Reflections on spiritual cultivation

I continuously return to the remembrance of the teachings in the classics:
Dao
Yin and Yang
Keep a calendar

These 3 simple steps.

In preparing to give a talk titled “You are the Medicine.” I was challenged by a dear friend as to what is medicine.
And why do we need healing. Are we not already whole?
For him medicine meant a substance to ingest. And it essential to his practices that these medicines are sacred.
What I mean by I am the medicine- is informed by Daoist thought. By what Sabine Wilms translates of Sun Si Miao to be called virtue power.

That is to say that my personal spiritual cultivation, the way I lived my life, purify body speech mind, accumulate merit and dedicate it to ehe benefit of all- the vibration that I carry living in unconditional love- this love, energy qi- I am using these terms fairly interchangeably here- this is the medicine.

Everything that is needed is within. To shine that light of truth bak to one another is good medicine.
To hold space with non judgement, with unconditional love, grace and ease. With boundaries as love.
Authentic, spontaneous, showing up in each moment as best I can, flowing with the circumstances of what arises. Ziran.

By alchemizing emotions- transmuting anger into forgiveness, grief into acceptance, worry into trust, benevolent, property, humility, compassion… who I am, my character, my essence, my virtue power expands. I am more resilient, patient, strong, kind. This is what I think of when I say I am the medicine.
Resting into heart-cohernece- my PNS at ease and regulated- sending out a frequency of love. This can sync us with another- through he electro-magnetic field of our hearts. Literally. We can co regulate. My serenity, equanimity has an effect on you.

My cultivation of love-light can bathe my beingness. And yours. W can remind each other, remember together that which we forgot from the stories of childhood, the traumas of adolescence, that said we were not enough. We are perfect exactly as we are- simply because w exist; because we are here now.

Yin-Yang
Stillness-Movement
A time and season for everything

Postpartum care in Chinese/Daoist Medicine-

A 2 hour course for the doctoral students at Yo San University on the Chinese Medicine perspective on postpartum care:
Sitting Moon, 40 days, closing bones, nourishing foods are all highlighted.
Canva slide-deck full of resources HERE.

Earth Element

A 1 hour conversation for the Yin Semester of Earth element school.
A gorgeous slide deck with beautiful images highlighting ancient wisdom guiding the viewer through the Earth element as seen from the perspective of Chinese Medicine.
Canva slide-deck of images and teachings HERE.

Somatics- Embodied Awareness

If thoughts exist in the mind, feelings exist in the body.

If “the root of all dis-ease is emotional imbalance”- then the root cause of many physical manifestations can be addressed by assessing our emotions and where they appear in the body.

This image shows some possibilities to explore.

Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths.
Then notice what is going on inside of your body.
What is most alive?
Is there heat or cold anywhere? Any pain? Is it sharp, dull, aching, stabbing? Do you feel heavy or light?

What do you feel in your body and where do you feel it in your body?
Where does it manifest? How does it manifest?
For example- is it in your chest? The back of your heart? Deep in your gut?
Does it have a color, a sound, a sensation, a texture, an impression?

Perhaps allow the diaphragm to be a demarcation line of the upper and lower half of the body. 

Most often “anxiety” is above and warm. It flutters, pulsates, pounds. In the chest. In the ears. Blood pumping, skin flushing.
Most often “depression” will be below. It will feel damp, heavy maybe like a wet blanket. Sluggish. Lethargic. Unmotivated. 

When determining herbs for treating, often symptoms above the diaphragm will need more anchoring and grounding herbs (shells and stones) whereas symptoms manifesting below the diaphragm could use more liftng and floating herbs (flowers.)

My favorite guided meditation for modulating stress, including PTSD- a technique I learned at Walter Reed working with war veterans- is to bring the self or another back to the present moment using the sense gates.

What do you hear?
What do you see?
What do you smell? And taste?
What do you feel? Where your feet are touching the ground, your bum on a chair or bed.

Sometimes even more guidance is helpful. For example:

What do you hear outside of the room- how far away can you hear?
What do you hear inside of this room? My voice?
What do you hear inside of your body- your breath, your digestion, your blood pumping…

Create a daily practice of doing a sfull body can from the top of your head to the bottom of your fingers and toes. Get to know what is “normal” for you so you can pick up on, sense, when something is “off.” And then make choices to balance and harmonize the body mind.

