Healing our Inner Self

Healing our inner state of being is done with kindness and compassion. In this process, development of the heart is essential. We must learn to use our heart as an organ of perception and project a heart field that is open and generous. This path is one that leads from self-absorption to caring for others. When we realize that everything worthwhile in life is created as the result of love and concern for others we begin to recognize that everything we do leads to a consciousness evolution of our spiritual nature.

Our lives are improved immeasurably by softening our hearts and approaching everything with genuine gratitude. This can be a real challenge in today’s busy world where it often seems like events conspire to knock us off balance on a daily basis. We must persevere if we truly want to reach a better place.

We are never just doing. Wherever we are along the path, it is always a process of becoming something greater.

Perfection of character, the path from self-absorbtion to conscious caring and service to others is a long and bumpy road, but it is the only one that leads to the top of the mountain.


Nourish your Body: breathe - move - relax
Calm your Mind: sit in silence
Open your Heart: smile - give - love
Honor your Soul: heal - nurture - forgive
Expand your Spirit: remember

wishing you much peace...

First Path - Direction

The First Path refers to a lifestyle and belief system of native tribes, indigenous people and wise sages from ancient times. For these people, walking the First Path was a way of life that linked them to the natural world they lived in. By maintaining a connection to the natural order of things, it was possible to tap into the universal energy and live peacefully and in harmony with everything in creation. I know that may sound a bit exaggerated. Words are not really helpful when explaining this stuff. It seems hardly possible that human beings could live like that anyway, human beings being human beings.
But, is it such an unrealistic goal to strive towards? What were the drawbacks of living a daily routine that was life-affirming and positive? They took what they needed from the Earth and gave back to it in return. They were an integral part of the world they lived in, not lords of all creation. They supported and cared for the world and the world supported and cared for them. By living and working in conscious, responsible and wise ways they existed in harmony with their environment.
We have lost this. In modern times we have severed our connection to the natural world. We have become dependent on technology that we believed would make life easier, happier and more fulfilling. And, while life may indeed have become easier, happiness and fulfillment have proved elusive. Instead of seeing ourselves as integral parts of the natural world – indeed of the universe – we revel in accumulating stuff and lording it over whatever we can subject to our domination. It also seems like the more stuff we have, the more we need, until we become no more than the accumulation of all our stuff. We drive cars that burn our natural resources which we destroy the planet to gather. We watch so much television that we are lucky most of us aren’t brain dead. We use poisonous fertilizers to keep our lawns green, and eat chemically or genetically altered food. We take pills for every problem this lifestyle has created and then take more pills for the problems that the first pills create.
Where does this insanity lead?

Walking the First Path

Did you ever have a thought deep in the back of your mind that there just might, possibly be a better way of living than the way that is forced upon us by the hectic, stress-filled technological society in which we live today?
Alan Watts, the renowned Zen scholar, called that thought hintegedanke, which is a German word describing something just at the edge of consciousness. It is a hint of something greater, of some special connection we have with the world around us. For most, that feeling stays in the shadows of the mind as we drink our double lattes, drive our SUVs, and live our lives between the increasingly strident commercials which bombard us day and night.
What might this hintegedanke be trying to tell us?

Might it be offering to show us another way?
Might it be trying to remind us of things we have long forgotten?
Might it be presenting us with a different path to walk?

I believe that we have forgotten some very important knowledge over the past five-thousand years, knowledge we were not supposed to forget. And now we find we are on the verge of collectively destroying ourselves…again.
Millennia ago, in the vague myths of the antediluvian world, the Earth was different. People were different. They lived in harmony with the world around them, connected to it.

Today we have become scattered. Our attention shattered. So many options, too many choices, and the way forward seems more and more obscured. We have strayed from the path. Not everyone, of course, but it is easy to get caught up in the distraction of everything.
Long ago things were different. Long ago people walked a different path. They walked something I call the first path.
Walking the first path is a different way of doing things. It’s not about accumulating stuff. It’s not about money and power. It’s not about conquering the world we live in or dominating the other living beings on this planet. It has nothing to do with anger or hate. It is certainly not about being recreationally spiritual recreation.
No, walking the first path is simply about living, experiencing and caring about this precious life and the once-abundant world that we exist in. I could say that Walking the First Path is a holistic experience for the body, mind and spirit. But, saying that borders on being really tacky, and then people’s eyes start to glaze over. How about this? Walking the First Path is about recognizing, sensing and exchanging energy with the natural world around us.

I have a lot to say on this subject....let me know if you want to hear more...

in peace,
Zin the Wandering Sage

Spring Season - Wood Element - Liver Detox

As promised this blog is about Springtime and Wood energy which are directly related to the Liver organ in the human body.
By now just about everyone should be enjoying the magical awakening that is taking place. In the cycle of the seasons spring is a wonderful experience of rebirth and expression. It is important to take a moment and immerse yourself in this process. The natural world has so much healing energy, yet we almost seem to avoid it these days...

