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Chinese calligraphy

by Team | 1616,Oct, 2024 | Healing Arts

A meditative art with healing properties

Calligraphy is a means of expressing the very essence of the soul; through each brushstroke, body and mind merge in perfect harmony.

This meditative art has more in common with internal and external martial arts, as well as with traditional medicine, than you might think. Indeed, Chinese calligraphy is not simply a form of writing, it is an ancestral art.

The origins of Chinese calligraphy

In Chinese mythology, the invention of writing is often attributed to Cang Jie, a legendary minister of the Yellow Emperor Huangdi (c. 2750 BC). It is said that Cang Jie had four eyes, enabling him to penetrate the secrets of Heaven and Earth.

In particular, he observed the footprints left by animals and devised an immediately recognizable mark for each one.

The Yellow Emperor, eminently satisfied, promulgated the use of his writing throughout the country. He also had a riverside temple erected at the site of his workplace.

These symbols, initially simple and pictographic, evolved into a complex writing system, combining meaning and aesthetics.

One of the earliest styles of calligraphy is the “bone and shell style”, which appeared on turtle shells and ox bones during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.). This archaic writing style, though rudimentary, already bore the seeds of the subtle, refined art we know today.

Calligraphy then underwent a series of major evolutions, influenced by the various Chinese dynasties. Each period made unique contributions to the art. This gave rise to different styles, such as the sigillary style (篆书, zhuànshū), the scribe style (隶书, lìshū), the regular style (楷书, kǎishū), the semi-cursive style (行书, xíngshū), and the cursive style (草书, cǎoshū). These different styles share the same essence: the expression of qi, the vital energy that circulates within every living being.

A historic journey

Over the centuries, calligraphy has always been seen as more than just a method of writing. Under the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), it began to be recognized as an art form in its own right. Imperial scholars and officials learned calligraphy not only to write, but also to cultivate their minds. The art became an expression of moral virtue, righteousness and inner harmony.

During the Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), calligraphy reached new heights. Masters such as Wang Xizhi and Yan Zhenqing left works that continue to be studied and admired today.

The Song dynasty (960-1279 A.D.) also saw the emergence of a deeper link between calligraphy, poetry and painting, making these three disciplines an inseparable trio, embodying the ideal of the Chinese scholar.

And so, from generation to generation, the art of calligraphy has passed through the ages, perfecting itself while remaining rooted in its fundamental principles.

Calligraphy schools multiplied, and each region added its own personal touch, but one thing remained unchanged: calligraphy was not simply a visual art, but a path to inner peace.

An unexpected link with martial arts

As our readers already know, body and mind in TCM are intimately linked. This understanding is reflected in Chinese martial arts, where internal energy (qi) and mastery of movement are fundamental. The same concept applies to calligraphy.

One might think that martial arts and calligraphy are two very different disciplines. Yet they share a profound connection: both rely on concentration, body control and the fluid circulation of qi. In internal martial arts such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong, movements are slow, measured and focused on harmonizing vital energy. In calligraphy, brush handling follows a similar principle.

Each stroke is a flow of energy, each character a manifestation of inner balance and strength.

Mastering calligraphy is comparable to mastering a martial art: it requires discipline, patience and perfect harmony between body and mind.

Ancient martial arts masters often recommended the practice of calligraphy to strengthen the mind and deepen mastery of qi. This calm, meditative discipline could then be applied to their healing internal martial practice.

A healing art

Although calligraphy is often perceived as a simple artistic pastime, it actually has therapeutic virtues. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that the body’s equilibrium is based on the harmonious circulation of qi and blood. Any obstruction of this energy can lead to illness.

The practice of calligraphy calms the mind, calms the heart and regulates the flow of qi. When you focus all your attention on the brush, you plunge into a meditative state, where the mind calms down and stress dissipates. This helps to regulate breathing, align the body and ensure the smooth flow of energy.

Modern studies confirm that the regular practice of calligraphy can reduce anxiety, improve concentration and even lower blood pressure. Like meditation, calligraphy helps to restore a state of inner balance.

In this sense, calligraphy is much more than a simple art; it is a path to healing, a way to harmonize body and mind.

