Lian Qiao / Forsythia Fructus

Forsythia is recognized for its ability to clear toxic heat from the body – be it a sore throat accompanied by fever and chills or chronic skin eruptions, acne, or dermatitis. These hot, swollen and inflamed pathogens are precisely what Lian Qiao can quell.

In Chinese medicine, we refer to such afflictions as “contraction of wind-heat” which literally translates to a quick manifestation of something red, hot, painful, swollen or all of the above. The nature of heat-diseases in this case are ones that show up quickly and severe. Possible manifestations could include common cold, strep throat or something more severe like meningitis. Lian Qiao can also be used when long-term heat disorders build up in the body and lead to chronic, more toxic inflammation. Possible manifestations of this include cystic acne, boils, or chronic sore throat.

Contagion had it correct, as the precise nature of the virus in the film caused sore throat, difficulty swallowing, headache, fever and chills. Forsythia could have been the perfect cure – but maybe not alone…

Friends of Forsythia

In Chinese Herbal Medicine, herbs are most commonly utilized in formula combinations. Friends often paired with Forsythia include Lonicera, Arctii Fructus and Fresh Mint – all of which amplify the action of cooling heat toxicity and venting it from the body. Translate this to Western Medicine, and you could call this team anti-viral. While formulas are often created for the presenting individual, a quick and common patent remedy called Yin Qiao San can be used to address the symptoms described earlier and is a good one to have at home in the medicine cabinet:

Yin Qiao San

For Fever, with or without chills, Sore Throat, Headache, and Thirst.

Ingredients: Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera), Jie Geng (Platycodi), Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus), Bo He (Menthae Herba), Dan Dou Chi (Sojae Semen), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae), Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatheri), Lu Gen (Phragmitis), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae)

In Mandarin, “Happy New Year!”     |    Or in Cantonese, “Gung Hei Faat Choi!”

February 3, 2011 was the official start to the fifteen-days of celebration for the Chinese New Year – one of the most important holidays in Chinese tradition. Based on a lunar calendar,  the actual date of Chinese New Year changes every year (unlike the static January 1st date in the Western calendar).  This lunar month we move from the uproaring year of the Tiger to the year of the sophisticated Metal Rabbit. More on what’s in store for 2011 after the jump…

Rabbit Archetype

You are a Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac if you were born:

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Rabbit personality types are cautious and sensitive, while well-mannered and gracious with an heir of sophistication. Their attention to detail and organizational skills make them great researchers, politicians, decorators, purveyors of antiques, historians or scholars. They are sentimental and introspective, and do not thrive in competitive environments as they can easily be brought to tears by their extreme sensitivity to their environments. Rabbits make great partners in romance or other areas of life, but they depend on their solitude for survival. This time alone allows for the introspection they need to intuitively ground themselves and find strength.

According to Chinese Medicine

The rabbit sign corresponds to the color green and the element of wood in Chinese medicine, both of which can be attributed to the liver/gallbladder meridians. Liver constitutions take pride in being direct and fair, while gallbladder constitutions are excellent judges in weighing out all sides to a story. The wood element is known for its strength in flexibility, and direct nature to grow forward in life. The wood element corresponds to springtime, of which we are soon approaching…it is bound to be a season for strong intuitive abilities.

The Coming Year

2011 is predicted to be a much calmer year than the previous year of the Tiger – as Rabbit years bring peace and tranquility – a much needed respite from a tumultuous 2010. The Rabbit mends fences, keeps the peace and focuses on inner harmony. Diplomacy reigns this year, with forgiveness for old quarrels at the top of the list for success. Ideal pursuits in a Rabbit year include taking up a hobby, enjoying the arts, learning something new or exploring your creative nature. Financial and work-related successes will come through cooperation this year, not from force as it did with the Tiger. This year is all about taking things slow and steady – persistence will prevail.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

For your individual horoscope based on your zodiac sign, check out this informative post on Hub Pages:

Chinese 2011 Horoscopes

Chicken soup is known in many cultures to help prevent and fight-off common colds and flu’s. The broth is deeply nourishing, while the pieces of chicken and vegetables are satisfying and filling. In Chinese medicine, chicken bone broth is said to deeply nourish the kidneys, and are often used in situations where the kidney energy can get tapped – such as: after childbirth, after IVF cycles, a chronic or long-term illness, or as a general health supplement in the winter (which is the season for kidney energy). The “kidney energy” in Chinese Medicine can be likened to adrenal, endocrine and immune function in Western Medicine. After the jump, check out my own recipe for nourishing Chicken Soup.

