The Zen of Healing

The leaves, fruits (except for a few persimmons - see previous post), flowers, all of Nature’s gifts have fallen to the ground, and found their way back into the earth, back to its source… the Tao. The cycle of life, like the calendar year, has reached both an end, and a new beginning. This new beginning, both literally and metaphorically, starts with a seed. A seed that is deep and still… and simultaneously gathering power, amassing tremendous potential, to finally manifest its will in the coming of the Spring. We see this same potent power in the deep ocean – wherein also lies the capacity to be still, deep, and reflective… yet at a moment’s notice, it can be turbulent, unyielding, and even destructive.

As for US during the year, this is a time of going inward… connecting with our own capacity to be still and go deep within ourselves. It is a time of reflection, cleansing, and cultivation. Reflecting on this year’s harvest – its moments of growth, connection, nourishment, inspiration along with its moments of chaos, loneliness, starvation, and letting go. Then can we look in the pond and see ourselves staring back at us in the present – who am I today, what have I become, and finally… what is to come?

Its an uncharacteristic winter here in Seattle. We generally don’t see temperatures below freezing, let alone snow (usually small amounts) until the mid to end of the season. I did a bit of digging and this is the whitest Christmas in the Pacific Northwest since 1861… estimating between 10-20″ (depending on how north) inches of snow thus far!

What does this have to do with persimmons?? With the unusual low temperatures and large amounts of snow… when you’d think all organic life is either hibernating or has returned to the Earth for ‘recycling’, there remains a good number of persimmons still holding onto their branches here at Blue Heron Zen Community. Zen being a constant practice of inquiry and investigation, I was curious as to why? And if I asked this question to one of my teachers… they would surely say something like, “Go ask a persimmon.” So I layered up and ventured outside to converse with some persimmons… ask, “what are you holding onto? and why?”

I only received a glimmer of an answer. An insight into the oneness of all things… that I and the persimmon are not different or separate. By asking the persimmon this question, I was actually asking my own mind. At this point, the only appropriate thing to do was bow and say, “thank you for your teaching.”

To explore this from a less esoteric and more cognitive view - Five-Element acupuncture and philosophy puts the Winter season as the time of the Water Element. I’ll be doing a whole post dedicated to the Water Element and its associated meridians of the Kidney and Urinary Bladder. There are two energetic aspects of the Water Element that came up for me in relation to the persimmons… Fear and Will. These are big topics that could (and probably will) be entire posts of their own. But here I ask my own mind, and maybe you find yourself asking your own, the following:

What are you afraid of? Can you let go? Are you afraid of the fall? Is it the unknown of where you’ll land or the unknown of the journey down? Say you let go, fall, and land… then what?

Do you have the will to overcome? Is it your will in imbalance that keeps you hanging on? Can you find the willingness to fall, change, even decay… but then transform and give birth to something new, vibrant, and powerful? Is there trust in this natural process that has happened countless times to numberless beings over infinite time and space? Harnessing the will of Water allows us to transcend the fear of the unknown and come out the other side with wisdom and insight.

Just like us, some persimmons fall when ‘nudged’, come back to Source and transform into something new. Others take a bit longer. Still others will continue to hold on. No situation better than the other… they are just as they are. No matter what, they will continue to change moment to moment to moment… what will you do with this one right here, right now?

Jennifer Dubowsky L.Ac, a wonderfully experienced practitioner out of Chicago, does a great job of talking about the esoteric concepts of Yin and Yang:

The concept of Yin and Yang is said to date back nearly 6,000 years and has been attributed to a philosopher named Fu Shi. It is a familiar symbol that expresses constantly changing interactions.

Yin and yang have no fixed, precise definition. Instead, they refer to two complementary concepts which include the relationships of: positive and negative; dynamic and inert; creative and destructive; obvious and subtle; and kinetic and potential.

It reminds us that seemingly opposing forces are bound together and interdependent in the natural world, giving rise to each other in turn. The concept lies at the heart of many branches of classic Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The basic premise of yin and yang is the notion that the only constant factor in the universe is change. Nothing remains the same; no disease, no condition, no emotion, no treatment or diagnosis. Everything is constantly changing.

Yin represents that which endures, nourishes and supports growth. It also refers to something contracting and moving inward, such as calm rather than activity.
Yang, on the other hand, is all that is creative and generating; it develops and expands.

Here are a few examples:

Yin:
Earth
Autumn
Dark
Female
Left
Low
Moisture

Yang:
Heaven
Spring
Light
Male
Right
High
Dryness

It is believed that yin and yang exists in everything.

