Zen Medicine for Mind and Body by Shi Xinggui
Author:Shi Xinggui
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
5. Achieving Balance between Yin and Yang
Yin and yang are the conception of nature summarized by ancient Chinese thinkers. In this system of thought, the heaven is yang, and the earth is yin. Yin exists in yang, and yang also exists in yin. The energy of the heavens descends and moves on the earth, and the energy of the earth ascends into the heavens. It is the balance between yin and yang that gives birth to the world we live in, which is reflected in the sun and the moon, the day and the night, summer and winter, and other similar pairs of opposites.
Just as the imbalance between yin and yang on earth will cause natural disasters, so the imbalance in our bodies will cause disease. Those whose yin and yang are balanced have strong vitality and psychological endurance. They eat well, sleep well, and look great. They are happy and spirited, and they enjoy a strong capacity for dealing with emergencies, great adaptability, good stamina, and strong resistance to disease. By contrast, those whose yin and yang are imbalanced are prone to illness.
What is the yang energy? It is what is superficial, upward, hyperactive, intensive, clear, and light. Insufficient yang energy will result in the failure of certain internal organs, causing cold limbs, weak breath, waning strength, fatigue, a weak pulse, and other similar conditions. Where do we find yang energy? The sun. When we lack yang energy, we should gather it in sunny places on fine days. At sunrise, we can take deep breaths as we face the sun, and the yang energy can enter our bodies through our nostrils and pores. Between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we can nourish yang energy either through sleep, repose, or meditation for 15 to 30 minutes. The best posture is to recline or lie on the back. When it is cold, we should bask ourselves in the sun, which will effectively supplement our yang energy and make us healthier. We can also eat more warm foods, such as Chinese leeks or walnut kernels. In addition, many seasonings can increase the yang energy, such as ginger or aniseeds. If we feel our yang energy is insufficient, we can add these seasonings into the dishes we cook.
When we have been sick for a long time or when we are excessively tired, our yin energy may become insufficient and there may be surplus of yang energy in us. As a result, we may suffer from excessive internal heat. When this is the case, we can take a walk under the moon after supper, which effectively nourishes the yin energy. We can also take time to regularly travel in mountain forests, or by rivers and lakes, which not only nourishes the yin energy, but also improves our mood. Foods that improve the yin energy are plentiful, including tremella, lily bulb, and pears.
As long as we can maintain the balance between yin and yang, we can live a longer, healthier life.
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