In Chinese medicine, there is an inseparable link between body and mind. Each organ is host to its own emotions and how we experience them, With spiritual and mental proclivities - the liver is linked with anger or irritability, the kidneys with fear, the lungs with grief, the heart with joy, and so on. When harmonized, we’re able to experience emotions, transmute them, and regain balance. This doesn’t mean we’ll not be sad, have grief, or get angry, the key is to have the emotions move through. This is reflected in a key mantra from Chinese medicine - where there is flow, there is no dis-ease. If emotions become stuck, we have stagnation in associated organ systems and experience the ensuing effects on our health and well-being.
The easiest way to reach this state of flow is to get unstuck by consciously focusing on gratitude, shifting our perspective, filling a gap where perhaps we feel lack or fear and release dis-ease. Tapping into gratitude often involves taking a pen to paper or taking a walk in nature. Studies note we feel better with this regular practice.
In alignment with Chinese medicine philosophies, my friend and mentor Rick Carson, author of Taming Your Gremlin®, notes gratitude is not an attitude (he is not a fan of platitudes, they don’t always work), rather, we should seek the experience of gratitude, how it feels at a cellular level, in the center of your chest, your heart chakra. This requires opening your heart and realizing what is available to you.
One of the ‘Vital Substances’ in Chinese Medicine is called ‘Shen’. Shen represents our deepest self-awareness, lives in the heart, and is reflected in the vibrance in the eyes. When we experience gratitude, we are deeply appreciating that we are here, that we have this body, this life, to experience the sunset, the breeze, the grass under our feet, the smell of flowers or the comfort of a pet or loved one. It’s being grateful for what’s present before us in the moment.
Chinese medicine as a practice has so many tools to help those feeling stuck and unable to shift their emotions when feeling grateful might feel out of reach. We can transform stagnation through movement practices like Tai Chi or Qi Gong, custom herbal remedies, guided stretching for meridians, esoteric acupuncture patterns, and more, all of which we offer and see work their magic at The Road. We assist in returning harmony to the affected organ systems so you can find the space to breathe deeply and fully experience moments of gratitude.
Find Brooke at The Road at https://www.thisistheroad.com/
4130 Spicewood Springs Rd Ste 111, Austin, TX 78759