Dear all,
We've been talking about Summer, Fire Element, Heart and other related organs in Chinese Medicine, and the emotion connected with the Heart is Joy.
I'm enjoying listening to some Tara Brach talks about the Present Heart , and the qualities of Lovingkindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity. She remarks that Joy includes both the "10,000 joys and the 10,000 sorrows... the experience of aliveness and openness when we just let ourselves be available to the whole play of existence." And that being open to the possibility of Joy is part of our commitment to wholly loving the world.
I love the idea that finding and deepening into Joy is not separate from being part of our tender care for our world. We need not be in Joy in spite of the suffering, grief, and pain that exists; rather, the practice of being in Joy allows our Heart to be even more expansive, resilient, nourished and nourishing, to be present with all of it.
At the same time, as we tilt toward Summer Solstice and the days are lighter, may we invite some of that lightness, sunshine, aliveness, spaciousness, and Joy into our lives and Hearts. Maybe this is just an enhanced awareness-- noticing beauty, gladness, care, delight, love, gratitude, and when we are aware of it, really deepening the experience so that we truly soak it in.
If you are feeling so inclined, we would love to have you join us this Sunday to welcome, celebrate, and honor the Summer season, invite in Joy, and care for and nourish our Hearts and Lymph and bodies and souls.
Please let me know if you would like to come!
I’m including in this one my last newsletter, Heart and Lymph:
Dear all,
Some of you have seen the recent NYT article (or previous articles- as well as a book and podcast- elsewhere in the last several years) about the somewhat recent "discovery" of the interstitium, and how it corresponds to the meridians (channels) we use in Chinese Medicine. Completely fascinating. Some folks have also speculated that the interstitium corresponds to our idea of the San Jiao meridian (Triple Warmer), which has to do with the regulation, metabolism, and movement of fluids in our body, as well as (on another level) the balance between our inner selves and the outer world.
Interestingly, the San Jiao meridian has also been compared to the lymphatic system, and the interstitium is also considered the gateway to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system flows to the heart. The Triple Warmer organ system, along with the Heart Protector (guardian of the Heart Monarch), Small Intestine, and Heart itself, are the "Officials" of the Fire Element (other elements just have two organ systems as Officials). And Fire is the element of Summer.
There's quite a lot to say about all of the above... But my main point at the moment is that now is the perfect time to attend to the Fire Element, it's related organ systems, and its Shen spirit, which is like our own shining sunlight/starlight within, guiding us in truth, awareness, and wisdom. Now is the time to nourish and give some love to our beautiful tender Heart, which is working so earnestly for us on every level body and mind and soul.
And now is also a perfect time to learn about and care for our lymphatic system (considered the River of Life in Ayurveda). The first time I learned about the River of Life (from Radhe's teacher), it was so mind-opening and magical. Definitely something most of us don't pay enough attention to or even learn about much at all, yet so crucial to our health and well-being! The lymph is responsible for our body's communication when something needs attending to or caring for; our first line of awareness and activation. And the lymphatic system, like the Heart, is also so connected to our emotional giving and caring as well.
Let me know if you can join us June 7 for all this goodness. Would love to see you.
With summer blessings and love,
and prayers for healing, peace, justice, and democracy,
Shoshana