This soup is a variation on my mother’s recipe and my fiance’s mother’s recipe for home-made chicken soup (learned by observation, trial and error – perfected!). Best part is that once the stock is made, this soup takes less than 45 minutes to prepare – start to finish.

• 2 Split Chicken Breasts, bone-in and skin-on*
• 3 Medium Parsnips, peeled and sliced into circles or half-circles**
• 2 Medium Carrots, washed and sliced into circles or half-circles
• 4 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 1 Medium Yellow Onion, sliced
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 6-8 Shitake Mushrooms, sliced thin
• 1-inch Slice Fresh Ginger Root
• 2 Bay Leaves
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 6 Cups Broth (preferably home-made, vegetable or chicken)
• 1 Cup Pasta or Rice of your choice, cooked and drained (optional)

Prepare broth for soup. In a separate soup-pot, saute onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add the carrots and parsnips, cooking together for about a minute. Pour the broth over the vegetables and bring to a simmer, adding the ginger slice, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Once bubbling, place the chicken breasts in, skin-side down. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10 min. Turn the breasts around so the bone-side is now down for another 10 minutes.

Remove chicken breasts from the soup and place on a cutting board. Once slightly cooled, remove and discard the skin and bones. Loosely shred the chicken and return to the soup (chicken should be fully cooked). Remove the sliced ginger and bay leaf, and add the shitake mushrooms. Simmer together for 2 minutes and then serve over cooked pasta or on its own.

* I use two chicken breasts because I prefer the white meat in my chicken soup, and I am usually only cooking for 2 so a whole chicken is a little much for us. But a whole chicken can be used. I prefer to keep the skin and bones on so that the essential minerals, nutrients and fats of the chicken absorb into the broth – making it the immune booster it claims to be.

**The parsnips give a nice texture and sweetness to the soup that I think complements the shitake mushroom flavor incredibly well, plus it is a nice way to use a vegetable not commonly called for in other dishes. Celery can also be added or substituted for the parsnips, if preferred.

A recent article in the New York Times likened yoga as an effective mind-body therapeutic option to enhance fertility. While the focus of the article is on the restorative and stress-relieving benefits of yoga, acupuncture and massage are mentioned as important components to enhancing conception and efficacy of fertility treatments. Herbal Medicine is also mentioned, with some hesitancy. Most of this is due to lack of knowledge within the medical community about how herbs work, the source of herbal formulas and FDA standards. As a board certified herbalist who has used herbs in support of fertility with great success, I can say with full confidence that this skepticism is only valid when herbs are being self-prescribed or purchased from a non-certified source. But there will be more on this subject in a future post (if you have immediate concerns about incorporating herbs in your health routine, please contact me directly and I’ll be happy to answer any questions).

I cannot recommend yoga to my patients enough. It is exciting to see such articles being published in reputable and mainstream publications. See the full article here: Yoga for Infertility-NYTimes

Photo Credit: knowabouthealth.com

This month we have been focusing on  healthy solutions to keeping weight loss goals, a common resolution this time of year. We’ve discussed nutrition, given a nourishing recipe, and taken a moment to unveil myths surrounding soy (a popular low calorie, high protein food). One year ago we posted exciting information about the benefits of acupuncture in weight loss goals. In this post, we will bring it all together to provide an empowering program to successfully achieve your goals while maintaining peace of mind, body and soul. Read more and learn a potent acupuncture point and how you can utilize it for self-treatment at home.

