An expanded perspective of health and healing.

The bulk of the First chapter of the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, the foundational text of Chinese Medicine, is a discussion between the ancient sage and physician Huang Di and the "Heavenly Master" Qi Bo about why the people of antiquity were able to achieve great age well over 100 years . The answers that Qi Bo provides are of formidable wisdom and point to a expanded picture of health and wellness that spans many dimensions of who we are.

Essentially the first question Huang Di asked Qi Bo 2200 years ago was " why did the people of antiquity live well beyond 100 in both health and happiness"

In response to this question one may expect to hear dietary advice and some things to avoid.

Instead Qi Bo answers thus:

"...The people of high antiquity, Those who knew the Way. Modeled their behavior on Yin and Yang. And complied with the arts and the calculations.."

"...Quiet Peacefulness, absolute emptiness, the True qi follows these states,"

"...That by which all of them were able to exceed a lifespan of one hundred years, while their movements and activity did not weaken, [that was the fact that] their virtue was perfect and they did not meet with danger."

[Unschuld & Tessenow, 2011]

To me this means:

Those who live in health and happiness know the way of self cultivation. They recognize the flow of life and live according to the cycles within and outside of oneself.

Through the application of mindfulness of body and mind, the wise achieved states of health and peace. Empty of worldly desires and cravings that cause suffering, they knew and understood their own spiritual nature.

In alignment with their spirit, thought and action were virtuous and avoided that which depleted life.

What is astonishing to me is that the the first chapter of this ancient text ,a long and detailed discourse on medicine and healing , is focused on achieving alignment with the "The Way."

Taking into consideration Qi bo's advice, the process of longevity and healing involves not only treatment interventions like acupuncture and herbs, but more importantly the act of conscious self- transformation: the realization that each thought and action has an impact on our life experience. The process of health and healing then becomes a classroom where we learn to hold ourselves accountable in body and mind. This process catalyzes the unfolding our own wisdom, health and happiness.

Amidst changes in our personal worlds and at large at this time, this message of health as both cultivation of body and mind is of great importance and highly pertinent

This expanded view of health is what inspired us to study and practice this medicine and is why our services include not only treatment modalities like acupuncture, herbal medicine and Qigong therapy , but also education about self-cultivation, meditation and spiritual practice.

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References

Unschuld, P. U., & Tessenow , H. (2011). Huang di nei jing su wen: An annotated translation of huang di's inner classic - basic questions. (Vol. 1, p. 32-36). Berkeley: University of California Press.

Tea Sessions # 9 2019 Yunnan Sourcing "Mengku Impression" Raw Pu-erh

Tea Sessions #9  Yunnan Sourcing 2019 Mengku “Impression” Raw Pu-erh

For the last few years I have ordered the The Yunnan Sourcing Impression raw pu-erh tea cakes. Its interesting how different the tea is each year. When I saw the Menku impression raw pu-erh I decided to give it a try.

Leaves

Dry Leaf

The tea leaves are compressed into a circular cake form, are intact and have a nice deep green, brown and fuzzy silver color.

Aroma

Dry Leaf Aroma

The dry tea is very aromatic and fresh. There is a citrus aroma that swirls qi around the ears, eyes and head. There is also a qi vibration and circulation around the acupuncture point Feng Qi, GB21. I’ll talk about the energetic implications of this below.

Wash

Tea nerd style.. As i’ve mentioned before my favorite moment during a tea session, besides drinking the tea, is the wash aroma. The wash is a quick rinse over the leaves to awaken its essence. The aroma that rises from the wash is usually a very pure and potent picture of the tea.

The aroma is quote potent with sweet, citrus and slight floral notes. The aroma is thick and heavy and reminds me of cooking herbal decoctions.

Immediately after welcoming the aroma there is qi circulation in the center of the chest CV 17 , Heart Chakra area and little swirls around the ears and the Feng Qi point at the base of the skull. at To finish it off there is an upward rising qi motion from the base of the skull up to the crown of the head. Just the aroma feels as though it circulates the heart and liver energies and rises generally raises the qi.

Wet Leaf Aroma

Brew

Color

The brew is a light amber & yellow.

Texture

The texture has a thickness that accompanies the bitter flavor.

Taste

1st brew ( 200 Degrees, 10 seconds) 

The first flavor to hit is a brief bitterness on the sides and back of the tongue and then a citrus note, followed by a thick fruit flower mist hanging out in mouth and nose. The finishing flavor is pleasantly bitter and fruit.

Qi motion :

The Qi moves upwards with citrus and descending with the bitter. When the qi rises into the head it feels like a dispersing action. The energy feels like a “poof” in the head and chest. There is a clear vibration at the base of the skull GB 20, Feng qi acupuncture point.

The aroma lingers. Youngish Sheng puerh tea. On exhale the citrus, flowery aroma lingers in breath. As the aroma lingers there is a tingling mineral flavor and feeling of “quenching thirst” .

2nd brew (200 Degrees, 15 seconds) 

Stronger Bitter flavor, Citrus fruit comes right after bitter. Bitter Descends into the chest, a few seconds later the citrus flower aroma rises and poofs into the head. Im aware of the ears and the GB20 point vibrating. There is a Qi movement going upwards from the base of skull over the crown and down to the forehead.

Overall there is a dance of strong bitter and citrus flowers. Every circulations in the Chest, head, ears and GB 20 acupoint area. The lingering flavor is the same but with more floral, honeysuckle..

3rd brew & beyond (200 Degrees, 15 -25 seconds) 

Nice and strong. bitterness recedes and citrus flower aroma dominant. Chest, Head, Inside of Ears GB 20 point.

My thoughts & Qi movement

The Yuunan Sourcing Menku “impression” cake was my Father’s day gift this year. I have probably already torn through half of the cake already…. I really like this one.

Overall this is a pleasant, invigorating and strong raw puerh tea. When it comes to flavor there is a dominant bitterness, which is nice, that quickly gives way to citrus and a slight floral essence. The combination of bitter, citrus and slightly floral flavors invokes a quick descending qi vibration into the chest and then rises into the head.

In the chest, the frequency of this tea invigorates the heart energies and then immediately rises. The qi motion simultaneously, as if they were notes in a chord, rises into the skull, circles the ears, vibrates the Feng Qi [GB21 acupuncture point] and flows upwards following the Governing Vessel from the base of the skull to the forehead.

As many raw puerh teas do, this tea invigorates the qi in the upper dantian which activates perception and intuition. Uniquely to this tea I felt a strong vibration around the ears and at the Feng Qi point which is on the gallbladder median. The gallbladder meridian wraps around the ears and travels down the base of the skull and neck. Feng Qi, Gall Bladder 20, point works exceptionally well at clear energetic “wind” from the organs and meridians. Wind can be thought of as an energetic frequency or quality that disrupts the healthy flow of qi. Energetic wind is the feeling of being thrown of equilibrium. Internal wind symptoms are things like stress, headaches, pain that moves around and tremors.

This is an overall invigorating tea. It initially has a heart invigorating action and then rising motion that awakens upper dantian and higher thinking. It’s gallbladder energy resonance has a relaxing and freeing feeling on the life force, like letting out steam of a pipe. Drink this tea while journaling, writing about something you love, making an important decision or while having a deep conversation with loved ones!

Get some here:

https://yunnansourcing.us/collections/pu-erh-tea/products/2019-yunnan-sourcing-mengku-impression-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake

Accessing The Current of Your Spirit, Now.

Accessing the Current of Your Spirit, Now. 

