Working with Nature  

by Vicki McKenna BA Lic Ac

Unlimited Expansion

As I write this column we in the UK are experiencing some of the worst weather ever recorded for this small island. Much of northern England has been flooded and all over the UK we are bracing ourselves for another deluge this weekend. Environmentalists view such weather as evidence that we are undergoing climate change due to global warming. Daoists may well agree with that analysis but would add that such man made catastrophes can only be repaired when we learn to observe Nature as our teacher and apply its lessons.  Particularly by observing the seasons we can learn much about how to live sustainably, ecologically, globally and personally.

Through observation of the changing seasons we see that expansion is always followed by contraction –the full bloom of summer is followed by autumnal withering. This is a basic law of Nature but it is one that we have started to go against. Globally there has been a tremendous expansion of industry and this has given much of the (mostly western) world a high standard of living. Unfortunately the excessive carbon emissions we have produced as a result of our unlimited expansion have caused a catastrophic contraction –namely the current melt down of the polar icecaps and the threatened  subsequent inundation of water in low lying levels.

Daoists suggest that we apply this law of Nature to our personal lives –expansion there too is always followed by contraction. We who are physically challenged can benefit hugely from this wisdom.  Often we have become high achieving, perfectionists who push to achieve and expand ourselves beyond our physical and mental limits. This  so called type A behaviour has helped us to cope with  often extremely stressful situations  but by pushing ourselves too hard - overworking and over exercising we face  a contraction and a metaphorical meltdown in the shape of symptoms of pain, fatigue and burn out. Working with Nature means deciding not to push ourselves to the point of collapse but instead to start following the example of the seasons –after a period of activity take time to rest, reflect and so conserve and preserve your energy.

Old habits die hard and many of us find it difficult to let go of pushing and achieving and indeed our often challenging circumstances may seem to demand that we are forced to rise above our limitations.  Adopting a rigid approach to conserving and preserving energy would not be helpful and so Daoists suggest another way. Instead of forcing ourselves into a regime of resting and pacing we need to start to quietly listen to the wisdom of the body/mind –the inner voice that can tell us when we need to be active and when we need to slow down. 

The Inner Eye
The ancient Chinese book the Dao-te Ching says:
The five colours can blind,
The five tones deafen,
The five tastes cloy,
The race, the hunt, can drive men mad
And their booty leave them no peace. 
Therefore the sensible man
Prefers the inner to the outer eye.

There is nothing particularly mystical or “airy-fairy” about connecting with the ‘inner eye’--one’s innate intelligence.  All living organisms live in accordance with this creative force.  A flower closes on a cloudy day and opens when the sun shines - it obeys its instinctual, intelligent nature. In the same way we need to tune into our innate intelligence and know when to be active and when to rest.  Recent discoveries in biophysics show the presence of neuropeptides - intelligent hormone like substances that circulate in the blood.  This backs up what the Daoists have maintained for thousands of years - that intelligence is circulated throughout the whole body and is not resident solely in the brain.  Every cell of our being has the wisdom to guide us if we stop thinking so hard and instead relax and listen to our innate wisdom.

Start to listen to your inner promptings, become aware of gut feelings that tell you what is good for you and what will drain your energy. Whether its to do with work, diet, exercise or any aspect of your life rely always on your inner feelings  to guide you in the right direction. Experts’ advice is always interesting but ultimately trust only your inner guide who has your best interests at heart.

 To be able to tune into your inner wisdom you need to create a  still calm space within unassailed by the chitter chatter of the busy mind which will always encourage you to do and be more than you are. In this still calm space you  know that you do not need to be anybody except who you are in this moment, you do not to be anywhere except where you are right now –everything is perfect as it is here and now. Relax, let go and respond to life with enjoyment!

Listening to the Wisdom of your Body/Mind

Take the phone off the hook and sit or lie down to practise this exercise.

• Breathe from your Dan Tien  (sea of energy)–the energy centre just below the naval.
• As you inhale feel a movement all the way down to the Dan Tien .  Allow your abdomen to expand as your diaphragm moves down in a full breath, then let your abdomen relax as you exhale completely. Breathe continuously, with no pauses between the exhalation and the inhalation.
• As you sit or lie become aware of your mind slowing down and the softness of your breath filling all the cells of your being.
• Visualise a window opening on the top of your head and light pouring through it from a radiant star that is the source of all your wisdom.
• Ask a question and in the silence be receptive to the answer –it may come as a thought or an image or a feeling .
• Affirm “ I will always have the guidance I need to help me conserve and preserve my energy and so live a peaceful and happy life”. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vicki McKenna was born in 1951 and contracted polio the following year. She is based with her family in Glasgow, Scotland where she practices acupuncture and writes.  In 1999 she published "A Balanced Way of Living: Practical and Holistic Strategies for Coping with Post Polio Syndrome.” for details of how to order the book you can contact her on balancedway@hotmail.co.uk

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