09/25/2021
Autumn is upon us! Which means it’s time to shift gears and slow down a little. This isn’t easy in our fast-paced world, so here’s a little excerpt from the NeiJing to give us some guidance:
“The three months of autumn are called ‘tolerantly holding the balance.’ [During this time,] the celestial influences become urgent [while] the earthly influences become brilliant. Rise and go to bed early, getting up with the chickens. Make [your] mind peaceful and calm. Be relaxed with the autumnal punishments. Draw inward and restrain the spirit, making autumnal influences balanced and not [placing] your mind outside. [This] makes the Qi of the Lungs clear. This is the way to resonate with the influence of autumn. To go against this injures the Lungs and, in winter, presents as loose stools and a reduction in [your capacity] to wait and store up.”
For people with trouble following the autumnal influence, acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used for over 2000 years to restore this ability and return us to a state of balance. This time of year, I usually see lots of people with issues slowing down and resting. This includes issues with sleep, anxiety and mental restlessness. I also see breathing disorders quite often. If you’re suffering from any of these, or maybe just want to get more in tune with the seasons, feel free to contact me.