Inspired by Hua Hu Ching Chapter 21 

I am sitting here with my copy of the Hua Hu Ching, an inspired Taoist teaching that I refer to every now and then. It is written in a beautiful and poetic form in which many taoist teachings are expressed. With many ideas presented through metaphors based in nature, I feel spacious and connected to something bigger than myself after reading a passage.

Chapter 21 is a teaching in the form of a rushing river, whose current continuously moves and that one cannot grasp and make her own.

It has been my experience that the expansive awareness of the spirit is like the refreshing and cascading flow of a river. It cannot be paused, analyzed or anticipated, it must be directly experienced in the moment. I’ve learned with practice that this only happens when I get myself out of the way.

To get out of the way simply means to become the observer of thoughts, feelings, images, sounds etc. without getting entangled in them. With practice there begins to be more space in between the thoughts and eventually a different kind of awareness arises that cannot be expressed in words. The closest I can get is to describing this awareness is : peaceful, expansive, complete, timeless, loving, satisfied & One.

An inner-purification begins to happen when I am consistent in this practice. My mind slows down, I become less attached to things, I become more understanding and present with those around me.

So I encourage you to become like the rushing river, whose current is unique in every instant. A powerful movement that cannot be molded into something else. Let it be as it is and observe. Allow the expansiveness of your inner spirit (which has always been there) encompass you.

Try this:

Set a timer for five minutes. Sit comfortably, relax the body and take a few deep breaths. Become the observer of thoughts and watch all that crosses the screen of your awareness. It doesn’t matter what the content is, just watch without engaging it. Simply try this and notice what happens with practice.

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Tea Sessions # 8 Jade Rabbit Raw Pu'er

Tea Sessions #8  Jade Rabbit Raw Pu'er from Crimson Lotus Tea.

I have been following Crimson Lotus tea on social media for some time now. I really enjoy watching Glen & Lamu’s videos as I like to know more about the tea I am drinking. I also love how passionate they are about Pu’er tea, I can tell it is a passion and a craft they have really cultivated. This is the first tea that I have had from Crimson Lotus. I ordered a 20g sample of Jade Rabbit. 

Aroma:

Dry: This is one of those teas that by just smelling the dry leaf I know it’s going to be good. As I open the sample package and inhale I become aware of the classic smokiness that one gets with raw pu’er along with a little bit of spiciness. Just with a whiff of the dry leaf there is qi stimulation into the head as usual and a strong qi sensation at the Yuzhen energy center at the occiput. 

Wet: As always with raw pu’er, I love the aroma after the initial wash. The word that describes the aroma of this tea is awakening. It’s aroma is complex and energizing, with a lot of qi stimulation. I experience the usual smokiness but what sticks out the most is an incredible thick, apricot-citrusy sweetness.  I initially experience qi stimulation up into the skull, Yuzhen point(at occiput) and a quick burst of energy from The Yuzhen point to the Yin Tang point in between the eyebrows. After the initial upward burst of energy I experience tingling and qi sensation moving back from my tongue, moving strongly down through the throat and into the heart area. This is just from the aroma.. 

Color

The brewed color is a nice deep amber. 

Taste 

1st brew ( 200 Degrees, 10 seconds) 

As the aroma is complex so is the taste. As I take the first sip, the first thing that comes to mind is the thickness of the tea soup. First I experience sweetness, a citrusy-apricot flavor, a pleasant smoky-bitter taste. At the end of the sip it all combines into one flavor and lingers nicely in the breath. As I prepare the 2nd brew the taste still lingers and shifts from moment to moment. A few seconds sweet, another few bitter and another citrusy-apricot. As I take a few sips I notice the qi rush upwards into the skull, the upper dantian area, and a quick stimulation following the midline of the head from the Yin Tang point to Yuzhen at the base of the occiput. Directly after this sensation, and as the bitterness kicks in, the qi rushes down into the center chest, the middle dantian area. Like the aroma, the qi is thicker and sweeter than other pu’er teas I have talked about in Tea Sessions. The qi feels viscus and thick as it expands and slowly moves around the chest. It feels like honey, slowly swirling around in the chest. As with most tea, the qi eventually descends down through the belly and feet. If you can’t tell yet, I am really enjoying my experience with the Jade Rabbit. 

2nd brew (200 Degrees, 15 seconds) 

The 2nd brew is still thick, sweet & citrusy. Pleasant bitter tones begin to seep through that are surrounded by a sweetness. The qi stimulation is the same as the first brew but as the extra bitter flavors kick in, the qi stimulation vibrates more through the throat. As before there is a thick qi that circulates in the chest that eventually descends. 

3rd brew & beyond (200 Degrees, 15 -25 seconds) 

The Jade Rabbit can go for many, many steeps. I am finishing the 5th brew now and preparing the 6th. The flavor is still complex and alternates between citrusy, smoky & and bitter, always with a thick sweetness. The qi stimulation is consistent as well

My thoughts 

This tea is expertly and artfully crafted. The Jade Rabbit isn’t just thrown together, it has been mindfully crafted for a specific experience. The complexity of aroma and flavor in this tea is amazing and totally unique. Through each brew there is a thick sweetness that is accompanied by an alternating apricot-citrus flavor, smokiness or a pleasant bitterness. The mixture of flavors in this tea are like sections or progressions in a piece of music. With each sip I experience tension & release, bitter & sweet. The sweetness is the motif that is developed by the other flavors. It is really a pleasure to experience something so well put together. 

As a Chinese Medicine & Qigong practitioner, part of my experience of drinking tea is noting each tea's energetic properties and stimulation of qi. To achieve this expanded perception, I do a quick meditation that relaxes the body and expands my awareness. This allows for my perceptual awareness to be more sensitive. 

Here are my notes about qi stimulation while drinking the Jade Rabbit:

As with most pu’er, I noticed the initial burst upwards of qi into the center of the skull, which is considered the upper danitan area in Chinese energetic physiology. The upper dantian is located in the skull and can be thought of as the house of spiritual intuition, perception and awareness. It is interesting that I noticed qi stimulation not only in the center of the upper dantian but in the energy points that surround it. I felt a shock of qi rush from the yin tang point, between the eyebrows to the yuzhen point at the base the occiput. These points are also the front and back points of the 6th chakra gate, which is associated with Intellect & spiritual intuition. The upper dantian contains the 6th and 7th chakras gates. Most pu’er teas that I experience activate this center. What was unique about the Jade Rabbit was the shock of qi to the front and back gates and its descent into the chest. 

After the initial burst of qi into the upper dantian area, I experienced a slow descent through the throat and into the chest. The chest is considered the middle dantian and generally is considered the seat of transforming mental and emotional energy. Unique to this tea, I felt a slow, thick & sweet energy moving in my chest that eventually descended. I have felt similar sensations with other raw pu’er but this unique in its thickness.

In my opinion this Jade Rabbit invigorates and awakens the intuitive and perceptive nature of the upper dantian while stirring and moving the mental / emotional energies of the middle dantian. It ends up descending down through the belly and legs. 

For me the experience of drinking this tea was invigorating to the senses yet so calming and introspective in nature. Because its energetic properties simulate the intuitive & mental emotional energies, this is a great to drink while doing spiritual work & self cultivation. 

I am really looking forward to trying other tea’s from Crimson Lotus! 

Quieting The Mind by Letting Go of Limits: Hua Hu Ching Chapter 13

I have read this chapter from the Hua Hu Ching everyday for the past month. I read it a few times slowly, let the words and the energy behind it sink in, let go of my ideas and simply notice. 