Starvation and Restriction = Stress and Constipation

Literally. Rigidly eating a low-calorie diet can affect nutrient absorption and leave your body feeling starved for more – thus leading to a vicious cycle of binging on heavier foods to feel satisfied. My patients often note feeling guilty about not being able to stick to a rigid diet. Rigidity is synonymous with stagnation in Chinese Medicine, which is a primary pathological influence in many chief complaints (ie: constipation, affecting many women trying to lose weight). Relaxing and creating free flow will allow for greater movement of energy within the meridians of the body, leading to optimal physiological functioning and an overall sense of balance and ease. This will also make it easier to evoke long-lasting effects. So relax. Enjoy your food, eat real food and do not starve yourself.

The Cycle and the Place for Acupuncture Treatment

This idea of “free flow” is a nice one, but not always the easiest to accomplish in our busy lives. This is where acupuncture comes in. Subtly yet powerfully, acupuncture treatments work (at the very basic level) to unclog the meridians in the body so that optimal functioning can take place. The beauty of acupuncture is its ability to support your unique body, allowing for new movement and flow in areas where you maybe didn’t even know it wasn’t flowing. Coming from a place of balance and awareness makes it a lot easier to make healthier decisions.

Drop Stress, Drop the Weight

Cortisol is a pesky hormone that releases during times of stress, and over time causes an excessive ring of weight around the belly. The body cannot differentiate between mental and physical stress – so you can see this phenomenon among high stressed Manhattan professionals as well as starved children in under-fed countries. Since we are talking about weight-loss, we are talking about emotional/mental stress and the impact hormonally on the physique. Acupuncture has the unique advantage of regulating the hormone balance and reducing stress, thus reducing the effects of cortisol on the abdomen.

In The News

Acupuncture has shown in numerous studies to help increase metabolic activity and promote weight loss. These numbers increase when coupled with a healthy diet and exercise. The most motivating results occur over time, and with consistent and aggressive treatment – ranging anywhere from 1-4 times weekly.

• A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.
• In a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia in 1998, 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the acupuncture group was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

• Positive findings were noted between the relationship of acupuncture and weight loss in a review paper written in 2003 the clinical efficacy of auricular acupuncture in the International Journal of Obesity.

Point for Thought

ST 36: Located about 3 inches below the knee and on the outer edge of the Tibia bone – in the soft muscle belly of the Tibialis Anterior. This point is otherwise known as “Leg Three Mile,” which can give the body the ammunition it needs to go another 3 miles. Metaphorically, this is an important point in trying to accomplish any long-term goals. Literally, the point is very nourishing and moving to the Stomach meridian, helping to promote metabolic digestion, nutrient absorption and overall energy. To stimulate this point at home, simply rub with lotion or essential oil of citrus, peppermint or ylang ylang.

Over the past decade the soybean has been heavily marketed in this country for its healthy effects and as a  low-fat, high protein substitute for dairy and meat products. But recent research is saying that there may in fact be a real case to support “too much of a good thing.” With breast cancer, obesity, thyroid and autoimmune disorders on the rise – some scientists are seeing a relation to these health problems (and more) in connection with excessive soy consumption.

Simultaneously, other reputable experts in the field of health and wellness continue to zealously proclaim the wonderful benefits of soy. What is a consumer to do? Patients are always asking my opinion – to consume or not consume soy – and my reaction is always the same (except on rare occasion): everything in moderation. But that statement doesn’t really answer any questions. So, in this post, I’ve compiled my research and quoted reputable sources for both pros and cons in the soy debate so you, the consumer, can help make an informed and empowered decision for yourself.

The China Study

While I have heard endless recommendations for the book, The China Study (and plan to read it one day), this section is referring to another “China Study” – my own. During my year-long clinical rotation at Zhejiang Hospital in Hangzhou nearly ten years ago, I chose to eat vegetarian. Whether that choice was right or wrong for my health at the time is neither here nor there, but I did create a unique relationship with soy foods in the land from which they came.

Soy is a staple in the diet of vegetarians and carnivores alike across Asian cultures as an inexpensive, healthy and sustainable food. It is not surprising that when low rates of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer were also found amongst this population that the primary differentiating factor was attributed to soy consumption. Somehow, lost in translation, that meant that if everyone the world over consumed more soy we would be healthier and live longer.

