“In this time of uncertainty, our emotions easily swing from high to low each day. Our questions of “why” and “what if” cannot be satisfied because we have no frame of reference for what we are experiencing. But together we can find an inner foundation to support one another and discover just how RESILIENT we are.” Grand Master Nan Lu
The Grand Canyon shows us the power of EARTH energy. Mama Earth can receive, digest/process, and transform EVERYTHING! Mama Earth will do whatever she needs to do to create balance and harmony. She will manifest storms, shake things up with an earthquake, chill things out with a blizzard, or even manifest a pandemic.
Coronavirus is here as a wake up call for all of humanity. We have become completely out of balance and harmony with Nature. This is true at every level: body, mind, and spirit.
At the highest level, Coronavirus Prevention & Treatment requires us to heal our relationship with Nature.
BREATHE
Where to begin? First, take a deep breath. And now another. Now move your focus to your navel. When you breathe in, draw the belly in. When you breathe out, push your belly out. The navel is a Spirit Gate. This magical button connects you to your genetic line as well as to a time when you were in perfect alignement, in utero, with all of Nature. Begin this practice daily, especially before sleep and upon awakening. You can use your mind to intentionally envision a loving connection between you, your loved one’s, and all of Nature. Overtime the practice will become a natural healing habit. Click the link below to hear more on this powerful Spirit Gate from Grand Master Nan Lu of The Tao of Healing.
Now that you are breathing, let’s reflect on the immune and digestive system. The foundation of our immune system absolutely depends upon our ability to digest. A strong digestive system can receive, process/digest, and transform ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. According to Chinese Medicine, Earth energy is our digestive system energy. What Earth can do, we can do when in balance and harmony.
DIGEST
We depend upon our digestive system to help us with everything we receive: food, emotions, information, and yes viruses. When we look at the phases of digestion, each one has a body, mind, spirit requirement to reach the highest level of healing. All of these phases are impacted by our beliefs and emotions.
At the body, level, the key to healthy digestion is to make the Stomach happy. The Stomach does not like to be cold. It lives at core temperature. When we repeatedly take in ice cold drinks we shock our Stomach, disrupting function. Switching to room temperature and warm is an easy way to nurture your Stomach.
Drink ginger tea with brown sugar and mint daily to boost digestion and immunity. You can used baged teas: two of each. If possible use fresh ginger root 5-6 slices.
In addition, according to Chinese Medicine, raw vegetables (including leafy greens) have a cold essence. Bake, steam, saute, blanche etc your veggies to take the cold edge off.
Radish especially Daikon are especially beneficial to help clear mucous, boost digestion and immunity. You can learn more on the power of radish here.
Do not eat a large meal late in the evening, as this can disrupt your ability to sleep.
Learn more on Eating for Healing, Healing Teas, and Healing Recipes here.
More on Stomach/Spleen Health
CONSERVE
Now more than ever, we need to conserve our precious energy. Take naps, rest when you are tired. It is very difficult for a busy mind to fall asleep. Do not turn into the news before bed. Practice your energy exercises (see below) to calm and center you before bed. While lying down, you can practice Energy Gate Number 1 and Energy Gate Number 2 (see below) to help you relax.
If you awaken at night, this is your energy needing attention. Use this opportunity to again use the Energy Gates or get up and practice The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth (see below). Doing energy practice when you awaken will give your body what it is craving and soothe you back to sleep. Read more on how to achieve a peaceful night’s sleep.
Though we may have warmer temperatures during Spring, the essence of Earth is still COLD. Wear a coat and cover your legs. Do not wear shorts or sandles outside at this time. When we expose ourself to the COLD essence it can disrupt the energy flow in our Meridians and weaken our immunity. Also cover your neck with a scarf on windy days.
Become an observer of YOU. Where are you leaking energy daily? Anything that creates stress is an energy leak. Limit/avoid how often you are tuning into reports on the pandemic and consciously choose to tune into the positive, healing messages. Are you staying busy, busy, busy despite being restricted to home? This busyness is another way many of us are leaking energy.
