Spring, the time of Wood in Chinese Medicine, is associated with creativity, anger, passion, and our motivation to manage details and fight injustice. Muscles, sinews, eyesight, decision making, planning, emotions, and the regulation of the menses are ruled by Wood. And the softer side of this upsurge of energy is benevolence – the world needs more of it.
I often say that a major part of my job is making adults lie down and be present to their own lives. With so much rushing into the future and being mired in the past, we miss what's right in front of us - this red hot second in time and space. It's all we've really got.
My mentor, Bob Duggan, says, “The past does not exist except in what we say about it”. It's just a collection of stories and we can tell whatever stories we want… or none at all! Likewise, the future hasn't arrived yet and as 9/11 taught many of us, we really have no idea what's going to happen next.
So where does that leave us? Right here, right now. The beauty is that we are no longer saddled with “what might or should have been” or “what might be”. We're simply faced with “what is” and that is a lot more manageable.
Once we settle into the present moment and the simplicity of “what is”, benevolence for ourselves and others becomes more possible. Once we realize that all we have is the phenomena in front of us, suddenly a lot of the pain and frustration we suffer on a daily basis disappears.
Example: A co-worker enters and drops some papers on your desk. Her lips pursed, she doesn't make eye contact, but says, “Here”, and walks out. Now, you could tell the story that she's “mad at you” or “doesn't think you are good at your job” or “can't be trusted”. It's as likely that she “has indigestion”, “has just been fired”, or “was up all night with a sick kid”. They are all stories. In the present, she entered, dropped some papers on your desk, said one word with a particular look on her face, and walked out. That's it. If you want to know more, you have to ask. The tension drops away and possibilities appear.
It simply takes practice. Right now is the perfect time to begin your practice of living in the present.
May you learn to be benevolent with yourself and others throughout this season and the coming year.
Janice Campbell M.Ac., L.Ac., ADS is a Licensed Acupuncturist & Qigong Instructor and co-owner of Ancient Arts Wellness in the heart of downtown Baltimore. 410.454.0178 ext.702 or www.ArtsWellness.com.