So calligraphy is a spiritual path for the soul, a healing practice for the body. By immersing himself in this art, the practitioner enters an active meditation, where each stroke is a manifestation of his qi, where each character is a window onto his inner balance.

In a world of stress, agitation and distraction, why not take refuge in calligraphy? It will guide you towards a calmer, more harmonious life, more in tune with your true essence.

The single brushstroke

At the age of 22, artist Fabienne Verdier, who graduated from the Beaux-Arts de Toulouse in 1983, decided to study calligraphy in China. Parallel to her studies at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing, she studied with the last great calligraphy masters to survive the Cultural Revolution.

She recounts this extraordinary experience in several books, including L’Unique trait de pinceau (Albin Michel, 2001) and Passagère du silence, dix ans d’initiation en Chine (2003). In them, she recounts a veritable adventure in which she had to brave the prohibitions and reticence still very much alive at the time. But above all, she recounts what is a veritable journey of initiation, a profound discovery of herself through years of hard work and study.

In an enthralling account, the artist shares her discovery of this art, which is based on a perfect match between the artist’s soul and the “principle that governs all things”. Indeed, calligraphy demands the total involvement of body and mind. After hours of silence and concentration, the difficulty lies in the fact that once the gesture has been made, the fate of the painting is decided and there is no turning back: “The rule is based on the Single Brushstroke”, wrote Shitao, one of China’s greatest painters, in the 18th century. The One Brushstroke is the origin of all things, the root of all phenomena.

Fabienne Verdier invites her readers to take another look at the sensitive world and rediscover a primordial unity.

The healing process

by Team | 2727,Sep, 2024 | Harmony and health

How to regain your health

The Chinese philosopher Mencius (372 – 289 B.C.) said: “If medicine does not bring disorder and disarray into the body of a sick person, it will not bring about healing.”

There you have it. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for patients to experience unpleasant and uncomfortable phenomena during treatment. And yet, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), treatment is designed to restore health and energy balance. It can happen, albeit rarely, that an acupuncture session triggers an over-reaction, i.e. an apparent worsening of the symptom. This is generally very positive and lasts for a very short time. Similarly, those who experiment with fasting or detoxification cures may experience fatigue, skin rashes, headaches… These inconveniences are signs of a deep cleansing.

When a building falls into disrepair, the first thing to do is to break down the damaged parts before rebuilding. This step guarantees the quality and durability of the work. A In the same way, the therapeutic process involves cleansing and rebalancing to restore the body’s functions step by step. This is particularly true for chronic or long-standing illnesses, which require patience and trust.

Taking the time

You’ve probably noticed the words “slowly” and “step by step”. The body has its own rhythm. It is intelligent and places each of us in a position of absolute comfort. Homeostasis is the purest example of this. *

In a way, the body is its own doctor. It knows how to treat us, and it speaks up by expressing what’s wrong. This is what we call a symptom. For each of us, this means getting to know our inner doctor and listening when he “speaks” to us.

To do this, the first thing we need to do is slow down in all aspects of our lives. This applies whether we are sick or not. Indeed, it is essential if we are to listen to our “good doctor.”

It is important to understand that this doctor does not talk about stress, obligations, or goals. It expresses needs. Fatigue, pain, and prolonged depression or anxiety are warning signs.

But sometimes, certain unpleasant experiences can also be signs that healing is underway.

In this case, it is important not to fight what may be experienced as illness and to let the healing process take its course. Here are a few examples.

Fever and other signals

Fever is the body’s natural response to infection, inflammation or other internal imbalances. In TCM, fever is seen as a sign that the body is mobilizing its vital energy (Qi) to fight against a pathogenic agent, such as internal heat, cold invasion, or Qi or blood stagnation.

Note that we’re not talking about illness here. The body is working to restore balance, and it’s letting us know it. The body is mobilizing all its energy to do this, which is usually accompanied by severe fatigue. So stopping the fever is a mistake, because the underlying imbalance will become more pronounced. This increases the risk of triggering a serious illness later on.

The case of ulcers is also interesting. In allopathic medicine, doctors today are reluctant to close ulcers quickly, as the risks of infection, recurrence, fibrosis etc. are much greater if we intervene than if we leave the body to repair itself.

