

Health and Best Wishes 
Please Enjoy & Share

Posted by Wendy in analytical