Finer Points
Thoughts and information for continued hope and health

December 2005

Quote of the month

"Those who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

Making Room for the Yin

'Tis the season. The season of activity. This is the time of year that we rush around. We have lists and lists of things to do. We epitomize movement. Go. go. go. However, if we look out the window, we notice that in nature, things are slowing down. Stopping. Still. We are movement and our world is still. What is that about, anyway?

In Chinese philosophy, as well as in Traditional Chinese Medicine, we recognize two forces in the universe. That of Yin and that of Yang (pronounced "yahh-ng"). Yin represents the feminine, the moon, coolness, descending, moist, receiving, stillness. It translates as the "shady side of the slope". Yang represents active, sun, masculine, hot, giving, dry...."the sunny side of the slope".

Everything in nature, in the world, in life, can be categorized according to yin and yang. In our bodies, similarly, everything is yin and yang. Blood and body fluids are yin. The movement of the blood through the vessels is yang. Anatomy is yin. Physiology is yang. Structure is yin. Function is yang.

When a person enters my office who is deficient of "yin" they will show symptoms which demonstrate a proliferation of the yang (by comparison, there will be more yang than yin). This can manifest as excessive talking, hyperactivity, thirst, difficulty settling down, difficulty receiving (aha! remember this one!), headaches, red eyes, hot flashes, irritability or constipation.

When one is "yang deficient", they would show a preponderance of yin: cold hands and feet, no energy to speak, passivity, withdrawal, fatigue, difficulty giving, nonhealing sores, foggy thinking.

Most patients in the clinical setting show a mixture of yin and yang deficiency symptoms -- you may not find yourself fitting into one or the other categories....according to Chinese medicine, there are diseases of too-much activity and there are diseases of inactivity. And, incidentally, the diseases of inactivity are much more serious.

In our lives, especially at this time of year, it's important to nourish that part of you which is not as strong as it could be. According to Chinese medicine, this involves balancing your life and balancing your diet. For instance, if your life is all about go, go, go....it's SO important for you to balance that yang with some yin -- some stillness -- and plant yourself in front of a window with a cup of tea -- and watch the squirrels and the sky for a spell.

If your life is quiet this time of year, gather together people that you know or people that you love, or both! Generate some activity. Dress warm and go for a walk (and enjoy the sky!). Play gin rummy with a pal. Go window shopping and dream a bit.

The truth is -- we need the stillness as much as we need the activity -- we need the yang as much as we need the yin. To be completely balanced and healthy, we need both.

In all of the activity of the next few weeks, find space for dreaming. Make room for the yin. Learn how to give. Give from your heart. Teach yourself to receive -- also from your heart. Share a smile with someone who needs it....and welcome the smile that comes your way.

Do not despair if life is too quiet -- savor the silence and balance it with inspiring music. Life is not always so busy or so desolate -- nor should it be. You, yourself, can find the balance.

Balance your activity level by what you need. Balance your eating similarly. This time of year it is important to eat fish, seaweeds and seafood. According to Chinese medicine, these will help your body balance yin and yang. Read November's blog for foods which can help prepare your body for winter.

Enjoy the yin and the yang which life offers you now. Receive the gift of the season: balance.