How they prepare soy in Chinese supermarkets is so vastly different than here. I remember walking up to the soy counter, much like the deli or dairy counters here, and ordering whatever form of fresh soy I wanted. There was a variety to choose from – from skins to beans to paste to freshly squeezed soy milk. All items were served in small portions, were local and almost always fermented.

Fermented vs. Non-Fermented Soy

Soybeans, like all other beans, contain the anti-nutrient phytic acid, which binds to important minerals in the body and leeches them out. To neutralize this component, and thus elevating the nutritious aspect to soy products, soaking or fermenting the beans must be part of the preparation. Miso, Soysauce  and Tempeh are common forms of fermented soy products that are easily found in our supermarkets. Most tofu and other overly-processed soy products like soy-cheeses, most soy-milks, soy ice-creams, soy burgers and soy “meats” are not fermented products (and are overly processed with non-food ingredients to boot).

In summary, consuming a fermented soy product will decrease toxic effects and increase nutrient absorption…and, in my humble opinion, taste better. If you buy fresh, dry soybeans, be sure to soak them first (see link to recipe below).

The Cons: Genetically Modified and Over-Processed

There is much evidence to support the ill effects of over-processed foods on health and vitality. The anti-soy campaign is more linked to the inappropriate, over-processed and genetically modified soybean vs. an actual attack on the bean itself. The soybean, much like corn, in this country is extremely inexpensive to produce and therefore often over-produced, genetically modified and processed in a way that makes it a common preservative or filler added to many packaged products. In short, you may be consuming a lot more soy (and poor forms of it) than you think you are in  packaged products. Investigate the foods you eat, read labels of packaged foods if you eat them or feed them to your family on a regular basis.

The Weston A Price foundation has done a significant amount of research on the topic, and have published a slue of informative articles. While many in opposition of the Guild’s strong anti-soy stance may read into their articles as radical, they are essentially saying the same thing as the rest of us. Eat whole foods. Eat organic, eat local and (in this case) eat fermented. Check out some of their literature here.

The Pros: Dr. Hyman Presents the Facts

Dr. Hyman, a well-known medical doctor in the field of Functional Medicine, recently published a fascinating read on the Huffington Post about the myths and truths revolving around including soy in the diet. He argues that the research showing that soy is connected to a rise in thyroid disorders and breast cancer is only in cases of excessive consumption of overly-processed soy products. A further case for prudent label-reading. He further continues that when consumed in minimal amounts, and in organic and fermented forms, that soybeans can be included as part of an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer diet and provide a number of other healthy benefits like: stabilizing blood sugar, promoting hormone balance, mitigating menopausal symptoms and lowering cholesterol.

My Take From a TCM Perspective

I believe in the whole-food way, and since my nutritional education stems from an East Asian approach to foods, soy is most certainly a medicinal food when prepared correctly. For example, we use fermented black soybeans in Chinese herbal formulas and soups to alleviate high fever, vent colds in children and quell emotional irritability.

If you have a chronic health condition or a history of a chronic condition in your family, do not consume processed soy or simply avoid it all together. There is no real health claim to soy that you cannot find in other foods. If you enjoy soy and choose to incorporate it in your diet – do so sparingly, as part of a diet rich in other proteins and consume it with the appropriate preparation. If you can, buy whole and dried soybeans and prepare them yourself by soaking them overnight. You can follow my easy recipe for that here.

Was this helpful? Please comment with more questions or info on the soy debate!

A recent article by Dr. Mark Hyman on the Huffington Post completely caught my attention – so much so, that I felt compelled to share it with you here on my blog. The article discusses the faultiness in current cancer treatments, and the need to change tactics. While this area is not a particular specialty of mine per-say, the trends in modern medicine are finding evidential proof that we must treat the whole person, not simply their pathology, to have greater success in ‘curing’ disease. This solution is being coined “functional medicine.” From a purely philosophical standpoint, one could argue (and I most certainly would) that Chinese medicine is synonymous with functional medicine in many ways. From a modern medical standpoint, however, this idea is revolutionary.