Yin and yang are not static concepts. They are constantly influencing each other. There is always some element of yin within yang and vice versa. Look closely at the picture of the Yin and Yang symbol and you will see the dot of Yin within Yang and the dot of Yang with Yin.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, yin and yang refer to energies and functioning modes of organs and body functions. Your healthy state is created by the right balance of yin and yang. Therefore, it is advisable to make choices that contribute to balance in our lives.

Jennifer’s blog is Acupuncture Blog Chicago, check it out!

This poem was written by Lindsay Davis, a kindred spirit in my life, just a few days ago. She brings the healing power of Nature and the essential teachings of Zen to her words without even trying.

Whispers from burnt sienna leaves
Central Park’s trees
standing tall and proud as mother nature
drops November rain
a child skips over puddles and announces his
presence with a jubilant
thud
while a golden lab tip toes and protects
only the scent and sound of leaves soothe my mind
squirrels squirming through holes in the fence help me leave it all behind
graceful November fall
vigorous November fall
away from Zabar’s, noisy bars, Fairway, life not feeling fair today
away from ambition which blinds and corrupts each innocent action and expression
warding off a visit from depression in the
autumn whisper wind
fresh breath
surreptitious sigh
dropping the masks, plunk
this is not the place for everyone
November clouds do not seek grandeur or gold
just to dim the sky
the little boy speaks of ice cream sundaes and the golden lab’s ears perk up
bright yellow leaf lightly falls in my lap
breeze catching curls on my neck
when the soul for something longs
but sits alone
it is nature which offers
a comfort song.

Thank you Lindsay.
You can check out more of Lindsay’s blog posts here.

This is a favorite quote of mine… and sums up the energetics of the Autumn season/Metal element from a Five Element Acupuncture perspective very nicely.

“..In the end what matters most is,
How well did you live,
How well did you love,
How well did you learn to let go…”
- Unknown

I feel this question of “how well” is simply an observation of our own individual (yet also) collective effort. Not necessarily a place of judgment or criticism… simply a look and an acknowledgment. A nod without a stare or desire for things to be or have been different. The Metal Element having much to do with our own personal quality, value, self worth… a profound connection to our highest self, and how we not only receive it but are inspired by it!

“How well” do you receive praise from friends, colleagues, loved ones? Can you breathe it in? Does it take your breath away, stopping you in your tracks? Do you sigh or take a big breath before pushing the words “thank you” out of your mouth?? It can be an interesting little exercise to play with.

Can we fill our lungs with the stuff of what living is made of, our hearts with the stuff that love is made of and then finally embrace the release of it all?!

Quick exercise: pick up a vibrant autumn leaf (easy to find here in Seattle)… inhale, be in awe of its color, its spark, its quality… exhale, then let it go. Repeat with a new leaf, a new breath, a new experience, a new love, a new quality of life!

Go, observe, live, love, let go!

The Autumn season and Metal element in the body is governed by our Lung and Colon meridians. They have a reciprocal relationship of receiving (or inhaling) the very highest quality of life, of Spirit, and then a release of what is no longer useful for us. And if we are not letting go, then we are not making room for new “inspiration”. This is true on all levels - physiological, mental, emotional, spiritual.

So I’d like to focus on the letting go aspect. Much of the world’s suffering exists today because of grasping, clinging, attachment. Holding on to a particular idea, thought, emotion, experience. We say all the time, “I wish this moment could last forever”. And people try and try with all their might to create a reality in which that feeling endures. Our expectations and preconceived notions really get us into trouble - what a friend should be, a partner, a son, a teacher, what a parent SHOULD be. Why trouble?? Well, most of the times our ideas of what people SHOULD be very rarely coincides with how we they actually express themselves in the moment. Then can we watch our reaction… can we observe without judging, criticizing, blaming or labeling? This takes a lot of practice, luckily, we never seem short on opportunities!

As my Grand Zen Master used to say…”Put it all down!”. Not that its a terrible thing to have desires, opinions, preferences, etc., but we must watch how we cling to them. If we are holding on so tight, then we allow for a sort of mental constipation which is NO FUN! There is no mental constipation that won’t find its way to manifest physically. That may be in our actual Colon, but it can manifest as any sort of stuckness - bloating, pain, insomnia, depression, etc. An important thing to remember is that the Colon meridian is not only charge of disposing of its own trash but all the garbage from the other meridians as well. So if there is a back-up, we can see “symptoms” coming from any of the meridians… which is a reminder that symptoms do not always point you to the root cause.

