Juliana Kramer

On our relationship to nature.

I noticed my mood shift to overflowing joy when the air cleared and the sun came out. Did you notice a similar shift? I find myself surprised at times when I am greatly impacted by something or someone outside of myself. I forget I am a sensitive soul sometimes.

The idea that we are separate from nature is a mental construct that modern civilization has taken to the extreme, and it can take regular, daily practices - along with extreme examples of impact from tiny viruses and smoke particulates - to remember that we are all inextricably, undeniably, and magnificently connected.

In studying the Neijing, the most ancient text in Chinese medicine, I am learning more about this relationship and in particular the following teaching stood out this week especially in light of the impact of the fires. My teacher, Edward Neal, M.D., explains:

"We have this idea that being human we are self-contained units, we have our own boundaries, we have our own free will, we have our own empowerment, so even if global warming is happening we can always go in the house and turn on the air conditioner. Somehow , also, we are separate from nature. There are a lot of dichotomies in western thought that really hamper us, and are not true. One of them is that there is nature and there's us.... so [the truth is] if we see nature changing with climate change it is affecting us immediately in the same way it is affecting every other part of nature.

So, one of the things we need to change as we study this material is from believing in this self-contained autonomy - us versus the world - nature versus people, etc. and think of things more like fish in a tide pool, constantly moving back and forth, changing the position of the fish, and how they are swimming. So we are floating like these fish, in these patterns of space-time motion that we don't see and the patterns in our body are changing second to second with the patterns of the environment, of the space-time (breath) patterns that we are in. When the moon becomes full our blood flow changes, when it becomes winter things change, when climate change changes things our blood circulation changes immediately.

Another idea in the Neijing is that we are porous to the environment, that we don't have a hard edge at the edge of our skin - a boundary - but we are communicating all the time with nature and it's patterns and it's changing, for example, the flow of our blood and our blood circulation just as the moon changes the tides in the ocean. So, we are much more dependant on this (nature) for our health and wellbeing than we think. What we are going to see is that we're not strong by virtue of our structure, we are strong by virtue of the quality of the breath. Life is what happens in the middle of breath. Breath supports us, and nourishes us, and keeps us healthy and vital and we float on that. "

This information shifts my perspective in a few ways.

First, it has me care for Mother Earth in a renewed somatic way, feeling the link to Her more profoundly than I did previously. I am noticing small things I can change in my consumerism, and making choices that reflect my impact. Lately that means if I need to use a plastic ziplock freezer bag I wash it and re-use it again and again. I use cloth towels over paper ones, and the paper ones are recycled. I more carefully read about what can and can't be recycled. I also feel more pain internally when I make choices that negatively impact the environment. I am far from saintly when it comes to making a complete shift away from convenience and into sustainability, but I'm firmly on the path in a soul-driven way.

Second, I am beginning to lay a foundation of understanding the correlation of nature to the body in terms of medical treatment based on space-time motion and breath patterns. While this study will take years (in truth a lifetime or more) to fully pe*****te, it is exciting to watch the unfolding of a new level of practice by deeply studying this medicine from the original text.

Lastly - it validates my porous experience as a sensitive being living through serious environmental changes. I may 'know' this already but I can easily forget and feel grateful for the reminder. I hope if you are a sensitive being too that you feel the permission and splendor of your connection too!

The cooler weather this week has me aware of the upcoming season of Autumn unfolding before us. Autumn signals the time in nature when the plants who were showing their stunning beauty in the bright outward light of summer begin their inward journey towards hibernation. Nature is letting us know it's almost time to begin the movement inward, while enjoying the late summer beauty and sunshine.

As I explained in last week's post, the lungs are associated with feelings of sadness and grief in Chinese medicine, and the season of Autumn is associated with the lungs. This is not as grim as it sounds but if you are feeling pangs of sadness, know a) that it makes sense given the smoke (not to mention covid, inequity in the world, etc.) and b) you are not alone in having big feelings, and know that you are so deeply loved. Remember to reach out to the people closest to you and invite them into your journey.

As we are about to make the turn to retreat inward, it may be that you are just feeling a bit more quiet and reflective this week, and that makes sense too. Journaling and allowing yourself to unearth what exists internally beneath the hustle of daily life can help to unfold the deeper driving forces of your life. By entering what I call the Subtle Realm you gain access to an ocean of inner guidance - the wisdom of your body - to reveal what most deeply matters to you so that you can live in alignment with your core values. For those that don't know already - If you need help entering into this space I offer Subtle Realm Coaching, and it can be combined with Subtle Realm Acupuncture - an esoteric branch of acupuncture that works more at the psycho-emotional and spiritual levels.

In my journeys into the Subtle Realm this week what arose from the wisdom of my body is that it is imperative to stretch and open the lungs, enjoying the end of the summer season, ideally amidst the trees, air quality permitting. Trail running and tree hugging this week felt particularly joyful! So - see if that lands for you, and if so maximize time in nature on days when the air is clear. Additionally, for those indoor times, you can practice the lung opening qigong sequence offered in this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT-1tTnw8Vk

You can do this yourself in the morning to open and prepare for the day, and if you want - gather some friends over zoom and do it together. It's just a 6 minute video. And remember, when in doubt, take a deeeep breath in.... then a long slow breath out.... repeat.

With warmth and care,
Juliana

Qigong For Lungs - Qigong Exercises For Healthy Lungs and Immune System (Autumn Season) This short and easy Qigong sequence includes qigong body tapping and exercises that help to stretch the chest and arms, stimulate the lung meridian and impro...

New Staying Healthy post for everyone!

Simple movement/breathing exercises to stimulate lymph system, and short explanation on acupuncture meridians here:

https://www.facebook.com/JulianaKramerAcupuncture/

Juliana Kramer, L.Ac. Local business