As we have seen above, when the liver cleans itself during a detox or fasting, it will release toxins into the bloodstream, which may have unpleasant… and of course temporary effects.

How therapy works

In TCM, a treatment of any kind will trigger a series of processes designed to remind the body’s various functions of the work they need to do. In simple terms, this treatment (acupuncture, herbal decoction, etc.) will either energize or disperse the Qi, depending on the imbalance diagnosed.

The Qi thus rebalanced will, in turn, communicate with each organ. It helps the organs to function properly and assists them to work in harmony with each other. During this time, the repair processes may or may not provoke different states that will affect the patient to a greater or lesser extent. One example is fatigue.

Basically, Chinese energetics considers fatigue to be indicative of an imbalance in Qi (vital energy). After therapy, either the patient feels better, or the body’s intense internal work will cause temporary fatigue.

The healing process also has an impact on the emotions, and can generate frustration, irritability and even sadness (pessimism). It is therefore important to preserve one’s emotional and affective environment to avoid too many emotional excesses.

To support the healing process as effectively as possible, patients are strongly advised to take particular care with their lifestyle (see box). This can be an opportunity to initiate lasting changes, conducive to better, lasting health.

My attitude to healing

It’s essential to preserve energy and avoid adding to existing fatigue. So the priority is rest. This doesn’t mean sleeping. You can walk in nature, relax by reading, listen to beautiful music…

In some cases, it’s a good idea to have several acupuncture sessions to boost and re-equilibrate your energy. You can also take the opportunity to practise qi gong, which also has a positive effect on energy balance.

It’s important to keep an eye on your diet, which should be light. As a reminder, sugar should be banned during this period, especially refined sugar. This of course includes slow sugars or carbohydrates, as well as sweet drinks and alcohol. Foods that don’t cause stagnation should be favored.

It’s important to stay in a calm climate that doesn’t trigger emotional excesses. In certain cases, it’s important for the patient to stay away from people and situations that bring toxicity. For example, in the case of serious pathologies, the fears and worries of those around the patient will increase the burden on the patient, which is highly detrimental to healing.

So it’s best to focus on people who are cheerful and believe in you. In the same way, you can watch funny films, or engage in activities that bring you joy. If, during a TCM treatment, symptoms of illness increase, it’s important not to worry. It’s best to contact your TCM practitioner so that he can check what’s going on and adapt the treatment if necessary.

Breathing and health

by Team | 1919,Aug, 2024 | Harmony and health

Inhale, exhale: the breath of life

How many of us realize that breathing is the first element of hygiene we should take care of? Indeed, breathing is the first thing a newborn does. Then it feeds on its mother’s milk.

So our whole life follows this rhythm… breathing then feeding. This is a fundamental and therefore vital physical principle. Without breathing, our life ends after a few minutes. The same is true for animals and plants.

Breathing consists of a cycle of inhalation and a cycle of exhalation. During these cycles, the lungs exchange gases. When we exhale, the body expels carbon dioxide extracted from the blood, then in the next cycle the lungs inhale air, which is oxygen but above all Qi.

The concept of Qi is important here because, as you already know, Qi is present in the blood. The lungs carry Qi into the blood. This Qi circulates throughout the body, regenerating the various organs as it passes through them.

Letting go and breathing

Taking a step back, we can give breathing a broader meaning, that of a dynamic that renews our body and mind. Thus, those who accept to let go, to get rid of the unnecessary (psychological or physical), give themselves the opportunity to recharge with balancing emotions. They breathe by letting go of the unnecessary and welcoming the present.

On the contrary, a person who remains stuck in regret, resentment, or fears related to the past will not be able to breathe freely. Such a person will suffer from pathologies related to respiratory blockages.

Letting go then takes on its full meaning, as it allows us to accept a situation that, by definition, can no longer be changed. The person returns to the present, to their body, thus giving themselves the means to regain fluid breathing. In this way, the person frees themselves from their attachment to a past that has become useless or even toxic, in order to establish new ways of functioning rooted in the present and in consciousness.