So what we can do? Well, on a physiological level… keep your Lungs and Colon healthy. Keep your lungs filled with pure, clear air and that they get plenty opportunity to “breathe” - yoga, meditation, aerobic exercise. For the Colon, we certainly want to encourage the physiological releases! Good dietary sources of fiber, omega-3 fish oils, aloe vera juice/gel, and plenty of water to name a few. On the deeper layers, many alternative therapies are wonderful for encouraging our processes of inspiration and letting go - of course, acupuncture and massage… but how about dance, drumming, martial arts, music. Utilizing rhythm and/or the voice… really powerful! On a more quieter note… journaling or a creative art project.

What’s most important is that we are checking in with ourselves internally. It would make a wonderful daily practice, ask yourself, “What am I holding on to?” or “What can I let go of today?”. Watch how it can not only ease your suffering, but those around you as well!

A personal day to share. Last Sunday at Blue Heron Zen Center in Seattle, myself and 5 other Zen practitioners took what are called the Five Precepts. They are five foundational vows of not only Zen, but life in general - in a nutshell… to not take life, to not steal, to not lie, to not abuse intoxicants, to not give in to lust. Taking the Five Precepts in ceremony shows one’s dedication to the training, to your teachers, to your sangha (community). It acknowledges a desire to deepen one’s experience of awakening, and to relieve my own suffering and that of all beings. Finally, its a formal step in teaching… and there are fewer things I enjoy more than sharing meditation and the dharma with others.

The ceremony was led by Zen Master Ji Bong and Ji-Do-Poep-Sa-Nim Tim Colohan the morning after a 2-day retreat. We were surrounded by friends (including six of my closest) and family of those taking Precepts that day, as well as other teachers and members of the zen community. The main meditation hall more warm and brilliant than usual that day. All were sitting on zafus (cushions) and offering their support to the six of us. We bowed, chanted, and lit incense… A LOT of incense. Then we were called up individually to receive our certificate, kasa (additional layer to our robes), and buddhist name. I received the name Won Shim, meaning Original Mind… denoting the mind before our busy thinking, that which is still and clear, before the water is muddied. It reminds me of one of my favorite Taoist concepts… the Uncarved Block, like Winnie the Pooh (for those of you who have read The Tao of Pooh). In other words, simply, the mind that of a newborn baby. Attaining this name, this mind, is a moment-to-moment journey…

At the end, JDPSN Tim and Zen Master Ji Bong each gave heartfelt dharma talks recounting their early-on experiences discovering zen, taking precepts, and walking the path of teaching. It occurred to me just how filled up I have felt by only 7 years of Zen training, let alone Tim’s 25 years or Zen Master Ji Bong’s 40 years. Of course, I know it will unfold in its own unique way for me, as it already has… I just have to continue to show up!

Even though I took my first step along the Zen path seven years ago, this was something else… something more intentional… more reciprocal. I have been given so much, this was a formal gesture of giving back in gratitude. This one ordinary morning, was a small token of thanks to those who first put me along the Zen path years ago - Justin and Tara (who were also there this morning), Reb and Marcia. Thank you. And to my incredible teachers currently - Zen Master Seung Sahn, Zen Master Ji Bong, JDPSN Tim, Eric, Anita, Greg, JDPSN Jeff (we missed you) and the entire Blue Heron Zen Community, thank you.

In the end, even with a certificate, fancy new robe/kasa, and new name… nothing special, nothing extraordinary. I still get up at 5:50am to meditate, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, practice acupuncture, bow, chant, sleep - in the hopes of liberating myself and all beings from suffering for all eternity… which actually only exists right here, right now! I find that somewhat comforting, don’t you?!

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Photo courtesy of Taso Papadakis - http://www.tasophoto.com

After the harvest, the time of bringing in nourishment and filling our storehouses, Nature continues its decline and starts to let go… into the season of Autumn. The air is cool and crisp accompanied by misty rains falling from the Heavens. The leaves turn from greens… to fiery yellows, oranges, and reds… giving us their final spark of fire and inspiration. Then they let go from the branch from which they came and make room for the new growth in the Spring, insuring continuity and abundance. The fruits, flowers, and leaves that have fallen continue their rotting and decomposition, and simultaneously - pour precious nutrients, minerals, and essence back into the soil to contribute towards a vigorous Spring.

This is my favorite time of year, especially here in Seattle. If you’re reading this locally, please get to the Japanese Gardens during this time, its just gorgeous!