This particular chapter is absolutely profound and has challenged the rational part of my mind, helping me to zoom out.  In those moments as I let go, there are no thoughts, no conditions to think about and nothing to hold onto. It feels like I am free-falling, with complete trust and and joy, deeper into myself. It can’t describe the state of mind except as: Awesome, Loving, Secure & Unchanging. Just like a picture can’t capture the grandeur of a beautiful landscape, these words can’t even come close to capturing that feeling. 

I have come to learn and experience that there is something deeply peaceful, quiet, wordless & mysterious underneath my thinking & ideas. It feels whole, total, loving, shared and powerful.

I have only gained access to this peaceful state when I allow myself to get there. Willingness seems to be the key. When I become willing to let go of the knife that is the habitual and conditioned mind, that same exact experience is there to greet me each time. There can be a lot going on in my mind, as I am sure it is the case with most people. However, No matter how much content is swirling in my mind, emotionally charged experiences, whether I am active or sitting in meditation,If I am willing to take a few breaths & let go of my perspective and limits, It’s there: That quiet, loving & wordless guiding force. 

Read this passage slowly, over and over. Let it “Stir the pot” for you. Let yourself experience it conceptually and non-conceptually.  let it challenge you and, even if it is only for a second, allow it to guide you into the experience of limitlessness.

Tea Sessions #7 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Raw Pu-erh

Tea Sessions #7 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Raw Pu-erh

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Today I am sharing my experience with the 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Cake. It is a raw Pu'er tea that I have really enjoyed lately. It is a blend of Autumn and Spring leaf material. It was intentionally blended to have a strong flavor with balanced sweetness and bitterness. 

The 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Raw Pu'er cake. 

Leaves

The leaves are compressed into a cake and are easily broken off with a pu'uer knife. They are nice dark green and brown full & intact leaves. 

Brewed Color

The brew is a nice dark yellow/orange

Aroma

Dry : Apricot, Fruit, Sweet, Smoke

Wet: Again, one of my favorite moments of a session with raw Pu'er: The wash. The initial wash of the 2015 Impressions Cake has a nice sweet, apricot aroma with a little bit of smokiness. After doing a quick meditation to increase qi sensation and taking a whiff of the wet leaves I notice qi stimulation around my ears (gallbladder channel), vibration in the skull and around the yin tang point in the forehead. As the sweetness kicks in there is a descent in qi with a feeling in the chest and down into the belly and bladder. 

Taste 

1st brew (200 Degree, 10 seconds) 

If you love to drink pu'er tea, you know how pleasant the bitter flavor can be. Drinking the first stip there is a bitter flavor that hits the back of the mouth that is immediately followed by a sweetness then a smokiness that lingers. This is why I enjoy drinking pu'er so much! It is so complex and the taste lingers in the throat and nose. In between sips the flavor remains and becomes sharper when breathing. In my body and energy system I notice qi stimulation into the head. It swirls inside the skull and around the temples, which is the first point of the gallbladder meridian. There is a stimulation in the middle of the chest, as I am finding with most teas. Raw Pu'er tends to rise and the quickly descend. The 2015 Impressions has a strong rise in qi stimulation and then a strong descent into the chest and a slight stimulation in the belly. 

2nd - 3rd Brew (200 Degree, 20 sec) 

The lingering flavors of this Pu'er tea in particular are amazing. Just breathing I can taste the aroma of the tea. It is relaxing yet feels like it cuts through any tired or muddy thinking. The 2nd and 3rd brews are excellent. Same as the first brew ,yet much stronger, the bitterness comes first, quickly followed by sweetness and smokiness. 2015 Impressions = awesome. The Qi stimulation is similar: swirling through the skull, the temples and the yin tang point in the forehead. Opening the chest and slightly stimulating the belly & lower abdomen/bladder. 

Compared to the 2015 Little Walks, the 2015 Impressions cake form Yunnan Sourcing has a more intense flavor and long lasting aroma. It is less sweet than the 2016 Harmony Gua but is more complex and intense. I had about 8 steeps with this session. It is a long lasting tea that can be brewed many times. 

My Thoughts 

This is a Pu'er that I would purchase again. The 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Raw Pu'er cake has a complex and intense flavor. I really enjoyed the layers and timing of the flavors as I drank the tea. First came the bitterness, then sweet and to top it off, my favorite, thick smokiness that lasts throughout the whole session and longer. For the price and awesomeness of the tea you should get some: The 2015 Yunnan Sourcing Impression Raw Pu'er cake. 

The Qi stimulation was similar to other Pu'er teas in that first came a rush of qi to the skull. Drinking it, there was a more pronounced vibration around the temples and ears as well as around the yin tang points. Normally there isn't such a movement on the more superficial energy channels. Drinking the 2015 Impression, and still as I write this, definitely stimulated the the qi of the gallbladder meridian around the temples and ears.

In my opinion, this tea stimulates the upper dantian, seat of perception and consciousness and then descends. Stimulating and clarifying, this tea takes excess qi in the head and descends though the chest and down through the belly. It had a particularly stronger qi stimulation in the chest than other Raw Pu'er teas I have mentioned in Tea Sessions. It also had a particularly lighter descent into the belly than others too. The stimulation of the gallbladder meridian was unique as well. 

In TCM the gallbladder has a yin/yang relationship with the liver. In the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, Chaper 8, the organs of the body are discussed in terms of ruling a kingdom. In this chapter the Liver is discussed as the general and official" of planning. The gallbladder is considered the judge and the official of decision making and judgment. Given that I noticed a unique gallbladder qi stimulation:

This is an excellent tea to drink when overwhelmed with thought, work or when your thinking is slow and muddy. In particular, since it stimulated the Gallbladder meridian, it may be a tea you drink when needing to take more action on your plans and ideas. As it stimulates the chest too, perhaps one could drink this tea when making important decisions! Just drinking this tea because it has an awesome flavor is OK too.. I have to point out again how great the lingering aroma is. 

Overall I love this tea. 

Tea Sessions #6 2015 Litte Walks (Raw Pu'er)

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Today I am drinking a gentle basic Pu'er tea that I would classify as a daily drinker. This is a Pu'er from White2Tea.com. Raw pu'er tea is one of my favorite to drink because it can be so complex and intense. The 2015 Little Walks offers a refreshing break from intensity of taste and qi stimulation. It is quite basic and pleasant to drink. I have had this tea for over 2 years and it has mellowed in taste quite a bit. 

Leaves: 

The tea comes compressed into a cake like many pu'er teas. They are easily separated.

Aroma

Dry : Sweet & Floral

The Dry leaves have a light aroma that is sweet, subtly fruity & floral.The aroma gently stimulates qi in the head and fizzles out over 20 seconds or so. There is also a slight stimulation in the center of chest around the Tanzhong point CV17. 

Wet: As I have said in other tea sessions, one of my favorite moments while I am drinking tea is the aroma after the initial wash. The initial wash is to clean and “awaken” the tea. The wet leaf of this 2015 little walks stimulates qi in the head and ripples around towards the back of my ears and eyes. like the dry leaf aroma there is also a little puff of qi movement around in the center of the chest. 

Taste 

1st brew (200 Degree, 10 seconds) 

This raw pu’er tea is very subtle, sweet, floral and a little fruity. The first brew is light and has a nice little floral after taste that lingers on the palate. As I finish the first cup I notice the same qi stimulation as in the wet leaf but more pronounced. It gently activates qi inside of and around the head. The qi stimulation is relaxing and soft feeling, there is a vibration around the temples and ST8 acu point. There is a very subtle vibration behind the eyes too. There is not a major directional push of energy as in the  2016 Harmony Gua. The qi is gently activated and then subsides. 