This can also be a lovely practice as you are falling asleep at night- to relax every muscle of the body and melt into your bed to rest.

These exercises will bring more awareness to the body , rather than the thinking mind, and help us to engage with the full human experience.
This holistic approach will also guide us to root causes and thus lead us to do the emotional work on our selves to lead a more fully integrated life.

You are the Medicine

Watch the video HERE.

Doctor Cass gives a 40 minute talk on “You are the Medicine: practices to expand your consciousness.”
Drawing on the concepts of Medicine, Healing, and Wholeness. The origins of these words in Chinese: Medicine, Music, Happiness.
If we need healing- are we broken? Or are parts fractured that need to remember their innate cosmic goodness and return to the One? To wholeness? to Love?
Is medicine something external to ourselves? Can we produce it within ourselves? How?
What is consciousness? What is reality? Which reality?
What are some practices to help expand out awareness of what is?
In this video are a mediation, a qigong practice, and some suggestions to nourish life. To consider what IS working. To reframe. To expand the peripheral mind. To open the heart to limitless possibilities.

See just the Canva slide deck HERE.

Original Spirit “Yuan Shen”

Original spirit- "Yuan Shen"

All that we encounter in life holds a seed of truth within it, sent to us from the heavens, the eternal Tao of Universal Consciousness, the Wuji, Source, Origin, the emptiness of limitless potentiality, for us to hear and see and touch and know: to water, nourish, and grow to fruition. But it is up to each of us individually to follow our path and make the most of the wisdom, virtue, and compassion that we cultivate, living to our fullest potential and fulfilling our destiny.

By experiencing one's original spirit, the unity of life is realized, the inseparable nature of life is realized, the clarity of one's true nature is realized. This insight is essential to self-realization, health, happiness, and transformation. This insight can provide the inspiration and motivation to change a life, to live in a way that allows synchronization with shen (spirit), to be a living expression of shen. Acupuncture can have a profound effect on releasing attachments and imprints that prevent an individual from realizing original spirit. And it can guide one's focus or attention on self- realization.

Taoist teachings are like master keys unlocking all doors and help us to become like a child returning to the original Source, the original force that is our birthright. The ultimate purpose is to return to our original state- the source. This is beyond the boundaries of time and space, so to "return to Source", we must broaden our minds and empty ourselves, we must let go of the fixed, limiting ideas of Newtonian physics and realize that we are the universe, we are stardust.

According to The Secret of the Golden Flower as translated by Timothy Cleary, the original spirit is the formless essence of awareness; it is unconditioned and transcends culture and history. It is the celestial mind, primal and universal. The Secret of the Golden Flower is devoted to the recovery and refinement of the original spirit.

One of our foundational medical texts, The Ling Shu- Spiritual Compass, says that we need to understand how life experiences and interactions can create imbalances and illness. It is also a guide that creates awareness of them and offers ways to understand, change, and transform them and our life. Understanding creates awareness and a chance to take conscious action to change. Awareness allows for the opportunity for the natural expression of our intrinsic, free-flowing nature. That single activity- becoming aware- is the most significant process for realization of our original spirit.

The above is an excerpt from a chapter of my Doctoral treatise inspired by and taken from these sources:
Chia, M, (1993). Awakening Healing Light of the Tao. Huntington: Healing Tao books.
Jarret, L.S. (1998). Nourishing Destiny. Stockbridge: Spirit Path Press
Cleary, T. ( ). The Secret of The Golden Flower. New York: HarperCollins Publisher
Morris, W. (2015) .Transformation Treating Trauma with Acupuncture and Herbs. Lexington:22 Publishing
Twicken, D. (2013). Eight Extraordinary Channels. London: Singing Dragon

Manifesto of Encouragement

Right now:
There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.

Someone you haven’t met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.

Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.

Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God’s children.

A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, “nourish them.”

Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you — for free.

Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.

The next great song is being rehearsed.

Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.

Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.

Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they’ll be thriving like never before. They just can’t see it from where they’re at.

Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want — and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it’s reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all “So worth the wait.“

Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche — this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.

Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.

Someone is fighting the fight so that you don’t have to.

Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.

Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

by Mary Standing Otter

Qigong- healing for the Kidneys

Color of the Sea
Midnight under the full Moon
transcendent darkness

I wrote this haiku today, a practice I began in Japan last year that helps me to focus on simplicity and that has served as an opposition to the verbose academic writing of this past year completing my doctorate degree.

I awoke in the early morning hours to the sounds of a thunderstorm, something I actually miss when I am away from Texas, and listened to the rain. I stared out my bedroom window at the midnight sky and fell into one of my favorite Qigong practices: the 6 healing sounds. My teacher used to describe the healing color that bathes the kidney as the color of the ocean at midnight under the full moon. I have always loved this imagery.
And as today is the full moon it seems appropriate to write about it today.

 The Kidneys Sound:
The kidneys transform the emotional energy inside the kidneys into gentleness and generosity.

Position:
Sit on the edge of your chair with your feet shoulder length apart. Place hands palms up on your thighs. Lean forward and clasp your hands around your knees. Look up.

Kidney sound: Form an "O" with your lips as if preparing to blow out a candle. With a long, slow exhalation produce the sound "WOOOOOOOO."

Visualization: Return your hands to the palms up position on your lap and smile at your kidneys. Imagine a blue light (like the ocean at midnight under a full moon) shining upon your kidneys, surrounding them. Concentrate on feeling the virtue (power) of gentleness and generosity.

Repeat two more times (a total of three), including the hands position and visualization.

Summer Solstice Blessing

We are moving through the celestial doorway known as The Solstice.
It is a powerful planetary movement when the Earths tilt brings us closest to the Sun making it the longest day of the year. The sun will reach its zenith and be at the height of its power.
We celebrate the fertility of the Earth as she blooms and begins to produce all manner of fruits, veggies, flowers, and herbs. As energetic beings we can bring more fertility and expansion into our lives whether calling in wealth, love, family time, travel, or inspiration.

A Solstice represents a time of completion and a fresh start.
This is a time to awaken, to feel rejuvenated, and to rejoice in our abundance. A time to honor the Sun, welcome the Sun’s rays to penetrate your every cell, for indeed you are being invited to receive the Mantle of Truth, Wisdom, power, and Love as a multidimensional being made of Stardust and Sun Light. At this time of Illumination, may you remember that your inner fires are here to help you in moving through any fears that keep you from your truth. You are being ushered into the next activation of your incarnation as both spirit and matter, which is the power and blessing of Light itself.

Orient yourself to the Sun to make clear and honest choices about your greatest dreams, burn limiting beliefs, and bask in the magnificence of these Alchemical Golden Light Codes.
Together we UNITE IN THE LIGHT of this beautiful Solstice portal with sincere prayers to benefit all beings everywhere!

A Solstice is a magnetic power day energetically, that can help us set the space to bring to fruition the most authentic desires we have.
One of the reasons today is extra potent is because millions of us around the world are meditating continuously around similar times and frequencies which creates a Cosmic Unified Energy Field of healing and peace for all to step into. We can connect to this field through intention, prayer, and meditation.

If you’d like to connect to this field today and tomorrow, just for a few minutes, close your eyes, focus on receiving 21 deep mindful breaths, and simply affirm to yourself that you are choosing to show up for yourself and others in the most loving kind and generous way. Allow the heartbeat of the Earth to infuse with your own.

Rituals

MAKE SUN TEA sit a jar outside full of water between noon and 2 ideally and allow the energy of the sun to infuse it. You can then drink this or use it in a bath.

SUN INGESTION lift your arms to the sun, open eyes and open mouth and receive her light. Literally chew and swallow the energy 9 times.

FIRE build a fire, a bonfire, light some candles.

HERBS & FLOWERS typically those with golden or yellow flowers such as chamomile, calendula, st johns wort, mullein. Also turmeric, yarrow, sunflowers, ginger, he shou wu, and rosemary.

AWAKEN with the sun and rub morning dew on your face.

SING May the longtime sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the ure light within you, guide your way on.

CONTEMLATE what does the Sun mean to you?
What does it represent and what does its power feel like?

Some believe the Sun represents the Self and what makes you unique in this world. It also holds the energy of creativity, the ability to start and lead projects, and the strength and vitality to succeed.

