We had discussed some people with little or no Will Power, nor Intention to set up a clear and compelling vision as life goal. And we attributed that to the weakness in Kidneys Qi / energy.
We also have the opposite. Excessive determination and Will Power, wanting even to conquer everything in the whole world..
As such they have problem to prioritize and focus well, resulting in achievement in little or nothing.
How do we explain the above from Yellow Emperor”s Inner Classic perspectives?
We start explaining using the 5-element Theory.
Kidneys belong to Water. When the water is strong and excessive, moving in all direction, then the water is not under good control.
As per 5-element theory, Earth can Control Water. For example, when the river water is overflowing, a dam (earth) can be used to control the running water.
Kidneys are represented by Water and Spleen is represented by Earth. And Spleen has the function of Thinking and Analysis. Then much thinking and analysis are required to chart a clearer and manageable life direction to manage.
If the Thinking capability is not well functioning, it also implies the Spleen, physiologically not in good balance.
We can use this Model to observe and understand some behavioral pattern of an autistic child. Hyperactive, throwing tantrum, not able to focus well in study.
The child uses a lot of Kidneys-energy, with persistence / will power in demanding what he or she wants, But he is weak in Spleen / Stomach energy.
Tantrum may appear behavioral problem, but it is not. It is physiological problems that need to be addressed first, i.e. the Spleen and Stomach functionalities.
With more knowledge gained from Yellow Emperor”s Inner Classic , we can then help the autistic child to strengthen the functionalities of Spleen and Stomach with the appropriate diets that suit his or her body constituents.
From the above example, we see that kidneys problems need treatment at Spleen and Stomach also. So unlike Western Medicine who does not see relationship among organs.
We have our own experiences that it is not easy to balance Spleen and Stomach. There are so many delicious foods as temptation. Furthermore too much thinking and worries, Spleen and Stomach get attacked all the time.
This discussion involves a few key concepts which are explained in details in the video training.“Organs Functionalities 五脏六腑”， “5-elements theory 五行学说 ” ，”Earth controls Water 土克水” “Kidneys represented by Water 肾属水”，”Spleen represented by Earth 脾属土” ，”Kidneys like Hercules 肾为大力士”， “Liver manifests in anger 肝主怒?“，”Liver likes radiating with 肝主疏泄”
We talked about Medicine Diet, and we used maize strand of fibers as an example. And we talked about the strand of fibers can give rise to several health benefit.
One Group member asked : “Can maize strands of fibers help reduce High Blood Pressure?”
I can see most people are influenced by the Western Nutrition Theory, that certain foods prevent certain illnesses, like cancers, high blood pressure etc.
This also implies they focus on “Nutritious” and “Prevention”, whereas Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic Food System is on improving the basic human body functionalities, which if well balanced, prevent illnesses.
So, “Can maize strands of fibers help reduce High Blood Pressure?”
My reply is : “It can help, but not a guarantee it will reduce High
Blood Pressure or other illnesses.”
The main functionality of maize strand of fibers is to ease “irrigation system” in the body, a part of metabolism, helping to remove toxic substances from the body.
By logic, we know that accumulated toxin in the body, trapped, can lead to all sorts of diseases and sicknesses.
But then just by improving the irrigation system of the body is no guarantee no more HIgh Blood Pressure or other illnesses.
It is the failure of one or several 5 key organs functionalities that give rise to illnesses, not just irrigation system alone.
For example, a good balanced Spleen and Stomach functionalities are important too.
However in your daily diet plan, do you consider how many times in a month you need using foods to improve your irrigation system in your body, together with the other diets that can help improving the organs functionalities?
The above is a more important focus of your diet.
For adults, who are currently healthy, may feel lazy to be use proper food system. But if you have autistic child or sick persons in the family, you cannot afford to be lazy lo.
Can Food “A” cure a disease and Food “B” prevent another disease?
Can it be that simple?
This discussion involves a few key concepts which are explained in details in the video training.“Medicine Diet 药膳”， “”Organs Functionalities 五脏六腑功能” “Irrigation System 利水” “Ease Urination 利尿”，。。。
From the Western Science we get the fact that : Up to 60% of the human adult body is water by weight, the brain is composed of 73% water.
What is the function of the brain having 73% water?
We shall discuss with simple logic.
