Acupuncturists routinely have to give an easily digestable rendition of Chinese medicine, which necessarily delves back interconnected step by step, succinctly, to describe the theory as a whole. If you were having tea with someone who adlibbed about Taoist reality as this man has, it would be a fascinating time spent listening to an engaging, well-woven, true story.
Stephen Russell is a controversial though acclaimed interpreter of the philosophy and methods of ancient Taoists. He teaches how these may be best ‘deployed to ameliorate the human condition from the inside out.’
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.
“Since my barn burned down I have a better view of the moon.”
Mizuta Masahide 水田 正秀 1657–1723, Japanese poet, samurai, and student of Matsuo Bashō 松尾 芭蕉 1644–1697
Moon by Nagasawa Rosetsu 長沢芦雪 1754–1799
Tradition of the Japanese has been to live in awareness of the unpredictability of nature and the transitory essence of life. Earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and fires can destroy whole cities and take tens of thousands of lives in the blink of an eye. Instead of responding from bleakness, the Japanese fostered a culture from deep appreciation of the beauty inherent in all things. Every daily act and aspect may be seen as a never-to-be-repeated opportunity to experience beauty and profound understanding.
In modern societies we are building structure that protects us from transience and uncertainty. Step out of your societal cocoon, whatever it may be, for a moment each of these upcoming clear autumnal evenings and experience what you can of the moon’s presence. It may be clear, dim, hidden by clouds, or invisible, but it is there.
In Chinese medicine we are taught from the perspective of cosmological wholeness. Humans are understood to be integral aspects of nature, embodiments of the same life force and flow as everything else in the natural order of the universe. From this holistic perspective, the wisdom of Chinese medicine advises that people undertake behaviors befitting the progression of the seasons since the influences occurring in nature have inextricable influence on human physiology. Springtime is the the season that nourishes and renews life from the contracted state of winter’s introspection and containment. It is the season of beauty and harmony; a time to roam through gardens and forests, leisurely sitting and absorbing tranquil sights, sounds, and fragrances. It is against the dynamics of nature in this time of bursting forth to dwell upon things or become morose. Spring is a time to be rid of stagnant energy. The energy that encourages budding and regeneration is experienced by all of the natural world.
Heaven and Earth are enlivened and the ten thousand things may now begin to grow luxuriantly
Renewed warmth of the sun’s rays kindles growth and the wind stirs motion. This stirring, upward energy can have influence on disease conditions that have lurked beneath the surface, activating their expression with the heightened dynamics of the wood element. In early spring [from February to April, according to the Chinese calendar] weather is erratic; cold wind at one moment then hot sun the next, and since most people suffer some form of chronic imbalance, this advancing and shifting of influences may also cause people to feel tired and weak. Chronic ailments flare easily under these conditions and therefore we should encourage suppleness of the Liver.
Artwork by Liu Yunfang, Shandong Province
Gao Lian, Ming dynasty medical scholar and poet, elaborated upon the season of spring as discussed in the Huang Di Neijing Su Wen, the doctrinal source of Chinese medicine for more than two millennia.
• Spring is the time to discharge the stale energy of winter’s storage and confinement. In spring one should behave in such a way that new life is nourished so that growth can occur in summer.
• Get up early. Walk. Let your hair down. Garden. Do T’ai chi. Relax and make your body supple.
•Reward, fortify and promote all life. Do not kill, deprive, or punish, as these contrary actions damage the Liver.
• Seek to give, not take. Be agreeable and have a benevolent bearing.
• Eat less sour food in order to prevent excess in the Liver, and eat more mildly sweet food to shore the Spleen which is suppressed by excess the wood element.
•Avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, and food and drink that agitate the harmony of Liver Qi.
• Show restraint in eating the commonly eaten foods that have a tendency to harm the integrity of the Spleen and Stomach.
•Do not simply use herbs to overcome stagnation. If there is no sign of disease the need to take medicines is lessened. [Converse to the advice to nourish with foods and tonifying medicinals in the previous two Yin seasons of winter and autumn].
There was moonlight, the trees were blossoming, and a faint wind softened the air of night, for it was spring.
~Li Bai, from ‘Clearing at Dawn’
Humans depend on Qi between Heaven and Earth for existence, and on the law of the seasons. Life destiny lies in balance.
Tranquil and highly efficient culinary and lifestyle arts are expressions from China’s antiquity. China has long-understood the ways in which the heart of human life unifies with nature – and in early spring it is all about peach the blossom! Here are 3 delicacies from the peach blossom: 1. Petals dried on hot rocks and infused into tea. 2. Dessert (milk from Liziqi’s flock, lotus root starch, rock sugar). 3. Peach blossom infused honey.
