“For the heavens, the ruling principle is to be aligned, for the earth, the ruling principle is to be level. For human beings the ruling principle is to be tranquil. Spring, autumn, winter and summer are the seasons of the heavens. Mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys are the resources of the earth. Pleasure and anger, accepting and rejecting are the devices of human beings. Therefore the Sage alters with the seasons but doesn’t transform, shifts with things but doesn’t change places with them.”
Chinese medicine and all its associated practices, such as Qigong and Tai Chi, seamlessly integrate the functions of our body, mind and spirit. They key point to health is to balance our ever-changing nature with that of the natural world around us. Though Chinese Medicine is a thousands of years-old science, even a rudimentary grasp of this process is a powerful way towards active self-care. Increasing our awareness of ourselves and nature and how we feel allows us to regulate our activity, nutrition and mental states. We learn how to rebalance ourselves as needed and stay fluid with our well-being.
Emotions have a big place in this equation. Chinese medicine clearly observes in what ways emotions affect our body and overall health. We don’t really need any science to comprehend this. For example, when we are angry, our blood pressure can rise, affecting our heart. If we cannot move our grief, maybe it’s harder to breathe, which can weaken our immune system. Chinese Medicine considers emotions as “internal pathogenic factors.” They are classified thusly: joy, anger, worry, pensiveness, sadness, fear, and fright. When emotions are experienced in excess or abruptly, or for prolonged periods of time, they directly affect our internal organs, disrupting the flow of Qi and blood.
(There are also “external pathogenic factors” - wind, cold, heat (or fire), dampness, dryness, and summer heat. Think about late fall, for example – and how a damp windy day can affect us if we are not covered up.)
We can make the mistake in thinking that we are supposed to mute our emotions. This is not correct. Emotions are a big part of our life. They are part of being alive and experiencing the fullness and vitality of our existence is our birthright. Muting them can also cause problems - when we cannot express feeling upset, we may become depressed with all of its associated health consequences. The point is to be aware when we are or heading towards being off balance and take corrective/preventative measures. We’ve all let the pot boil too much and then there is the soup all over the stove! Next time, we set the timer and adjust the heat for the simmer.
I told a story in class recently of my emotionally charged experience with the TSA on a flight back from California. My intended flight was cancelled, and the next flight possible was the following day. I would need to miss 2 days of classes, which was upsetting to me but thanks to the Moon, classes continued with well qualified teachers in my stead. Understanding there was nothing I could do and that everything was fine, I enjoyed extra time with my BFF. I went to the airport early the next day, lines were not long and everything was smooth until I reached the TSA counter. Though I had my ticket, they did not show me flying that day in their system. It was clear to me they felt it was my mistake, that I was wasting their time and that of the other passengers waiting to get through the line. I was instructed three separate times to return to the ticket counter and then come back through the (ever increasing) line with a variety of proofs I was indeed ticketed. My boarding window was narrowing. My agitation was widening.
I have to admit, I was not thinking about my internal organs. I was however working very hard to breathe and keep my emotions steady. I kept telling myself missing the week of classes because the professional Tai Chi/Qigong teacher was in jail for losing it at the TSA counter was not a good look! Finally, I was instructed to have an Alaska Air ticket agent walk me through and after I was randomized (!!!), I boarded the plane. Unfortunately, that was not the end of it. We sat on the tarmac for another 15 minutes because “there was a discrepancy in the passenger manifest.” Luckily, I was not carted off the plane! We took off for an uneventful flight back home.
Does my training help me always avoid experiencing emotions in stressful situations over which I have no control? NO! Does my training help me breathe and stay steady while experiencing them? YES! It doesn’t happen as smoothly as I’d like every single time - welcome to being human - but I have made a lot of progress over the years. Sure, our practices help our internal organs to be healthy, but when the rubber hits the road, deep breathing vs. jail wins every time! Tai Chi & Qigong practice does give us the tools to be able to simultaneously stay steady while experiencing stressful situations. Life gives us a chance to use them.
Now, we all have bigger cultural fish to fry right now than a singular missed flight. I don’t know about you, but I work intentionally every day to balance my emotions, especially anger, worry and fear, that come up during all the chaos we are living within. I understand if I get stuck in them there is real potential for adverse effects on both my health and in my relationships with the world. Because I understand the place of emotions in my life landscape, I don’t deny what I am feeling but I work to keep the energy moving. I practice, I garden, I paint. I spend time with friends. And I revel in how lucky I feel to be in the work I am in and that I get to be with amazing people whose intention it is to be healthy and balanced and yes, to feel joy amidst “it all.” Fundamentally I also know everything changes. More than getting stuck in these emotions, I want to be healthy and happy as the wheel turns.
Last week I consulted the I-Ching, asking the question: “In what ways may I support my emotions during these times?” I’m always amazed at the profound nature of the text. (This translation by Brian Browne Walker)
#17 "Following" - Do not argue with what is, simply follow the progress of truth.
With a changing line to:
#51 "The Arousing (Shock)" - The shock of unsettling events brings fear and trembling. Move toward a higher truth and all will be well.
Take care, Friends! Breathe. Feel your feet. Remember it beats the alternatives!
Kim