Like with the other Elements… that which occurs in Nature, occurs within us. In the Late Summer, fueled by a connection to the Mother… in Autumn, it is the breath of the Father, our connection to the highest Spirit within us all to inspire and let go with every breath we take. Just as the nutrients and essence of the previous growth is taken in and passed on to give birth to a new Spring… the Father passes on his experiences and knowledge to the child, so they may flourish on his new path. In contrast to the nourishment, warmth, and compassion of the Mother… the gifts of the Father (and of the Heavens) are that of support, guidance, respect, self-worth, and a keen sense of quality. He is one of our first figures of authority, a source of wisdom, a mentor, a guide to point the way.

In Nature, one example of the Metal Element that comes to my mind is the mountain. A mountain (to me) demands respect – it has existed for centuries (or more), symbolizing incomparable structure and support; throughout his existence has seen and experienced moments and events beyond our comprehension, giving him great wisdom and a sense of value; he is rooted, nurtured, and loved by the Earth below… yet stretched out and in constant communication with the Heavens, giving and receiving inspiration. And within these incredible gifts, we can than see and feel as we stand there in awe of its magnificence, an incredible sense of self-worth. Not as a braggart, but of someone who is truly connected to Spirit, and is able to mindfully see their own value, acknowledge his achievements, and than just as important… let them go, so as to make room for the next breath, the next spark, the next moment to talk to God.

For more information on the Metal Element, relating to Five Element Acupuncture.

As we are on the cusp of Late Summer (Earth) into Autumn (Metal), there are some really important aspects of Earth to touch on. And this is the notion of “receiving” as it relates to our Stomach meridian. On a physiological level, the Stomach receives our food, churns it up, and turns it into something raw, nutritive, and usable for the body. Of course, there are many disorders that people suffer from when not digesting well on this level - including bloating, gas, pain, acid reflux, nausea, etc.

We are constantly talking through our Stomach Official, saying things like, “I’m ready to receive” OR “I’m full”, “I’m fed up and can’t take in anymore”, “I can’t break it down”, “I can’t digest it”, “That makes me sick to my stomach”, “I’ll need to chew on that”, “You expect me to swallow that?!”. What are we saying or experiencing on a deeper level then?

This concept of receiving our nourishment extends beyond the physiological. How do we see this mentally, emotionally, spiritually? This is our ability to properly receive, break down, and digest the information we receive on a daily basis, and then send it through. How we digest news, experiences, and events – ex: getting married, having a baby, September 11th. It also gives us the ability to be satisfied or satiated – by what we eat, our achievements, our progress, what we learn from reading a blog post! Mentally, there is huge component… our tendency to overthink, ruminate, or chew chew chew on our thoughts without any real movement. This can lead to not just the physiological symptoms mentioned above, but also things like insomnia, headaches, anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc.

What can we do to support the way we digest the world around us? Well, for starters… eat breakfast! We always heard growing up that its the most important meal of the day, the Chinese would agree, but now we have a reason why! As mentioned before, there is a two-hour window of time that the Qi flowing through a particular meridian is at its peak. The Stomach meridian is from 7-9am. Offering it a substantial, nourishing meal during this time is the best way to not only fuel our bodies, but also support all of the other aspects of the Earth Element that have been mentioned. Its literally building our foundation for how we “receive” the rest of our day.

Have your first meal of the day in quiet (no email, no tv, no cell phone…), with mindful attention, with gratitude, with the intention of embracing the sheer abundance we can attract into our lives when we are truly open to receive…

Easily one of my favorite times of year, especially here in Seattle. In typical western culture, we talk about four seasons. The Chinese include a fifth… the Late Summer. There is no set calendar date for the beginning (or end for that matter) of the Late Summer… it is a shift that many of us can feel. We’ve surmounted the peak of Summer, of Fire, of Yang energy for the year… and we begin our decline. The air is a bit cooler, lighter, and even sweeter; the leaves may be suggestive of turning, but not quite yet… we simply hear their faint song. It is now where we bring in our harvest, fill our storehouses to the brim with nourishment to sustain us through the autumn and winter. Abundance.

“Mother Earth” is talked about a lot in various cultures, including Chinese medicine. The Earth Element contains within it the essence of the Mother. What does this mean? Well, what is the mother imparting, communicating to the babe in her arms as she nurses? An unconditional supply of stability, safety, calm, attentiveness, nourishment, understanding, compassion - the most holistic deliverance of “love”. How is this different from the Earth beneath our feet, from what the soil provides to all living things trying to perpetually be nourished and grow? The answer… not one bit.

More posts on the Earth Element to come soon… because it won’t be here for very much longer!