medicine for body, mind, and spirit
I’ve been reflecting recently on what it was like for me to learn Chinese Medicine in midlife years. I recall wanting so desperately to understand the concepts, to make them fit in the scaffolding of my views of and beliefs about the world. Some of them did, and many of them did not. Chinese Medical philosophy has some… Continue Reading →
I have been most engaged this past week in the work and challenge of the metal element. I’ve been reflecting on both the physical and spiritual manifestations of metal through the lens of Chinese Medicine and also through the language of Christian narrative which hearkens us to hear about the pearl of great price and… Continue Reading →
I don’t know what images and thoughts are coming to the fore for you in this unusual moment, but I am pondering how to be of use from a six -foot distance. My view of the world is informed by classical Chinese medicine and Christian tradition. Perhaps these lenses offer something to you… Continue Reading →
The letting go has begun. This is my take on autumn. When the chlorophyll that has washed over the bright and patina shades of red and gold and brown take their leave and the trees demonstrate a glorious dance and twirl of letting go. Autumn is the time of paying attention. It is the point… Continue Reading →
Easter worship this morning at First Presbyterian in Asheville was pretty spectacular. The music, the liturgy, the message and the visual pageantry combined to create an inspiring celebration of God’s love for all of us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. But it was my second Easter Sunday worship…last Wednesday was the first…. Continue Reading →
In a recent interview in The Sun Magazine*, Jacob Needleman tells the story of his 1957 encounter with Zen Master D.T. Suzuki. Needleman was just finishing his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Harvard and had become interested in Zen Buddhism. He heard that Suzuki was visiting New York and he managed to arrange a visit… Continue Reading →
A foundational principle of Chinese Medicine is balance. Specifically balance between yin and yang. Yang is life force, movement, action, activity. It is light, ephemeral, intangible. Yang is what moves the leaves in a breeze, it is the spark that awakens us from slumber. Yang is summer, hot, bright, open. Yang reaches to… Continue Reading →
In my current field of study, the Holy Spirit’s work and evidence might be termed Qi. In Daoist thinking, all is qi. It is as if Creation itself and what creates it is all qi. Everything is qi, has qi, contains qi, gives qi. Qi is energy, flow, force.
She told stories of various things that had happened to her in years of practice. Giggles, tears, breathing, chattering, silence, even the occasional whoo! of a patient.
“It’s all qi” she said. Everything is qi. Just remember that.
This weekend marks the annual Greek Festival in our neighborhood. Allen and I walked to the festivities in the perfect afternoon as the sugar maple trees started donning their brilliant autumn splendor. With the smell of Greek food cooking at demonstrations and the sound of Greek dancing music playing to our ears we headed into… Continue Reading →
My nephew picks up his shoes and ceremonially takes them to the kitchen sink, in which he drops them with wild giggles. He is a full on heart song at times like this. He is a kid with that kind of spirit that can crack one’s heart open. I’m vaguely aware that this week is… Continue Reading →