3000 years ago, ancient wisdom as per Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, says, the brain is filled with Sea or Ocean. They had the notion that the brain is in fluid medium, “脑为髓之海”， though they did not have the technology to measure the actual amount. But they knew like what today scientists know.
Why brain has so much water or fluid content?
We can say that logically the brain needs a lot of energy to function, to think, to analyse, to co-ordinate all stimuli and information to create sensible perception and make sense of reality.
So far you are OK with these logic presented. Ya?
In my free Video training (Simplicity & Practicality of Ancient Wisdom on Health), I presented the notion that the brain need energy, and energy is a rather abstract concept, not practical for usage, and replace with the 3000 years notion of Qi-Blood.
Hence the brain needs a lot of Qi-blood (energy) to function well.
You will accept the Blood as needed, but not Qi concept at this junction. I invite you to enroll the video training “Qi (its mystery unfolded), 5-Essential Human Life Variables”.
For the time being I go alone with your current paradigm that much blood is needed to the brain. You don’t want to talk about Qi. That is OK.
Much blood means the heart needs to work hard (i.e. a lot of pumping) and that produces a lot of heat. (Ancient Wisdom just called it Yang).
Then logically there is need to have coolant (73% water in the brain) to ensure balancing or reaching optimal equilibrium.
If the water content of the brain is very much reduced, ie. Little or no coolant, what happens? (Just simple logical question)
Similarly just using these two variables : Water / fluids and Blood, there are 4 scenarios that cause in-equilibrium. Too much water, not enough water, too much blood, not enough blood.
What about the quality of Water and Blood? Water too slurry, sticky, or Blood too thin, or blood stasis?
If in-equilibrium or imbalance, do you think it will affect the functionalities of the brain? Do you think there is connection between such imbalances with stroke, Parkinson, dementia?
I am just presenting some logical flow.
How do you do manage the balancing in order not to get stroke, Parkinson or dementia?
You need water management of your body. Ya? How?
You need blood management of your body, Ya? How?
What are the inputs to Water and Blood, and how the Body Process these inputs in order to get quality water and blood?
So your body processing is like a factory. How do you know the factory is working OK?
Symptoms are just manifestation of something unbalanced in the body system. And different people has different out of balance body system, though many of them have same symptoms.
The above question implies the person concerned has problem in Kidneys functionalities. But is that really the source of the problem?
Hence more investigation is needed.
There is the possibility that the source of the problem is not Kidney-functionalities but Lung-functionalities.
Yellow Emperor says “Lung is represented by Metal, Kidneys by Water”. And the theory further says, Metal Produces Water. If the Metal (Lungs) is out of balance, then it affects the Water (Kidneys-functionalities).
This is the challenge of due to its theory of inter-connectivity. All parts are not to be separately treated. And many other different parts can affect the part concerned. Hence the philosophy is very different from Western Medicine, which just focus on the particular part and ignore the rest.
Today many TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctors seem to practice like the Western Medicine doctors. They also only focus the the symptoms expressed by the patient and do not make sufficient inquiry of the larger picture.
With early discussion, more questions were posed by the members.
Question : “How do I help to bring back the Consciousness of the autistic child? (this refers to the child not able to make eye contact with the mother, not able to engage in a deeper communication on consciousness level).
“My child has sensitive nose, allergic to several things? How to treat?”
I often have to explain again that one just cannot based on an experienced symptom to understand holistically what is happening to the concerned party unbalances?”
Another question : “How can one knows whether the body constituent is Yang-deficiency or Yin-deficiency?”
Body Constituent System is a large topic, (Video training on Body Constituent System is under construction).. The body is more than just Yang or Yin-deficiency, but there are 9 types of Body Constituent.
Hence if I just answer the above question, the person may think there are only two types, which is not true.
Another question : “Under what conditions pineapple consumption is harmful?”
Well these types of question, one can easily Google to find out more. Be aware, you get different answer from Chinese Food System and Western Nutrition Theory.
Question : “My mother, 82 years old, water retention in the lungs, difficult in breathing. Just completed a heart-related problem operation. Medicine taken after operation is causing stomach problems. What foods should she consume now?”
It is sad that old people suffer a great deal with all sorts of illnesses. With operation, Ancient Wisdom considers the True Qi is badly harmed, making the person weaker.
My first reaction is to recommend porridges for the old mother. But that is not sufficient, there are so many therapies can be applied to the old mother.