In Chinese 5 Element theory Spring is associated with the element of Wood. The Wood energy flow is facilitated through the liver. The liver is the yin organ which stores blood and facilitates the flow of blood and energy through the body. The liver is responsible for the strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons. The gallbladder is the yang organ that balances the liver and is responsible for storing and excreting bile. Cultivating Wood energy can help with subduing anger and irritability as well as banishing indecisiveness. It also helps with blood flow problems.
The increasing power of Wood provides us with the ability to recognize our higher purpose in life. Connecting to Wood energy brings us into alignment with nature.

Care for your Liver
After a cold winter it is always beneficial to take care of your liver.
1 - Drink water 1st thing in the morning - this supports the liver's natural detoxification process
2 - Eat more green vegetables - green is the color associated with the liver and provides chlorophyll, a substance plants use to trap the energy of the sun.
3 - avoid refined sugar
4 - eat more sour tasting foods to enhance bile flow
5 - reduce alcohol, nicotine and caffeine consumption to ease the pressure on the liver.
6 - schedule time for self-care. Get a massage, take a hot bath, come to a vermont retreat!
7 - Breathe, move and relax....
Practice Zen Yoga! - http://www.artofzenyoga.com

Vernal Equinox - 2010

Saturday March 20 is the Vernal Equinox.

In many traditions the Vernal Equinox is the beginning of the Awakening Time. It is a time of emergence from the long dark hibernation of winter when everything comes back to life and awakens. The Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of spring, a balance point of time when energy starts to rise just as the sap begins to flow upwards into the branches of the tree.

This is a very powerful time of year, a time of exhilaration.

In Chinese 5 Element philosophy, springtime is associated with the element of Wood. Wood represents growth. It is the element of expansion. Wood is the lifeforce that exists within all things. In the body, the sacred point of Wood is the lower dan tien, a point approximately three finger widths below the navel. By practicing deep breathing into this point we can access the energy of the Wood and connect with the inexhaustible source within our being.

The color of Wood energy is green. Wood energy provides confidence and the ability to persevere in times of difficulty. It enhances physical strength and stamina. Balanced Wood energy is rooted and decisive. Unbalanced Wood energy brings anger and confusion.

The Wood energy flow is facilitated through the Liver. In my next post I will discuss ways we can increase the vitality of the Liver.

Year of the White Tiger

February 14, 2010 marks the beginning of the year of the White Tiger.
The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. In 5 Element Theory this year corresponds to the element Metal. The color for Metal is white, hence the year of the White Tiger.
Tigers are physically powerful, independent and brave animals. But the Tiger also has the potential to become ferocious and cruel. The year of the Tiger is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. 2010 will not be a quiet or peaceful year. We are very likely to experience erratic circumstances that we will need to adapt to quickly.
It may be quite a challenging to navigate the many difficulties predicted for the year ahead. It will be important to take advantage of all circumstances we find ourselves in. Cultivating mindful awareness of life around us is key. We can no longer afford to be distracted by the irrelevant. Erratic circumstances provide opportunity for both growth and disaster. Stay alert, grounded and centered.

Winter Season – Water Element

Winter Season – Water Element

It is right about now that people begin to get a little tired of winter. The holiday season is well and truly over and now we are waiting for those first signs of spring to start appearing.

In the cycle of the seasons winter is the time of retraction. It is a time to withdraw into oneself, keep warm and harbor your energy. In Chinese 5 Element theory winter is associated with the Water element. It is a time to adapt to the situations we are confronted with by cultivating the willpower. Unbalanced Water element can intensify feelings of fear and depression. Water corresponds to the kidneys within the body. The kidneys are responsible for gathering, storing and dispensing water throughout the body. The kidneys are where the pre-birth qi is stored. In order to keep this qi vital and strong we must take care of our kidneys during the winter. Daily gentle circular massage of the kidney area (lower back on either side of the spine) helps keeps them strong. Excessive indulgence in alcohol, sex, and unhealthy food can drain qi. In winter this behavior can be especially damaging.

Think of the kidneys as the ocean of the human body. Within the body all the essences and fluids of the body's various pathways pour into the kidney. While oceans may appear vast and inexhaustible, their seemingly unlimited supply can be drained. After the kidney has assembled the essential fluids of the body's vessels it disperses them throughout the body lubricating the five organ network and nourishing all of the body's pathways. Without a proper flow this process doesn't work effectively.

Winter is a time of hibernation, stockpiling energy and conserving vital qi. Embracing this concept allows us to prepare for the springtime as the cycle continues.

Until next time....wishing you much peace,
Zin the Wandering Sage