Newsletter #18

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The Five Elements in TCM: How They Shape Your Health

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is built on the idea that the human body is a microcosm of the natural world, interconnected with the forces of the universe. One of its most fascinating frameworks is the "Five Element Theory", which describes how Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water influence our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. For a Western audience curious about holistic health, understanding these elements can offer a fresh perspective on balance and healing.

Each element corresponds to specific organs, emotions, seasons, and aspects of life. For example:

1. Wood is linked to the liver and gallbladder, governing growth, flexibility, and the emotion of anger. It's associated with spring, a time of renewal and new beginnings.
2. Fire connects to the heart and small intestine, representing joy, passion, and warmth. It aligns with summer, the season of abundance and vitality.
3. Earth relates to the spleen and stomach, symbolizing nourishment, stability, and the emotion of worry. It's tied to late summer, a time of harvest and grounding.
4. Metal corresponds to the lungs and large intestine, embodying clarity, precision, and the emotion of grief. It's associated with autumn, a season of letting go.
5. Water is linked to the kidneys and bladder, representing wisdom, resilience, and the emotion of fear. It aligns with winter, a time of rest and introspection.

In TCM, health is achieved when these elements are in harmony. Imbalances—whether physical, emotional, or environmental—can disrupt this equilibrium, leading to illness or discomfort. For instance, excessive stress (a Wood imbalance) might manifest as liver issues or irritability, while a lack of joy (a Fire imbalance) could affect heart health.

By understanding the Five Elements, you can identify patterns in your own health and make adjustments to restore balance. This might involve dietary changes, acupuncture, herbal remedies, or even lifestyle shifts aligned with the seasons.

For Westerners, the Five Element Theory offers a holistic lens to view health—one that connects the mind, body, and natural world. Whether you're new to TCM or simply curious, exploring these elements can deepen your understanding of how to live in harmony with yourself and the world around you.

The Stages of Spiritual Awakening and Perception in Zen Practice

What is the meaning of this quote: "Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters." ―Dōgen (1200–1253)

·         Before one studies Zen: In the beginning, we see the world as it appears, taking everything at face value. Mountains are simply mountains, and waters are just waters. This represents an ordinary, unexamined view of reality.

·         After a first glimpse into the truth of Zen: As one delves into Zen practice and begins to experience insights into the nature of reality, perceptions shift. The familiar, concrete world starts to appear different—mountains are no longer just mountains, and waters are no longer just waters. This stage reflects the disorienting yet profound realization that our usual understanding of reality is an illusion, shaped by conditioned thoughts and ego.

·         After enlightenment: Once one reaches deeper awakening or enlightenment, there is a return to simplicity, but with a profound difference. Mountains are once again mountains, and waters are once again waters. However, the practitioner now sees reality with clarity, free from delusions. The world is accepted as it is, but this time with an awareness of its true nature beyond conceptual labels.

In essence, this quote captures the Zen journey from a conventional understanding of reality to an insight that breaks through illusion, and finally, a return to the world with wisdom and clear seeing.

Note: Zen is the Japanese form of 禅 (Chán in Chinese), both derived from the Sanskrit 'Dhyāna,' meaning meditation.

Qi Journal Updates:

Our Summer 2025 Journal has been released and getting a great response from our readers. If you are not a current subscriber, please consider purchasing either print or digital issues at www.qi-journal.com/subscriptions.

We’re currently selecting articles and planning the upcoming Autumn issue of Qi Journal—and it’s shaping up to be another great edition! Expect a thoughtful mix of topics to inform and inspire. Stay tuned!

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The Importance of Posture:
Standing Tall in Taiji and Life

In Taijiquan and other Chinese movement practices like Qigong and Baguazhang, posture is far more than a matter of correct alignment—it's the foundation of both physical integrity and internal transformation. Standing tall doesn't mean rigidly upright, but embodying a relaxed verticality that allows the body to balance naturally, the breath to deepen, and the spirit to lift.

Traditional training often begins with zhan zhuang (站桩), or standing meditation, where one learns to "stand like a tree"—rooted yet alive. Through this stillness, practitioners develop ting jin (listening energy), sensing the alignment of bones and the release of unnecessary tension. This kind of posture connects Heaven and Earth: the crown of the head gently lifting toward the sky (xu ling ding jin 虚灵顶劲), the tailbone sinking toward the ground, creating space along the spine.

Posture directly influences breathing. When the spine is aligned and the chest relaxed, the diaphragm can move freely, promoting deeper, calmer breaths. In turn, the nervous system settles, enhancing mental clarity and emotional stability. From a Chinese medicine perspective, good posture ensures smooth flow of qi and blood, preventing stagnation and supporting vitality.

Emotionally, posture reflects and shapes our inner world. Collapsed shoulders can mirror depression or anxiety, while a lifted torso and open chest invite confidence and presence. In life, as in Taiji, standing tall expresses dignity, readiness, and connection—with oneself, with others, and with the moment.

Ultimately, cultivating uprightness in body leads to uprightness in spirit. Taiji teaches that when the structure is balanced, the energy flows effortlessly. In every stance and step, we learn to carry ourselves with awareness, integrity, and grace—on the practice floor and in the flow of daily life.

Qigong for Emotional Balance: Calming the Heart-Mind (心神 Xīnshén)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional health is inseparable from physical well-being. The heart (心 xīn) is seen not only as a physical organ but as the residence of the shén (神)—our spirit, consciousness, and emotional awareness. Together, the term xīnshén (心神) reflects the unity of heart and mind. When xīnshén is calm, a person feels centered, resilient, and at ease. When it is disturbed, emotions like anxiety, restlessness, or sadness can arise, affecting both mood and the body's vital systems.

Qigong offers gentle but effective tools to regulate the heart-mind connection. Through coordinated movement, breath, and intention, practitioners learn to guide qi smoothly through the body, clearing stagnation and supporting internal harmony. Slow, flowing forms quiet the nervous system, while deep abdominal breathing helps anchor awareness in the dāntián (丹田), drawing mental energy away from racing thoughts.

One of the most direct ways to calm the xīnshén is to focus on the rhythm of the breath while moving slowly and mindfully. Simple exercises like "Gathering Qi from the Heavens" or "Lotus Opens to the Sun" encourage opening the chest, loosening the shoulders, and relaxing the diaphragm—physical areas closely linked to emotional tension. Visualization can also play a role, such as imagining golden light settling over the heart like warm sunlight.

Especially during times of stress or emotional upheaval, Qigong can restore a sense of inner stillness. It does not suppress emotion, but rather helps the body and mind process and release it naturally. By nurturing the xīnshén, Qigong supports not just emotional balance but a deeper sense of presence, compassion, and peace.