Besides food therapy, there is also the emotional support, any old negative issues she is holding to heart? Etc. etc. But then will the old lady co-operate? Will the adult children have time and energy and knowledge to administer? These are larger questions need considering.
Not long ago, I have a coaching case of an old mother. Besides many physical discomfort and pain, recently she has bad temper, accuses the son stealing her money, wishes her die soon.
After coaching, I explain to the adult children, whatever maybe the old issues she has, her physiology is going downhill fast.
Yellow Emperor says “Kidneys Store Fear”. As her Kidney-functionalities are deteriorating, she experience a lot of unexplained fear, and she expresses the fear by accusing people around.
Balancing is required to her Kidney-functionalities, not psychology. I recommend adult children to learn Ancient Wisdom Life Cultivation to help the mother.
The adult children do not believe all these ancient wisdom nonsense. They sent me off and continue to bring the mother from one doctor to another doctor, looking for the best cure.
I encourage people I know to learn the ancient wisdom. Life Cultivation must start now, not till older age, otherwise your adult children will also behave like above, with much stress felt, bring the old parents from one doctor to another. All are in miseries.
This discussion involves a few key concepts which are explained in details in the video training.“Same illnesses different treatments. Different illnesses same treatment 异病同治，同病异治.”, “Focus on the Person and not just on the symptoms 治人不治病”, “Metal gives rise to Water 金生水”，””True Qi 气” , “Kidneys Store Fear 恐伤肾”，”Body Constituents体质”。
I observe several WhatsApp groups of retiree, or near retiree, they actively share & take part in quizzes, puzzles, sharing videos after videos regarding innovation.
They hold an underlying belief that if they actively use their brains, they wouldn’t get dementia, stroke or Parkinson.
What do you think?
Would you do the same with such belief system?
What theory is that you are using?
You may observe many people use a lot of brain-work, they get dementia, stroke or Parkinson.
You may also observe that many people Do Not use brain-work, they get dementia, stroke or Parkinson!
Often WhatsApp group members ask how to do treatments. Today we discuss the theories behind treatments. When we understand the theories and reasons behind, we can then creatively apply the necessary treatments.
We need to start from Yin and Yang theory again.
Yin and Yang is a large concept. But actually everyday we do experience it, but not aware of it.
For example, “feeling hot”, feel the sensation of heat in certain parts of the body, or mouth dry, sweat uncontrollably, … we then say it is Yin-Deficiency. There is lack of Yin and more Yang.
The other time, we feel cold. The hands and limbs sensations are cold, e.g. hands cold, running nose. This is Yang-deficiency.
Those with balanced Body Constituent, they feel reasonably cold or hot, but not extremes.
How do we use diets as treatments then?
We need to know the properties of foods in term of Yin and Yang.
YEIC says : “Yin is stillness and intrinsically cold and Yang is Excessive Movement and intrinsically heaty.
Hence animals with frequent movement, or in motions like dogs, who can run faster than chicken, then dog meat is more Yang in nature compared with chicken meat.
Pigs always just eat and sleep without exercise, it is then more Yin than dogs.
Fish in cold water needs to move constantly to create warmth for own blood circulation, then fish is Yang, and heaty in nature, in general.
For autistic children, due to influence of western nutrition theory, parents and teachers feed the children with more proteins for better growth, as based on the above discussion, if the meat consumed are more Yang in nature, children hyper activeness can get worsened.
Those living creatures with little motion, like crab, tortoise, are Yin in nature.
Most vegetable are intrinsically cold in nature. Vegetables from winter-countries are even colder.
Vegetable of Yang properties are garlic, pumpkin, ginger, leeks, onions, parsley, onions.
Fruits from tropical countries are mostly Yang, especially durian, also from temperate countries fruits ripen in summer like lychee, peach, longan, cherry, apricot, etc.
Yin types of fruits are watermelon, banana, kiwi, melon, grapefruit, orange, persimmon, melon, pear, mango, alfalfa, etc.。
Due to the influence from Western Nutrition theory, many parents want their children to take in more vegetables, consider them to be more nutritious.
Now with the injection of YEIC Food Theory, perhaps parents should do some re-thinking.
Cold types of foods are not suitable for autistic children who is withdrawn, avoid socializing. These kids should have more Yang types of foods.
This is just a general discussion.