To read the full article on HuffPo, click here.

After the jump, read my brief synopsis and commentary.

Functional Medicine

I recently attended a functional medicine seminar on female hormone health, which touched on diet, supplements, herbs and stress management as main components on impacting hormonal health. Acupuncture could be lumped into that mix as well, and is in my practice, but wasn’t the main topic of discussion at this particular conference. The beauty of functional medicine is that it is just that – functional. Not isolated or specialized. It takes particular knowledge of patho-physiology to treat disease, but it takes particular knowledge of systemic function to treat the individual person. People like Dr. Hyman are pioneers in bridging that gap in the current health care system.

Sometimes it takes a particular diagnosis to effect lasting lifestyle change in personal health and well being. But it doesn’t have to. Functional medicine begins with preventative medicine, and it begins with tending your unique garden.

Tending The Garden

Dr. Hyman illuminates that a tumor in and of itself does not appear from nowhere. Hippocrates argued the same thing centuries earlier about the appearance of disease seeming sudden, when in fact it was forming for any length of time. The tumor, as Dr. Hyman suggest, appears within the soil of the unique individual human landscape – much like a weed appears in a beautifully groomed garden.

The weed, now grown tall and standing out like a sore thumb, seems to have come from nowhere. But it came from somewhere, and has been growing roots for some time. We can pull the weed, getting all the roots and fragments attached to it – ridding the garden of its presence for good,  making it perfect again. For now, anyway. The original seed came from somewhere, and it was able to flourish on the perfectly manicured lawn for some reason – neither of which have been even considered or addressed in the uprooting of the weed. The foundation of the garden has been unchanged.

We may get lucky, and the weed will never grow back again. Or, the opposite may be true. A good clinician (or patient, for that matter) is not about to leave therapeutic treatment up to luck, however. Therefore, “tending the garden” is one response to restoring health and vitality from the foundation up. How to tend the garden of your body? Dr. Hyman suggests, and rightly so, beginning with the gut – proper nutrition, absorption, and elimination of food, drink and toxins. That is the hub of our organism and cannot be overlooked in modern health care. Nutrition comes from the cellular level, and has many complex components far beyond calorie counting and healthy diets. Other areas to consider are lymph function, cardiovascular, adrenal, psychological and endocrine. While pharmaceuticals can offer life-saving benefits in treatment protocols, functional medicine supposes that lifestyle factors impact healing just as much and cannot be overlooked.

What You Can Do

Many medical doctors are being trained in Functional Medicine, and incorporating it into their practices. So keep an eye out for that. Your holistic practitioners are most likely also working in this sphere in some capacity. Nutrition, supplements, stress management, exercise, and psychological/emotional health all play important roles in healing – just as diagnostic testing and appropriate medical treatment. When in doubt or seeking further advice, ask questions – to your providers, your friends, your family. Your health care begins with the choices you make, including choosing your providers. Dr. Mark Hyman is also the author of several books on dietary cleansing and detoxification, which I highly recommend checking out and passing along.

Tumeric Rhizome; Curcumae; Yu Jin

The active ingredient in Tumeric is cucumin, long known for its anti-inflammatory effects – an important factor in many modern ailments. More recently, the herb has been discovered to be useful in the treatment and prevention of various types of cancer (melanoma, breast and prostate have the most statistical research), Alzheimer’s, psoriasis, fat metabolism, depression and pain management. In Chinese medicine, Tumeric (Yu Jin) is often used in gynecological formulas for the treatment of painful periods, fibroids or endometriosis. Thanks to the modern spice cabinet, you can incorporate this herb into your diet without a prescription.

Tumeric Chicken

2 Organic Chicken Breasts, Sliced into 1-inch strips, and placed in a ziplock bag

Add to the bag:

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Tamari Sauce

1 Tbsp Agave Syrup

1 tsp Ground Tumeric

1 tsp Freshly Cracked Pepper

1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds

Salt to Taste

Mix the contents of the ziplock bag thoroughly and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Pour entire contents of the bag onto a heated skillet/frying pan and saute until chicken is cooked through.

