Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Advice: Nourishing the Heart
Reserve time for yourself, cultivate inner tranquility, and let your spirit dwell within. Wishing everyone a tranquil mind wherever you may be.
The optimal state of health for both body and mind is not the absence of illness, worries, ample time for rest, or the quantity of food consumed in a day. It is having a body that can easily adjust to minor issues and a mind that swiftly overcomes challenges. It’s being able to sleep soundly when desired and having efficient digestion, regardless of the food consumed.
Facing the external world, it’s not only about having a healthy body but also maintaining a serene mind. Many individuals exhibit considerable capabilities but falter when it matters most, often due to disturbances in their mental state. Conditions like nervousness and anxiety arise from excessive expectations, driven by an unwavering determination to succeed and an aversion to failure.
The more one desires, the harder it becomes to let go during critical moments of gain or loss. Mental turmoil ensues, leading to an uncontrolled body and mind. Consequently, the outcomes often deviate from one’s aspirations.
When we discuss health in our daily lives, much emphasis is placed on the physical aspect—maintaining physical health and comfort. While many people can adhere to healthy routines regarding sleep, diet, exercise, and more, they often feel the need to sustain these practices indefinitely. This is because the mental aspect, the nourishment of the mind, is neglected.
The relationship between the mind and body is likened to that of a CPU and a computer. No matter how well a computer is maintained, if the CPU malfunctions, it cannot execute programs smoothly, and although the exterior may seem polished, the internal components are depleted. In today’s society, with numerous temptations and desires, anxiety, tension, and suffering are common. Maintaining an upward trajectory and constantly pushing forward, aspiring to possess what others have, leads to unrest and the origins of pain.
Regarding nourishing the heart, consider the following suggestions:
1. Avoid imposing expectations beyond your capacity. Undertake tasks commensurate with your abilities. Embrace the reality of being an ordinary person, and find happiness in leading a manageable life. This perspective may reveal unique abilities and talents.
2. Focus on what you have rather than what others possess. Family, personal well-being, a peaceful life, and harmonious relationships—all these elements carry significant weight in life, and there’s no hierarchy in their importance.
3. Affirm yourself and others. Many individuals simultaneously believe in their inadequacy and attribute others’ achievements to luck. This mindset consumes mental energy and diminishes internal vitality, making positive flow difficult.
4. Reduce desires. Desires, once fulfilled, often fail to deliver the expected joy and leave behind a sense of emptiness.
5. Allocate time for solitary contemplation. True solitude means no phones, no other people—just oneself, or perhaps with a pet. Bask in the sunlight, contemplate, discern what to let go of, and immerse yourself in experiences. The “Huangdi Neijing” suggests, “The form and spirit accompany each other, enduring through one’s natural life, reaching one hundred years before departing.” This implies that only with a sound mind and body can one achieve health and longevity.
Reserve time for yourself, cultivate inner tranquility, and let your spirit dwell within. Wishing everyone a tranquil mind wherever you may be.
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