2nd - 3rd Brew (200 Degree, 20 sec) 

The second brew is definitely stronger than the first. When it comes to Raw Pu’er tea, I would say that it is still gentle. The dominant flavors are sweet & floral. There is a pleasant, slight bitterness that comes out in steep #2.  The qi stimulation is the same as the first brew with a slightly more pronounced descending motion as the bitterness comes out. 

Color

The color of the brew is a nice amber color. 2 years ago when I first got this pu’er cake the color of the liquor was bright yellow. 

My Thoughts 

The 2015 Little Walks from White2Tea is a gentle Raw pu’er tea. It is perfect for someone who doesn’t little the bitter flavor that many other pu’er teas have. The qi stimulation is also quite gentle. There is a simple & noticeable movement of qi in and around the head. It seems to subtly activate qi in the upper dantian, the Gallbladder and stomach meridians around the eyes and temples. There is also a nice fuzzy qi feeling in the chest while drinking this tea. Again, there is no major directional qi movement. This is a great tea if you don’t want a lot of stimulation. It lightly rouses the mind to be awake and the portals of perception (eyes, ears nose, tongue, feeling & clarity of thought) to be sharp. This would be an excellent daily drinker for someone who loves pu’er and doesn’t want to break the bank. The 2015 little walks is a great tea to drink while working, studying or with hanging friends & family. It’s gentleness is perfect for someone who doesn’t like intense teas. 

Tea Sessions #5 2016 Qianjiazhai Harmony Xiao Jin Gua (Raw Pu'er)

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This is a tea that I really love. I took one sip of it and instantly ordered another cake. This tea is a Raw Pu'er tea. It is a mixture of Spring and Autumn harvests from trees of varying age. Apparently, the age of the trees varies from 300 years old to 1000 years old! It is interesting to note the difference in the taste of Pu'er teas from different aged trees This tea comes from the Qianjiazhai forest in Yunnan, China. I ordered it through one of my favorite tea sources Verdant Tea. This is a well-blended tea that has a great taste and very invigorating qi. 

You can order the tea here: 2016 Harmony Gua

Leaves

Like most Pu’er tea, the Harmony Gua, is a tea compressed into a “cake”. The compression is light and I am able to separate the leaves into small chunks without breaking them. The leaves are dark and filled with little silver hairs. I have been aging this tea cake for a little over a year now. The leaves have become more fragrant and darker as it has aged. 

Aroma

Dry: Unwrapping the tea cake there is a strong floral aroma that stimulates qi to simultaneously rise up into the head (at the crown Baihui/GV20) and down through the chest into the feet. Interestingly the aroma stimulates the qi in the chest first then simultaneously rises into the skull and descends markedly through the belly to the feet. As the qi descends it slows in the digestive system.

Wet: With Pu’er tea, I love the aroma of the leaves after the first initial wash before drinking it. With this 2016 Harmony Gua that aroma is AWESOME. It is hard to put words on. The aroma is smokey, floral, fruity and spicy all at the same time. The wet aroma invokes a similar qi reaction. It is more forceful with the wet leaf. It strongly shoots upwards to the crown of the head and then descends through the digestive system to the feet. interesting. 

Taste 

1st brew (200 Degree, 8 seconds) 

Sweet, floral & Smokey 

As with many Pu’er teas, there is something about the exhale after drinking a cup. This  2016 Harmony Gua leaves a lasting  sweet & smokey flavor/aroma in the throat and nose. There is a lot of upward qi stimulation as I drink the first brew. The qi goes all the way up through the skull to the crown of the head. There is a secondary descending motion that I notice that slows in the lower abdomen. It circulates through the bladder and then descends down the inside of the leg to the big toe and bottom of the foot. This energy sensation is felt faster than the feeling the of tea going down the pipes. A minute or two after drinking my final sip of the first brew, the flavor still lingers and feels as if it is a mist rising up into my skull. 

2nd  (200 Degree, 15 seconds) 

Pu’er can be brewed many times. It is usually the 2-4 brew where the flavor is strongest. Normally when I brew this particular tea I look forward to the 2nd brew.

The flavor is FULL. Some bitter tones start to come out in the 2nd brew which is a nice contrast to the sweet and smokey flavor. With the bitter flavor, there is a more descending qi stimulation. The qi still rises up but it strongly comes down. Again a few minutes after drinking my last sip, the nice sweet/smokey flavor lingers.

3rd-5th brew 

I brewed this tea many times. Each time the qi was similar. Over time the bitterness becomes more dominant. This tea could probobly go up to 10 brews

Color

The color of the brew is dark yellow/orange.

My Thoughts 

When you find a Pu’er that you really like, buy a few cakes of it. There may never be another one quite like it, even from the same trees next year. There are a lot of variables that change the tea year to year. I ordered this last year took one sip and ordered another one. I really like this tea. 

In my experience, the 2016 Harmony Gua initially stimulates the qi of the chest, which quickly rises up strongly to the crown of the head and then descends strongly through the digestive system to the feet. The energy center at the top of the head is called BaiHui and is the point where the Pure Yang Qi / Celestial Qi of the heavens is taken into the body. This tea initially stimulates Yang (Quick, warm & activating) Qi. After the initial shoot upwards in, it goes straight down through the digestive system, where it swirls around the intestines and bladder down the inside of the leg to the big toe (spleen meridian) and bottom of the foot. 

This downward direction is pretty neat. In my opinion, this tea invigorates (but doesn't build) the qi of the spleen. The spleen’s energetic function( in TCM) is basically the transformation and transportation of the fluids and food essence into useable energy. This is definitely a tea that moves dampness, a condition that affects the spleen's energy matrix. Dampness feels soggy, heavy, slow, foggy and cumbersome. Mentally dampness feels like slow and cloudy thinking. This can be the result of a poor diet and a constitutional tendency towards dampness among many other things. This tea is activating and grounding at the same time. I would say slightly more activating than grounding though. After my 5th brew, I am almost "tea drunk”. 

The 2016 Harmony Gua gently wakes up and invigorates energy. It stimulates yang with it's Sweet, Smokey, floral taste and aroma. It grounds that active energy with its slight bitterness that desecneds down to the feet. This is a tea to drink when feeling bogged down or slow, cold, mentally cumbersome and lethargic. It is a good tea for those who feel creatively stuck or those who have a hard time mustering up the energy to get things done.  This would also be an excellent tea to drink after a heavy meal. 

Self Evolution & Transformation, Hua Hu Jing Chapter 70

A few weeks ago, during a qigong training, the teacher read out loud the above quote from the Hua Hu Jing. He wanted to remind us that aligning with our virtuous and spiritual nature takes “active, conscious self-transformation”. In other words, it takes great effort and willingness to look at the source of our own suffering, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional. I know for myself that if I want to move forward and evolve in my life, there is no other way than to look inward and take responsibility for my thoughts and actions.

You may have noticed, especially if you have come in to see me for treatment, that much of what I teach involves the mind and self-cultivation practices. I have come to understand, through my training and practice in Chinese medicine and qigong, that healing is much more than physical. Of course, there is healing on the physical level but there is much more to it than that. I would be doing an enormous disservice to all of those who come to see me as patients if I only focused on the physical aspects of healing in my clinic. 

The true aim of Chinese medicine is not only to heal the physical body but also to encourage one to grow personally and become a person of great virtue: one who embodies honesty, trust, authenticity, benevolence, inner peace, and wisdom.