Veggie Option:

For those eating a vegetarian diet, try the above recipe with cauliflower florets instead of chicken. The flavor is amazing, and the cauliflower will boost anti-cancer effects.

This year has been a tough one for allergy sufferers in NYC, as environmental allergens have been at an all time high. If you are suffering with chronic seasonal allergies, acupuncture and herbs have some wonderful solutions for your symptoms – without the nasty side effects. While many over-the-counter allergy medications can help people through the muck so they can get through their day, there are often side-effects of nasal dryness and low energy that have their own set of downsides. After the jump, see what Chinese medicine has to offer and what you can do at home to optimize your enjoyment this (and every) season.

Immune Boost

Studies have shown acupuncture to not only have a stress-relieving effect on the body, but also boost the immune system. Allergy symptoms, especially adult-onset seasonal allergies, result from a delicate balance of external irritants and internal deficiencies. This is good news! Because the ragweed causing your sneezing fits probably isn’t going to disappear from the planet anytime soon, the stronger the immune system the less likely such an irritant will have its power over you.

Besides acupuncture, some other ways you can boost your immune system at home:

• Increase your daily Vitamin C intake to 1 gram/1,000mg per day for its immune boosting and histamine-lowering effects.
• Increase antioxidant rich foods, which will reduce existing toxicity and inflammation in the system. Such foods include: all berries (especially blueberries), pomegranates, plums, pineapple, kale, peppers, ginger, red beets, dried apricots, dried dates, prunes, nuts and seeds (especially dry-roasted peanuts), and parsley.
• Take a high-quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily to boost cellular nutrition
• Take Fish Oil high in DHA daily to clear inflammation and support health

Drain Phlegm

That ooey-gooey stuff running from your nose, clogging your thoughts and creating all that sinus pressure is phlegm. It is the bodies reaction to the inflammation its experiencing as a result of an allergen – believe it or not, it is trying to help. But with all that inflammation and now with all that phlegm, a vicious cycle is created which must be stopped. Lucky for us again (our health is in our power!), we can have great impact on reducing systemic phlegm and inflammation through some simple remedies:

• Herbal Supplement – tailored for individual constitutions, this is the best and fastest way to quelling inflammation and draining phlegm. Best of all, it will often improve energy and promote restful sleep so you actually feel better all around.
• Acupuncture – local acupuncture points can be life-changing for draining the sinuses, clearing congestion, reducing headache and improving energy. Combine this with your Chinese herbal formula and you’ll be in good shape.
• Avoid Dairy and Soy Dairy Products – they cause more phlegm! If you already have too much stuck in your head, avoid these products during the allergy seasons or when your symptoms are at their worst.
• Avoid Refined Sugar and Flour – for the same reasons as dairy products, plus refined flours and sugars also add a great deal of inflammation to the body – that other factor we are trying to get rid of.
• Drink plenty of water. Phlegm is not created from too much water in the system, but is often a result of the body fearing dehydration – so drink up!
• Netty Pot – a simple device used for centuries in India to effectively clean out the sinus cavities. It looks like a teapot, which is then filled with water and rinsed through the sinuses. Instructions and product information are available at local health stores or online.

Guard Yourself

Be mindful during allergy seasons of reducing exposure to anything that may trigger a potential reaction (even if it is not a typical “allergen” for you). If you anticipate suffering from allergies year to year, implement some of these tips and start a treatment plan before you feel the symptoms – it will set you up for the best season yet!

• Keep windows closed on days when allergy counts are particularly high
• Avoid using products with strong scents and harsh chemicals, which produce inflammation and can magnify allergic responses (cleaning products, shampoos, body washes, laundry soap, perfumes, cologne, air fresheners)
• Although they look great – keep fresh cut flowers out of the house during allergy seasons. If you need their calming effect, try the colorful fake ones and bring the fresh ones back once you are feeling better.