The Lung and the Metal Element

In traditional Chinese medicine, breathing is linked to the Metal element. Metal encompasses two organs, the lungs and the large intestine, as well as the skin.

Poor breathing will have repercussions on all the meridians and, first and foremost, on its paired organ, the colon. The emotion associated with Metal is sadness (in extreme cases, depression).

As breathing has a strong impact on the circulation of Qi, impaired breathing will cause Qi stagnation, which can affect the entire body and organs.

Conversely, breathing is an excellent tool for improving the quantity and quality of Qi absorbed, as well as its proper circulation. Doing so improves overall health and emotional balance in particular.

Here are some examples of conditions that can result from blocked breathing, and therefore an imbalance in the Metal element.

Respiratory diseases

Asthma

It is associated with a deficiency of Lung Qi and/or an accumulation of Phlegm. As the Lung is also responsible for regulating fluids in the body, it can become weakened. This can then lead to breathing difficulties, wheezing, and even coughing.
Bronchitis

It is linked to an invasion of external pathogenic factors; such as cold wind or heat in the Lung, which can also be the result of Lung Qi deficiency.
Pneumonia

This results from an accumulation of heat and phlegm in the Lung, often exacerbated by a pathogenic infection. The Lung is overwhelmed by damp heat, causing severe symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis
It is also associated with a deficiency of Lung Qi, which makes the body more sensitive to allergens and environmental factors.

Digestive disorders

Constipation
This is caused by dryness in the Large Intestine, often due to insufficient body fluids or stagnation of Qi. Fluid deficiency leads to hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.

Irritable bowel syndrome
This is associated with stagnation of Qi in the large intestine, often exacerbated by emotional factors such as stress. Stagnant Qi leads to various digestive disorders.

Dysentery

This is caused by heat and dampness in the large intestine. This condition can be aggravated by infections or an inappropriate diet.

Skin conditions

Eczema
It can be caused by an accumulation of heat or phlegm in the lungs or by a deficiency of lung yin. The skin becomes dry, irritated, and itchy.

Psoriasis

This is linked to stagnation of Qi and Blood or internal heat. The skin is affected by imbalances in Qi and Blood, resulting in red, scaly patches.

Acne

This is often linked to heat in the lungs or stagnation of Qi and Blood. Internal heat or stagnation of bodily fluids causes skin breakouts.

Dry skin

This is caused by dryness in the lung and large intestine. A lack of body fluids makes the skin rough and dehydrated.

Emotional disorders

Sadness and depression

These are directly linked to imbalances in the Lung, which can affect the Shen (spirit), leading to feelings of sadness, melancholy, or persistent grief.

Cultivating your breathing

While breathing is an automatic process controlled by the autonomic nervous system, it can also be controlled. This means that we can influence our breathing. And we would be wise to do so! Everyone knows that when feeling stressed or panicked, it is important to calm your breathing and breathe from your stomach.

Singers, martial artists, and freedivers place great importance on breath control. Yogis have taken the art of breathing to the highest level with Pranayama (breath control that includes breathing but also the concept of qi).

Today, most life coaches incorporate breathing, and some even specialize in breathing coaching. Because, yes, breathing better can change our lives!

Our breathing depends on many factors, including our environment, emotions, diet, posture, and more.

Breathing is therefore an integrated healing tool in itself. This is why more and more people are interested in the relationship between breathing, spiritual development, and health.

Many Asian masters have been teaching breathing techniques for thousands of years. These techniques improve digestion, relieve stress, strengthen the immune system, and, above all, nourish the body with energy.

Taoist disciplines such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and meditation focus on making abdominal breathing natural. This improves the functioning and efficiency of the heart, lungs, and other organs. Deep, conscious breathing maintains emotional and physical balance, eliminating negative energy and promoting good health.

Spleen and hypertension

by Team | 2424,Jul, 2024 | Traditional chinese medicine

The role of the spleen in hypertension

Arterial hypertension (AH) corresponds to an abnormal increase in blood pressure on the artery walls. It is also defined by figures measured by a blood pressure meter: from…

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hypertension is not considered a pathology, but a syndrome that alerts us to a dysfunction of certain internal organs. TCM diagnosis identifies the energy imbalances underlying these dysfunctions. These vary naturally from one individual to another.