There is a saying that  "the mind guides qi." This means that our thoughts and intentions have the power to incur great change in all aspects of our being and those around us. That said, as we consciously become aware of and take responsibility for self-serving thoughts, the mind guides qi to be more in alignment with the Tao ( to be in alignment with our virtuous and spiritual nature). This has physical, mental and emotional implications. 

Here is an example from my own life: It is my tendency to be quiet and listen rather than to express my point of view, especially in a bold manner. I notice that when I keep my opinion to myself when in my heart I know that I must say something, I experience tightness in my throat and belly and can become frustrated and irritable. When I let this build up over time there are all kinds of symptoms that show up physically, mentally and emotionally. During these times when I am resisting what my life is calling me to do, I feel much less connected to the calm and spiritual nature underneath. When I do this I am acting from fear and self-serving intentions. 

• Will I offend or hurt someone if I express my opinion? 
• What if I "stir the pot" and make things more complicated? 
• I am afraid to have this conversation because it is uncomfortable
• etc.

Here is what I have found: When I express my opinion or give advice when I am feeling called to, instead of holding it in out of fear, I feel amazing. I feel lighter, more inspired, fearless, less tense and FREE. When this happened recently with a family member, there was a giant weight lifted off of both of our shoulders. A simple but difficult situation in which I expressed my own thoughts, changed both of us and the rest of our family. This was acting out of virtue and fearlessness, allowing myself not to be resistant to what life was calling me to do. 

I want to remind you now that aligning with our virtuous and spiritual nature does not happen without conscious-self transformation. We must willingly show up to our challenges, and do what we are called to do if we want to evolve as an individual. 

As I see so often in the clinic, many physical issues start in the mental and emotional aspects of our tendencies to resist the flow of life. For you, it may be to have more fun, to be more organized, to rest more or to take more action. 

No matter what your symptoms are, physical, mental or emotional: 

• What are you resisting? 
• What are you afraid of? 
• How does it feel in your body and mind as you resist? 
• Are you acting out of fear? 
• What can you, right now, take responsibility for that you haven't addressed? 

Tea Sessions #4 Jin Jun Mei

A friend recently hooked me up with this AWESOME tea. She had returned from China a few weeks ago on a Taoist trip. Her group of friends and one of my teachers have a relationship with a tea seller in Beijing. This tea comes from the tea sellers private stash. It is a very high-quality red tea (black tea) called Jin Jun Mei. 

When I open the tea jar the leaves smell of honeysuckle in the late summer. Qi expands in the chest around the heart and then descends down through the digestive system. 

Leaves

The leaves are large, dark and perfectly intact.

Aroma

Dry Leaf: When I open the tea jar the leaves smell of honeysuckle in the late summer. Qi descends from the head, expands in the chest around the middle dantian and then descends down through the digestive system. 

Wet Leaf: The wet leaf smells very sweet and like honeysuckle. 

In the cup: The mist that rises off of the liquid is thick and viscous. Its qi goes straight down through the head, chest, and belly. 

Taste 

1st brew (200 Degree, 10 seconds) Sweet, Malty &Honeysuckle Flower. The sweet flavor remains after drinking the first cup. Similar to the aroma, the energetic movement of the taste descends from the head, through the chest, and into the belly. After the qi moves down through the head it feels like it slows down in the chest. In the chest, there is a puffy vibration as it descends into the belly. After drinking the first cup I literally feel like I've taken a bunch of deep breaths. I feel calm and connected to the earth. Even after a few minutes the sensation and taste remain. 

2nd & 3rd brew: In the second brew the sweetness is pronounced and there is a sharpness or clarity that the first brew didn’t have. Interestingly, the energy of the second brew is the same except that initially, I noticed a vibration in glands around my throat and thyroid area. Very unique as I haven’t noticed that sensation with any other teas. 

Color

The color of the brew is beautiful dark amber. 

My Thoughts 

I feel really lucky to have stumbled upon this tea as I've never had such a high-quality Jin Jun Mei. This is a tea I will drink all day long until the decoction is clear and has released all of its essence. The energetics of this Jin Jun Mei, at least in my experience, is unique in that it affects all three dantians. Upper, Middle & Lower. The directionality is descending from upper dantian, through the middle and into the lower. This means that the energetic nature of this tea will support grounding the mind and the heart. Grounding the mind and the heart is experienced as the settling of the mind and emotions. In this state, one is present and receptive. As mentioned above it has a particular affinity for the middle dantian which contains the organ systems of the heart and lungs. Similar to the Xue Wu Ye Dang in tea sessions #3, the energy of this tea moves the qi in the heart and lungs. I would say that the Jin Jun Mei has more of an affinity for the heart though. After taking a sip the qi moved from the head into the chest where it slowed down before going into the belly. This is a tea to drink when feeling like you are in the clouds / stuck in your head or overwhelmed with thoughts or desire. It brings qi down from the head and grounds you into the earth with a pronounced heart qi action on the way down.

If I put the qi of this tea into words it would be something like “ Chill, I got you man. Everything is going to be Ok, Lets enjoy this moment as we’re not promised the next one” 

This is a perfect tea for someone like me whose energetic nature is to be in the clouds. It will show you what it feels like to stay connected to the heavens but strongly rooted into the dense material realm of the earth. 

5 Ways to Have More Energy, Less Stress & Greater Clarity of Mind

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Do you feel like you are exhausted, resentful & constantly in a negative head-space? That you can't enjoy the things you love because you just don't feel right or have the energy?

Life never fails to provide us with challenging circumstances that can relentlessly test our sense of contentment and overall happiness. Without a way of looking at these challenges that will help us expand our point of view, it is easy to become bogged down with overwhelm, exhaustion and depression. When this happens we don't quite feel like ourselves and it becomes hard to connect with what inspires us and with other people. 

If you want to feel less "Blah" please consider the following 5 ideas. 

1. Acknowledge & Release Emotions

It is said in Taoist practice that as one examines, transforms and releases repressed emotion, that virtuous states of being naturally emerge. In other words, if we want to feel truly uplifted and inspired there is no other way to achieve it than through our own work in what we struggle with. 

I was recently taught by one of my teachers that emotional energy that isn't worked through, accumulates in the energy of the body. Over time these repressed emotional energies turn into physical symptoms such as exhaustion.

It takes a lot of energy to hold onto emotions. Once one acknowledges and releases emotion, that energy is freed up and becomes available. 

It's like trying to have a meaningful conversation with someone while there is loud distracting music on. It is hard to hear and process what the other person is saying over the melodies, rhythms, and words of the music. Once the music is turned off, there is more listening available because there is less to focus on.

It is the same thing with held-onto emotion. Once we really work through it, grow and move on, there is more energy for us to draw upon. 

• Allow yourself to acknowledge the emotional content. Try to do it in a way that is non-judgemental.
• With great honesty and willingness, examine what you are attached to and what you may be trying to avoid. 
• ask yourself: "is it possible to see this from another point of view"
• What self-concepts am I holding onto that are limiting my experience? 

2. Being Present

“the whole path of Mindfulness is this: Whatever you are doing, be aware of it ”

— Dipa Ma

The practice of being mindful and present allows us to uncover deep contentment and peace regardless of our circumstances. In the "Present Moment" there is no past or future, no thoughts, no analysis and no doing. It is a state in which we project no self-concept or effort of any kind.  It is a state of complete ease and allowing.

Being present means allowing yourself to have the pure experience of what you are doing without going into thoughts. It involves minimal use of our mental-emotional energies. 