We also must digest the energy of our electronic devices. They release an electromagnetic frequency (EMF) that creates a heightened energy state within us. Limit your use and do not use your phone as an alarm clock or keep it near your bed. EMF’s are disruptive to the sleep cycles.
Physical exercise expends our precious life force. Many use physical exercise to release stress and escape the mind. Though this is a benefit, it comes at a cost. Now more than ever we need to be very cautious about how we spend our energy. Do not exercise if you are feeling tired or have physical symptoms. If you tune into the messages within, your body will guide you on how it wishes to move. Intentionally slow down and take slow walks in Nature, she has much wisdom to share with you. The best exercise at this time is SLEEP, relaxation, meditation, and energy exercises that conservatively benefit every organ in the body while calming the mind and releasing stress.
GENTLE SWEAT
The skin is connected with the energy of the Lung/Large Intestine. Intentionally creating a gentle sweat every other day can help to open up and clear this energy. As a practice, drink ginger tea then take a hot bath, shower, and dress in warm layers. Allow a small amount of sweat to emerge and then rest. Too much sweating becomes draining for the precious Heart/Small Intestine Qi. It is ok to use a sauna, steam shower; however, do not overdo it! This technique is especially therapeutic if you have cold symptoms or a fever.
ENERGY EXERCISE
Beyond food, it is essential to support your body, mind, and spirit through energy exercises if you wish to reach the highest level of healing. Our body has an energy grid called the Meridian System. Like highways, this system connects every cell and tissue and impacts the function of every organ. According to Chinese Medicine, when energy is moving and flowing in the Meridians disease cannot enter and healing naturally follows.
The purpose of Qigong energy exercises is to open the energy flow within the Meridians. Below are two practices: Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention and The Four Energy Gates. Begin these practices daily and share them with your family. Be creative with how you integrate these practices. The goal is that they become your “healing habit.”
Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention
Energy Movement to Strengthen Lung Function
EMOTIONS
Emotions directly impact our body function. According to Chinese Medicine, all emotions have their place and purpose. They are Energy in Motion. It is important that emotions flow. Becoming stuck in our emotions disrupts our organ function, lowering immunity. Here are some creative ways to support this flow. These associations are the full spectrum of each emotion from stagnation to full expression. When we experience stagnation of an emotion, it is guiding us to a higher level of expression!
For More on Five Element Theory
For More on Emotions and Five Element Theory
Anger/Stress/Frustration ~ Flexible/Flowing/Fearless/Creativity/Expression
Move that body, move the voice, tap into your ability to create music, art, write, no limits! In Nature, this is the energy of Wood/Spring: all things that grow! This is the power of Wind, Lightning, and Thunder! Nothing can stop this power to be seen, heard, breakthrough!
This is our Liver/Gallbladder. Learn MORE!
Fear/Doubt/Scarcity ~ Wisdom/Power/Life Force
Fear is guiding us to recognize the wisdom within. If we quiet ourselves, slow down, and tune in we can discover this truth. In Nature, this is the energy of Water/Winter: the time for rest, deep reflection, conservation. “Water is the softest thing. Yet it can penetrate mountains and Earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness” Lao Tzu
This is our Kidney/Bladder. Learn MORE!
Worry/Ruminate/Refuse ~ Receive/Process/Transform
When we worry we circle round and round again and again, just like when we are waiting for a website to upload or a file to download. Though the pause of process has a purpose, staying in this cycle too long leads to stagnation. In Nature, this is the energy of Earth/Late Summer: the time for harvest. To move beyond stagnation, we have to upgrade our system so we process with greater ease. These upgrades happen when we open our beliefs!
This is our Stomach/Spleen. Learn MORE!
Rigidity/Control/Sadness ~ Refine/Shine/Let it Go
In Nature, control simply does not exist. There is only high level co-operation. Now more than ever we need to tap into this truth! This is Metal/Fall: the time for energy to begin turning in and clearing out what needs to be released so the cycle of life can continue. This is true for us emotionally and physically. What are you being called to let go of?