This discussion involves a few key concepts which are explained in details in the video training.“Food Theory 饮食学说”，“Organs Functionalities 五脏六腑功能”，”Yin-Yang 阴阳”。
There are interesting observation and conversation with friends on the above subject matter, “What is Aging Process?”
Surely this subject matter is of concern to those past middle age, especially those retire from work.
At the same time, most admit that they cannot go into deeper discussion as they have very vague ideas what aging process is all about?
As a concept, we all know that we cannot stay young and strong forever.
But without knowing the aging process, it is difficult to ensure gradual and graceful aging. We do not know what to expect? How not to get into serious illnesses? Western Medicine does not provide much clues on the above, except general advice : good diet, good sleep, reasonable exercise, be happy.
And that is what most people do.
Those retired have the opinion that enjoy life to the fullness NOW, be happy, go travelling. The underlying assumption is Now everything is OK, enjoy. Later, …..don’t know, until some symptoms show up. Pray that no major illnesses.
Others still have a lot of ambitions with worthy cause. Some want to do charity to help people. This is another assumption that he or she currently is fit and healthy, hence can contribute much.
Later, when and how is he or she no longer fit, age faster, with weakening body functioning ……, that need others to do charity to him or her? i.e. To take care of him or her?
Isn’t is nice to know exactly what is the aging process, then we can become more conscious how to take step to ensure gradual and graceful aging?
In my 1st published video training on “Philosophy, Yin & Yang Theory, And Application” I shared, as per ancient wisdom, Aging Process is diminishing of Yin and Yang.
If that is the proposition, then we need to understand the basic concept of Yin and Yang, and how Yin and Yang are operating constantly in our life and take action based on that understanding.
Is Aging process only the concern of the middle age people?
Once we understand the ancient wisdom, we realize that we should implement the Life Cultivation in balancing Yin and Yang for babies and young children so that they have a better foundation to ensure gradual and graceful aging process.
You are welcome to learn from the following video training, what is Yin and Yang.
“Uric Acid is the byproduct of metabolism. A healthy body will discharge such by-products through urine, stools and sweats.
When there is poor functioning of metabolism, uric acid can be generated and give rise to problems like gout, pain in the joints, and with long period of accumulation in the body, many serious illnesses can develop.
A proper functioning of metabolism requires the well-functioning of all the 5 key-organs, not one less.
What functionalities?
Well, foods must be well digested, transformed to nutrients for the body growth and activities. This require good function of Spleen and Stomach.
Lungs and Liver Qi must be able to transport the nutrients to various parts of the body.
Small intestines must be able to absorb the nutrients and send the waste products to the Large Intestines.
And Kidneys must be able to filter the liquids and send the urine to the bladder etc.
We have discussed often, your excessive thoughts and emotions can also affect the above processes.
When any of the above processes is out of balance or not functioning well, we have many signals, including production of uric acid.
Many people, especially those with gout problem, direct their attention to what diets to avoid that can cause high level of uric acids. Hence they spend time, energy and money on control, avoidance, or reduce certain diets etc. Which certainly is tedious and tiring.
With all these efforts, what about what diets to ensure no cancers, diabetes, Parkinson, … ?
Isn’t it more important to focus on well functioning of all the 5-key organs functionalities so as to protect you from all illnesses?
Western Medicine doctor recommends taking plenty of water. This is control and avoidance strategy. It appears the life purpose focusing on gout and uric acid as enemies to be fought or avoided.
Perhaps such life attitude and paradigm should be changed. As per YEIC Life Cultivation, we focus on overall improvement of the body, mind and emotions and good functioning of all 5 major organs. This is holistic approach, there is no enemy to fight.
If we follow the Western Medicine doctor’s advice to take in more water, have we also considered can the kidneys and bladder take this extra burden?
For those with Yang-deficiency body constituent, taking in more water worsen the health condition. Can we afford to take care of one, and harm the overall system?
Life Cultivation 养生 aims to focus on diets that suit different person’s body constituent, the person lifestyle including exercise or not, personality, psychology etc. There is no one-size fits all.
The principles of YEIC are simple, But it takes great deal of learning to acquire the knowledge.
This discussion involves a few key concepts which are elaborated in the online training. “Functionalities of key 5 organs五脏六腑功能”，”Body Constituent 体质”，”Holistic Approach 整体观”，”Life Cultivation 养生”，”Yang Deficiency Body Constituent 阳虚体质” “Words in Chinese are texts from the book YEIC, 3000 years ago.”