GRATITUDE make a gratitude list or reflect on the last 6 months and all you have accomplished and make a new list or vision board of what you like to manifest these next 6 months.

Spring- in Chinese Medicine

Spring correspondences- gives new ideas

ELEMENT: wood
SEASON: Spring
DIRECTION: east
COLOR: emerald green
TASTE: Sour/acid
SMELL: rancid
TISSUES: sinews/tendons
FLUIDS: tears
SENSES: sight/vision (striving upwards, cultivate benevolence, harmonize jing + shen)
NATURE: growth, flourish
SEASON: Spring
Climate/Evil: Wind
TIME: 1-3am  (gallbladder 11pm-1am)
ANIMAL: azure dragon
FUNCTION: detoxification
MANIFESTS: through the eyes (window of the soul)
SPIRIT: Hun
PLANET: Jupiter
PRECEPT: do not kill
VIRTUE: benevolence, kindness, forgiveness
EMOTION: anger, passive- aggression, frustration, resentment (gallbladder)
SOUND: shouting

Healing sound: SHHHHHH (like comforting your inner child)
QIGONG PRACTICE: Swimming Dragon and Zhuang Zhan (Standing post/tree) Ho'oponopono: I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. I forgive myself.

NATURE: growth and facing obstacles
wind moves in unpredictable fashion
external events ask for internal adjustment
decision making, implementing plans
whenever growth is blocked, anger arises  

Expectations
Expression
Extroversion
Engage
Enjoy

BALANCED WOOD

acuproacademy

The Balanced Energy of Wood is expansion, growth and movement. The balanced wood type always sees a challenge as an adventure and enjoys pushing themselves to their limits while performing well under pressure. Confident and creative they also possess great humility and can “grow” patiently around any obstacle to reach the “light” or the object of their dreams. They are decisive and know exactly when to make a move and when to hold back.

THE IMBALANCE

Excess:

Aggressive and bullying the excess Wood type is arrogant and pretentious. Their compulsive behavior pushes anyone or anything out of their way with no sensitivity for anyone else’s needs. As a know-it-all they refuse to listen to what anyone else has to say. Too busy to recuperate when ill, there is no sense of when to move forward and when to wait. They tend to be domineering, irritable and prone to violent outbursts.

Deficiency:

Indecisive and ineffectual this type has usually exhausted regenerated reserves after a long period of excessive behavior. Becoming dependent on things with no stability and stimulants to keep going, deficient wood energy leads to a blocked state of despondency, anxiety and restlessness. Low self worth, guilt and shame lead to a downward spiral.

In Chinese Medicine the Liver is responsible for maintaining balance in the whole body and creating a smooth even flow of Qi and blood throughout. When Liver Qi is stagnant a deep state of anger and frustration ensues.

The Gallbladder is known as the Wise Decision Maker, it knows when to store and when to release bile and is thought to moderate rash behavior. Impulsiveness points to excess Gallbladder qi while indecisiveness is attributed to a deficiency.

These two organs see the truth to make wise decisions.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS-Excess

Muscular tension, cramps and spasm in the head, shoulders, neck, hips, legs, hands, feet.

Sciatica, tendon injuries, headaches, tinnitus, migraines with visual disturbances, emotional P.M.T, digestive disturbances (ulcers, hiatus hernias, heartburn), cysts and cancerous growths, high blood pressure.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS- Deficiency

Fatigue and lack of energy, fluctuating blood pressure, P.M.S and irregular cycles, insomnia and restless sleep, allergies and oversensitivity to environment, itchy eyes, urethra, anus, blurry vision and sensitivity to light, muscle spasms and twitches such as restless leg syndrome, digestive gas, bloating, hiatus hernia, irritable colon.

Through reading even this brief description of how the element of Wood affects the overall health of the body and mind one can begin to see what an amazing system of diagnosis Five Element Theory can be particularly when working with Vibrational Medicines to balance the emotions and why balancing the mind and emotions affects the physical processes so deeply.

FOOD AS MEDICINE: While this is very individual according to your constitution and whatever imbalances you have a the time, typical foods in the Spring that relate to the liver are- Dandelion, milk thistle, green leafy vegetables, juices of pear, apple, celery, and carrot. Sprouts: broccoli, mung beans, radishes.