This is our Lung/Large Intestine. Learn MORE!
Agitation/Dissonance/Disconnect ~ Peace/Harmony/Total Faith
The pandemic is pushing us to open our Faith and Spirit connection to a higher level! It is uniting us together for a higher purpose. We must shift our collective consciousness from Fear to Faith. This is Fire/Summer: the time for energy to rest peacefully, in awe of its own unfolding. Holding the light of compassion for the process in its entirety.
This is our Heart/Small Intestine. Learn MORE!
All of us were born with a natural ability to allow emotional energy to flow; however, at some point we disconnect from this inherited power. Observe how children express tantrum energy with great ease moving from floor pounding (sibling punching) frustration, to a flood of tears, and a return to joy and play. We can choose to create a practice of taoist emotional cleansing daily to exercise this gift. Create a safe space where you can express yourself without limit. The car works beautifully!
Phase One: Move the voice
During phase one allow your voice to move. Tune into yourself, focusing on your tension, frustration, fear, anxiety. Then manifest an image of what this emotional energy looks like within your mind. Finally, freely allow sound to be released. This may begin as grunts, howls, hisses, yelling, and screaming. Go easy allowing the energy to flow out of the throat. Our throat is a sensitive energetic location. If you feel stuck in your throat or develop hoarseness, practice Energy Gate One and drink mint tea (two bags) with honey. If you wish, you can put on a song the evokes your frustration and anger. I personally love “Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machine.
Phase Two: Allow tears
"One tear drop can wash away a thousand years of sadness. One tear drop can welcome a million years of joy” Taoist Proverb
Tears are alchemy. We take the invisible energy of emotion and we transform it into visible matter. We then release this matter, cleansing the body. Allow yourself to bend forward or crouch on the ground covering your face in your hands. This position helps the tears to rise. Again, allow yourself to envision an image of your emotional energy within your mind. If you wish, you can put on a song that evokes tears. I tear up anytime I hear the work of Max Richter.
Phase Three: Smile / Dance
Now that we have released emotional stagnation, we can move to a new level of peace and joy. Allow your smile to come from your Heart. Observe yourself in a mirror so you can feel the difference and see the difference when you smile in this way. If you feel moved to do so, put on joyful music and have a little dance party with your beautiful self.
Learn more on the Taoist Emotional Cleansing:
https://www.tcmworld.org/taoist-emotional-cleansing-practice/
"If we can change our beliefs, our immune system can change.”
Grand Master Nan Lu
Listen to this empowering message:
Coronavirus Recovery
If you have experienced COVID, this is no accident! There is a purpose to taking on this challenge at every level: body, mind, & Spirit. Some patients are able to digest, process, and release the virus; however, for others there is a deeper impact.
This anaology will help you understand what is happening within the body. Think about the basement and foundation of a home. If the basement and foundation are strong and “leak proof,” the home stands strong and can weather any storm. However, if there are “hidden” cracks in the foundation that water can quietly seep through, it can create an issue over time that threatens the entire home. In this leaky state, the foundation/basement may welcome in unwanted visitors in the form of critters or mold growth.
You can think of your entire energy foundation as being like the foundation of the home and the critters/mold as COVID. The presence of COVID makes you aware of issues that had been hidden/silent. With this awareness, it becomes necessary to begin clean up and renovation to clear out what became stuck and strengthen the foundation.
Those deeply impacted by COVID have been labeled “long hauler’s.” To flip this concept this requires that you need an “over haul” for the GOOD! Even though the virus may no longer be present within your body, its energy is stuck impairing your organ function.
All of the information/practice above will support you in healing.
In addition, I encourage you to provide an additional boost to your immune system by stimulating Energy Gate Three (four fingers below the belly button) and the origin of the Kidney meridian on the bottom of the feet (located slightly lower than in the image below, use your thumbs to find the location as it will feel tender).
