Being provides advantage, nonbeing provides usefulness

Tao Te Ching - Chapter 11

Thirty spokes share a hub;
In its nothingness
Rests the carriage’s usefullness.
One burns clay to make a pot;
In its nonbeing
Rests the clay pot’s usefullness.
One cuts out doors and windows;
In its nonbeing
Rests the room’s usefullness.
Therefore, being provides the advantage;
Nonbeing provides the usefullness.


I don’t know about you, but when I first read these words I had to read it a few more times and just sit back in awe of how simple-yet-profound of a perspective it provides. I think it’s flipping awesome.

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The struggle effect via John Kim

…neither having developed the love nor attainment of mastery in life, it is commonplace for people to struggle rather than to experience effortless flow. Without the natural flow, it is easy to struggle and suffer. When focused on struggling and suffering, it is easy to lose mindfulness. Without mindfulness, the way to developing insights to one’s own issues becomes limited. Without insights, it is easy to repeat one’s mistakes over and over again.

Tao of Healing: The integral way of healing
John Kim, MD

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Can an Ancient Chinese text still hold water?

Tao Te Ching – Chapters 8-10

The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child’s?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

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Why Do We Get Sick?

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How many people do you know who are constantly sick? They’re always tired, fatigued, complaining, annoyed, frustrated, sick of being tired and tired of being sick, and they can never get “better.” I know a few people that are actually sick more often than they are healthy. I feel empathy for them and no matter how much advice I could provide them for diet, exercise, or supplements, none of it will truly fix the cause of the problem.

Soooo why do we get sick?

The immune system becomes weak and that allows viruses, pathogens, parasites, or bacteria to thrive in the environment.

But how does the immune system become weakened?

Through neglect…

- A lack of self-responsibility and/or self-respect.

We must take responsibility for ourselves, our actions, our lifestyle choices, the community we choose to be a part of, and our experiences/perceptions of all of the above. The only person we can “blame” in this situation, whether the outcome is positive or negative, is ourselves.

- An opportunity to be comforted and fulfill our ego’s want to be wanted. 

Humans are needy. We need to feel loved, to feel connected, or to be payed attention to in some way. Even when we’re not being paid attention to our withdrawal is a form of attention. We must overcome our ego’s wants and stand up for our spiritual needs. The comfort or approval of others will not matter when they exist within ourselves.

- Experienced shame of the past that manifests physically in the present.

When we have a shaming experience we can choose to learn from it and let it go or to bury it and hold onto the shame. We have the ability to store our emotions within our body. For example, it is said that anger comes from a compromised liver from years of drinking and/or stress, and according to Chinese Medicine the liver yields such emotion. Why the heck do you think certain alcohols make people angry? By releasing our emotional blockages about the past it will allow us to be present in the moment (the only one that matters), and to allow our body’s natural energy to flow with ease. I believe it is possible to physically lose weight when we forgive and release our emotional weight.

- An unhealthy spiritual body that correlates to an unhealthy physical body.

When we neglect our spirit and our emotions, then our physical selves will follow suit. We must take responsibility for ourselves, we must have the perception of when our egos make decisions, and we must release the past to live in the present – all of these will allow for a healthier spiritual body which is directly correlated to a healthier physical body.

No drug, pill, herb, stimulant, depressant, hallucinogen, or placebo can ever fix the cause of a dis-ease, only the symptoms. You can find the cause within yourself.

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Question: Static or Dynamic Stretching?

Static or dynamic… that IS the question!

I believe there is a time and place for both. Stretching holds the key to the structural foundation of the body. Without a proper and mobile support system, then what good is having a body than cannot experience a full range of motion? The muscles are like rubber bands. When they’re “cold,” they tend to tighten and seize.  Dynamic stretching “warms up” the muscles by increasing blood flow and energy throughout the body. Static stretching elongates the muscles to ensure full range of motion.

First, dynamic stretch to “get loose” and follow that up with static stretches – 5 second holds, rest for 1 second and then go “deeper” with another 5 second hold – continue until desired elasticity. After a work out the muscles will be warmed up that much more and allow for deeper static stretches and increased flexibility.

There’s a lot to be learned from the Chinese and their view of how energy flows through the body – it’s called “qi or “chi.” When emotional, mental, or physical roadblocks occur their effects tend to show as dis-eases or symptoms – Tight muscles happen to be one of those symptoms. You can stretch a muscle all day but if you have an emotional blockage, then perhaps you’re only treating the symptoms and not the cause.

Thanks for the Q!