The more we think and worry, the more mental energy we use. It's like when there are too many applications and windows open on the computer and it slows down and crashes. The computer's memory is taxed and can't function smooth and efficient.  It is the same with the mind. When the mind is very active, there is less mental energy to pull from and we feel scattered, overwhelmed, anxious, weak and eventually exhausted. 

Practicing mindfulness and being present is way easier said than done.  It takes time and willingness to achieve consistent mindfulness. That said, any mindfulness is a major leap forward. 

• In Whatever you are doing, can you be aware of it? 
• Take a few minutes and focus on your breath
• Practice being mindful at work and while doing the mundane tasks of life. 
• Be aware of when you go "off into thought" rather than keeping your focus on the experience of what you are doing. 
• Be easy on yourself as you become aware of what you avoid and are attached to. 

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3. Forgiveness

It takes incredible amounts of energy and conscious effort to hold a grudge against someone. We don't have to accept something that has happened to us at the hands of another, but we do have to take responsibility for our reactions and what we hold onto. 

The following quote from A Course in Miracles describes the effects of holding grudges through a metaphor of a jailer and his prisoner. When we have ill-will or hold grudges against another we become the jailer and the other person becomes the prisoner. A jailer or prison guard must constantly monitor a prisoner to make sure that he isn't trying to escape. He uses large amounts of his own energy to keep another imprisoned and becomes imprisoned himself in the process. 

“Who could be set free while he imprisons anyone? A jailer is not free, for he is bound together with his prisoner. He must be sure that he does not escape, and so he spends his time in keeping watch on him. The bars that limit him become the world in which his jailer lives, along with him. And it is on his freedom that the way to liberty depends for both of them. ”

— A Course in Miracles, lesson 192

As we let go of our grudges and judgements about others, we will have more energy available to us to focus on the things we really love in our life. 

• Is there someone in your life that you know you need to forgive and haven't done it yet? 
• Taking into consideration the above quote, how much of your own energy are you using to hold grudges?
• What do you notice in your body and mind when thinking about someone who has done you wrong? 

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4. Time in Nature

I could put this in every blog post I ever write. If you really want to refresh and free up some energy, put some time aside to get out into nature. According to the Taoists, we live in nature and it lives in us. It is important to reconnect with the natural energies of the environment. 

There is a Japanese practice called Shinrin-Yoku which means "forest bathing". It is the practice of fully experiencing nature with all of the senses to increase health and vitality. There is even scientific research to back this practice. Check it out here: 

http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html

• What time could you put aside to get out into nature?
• When could you take a break from phones, the computer, and  electronics
• Find a park near you: https://www.stateparks.com/usa.html
• How do feel when you are out in nature?

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5. Less Input via Electronics & Social Media

Ok, I have to put this one in here...

If you have a smartphone, you know the endless abyss of scrolling through Facebook, Instagram or the news. Smartphones and devices offer instant access to any information we crave at any time. This can severely tax our mental energies and can encourage addictive tendencies with information. 

I have personally "fasted" from social media recently and can attest to greater amounts of mental energy available to me. 

• Is it possible to limit the use of social media? 
• Try the practice of asking what your intention is in seeking information on the web.
• Try an information and social media fast. 
• Set a timer and see how much time you really spend on social media or the news. 

If you struggle with stress, overwhelm, exhaustion or depression, these above ideas are absolutely key to address. I find that patients who are willing to do the internal work have the best results. If this is something you want to work on, please know that I am here to support you. 

Tea Sessions Vol. 3 Xue Wu Ye Dancong

Welcome back to Tea Sessions! 

Today I will be sharing my experience drinking an oolong tea called Xue Wu Ye Dancong. The tea itself is produced by a tea master named Huang Rui Guang. It was grown in China in Wudong Shan. I bought it through Verdanttea.com, which is one of my favorite tea sellers. 

Leaves

The leaves are whole, large and dark green. 

Aroma

Dry Leaf: Flowers, sweet. I instantly notice, just by simply smelling the dry leaves, a qi sensation running up into the center of my head and down into my chest. The sensation in my chest swirls around the area of what we call in Chinese Medicine the Middle Dantian. The Middle Dantian is located in the chest and is an internal repository that transforms mental and emotional energy. The heart, its qi, and functions are related to the middle dantian. 

Just getting a whiff of the aroma of the dried leaves, I know this is going to be good. 

Wet Leaf: the aroma of the wet leaf is even more floral. the aroma reminds me of the honeysuckle in the evening during summer & of the smell of citrus fruits flowers. The Qi Swirls into my chest and head. 

Xue Wu Ye Dangcong brewing in a gaiwan. 

Taste

1st brew (200 Degree, 10 seconds) Sweet, Vegetal, Honeysuckle Flower. The floral taste remains in my mouth and throat after drinking it. There is a very clear and strong qi sensation in the chest/Middle dantian area. Heart & Lungs. 

2nd & 3rd  brew: With most oolong teas the second and third brews are the best. By this time the tea leaves have opened up and released most of its essence into the water. The Xue Wu Ye Dancong is no exception. The second and third brew are even more floral, still sending qi vibrations into the chest. The nice flavor lingers in the mouth. While I am breathing I can even smell the floral aroma of this tea in my nose. 

Color

The color of the brew is a dark yellow 

My Thoughts

This is a really pleasant tea. It is enjoyable in all aspects: Leaves, aroma, taste and energy. Xue Wu Ye Dancong, in my opinion, is a tea that calms the shen (mind/spirit) and moves emotion. As I said before I felt qi primarily swirling in my chest and secondarily in my head. This is the area of the Middle Dantian (chest) which acts as a repository that transforms mental and emotional energy.  After drinking this tea I notice that my chest feels lighter and more expanded. The floral energy of this tea cuts thruogh the heaviness of stagnation in the middle dantian. This is a tea to drink when feeling stuck emotionally. In particular, the emotions associated with the heart & lungs.

Heart: anxiety, nervousness, agitation, over-excitement. 

Lungs: grief, sadness, guilt & despair. 

I would enjoy drinking this tea anytime. If I wanted to use it for its energetic qualities I would personally drink this tea when feeling melancholy, “down" or sad. This would be a perfect tea to drink after being disappointed or let down. It would also be great in the aftermath of making a mistake. This tea supports the lung energy and will help one reflect and take responsbility for ones actions. 

If you want to try this tea here is the link:

Valentine's Day Gratitude

Valentine's Day Gratitude 

When expressing gratitude it is hard to be in a state of fear, anxiety, depression or overwhelm. Join me on this Valentine's day for a few minutes in expressing gratitude for the people, situations, and places that you are grateful for! 

Recognizing Impermanence With The "Three Divine Messengers"

Tea Sessions Vol. 2 2016 Shou Mei

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Welcome to Tea Sessions Vol. 2 

My son is down for a nap and I have some business development work here on my schedule. What better time to than have some tea! Ha! 

Seriously though, drinking tea, gong fu style is a mindfulness practice for me. It helps me become focused and aware of what's going on around me and in my own mind. That said, the tea I am drinking today is a tea from one of my favorite sources. Verdant Tea. I appreciate how Verdant gives a lot of information about the tea they sell. Each tea has a page to itself describing where its from, tasting notes, how its grown and who grew it. I love to get to know the farmers and they're personal philosophies about tea. I am drinking a White tea today called Shou Mei . 

Before Starting, here are a few lines of poetry I wrote based off of the Zen Buddhist Meal Gatha. Reciting this before drinking tea allows me to have more appreciation, awareness and purpose during my tea session. 

The Shou Mei I am drinking is from 2016. It is grown in Hulin, Fuding, Fujian province by the Wang family. This type of white tea is picked later in the season and is leaf only (no buds). It is quite unique from other white teas. I brew shou mei every now and then when I want something different. 

