Who Can Catch the Bubble?

We are well into SUMMER, and we should be pulling out the stops!!! Summer is a time of joyousness, expansion, passion, and mirth. Go to bed late and get up early (the longest of days!!) Those longer days are not for the purpose of simply packing in more work, but for taking a big chunk of your day to PLAY. The time spend outdoors—sweating, being active, getting sun—will serve you well in the winter. So cut loose and go for it. June 21 is the Solstice, so these next couple of weeks are nature’s way of putting us in great expansion. After that, the summer contracts (it will be half over!). Don’t lose time. Enjoy yourself.

Living Wisely In Summer Bodes Well for Fall

“In the old days the sages treated disease by preventing illness before it began, just as a good government or emperor was able to take the necessary steps to avert war. Treating an illness after it has begun is like suppressing revolt after it has broken out. If someone digs a well only when thirsty, or forges weapons only after becoming engaged in battle, one cannot help but ask: Aren’t these actions too late?” (The Nei Jing Su Wen -The Chinese Classic of Internal Medicine)


Behaving with seasonal correctness was addressed in the Nei Jing. The advice for Summer went like this:


“In the months of Summer there is an abundance of sunshine and rain. The Heavenly energy
descends, (eg: warmth and light descend from above) and the Earthly energy rises (eg: things grow). When these energies merge there is an intimate connection between Heaven and Earth. As a result, plants mature and animals, flowers and fruit appear abundantly…. One may retire somewhat later at this time of year, while still arising early. One should refrain from anger and stay physically active to keep the skin breathing and to prevent the qi (energy) from stagnating. One can indulge a bit more than in other seasons, but should not overindulge. Emotionally, it is important to be happy and easygoing and not hold grudges, so that the energy can flow freely and communicate between the external (the environment and other people) and internal (you). In this way, illness may be averted in the Fall. Problems in the Summer will cause injury to the Heart and will manifest in the Fall.


What does this mean for US? Get up early, stay up late, party and socialize, don't get into interpersonal drama, get tipsy on occasion (if you wish), but don't overdo. Soak up some sun, play games, sweat, and don't take life ultra-seriously. Summer is the time of "fling." Enjoy it. Getting all that "internal and external warmth" will last well into the fall and winter.