The Teachings

The four-day event was meant to be taken as a bulk-package, but previous obligations (and a sold-out audience) limited my engagement with His Holiness to the first two sessions. The purpose of his visit was to breakdown the meaning and teachings behind two important texts on how to develop and cultivate an awakened (or, enlightened) mind: The Commentary on Bodhicitta and A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The purpose of my attending, was out of sheer curiosity.

The Dalai Lama made it clear that his lectures were not meant as religious dogma for acquisition of more followers, but rather as a forum for philosophical debate surrounding these ancient texts. His first point of the session was on the abundance of religions present in his current homeland of India, including the second highest population of Muslim followers. He glowed while recounting the countless children growing up there with such a variety of religious hymns, chants, and colorful celebrations. In a world of many faiths, he noted that effort must be made to cultivate mutual religious understanding to  ensure harmony and keep conflict at bay. An important factor is the sharing of respective spiritual knowledge in cultivating this understanding, and he advised that unless a clear path points you into the direction of a particular faith, it is best to remain in the religious tradition of your upbringing.

As a woman brought up with many different faiths and no particular belief system to follow (yet, spiritually rooted), this made sense. To hear with my own ears one of the most recognized worldly teachers and a man of the highest order of the entire Buddhist faith tell a room full of New Yorkers to embrace our individual differences and love one another for it, was a very humbling moment.

Compassion and the Five Elements

“Non-Violent Action stems from Non-Violent Emotion – this is the practice of Compassion.” Reminds me of when my mother taught me “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” and the profound truth that how we relate and interact with the world around us is a direct extension of who we are and what we wish to cultivate in this lifetime. We are the masters of our own destiny.

While compassion is a major foundational point in Buddhist Philosophy, the 5 Elements are the hub of Buddhist Science – a concept I am very familiar with as it is also a major player in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The law of the 5 elements reveal the cyclical nature of life, beginning and ending with what was translated as “Empty Space” (which can also be referred to as consciousness, and considered the 5th unseen element in Buddhist Science and Tibetan Medicine).

Empty Space (always present) –> gives rise to Energy (Wind) –> which gives rise to Heat (Fire) –> which melts to make Liquid (Water) –> that hardens to become Solid (Earth) –> and then Dissolves back into the Empty Space.

The above diagram (meant to be drawn in a connected circle) is the basic foundation for the macroscopic world. It is the law of how things work and came to be in many traditions, and therefore can be used as a model for healing and medical treatment. The theory states that if the nature of the world around us can be understood through the law of the 5 elements, then it is through them that it (and we) can also be mended. Resonating with my education and profession, I agreed whole-heartedly.

Tibetan Medicine

Similar to the principles of Chinese Medicine, I had the fortune of studying medicine of the Tibetan tradition first-hand in Lhasa, Tibet for a month of clinical rotation nearly ten years ago. A major difference in the TCM 5 Elemental Law is the inclusion on Metal and Wood, and the absence of Wind. Just as Western Science has their medical model of treatment, so does Buddhist Science and TCM. Treatment success and protocol can only be understood (and therefore validated) when properly evaluated through their respective models.  It is for this reason that I find traditional medicines so fascinating.

Tibetan Medicine has been passed down through the centuries by beautifully created Thangkas – detailed drawings of various aspects of physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment. Below is my favorite Thangka, explaining the process of human development, from embryo to birth.

Closing Statement

During my day with the Dalai Lama, I sat in the very last row of the very highest balcony in Radio City Music Hall – and I was captivated. How a man, seated cross-legged in a chair in the middle of a stage, speaking about religious texts I have never read, mostly in a language I cannot understand could captivate and fill such an expansive space as if it were an intimate gathering is incredible. Perhaps someday I will have the chance to see him again, perhaps to witness the rich religions cultures of India or visit is home-away-from-home in Dharm Sala…

As artist Jeremy Penn notes (contributor of the portrait at the top of this post), unlike Lama’s of the past, HH the Dalai Lama has the privilege to speak around the world, shrinking the gap between faith, politics and followers. I am thankful I had the opportunity to experience this privilege.