Create New Patterns This Summer

Master Lu encourages us to take time this Summer to align with the nurturing essence of the season. Here is a message from him and some ways he is guiding our community.

The goal for this Summer is to calm the mind and allow the body to gradually build Qi. When the mind is peaceful, your Qi won’t be wasted. Throughout the year, I have been sharing valuable TCM lessons. Take time this summer to “chew” on what you’ve been learning and truly make them yours. As your beliefs change, your emotions will shift, then your path will become clear.

Consider these questions:

• Eating for essence, not fullness—How does this feel and do you know what this means?
• Following the body’s signals, not your habits—What no longer serves you?
• Respecting the web of Qi within you—Do you truly believe you are an energy being? If so, what are you connected to?
• Study various previously taught course materials. More is not the answer. Go deep.

Here’s a simple plan to get you started.

Step 1: Cool Down the Body and Mind

• Days 1–2:
• EAT: Watermelon with a handful of nuts or seeds (such as sunflower, pumpkin, or walnuts).
  This combination lightly nourishes and cools the system, allowing your digestive Qi to reset.
• PRACTICE: Hold the Inner Peace posture shown in the photo above for 30-plus minutes.
• REFLECT: Answer the questions above and see what you are learning about yourself.

Step 2: Lighten the Load: Choose Foods That Are Easy to Digest

• Days 3–5:
• EAT: Steamed or lightly cooked seasonal vegetables, fruit, and mung beans. Whole grains like millet and quinoa.
• PRACTICE: Hold the Inner Peace posture shown in the photo above for 30-plus minutes.
• REFLECT: Can you digest more than food? How about life, emotions? Apply your thinking to the Five Elements and see where your consciousness is now.

Step 3: Nourish Qi

• Days 6–7:
• EAT: Introduce steamed salmon, barley, mung beans, cooked greens, dates, bamboo shoots, and more watermelon.
• PRACTICE: Hold the Inner Peace posture for 45-plus minutes.
• REFLECT: In the Five Element Consciousness Framework, you can “see” your life and what nurtures or limits you. Create new patterns now.

Moving Forward—What do you believe?

• Everything in your body is part of a dynamic web of interconnection.
• Qi flows through meridians and continually communicates with the internal and external world.
• When Qi is blocked, organs fall out of balance and show up physically: bloating, itchiness, pain, constipation, weight gain, uneven emotions to name a few. This is true.  

Grow with the Five Elements

When you grow, the element grows, because it’s not manmade.  Think about this…

Increase Qi

Join us every week for Qi Thursday to learn the Inner Peace posture and continue to use it throughout the Summer. An email is sent with access codes. If you are not part of our email list, please register to receive the email. https://www.tcmworld.org/tcm-world-newsletter-sign-up/

Self Study: Here Are Some Suggestions

The Consciousness of the Five Elements: If you’ve completed the course, go back and study, study, study and refine your notes. If you are new to the course, you can learn more here.

Study this section: What is TCM.

Use the Five Element Wheel as your daily guide. You’ll be guided to log in to a free membership to access this rich resource.

Read more of our blog posts on the Heart. Here’s a beautiful one called The Way is in the Heart.

Enjoy the Summer!