You can place a slice of raw ginger or use ginger essential oil at these locations and then heat with Moxa (derived from mugwort and available as regular and “smokeless”) which can be ordered off Amazon or a cigarette / cigar / large incense stick. Move the heat source close to the site up, down, in small circles for 5 minutes at each location.
Follow this link to learn more about Moxa and its use in healing.
Follow this link to learn more about The Four Energy Gates and how you can take healing into your own hands.
Beginning of the Kidney Meridian (slightly lower than in this image, find by touch)
Energy Gate Three (four fingers bellow the belly button)
COVID-19 Vaccination
Whenever you receive a vaccination, you are receiving an attenuated form of the virus. If you choose to be vaccinated, I encourage you to create time and space to prepare yourself. You want to be strong body, mind, & Spirit, to ensure you can process the vaccine for your highest good with minimal side effects.
Warm your digestive system daily with ginger tea before and after vaccination. It is best to use raw ginger slices, 3-4 per cup, and brown sugar which provides further warming benefit.
Practice the Coronavirus Prevention Exercises and The Dragon Stands Between Heaven & Earth before and after vaccination.
Your emotions directly impact your ability to process the vaccine. On the day of vaccination, maintain a peaceful, postive attitude that you are receiving for your highest good. Practice Spirit Gate Breathing to center and calm yourself.
After vaccination, allow yourself time to rest, preferably several days, before returning to work.
More information on preparation for the COVID vaccine on TCM World:
https://www.tcmworld.org/immune-system-life-force-tcm-perspective/
https://www.tcmworld.org/covid-vaccine-how-to-prepare-your-body2/
https://www.tcmworld.org/covid-vaccine-dealing-with-side-effects/
The Key to Immune Health Begins Within!
To awaken our immune health we must boost our ability to digest and process, build our energy foundation, and continuously release stress. You can experience the replay of this event by clicking the image above!
SPIRIT
The pandemic is challenging all of us at a level most of us have never experienced. And we must meet this challenge to heal. To do so, we must go to the level of Spirit. The pandemic is here for a higher purpose for ALL of us. Open your beliefs to this possiblility and it will reveal itself to you! In addition, practicing the meditative Qigong pose “The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth” will help you build energy and support you to taking your practice to the level of Spirit. In Chinese culture, the Dragon represents absolute fearlessness, mystery, and the power to breakthrough ANYTHING! When you stand in this powerful pose, it is like you are plugging yourself in or opening up for an update.
Begin by standing with your feet hip distance apart. Raise the hands to chest level and point your thumbs at each other in a loose fist. Draw your hands back to the chest, maintaining the position. Now, allow the elbows to relax so that it also relaxes the shoulders and neck. Not horizontal and not dropped fully to the sides. Feel that sweet spot inbetween. Bend your knees slightly and close your eyes. You can practice with or without music / meditation and in or outdoors. Allow your breathing to be natural. If balance is an issue you can open your eyes or stand against a wall or a piece of furniture.
The longer you hold the pose, the more benefit and energy you will receive. Start with 5 minutes and push yourself to hold the pose continuously for 15, 20, 30 minutes and beyond! Learn more about Dragon’s Way Qigong.
Join us everyday at 12 PM holding this pose connecting our healing consciousness across space and time!
Watch this video to learn the pose from Grand Master Nan Lu
https://www.tcmworld.org/dragon-stands-between-heaven-and-earth/
In response to the pandemic Grand Master Nan Lu released daily podcasts and online webinars. The recordings are available when you create a free membership through the website below. After signing in, you can view the webinars under “special events.”
https://www.grandmasternanlu.com/
Explore More:
Grand Master Nan Lu on Youtube
A Special Message for Parents
As a parent, we are responsible for helping our children through their processing, in addition to our own!
It is absolutely possible for us to create a home environment that becomes a healing center for our family. A powerful way to do so is to begin meditating with your children. Learn more through the link below!
Join the forum that is helping us explore how to do just that!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3084474891563533/
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