Hypertension according to TCM

Chinese medicine is always interested in the causes of so-called diseases, and never stops at the symptoms alone. The factors that can lead to hypertension are extremely varied. It is generally accepted that they are closely linked to a healthy lifestyle. Among these, the psycho-emotional aspect plays a vital and recognized role in hypertension.

Excessive anxiety related to the difficulties of daily life, constant stress, and underlying depression can lead to high blood pressure.

While each organ can play a role in the development of hypertension, particularly the liver and kidneys, we have chosen to focus here on the role of the spleen in high blood pressure through the production of Tán.

Spleen functions

The Spleen is a very important organ in TCM. It belongs to the Earth in the Five Elements theory, and is linked to the emotion of anxiety. It is at the center of the body and has the property of “bringing up” and “bringing down” the essences it extracts from food.

The Spleen transforms food and drink into blood and qi. It also plays a role in sorting and eliminating waste through stool, urine and perspiration.

A high-quality diet is therefore essential for the proper energy balance of the spleen. However, our diet is often too rich, and we eat too much.

What’s more, we consume foods that provide a lot of moisture (sugars, fats), or foods that are too raw or too cold. In both cases, we damage the spleen.

If the spleen is weak, its transformation and elimination properties will be disrupted. The spleen will not be able to eliminate all the waste from the digestive tract, which will then turn into Tán, or phlegm. The Tán formed can be either cold or hot in nature, depending on the individual.

This Tán will settle in the most vulnerable areas of the body, particularly on the walls of the blood vessels, thus hindering the free circulation of blood.

It is through Tán that the spleen is linked to blood pressure. Tán obstructs the blood vessels, making them harder and less elastic. This particularly affects the heart.

Tán and digestion

This explains the importance of a properly functioning spleen. It plays a decisive role in the quality of digestion. Thus, the same meal eaten by several people will not be digested in the same way by each person, depending on the state of their spleen and, more generally, their yin/yang balance. If the spleen is functioning properly, it can assist in the elimination of excess food.

As the role of the spleen is to transform nutrients into Qi and Blood, it is important that food is easy to digest. This limits the risk of stagnation of poorly digested food, which can generate Tán.

Finally, if the spleen is functioning properly, Tán, even if it is produced, can be easily eliminated and will not be deposited in the blood. Thus, Tán is always related to poor digestion or overeating.

Preventing the formation of Tán

Tán is not only one of the causes of high blood pressure, but it can also lodge in other parts of the body, particularly the lungs. This can lead to coughing, bronchitis, or asthma. Tán can also block the flow of qi, causing stagnation, poor blood circulation, and pain. Finally, Tán can also disturb the mind and cause mental confusion, anxiety, and depression.

As we have seen here, it is essential to maintain the spleen, and all of the organs in general, in a good state of energetic balance. Chinese medicine can restore the necessary balance through acupuncture or herbal prescriptions. However, patients must also take action to rebalance their lifestyle, particularly their diet (see below). They must also take care to manage their emotions better.

Diet and Tán production

Taking care of your diet is the best way to avoid Tán production. Here are the main foods to avoid:

fried foods (French fries, doughnuts and breaded foods) oily and fatty foods, which are difficult to digest;
Sugar and sweet foods, including sugary drinks (sodas, sweetened fruit juices, energy drinks, etc.) and alcohol;
Dairy products (especially full-fat cheeses, whole milk, cream and yoghurts). These are humidifying and can therefore encourage the production of mucus;
Cold foods and drinks. Cold or iced drinks, or food taken out of the fridge too cold, weaken the spleen. The same is true of too much raw food;
Refined and processed foods from the food industry.

Care should also be taken with the cooking method. Some cooking methods are conducive to the production of mucus or Tán, such as :

Frying, which increases the fat content of food;
Grilling and roasting at very high temperatures;
Cooking with a lot of oil.