The moment I open the tea jar, I get a very strong tobacco & earthy like smell. I get Sensations of qi moving downwards through the center of the body into the belly. There is a particularly strong qi sensation for me around the throat. Its very different from the Bai Mu Dan in Tea Sessions Vol. 1, which had a lot of rising qi. 

Brew #1 200 degrees, 6 seconds

The liquid is Dark Yellow. It is sweet and Tobacco-like. There is almost no rising sensation. There is strong qi sensation at the Tanzhong energy point (center of the chest) , Zhongwan (in between navel and sternum) and the  Belly at Duqi (navel area). The taste reminds me of the smell of Autumn. It is intense but doesn't linger like the Bai Mu Dan. 

Brew #2 200 Degrees, 8 seconds

The taste continues to be sweet and tobacco like. The qi sensations still descend down into the belly. 

Brew #3 200 Degrees 10 seconds

The third brew is lighter. Still Tobacco-like and descends.

This is a really unique and different tea. Interestingly for a white tea, the qi of Shou Mei has a descending action. In my opinion it resonates with the heart, stomach and spleen energy systems.  It is unique in the white tea category as most white teas I drink have rising actions that open up the qi of the chest and head. This is a tea to drink in the late summer and Autumn. It is a tea that will calm the mind and give you a sense of being rooted. The sweet tobacco-like taste is very earthy. Brewing Shou Mei would be good with: Friends, when you feel scattered and need some 'grounding', outside in Autumn, after a light meal, contemplation and  putting into words your ideas or realizations. 

Qi of Nature

Tea Sessions Vol. 1 Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) White Tea

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Welcome to Volume 1 of Tea Sessions

Drinking Chinese tea has become a way of life for me over the past 12 years. It began when I moved to Boston in 2005. I found a tea store on Newbury St. called Tealuxe and from there I was hooked. I was surprised to experience the effects drinking tea (camellia sinensis) had on my mind and body. I began to explore the vast world that is tea and it's alchemy. After years of exploring tea, it helped lead me into becoming a practitioner of Chinese medicine. Today I drink tea as a meditation, medicine, a catalyst for creativity and a still mind. If you know me, you know I drink a lot of tea and love to share it.

This on-going series about my adventures with tea is for all of my family, friends and patients who want to know more about tea culture, tea varieties and it's energetic impact on body and mind. 

Let's start with the tea I am drinking right now.....

Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) White Tea

The first tea I will share with you is one that I have been really enjoying lately. It is a type of white tea called "Bi Mu Dan", Which means "White Peony". White tea is the least processed of all Chinese teas, all of which come from the Camelia Sinensis plant. The wide varieties of tea come about from different processing technique, where it is grown, different cultivation techniques and varietals. For white tea, the leaves are picked and then spread out to dry. Bi Mu Dan is made by plucking a fresh tea shoot along with two young leaves. 

This Bai Mu Dan is from a tea seller called Yunnan Sourcing the tea is called  "Fuding White Peony Bai Mu Dan".

here is the link: "Fuding White Peony Bai Mu Dan"

Before a tea session I bring my mind into a meditative or qi gong state. This allows me to have a deeper experience of myself and the energetic effects of the tea I am drinking. To be able to sense qi/energy or have a deeper than usual experience of something, I know that I must "tune" my mind into a certain state. You can think of it like tuning to a particular radio station. If you want to hear the music of a certain radio station you must tune into its frequency. 

The environment is calm. The windows are open, bringing fresh air into my office. I believe that tea is always better experienced with as much natural energy around as possible. I have the beautiful "Chant of Metta" (the chant of loving kindness) by Imee Ooi playing in the background. 

Today I am brewing my tea in a gaiwan or "lidded cup"as I feel that I can experience the nuances of each brew better. For white tea I fill the gaiwan about half way with leaves. 

The tea leaves and buds are furry, silver and green . Just opening the container the aroma of the raw leaves is fresh and light.  

First brew 185° water , 15 Seconds
The taste is sweet fresh and light. It's fragrance lingers after I drink it, like a sweet mist permeating through my chest up into my head . There is qi sensation in my chest,  throat, tingling at the yuzhen energy center at the occiput and around the crown of the head. On my exhale I can still smell it and feel the mist coursing through my lungs and upper body. 

Second brew 185° water , 20-30 Seconds

The second brew still sweet and fresh much like the first. The soup is thicker this time around but still has the sweet fresh fragrance.  The qi moves through the chest, lungs and head. 

Third brew 185° water , 30 Seconds

The taste is still sweet however the slightly bitter tones are beginning to come out. In this brew the energy of the qi is kicking in strong. I feel a rush of energy to the center of my head and mental clarity is strong. Another brew might put me over the edge of cha dzui (Tea Drunk) . There is also a sensation at yin tang ( energy point in between eyes).  

This tea is definitely one that clears the energy of the head and chest. In my opinion it's energetic nature is sweet, slightly bitter and cooling. In Chinese Herbal medicine we say that the leafy herbs tend to ascend while the dense roots and barks tend to descend. I definitely feel the ascending nature as I drink this tea. This is not the tea that I would  drink after a heavy meal but one that I would drink to calm & focus my mind. Drink this tea for meditation, reading spiritually nourishing material , having nourishing conversation with friends, or to do creative work. 

If this inspires you to drink a great cup of tea.. GREAT! I believe that tea is a powerful medicinal herb and catalyst for appreciating nature and meditation. Let me know how you experience this tea! 

Nourishing Life: Winter Tips For Cultivating Health & Longevity

As we enter into the depths of Winter, nature is resting and conserving energy. The days are short and the nights are long, animals are hibernating and the plants have retreated into the ground. The trees stand bare, and the sound of the wind groans though their branches. The feeling of this cold and grey annual retreat is an inward motion of stillness and silence, just like the freezing of water into ice. This seasonal picture has more to do with your own health and longevity than you may realize. 

Our lives as humans are not separated from the pulse of life or the rhythms of mother nature. This is the simple wisdom at the cornerstone to great health and longevity. 

To follow the ways of the natural world is to be aware of and not opposed to the constant changes occurring outside and inside of ourselves . Going "against the grain" of the movements in nature damages our life force and leads to illness. To harvest the gifts of the natural world is to live a healthy, happy and empowered life that embraces the cultivation of the body and mind.  

In the Chinese lunar calendar January 20th marked a time in winter that is called the  "deep freeze" and is said to carry the energy of "closing of the city gates." Winter is a time of, rest, storage and of going inwards.  Above all else, it is a time of conserving life force. 

Winter Tips For Cultivating Health & Longevity 

Winter is the conservation of energy. It is the natural resting and storing period before the active movement of Spring and Summer. It is natural to feel closed off, introspective, quiet and to have lower energy this time of year because of the natural urge to hibernate. The dual cultivation of the body and the mind, during the Winter season, leads to creativity, action and clarity in the Spring. 

1. Rest

The most basic way of conserving energy is to rest . Let yourself hibernate!  In regards to resting during winter, In the ancient Chinese medical text the huang di nei jing su wen, it is said: 

In winter, the yang qi (warmth) retreats deep into the interior. We must take special care to not exhaust ourselves and waste this precious warmth. It is recommended that one begins to rest as the sun goes down, which is early in the winter, and to rise late with the sun in the morning. Every action we do uses energy whether it is reading, speaking, looking at the phone or computer, thinking or physically working. During the winter we must be moderate and mindful with our actions and thinking. In our culture it is very easy to avoid rest during wintertime and go "against the grain" of the conservation of energy. I am not encouraging one to sit on the couch or sleep all day, but rather, moderate mindful activity that keeps the body and mind moving.  

