preventative health

Apr

2016

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

Jan

2014

Moderate Daily Exercise

Rest and exercise should compliment one another. Rest with little physical exertion tends to be harmful to the body; long-term sitting being harmful to the muscles, and lying down for extended periods harms the Qi. It can be concluded that even with good diet and rest, but without physical exercise, the entire system is burdened.

Harmony is the essential characteristic of the Chinese philosophy of health. Everything from Heaven and Earth, to the seasons, to the five elements, to the human body, must remain harmonious with the Tao [Universal Qi] in order to maintain its existence. To preserve vital Qi we must learn to flow with the Tao and seek harmony and balance. In this way, moderation is key.

Choose suitable, individualized, daily physical exercise to reduce stress and the hazards of disease. It should be noted that lifting and bearing beyond one’s true strength harms to the body. Qi Gong, T’ai Chi, and yoga are excellent practices to promote healthy organ functioning, nervous system, and circulation among plentiful other benefits.

Nov

2012

TCM Perspective & Treatment of Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal Insufficiency – Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Traditional Chinese medicine regards adrenal fatigue as insufficiency of the Kidneys. Adrenaline, the action hormone, increases the body’s yang [as evidenced by perspiration and increased heart rate]. Warm in nature, the yang nature of adrenaline is likely to consume yin. However, kidney yang deficiency, exhibited by more cold than heat, more fatigue than feeling wired, and due to inherent or eventual jing [essence] depletion, can be the crux. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney essence determines the quality of life-long health; their energy can be preserved or it can be dissipated by a severe life-style that is inadequate to nourish vital Qi and will ultimately shorten life span.

The prevalent emotional factor when the kidneys are taxed is fearfulness; Qi drops in the contracting mode of self-protection. Blood circulation to the periphery is shunted. ‘Frozen with fear,’ we experience cold hands and feet. Fear and stress signal a perceived need by the body to secrete adrenaline and cortisol, leading to the break down of stored fats and proteins converted to glucose [sugar], making available energy to fight or flee from threat — thoroughly debilitating over time.

A regimen of Chinese herbs and acupuncture for the adrenals should be undertaken for a period of no less than 60 days, to possibly 120 days as a matter of course, to repair and cultivate energy rather than resorting to adrenaline for drive.

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan • A standard Chinese herbal formula to enhance adrenals.
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan • A version of Liu Wei which quells heat from Kidney Yin depletion.
Da Bu Yin Wan • ‘The Great Supplementing Yin Pill’ -&- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan • Warm, while buffering Yin.
You Gui Wan • A warming Kidney tonic formula.

* Acupuncture & Chinese herbal diagnosis and treatment should be tended to by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner.

What Causes Adrenal Burn Out: Feeling stressed and anxious almost all of the time commonly due to dynamics with those whom we experience as overbearing, demands of scheduling, personal expectations, job pressures, commuting, finances, illness, compulsive athletic training, as well as inadequate nutrition, erratic eating cycles and skipping meals.

Symptoms: Listlessness, morning and late afternoon energy particularly low, performing daily tasks is exhausting, falling into deep naps whenever possible to recharge, food cravings for carbohydrates, sugar, salt and caffeine to compensate, absent-mindedness, intolerance to cold, unexplainable weight fluctuation, erratic sleep; difficulty falling or staying asleep and then waking tired, libido problems. Other non-specific symptoms may include: Allergies, general weakness and debility, headaches, thinning hair, depressive mood swings and an inability to cope with any stress. Some studies link adrenal weakness as contributing factors in fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism.

Prevention is, in large part, the treatment: Stress and other emotional strains should be entirely avoided, while also resolving or changing our reactions to them. Diet has a significant impact on creating and repairing adrenal depletion. Eating frequent, small meals is beneficial. One should also eat foods that nurture the Kidney. These include: Humanely harvested eggs, adzuki beans, black beans, barley, walnuts, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, deep green leafy vegetables, blueberries, shitaki and black fungus mushrooms, root vegetables, black sesame seeds, kelp, very small amounts of sea salt or tamari, asparagus and raisins; While avoiding all sugar, alcohol, heavily salted foods, black tea, yerba maté and coffee – even decaf. Smokers should immediately stop the intake of tobacco. Chinese herbal medicine, Acupuncture and Qigong can show us the path to restoring balance to the energetics of the kidney, and therefore the adrenals, to preserve the health of both body, mind and spirit.

Health & Wellness

Best Wishes to All!