On the contrary, we recommend :

Light cooking, such as steaming, which preserves the nutritional value of food while facilitating digestion;
Boiled or braised foods;
Hot, cooked foods such as soups and broths, which support spleen function;
Steamed, lightly sautéed or boiled vegetables;
Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats, etc.);
Lean proteins (fish, chicken, legumes)

Understanding pain

by Team | 1919,Jun, 2024 | Traditional chinese medicine

Tòng and bì syndromes

Pain is the number one reason for consultation, accounting for almost two-thirds of all medical consultations, particularly in Europe. It is therefore an essential and delicate element in patient care.

Generally speaking, pain is something unpleasant that happens in the body. But it is also, at the same time, a personal and therefore subjective mental experience.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) describes pain as “an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with present or potential tissue damage.”

This means that pain, in addition to indicating physical damage (potential or present), is, like its opposite, pleasure, a subjective emotional attitude, which triggers and shapes behavior. Pain is therefore neither a simple perception nor a purely physical sensation. It is fundamentally a mental state.

An energy block

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pain is generally a sign of energy blockage. However, this varies depending on the location of the pain and its causes. TCM classifies pain according to:

whether it is permanent or intermittent;
whether it corresponds to painful numbness with swelling in the joints;
whether it is due to excess pressure, spasms, radiation, etc.

The problem is complex. Pain is treated by unblocking the meridians, expelling excess fluids or mucus, and releasing blood stagnation.

For long-term pain, acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine are used to reduce the level of pain and provide relief. Moxibustion, massage, and cupping are also widely used to relieve pain. Pain rarely occurs on its own; it is usually symptomatic of an energy imbalance that will be detected by diagnosis.

According to TCM, the concept of pain can be divided into two main syndromes: tòng (emptiness) or bì (blockages).

Bì syndrome

Bì are painful obstructions of the meridians caused by a combination of three perversions, also known as “the three demons”: Wind, Cold, and Dampness.

Bì syndrome affects the skin, muscles, vessels, tendons, bones, and meridians.

Poor lifestyle choices and bad social or eating habits can hinder the circulation of Blood and Qi in the meridians, thereby promoting the onset of Bi-type diseases.

These include:

irregular sleeping patterns,
overwork,
a cold or damp home, exposing you to Cold, Wind, and Dampness,
alcohol abuse,
an overly rich or insufficient diet,

excessive eating that damages Jing and Blood,
intense emotions experienced in excess (Anger, Joy, Emotional Shock, Worry, Sadness, Overthinking, Fear)
bruising or blood stagnation after external trauma.

Tòng syndrome

Tong syndrome, on the other hand, most often stems from internal causes.

It occurs in the Five Organs and Six Entrails. It is also found in the “particular Entrails”: Brain, Marrow, Bones, Vessels, Gallbladder and Uterus. Here, we often diagnose a Yin vacuum, a Yang vacuum, a Qi vacuum or a Blood vacuum (or a combination of all four).

The functions of the human body, whether organic or psychic, are linked together in perpetual motion. Any slowing down or blockage (痹 – bì) of movement in any of the body’s functions can lead to pain.

Pain is therefore a vast subject insofar as it covers multiple realities. We must therefore distinguish :

where it occurs (outside or inside the body),
its origin: external (meridians) or internal (organs [qìguān] and viscera [zāngfǔ]),
its type: emptiness or fullness,
its nature: acute or chronic, etc.

Here too, the list is long, and taking an anti-inflammatory won’t solve the root of the problem. It’s essential to see pain as an alarm bell that should draw our attention to a change in our lifestyle.

Painful periods

Many women experience pain before and/or during menstruation. According to a 2005 study, 50-70% of teenage girls experience permanent or occasional dysmenorrhea. For 15-20% of them, this pain even forces them to limit their activity or even go to bed. Worse still, many women experience these pains as normal, almost inevitable.

But there’s nothing normal about pain. These pains are signs of energy imbalances, and most often of blood and energy stagnation in TCM terms. By restoring the flow of energy through acupuncture and/or pharmacopoeia, Chinese medicine can put an end to these pains.

This involves mobilizing qi and blood, nourishing blood and toning qi. A personalized diagnosis will enable each patient to be treated appropriately according to the nature of the imbalances observed.

Thanks to these treatments, women can finally experience their cycles in comfort and serenity.