The following has helped me 

• Limiting screen time, especially at night. I have found this really helpful, particularly in these political times. 
• Not reading too much, especially at night. There is literally not enough time to read all the books that I want to read. I am not talking about light reading. I am talking about reading until one gets that strained sensation in one's eyes and a tired mind. It requires energy to both read and process the information we take it. Excessive information intake can deplete the energy. 
• Reflection. For me, having quiet time to reflect and meditate is essential this time of year. 

2. Management and Storage of Energy 

The management and storage of energy refers to the awareness of that which directly depletes our life force and that which builds and strengthens it. In the Taoist longevity arts, the focal point of practice is on minimizing and eliminating what depletes and drains energy, while doing more of that which builds and stores. Practices like qi gong, dao yin, breathing exercises & meditation are excellent for the conscious management and storage of energy. Here are some exercises for you to try: 

As stated above it is equally important to avoid what depletes and drains your energy. As there are volumes written on this subject I will share with you a few of the important ones.

1.  The mind plays a very important role in maintaining our energy. It is always sending information into the energetic body and then into the dense physical body. It can be said that cultivating the mind is the most important method of conserving energy. Negative emotions like jealousy, slander, gossip, hate, etc., all damage the life force.

2. Excess sexual activity in general (especially in Winter) drains life force, particularly for men.

3. Eating food that is not nourishing wreaks havoc in the energies of the organ systems. 

4. Too much or vigorous amounts of exercise depletes energy

5. Just like how a stream that moves too slow and becomes stagnant, too little exercise creates stagnation in the body and mind. 

3. Protect The Yang 

During Winter the Yang Qi retreats into the interior. One can think of yang qi as the warm, active energy that keeps life moving. It is essential during these cold months to protect and conserve this life giving energy. 

1. Wear appropriate clothing. This seems like a no-brainer.. However,  I see chronic pain and other symptoms caused by cold exposure all the time in the treatment room.  

2. Eat Warming, Seasonal & Nourishing foods. 

Seasonal Winter foods: winter roots, onion, carrots, turnips, celeriac, sweet potatoes, ginger & garlic. 

Warming Method of cooking: Stews, stir-fry, baking, roasting, grilling, broiling and barbecue. 

Spices: Basil, Bay leaves, caraway, cardamom, chives, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, garlic, ginger, oregano, pepper, star anise. 

Here is a recipe of one of my favorite winter meals out of the Thug Kitchen cooking book (this cookbook is awesome). 

Drinking warming teas is an excellent way to protect the yang. Try making a tea with boiling water, a few slices of ginger and a date. 

 

3. Don't exercise too vigorously.

4. Avoid sweating too much.

5. Time for stillness, quiet & meditation. 

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4. Appropriate Exercise 

Above is chapter 76 of the Tao Te Ching. This passage wisely encourages it's readers to keep the energy in body and mind moving. The nature of the winter season is inward and still, however it is important that we do not  ignore movement. Light exercise that doesn't induce a big sweat is ideal for this time of year. Sweating causes the leakage of fluids and energy. A big sweat is more appropriate during the spring and summer seasons. 

5. Times of Stillness, Meditation, Reflection. 

In my opinion cultivating the mind is the essence of longevity. As stated above, the mind is constantly sending information though energy to manifest physically in the body. Therefore It is of utmost importance for the practice longevity and inner peace that we take responsibility of our thinking. All self cultivation methods I have studied have encouraged me to allow the experience of myself beyond my conditioning, judgements and value systems. With consistent practice over the years I have come to be aware of my desires and attachments that lead to disturbance of my sense of peace and satisfaction. The Taoists tell us that: 

" it [craving and desire] will not hesitate to expend energy and sacrifice the body to get what it wants. To be dominated by the wayward mind is the surest way to deplete energy and shorten the life span."

[Wong, 2015]

Allowing time for stillness, meditation and reflection is beneficial any time of the year.  Winter, being the season of inward motion, is the perfect time for this work. They are like two beautifully resonant melodies in counterpoint, they support each other perfectly. 

If you are looking for some inspiration regarding self-cultivation, check out these teachers /books

• Adyashanti "The way of Liberation"
• A Course in Miracles 
• "Tao Te Ching" - Lao Tzu
• " Open Mind Open Heart" - Thomas Keating 
• "New Seeds of Contemplation" -Thomas Merton 
• "The Inner Experience Notes on Contemplation" - Thomas Merton
•  "The Zen Teachings of Huang Po" - John Blofeld 
• "The Spiritual teachings of Ramana Maharshi" 

Practicing the arts of nourishing life is a longterm investment and commitment in ourself. It involves a mindful journey of observing nature outside and inside of our minds.  This Winter, I challenge you ask yourself these questions: 

• Am I allowing myself to rest enough?
• Am I consciously avoiding things that deplete my vital energy? 
• Do I allow myself time to reflect or meditate? 
• Am I keeping the energies in my body and mind in motion to avoid stagnation? 
• Is my diet appropriate for the season? 

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Resources  

Unschuld, P. U., & Tessenow , H. (2011). Huang di nei jing su wen: An annotated translation of huang di's inner classic - basic questions. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Reid, Daniel. The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity. New York. Touchstone An Imprint of Simon & Schuster Inc. 1989

Wong, Eva. Being Taoist Wisdom for Living a Balanced Life. Boston, Massachusetts. Shambala Publications. 2015.

Wong, Eva. Cultivating Stillness A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind. Boston, Massachusetts. Shambala Publications. 1992. 

Yeoh, Aileen. Longevity The Tao of Eating and Healing. Singapore. Marshall Cavendish International Private Limited. 1989. 

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Using Stress as a Catalyst for Growth

The video below by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski has been showing up on my Facebook feed occasionally for the last year or so. It showed up again this morning and inspired me to make changes in my own life. What I love about this short video is that he creates a metaphor using the growth cycle of lobsters ( yes lobsters! ha!) and self growth. There is a saying in Chinese Medicine culture "that all parts contain the whole."This is a perfect example of how we can learn to be in harmony with and learn from nature through the unexpected wisdom of lobsters. His message is very pertinent for the fall season as many people face hardship this time of year.

One aspect of how Chinese Medicine views the energetic effect of fall on human beings is through the emotion of grief and the "letting go of what no longer serves." If you have seen me as a practitioner I have most likely told you that healing, most of the time, is not comfortable. Healing involves letting go of limiting beliefs, habitual tendencies, practiced ways of being that we have outgrown, self concepts, and information. Usually this is quite confronting and many of us run away from the process. I know that I do sometimes.

For example: A patient comes to me with headaches. During the interview he makes the connection that his headaches get worse when he becomes stressed with work. I ask him what he means by stress. He tells me that changes in the workplace make him feel stressed. He tells me he feels a rising sensation and then gets his headaches when he thinks about the impending changes.  I could simply treat the headaches with acupuncture or herbs to help him feel better, but what about when he gets stressed again? It is my goal to not only treat the symptoms my patients come in for,  but also to support the process of self growth. Many times the symptoms we experience call for changes in the way we are living our lives. They are like the lights that show up on the dashboard of a car when it needs service. Each one can be looked upon as a signal from the physical body calling for self transformation. 

• Like the lobster that has outgrown it's shell, what areas of life have you outgrown?

• What can you let go of that is no longer serving you? 
• How can you use adversity for growth in your own life?