Yes, I know what you’re going to ask. ”Come on now, Terry. What in the world does a geeky fantasy story written by some old dead guy have anything to do with Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Allow me to elaborate, if I may.
At the end of JRR Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the wizard Gandalf says “I am going to have a long talk with Bombadil: such a talk as I have not had in all my time. He is a moss-gatherer, and I have been a stone doomed to rolling. But my rolling days are ending, and now we shall have much to say to one another.”
Gandalf is a benevolent character that is constantly on the move. He is working at all hours of the day and involved in many “big doings” throughout the whole of Middle Earth. He is guardian of what is good and thus in a constant struggle to achieve his goals. If you’re not familiar with “Lord of the Rings,” you can find more info about Gandalf here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandalf
Gandalf the Grey
The character of Tom Bombadil, on the other hand, is a fellow who sticks to his own simple ways and does not allow himself to be pulled into drama. He is simply Tom and remains in harmony within his personal domain. For more on Tom Bombadil, you’ll find it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bombadil
Tom Bombadil
This is what I observe – many of my patients are like Gandalf. They fight the good fight. They work long hours. They have multiple responsibilities. They are involved in many “big doings” around their community. They are constantly exhausted, under stress, and sometimes irritable. They are, in essence, like Gandalf, “stones doomed to rolling.”
I see my job as a TCM practitioner is to be “a moss-gatherer.” It is my place to help people “who are doomed to rolling” begin to slow down. Part of my treatment is getting my patient to allow themselves a time for stillness. When the stone is still, moss can gather and grow upon it. Just the simple act of taking a slow deep breath is therapeutic.
In TCM speak, “rolling stone” types are in a constant state of expending their Yang energy. This creates an imbalance. Yin and Yang must be balanced in order to have optimal health. In other words, if someone is always on the go, then they should also take time to rest and restore themselves. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicines, Massage Therapy, Chinese Dietary Theory and Tai Chi/Qi Gong exercise, can help a person balance their Yin and Yang energies. I educate my patients on small steps that they can take to reduce their stress.
Can you relate to Gandalf? Are you being pulled in several directions at once? Do you find yourself easily irritated and grouchy? Are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by all that you need to get accomplished today? If so, then please feel free to schedule a consultation with me by calling 970-218-5909 or email me at terry@artesianspringom.com. I’d be happy to chat with you and see if we can’t get you to “gather some moss.”
No comments:
Post a Comment