Healing the Wu Wei Way
Wu wei refers to the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world .
An important concept in Chinese imperial policies and Taoism, it sets the tone for a state of personal harmony, fluidity and poise. It properly denotes a state of spirit or mind.
According to Sinologist Jean François Billeter, “it as a state of perfect knowledge of the reality of the situation, perfect efficaciousness and the realization of a perfect economy of energy".
I first discovered the ‘wu wei’ belief while reading the Tao Te Ching several years ago. I was utterly fascinated and felt a tremendous sense of ease just in reading about it. Maybe you’re feeling the same thing.
personal harmony, fluidity, poise, perfect knowledge, efficiency and energy
consider the original meaning of the word perfect means: ‘flawless, ideal’
With all of this in mind, I hear unwavering balance, flowing with life through awareness, servant leadership, disposition, acceptance … observing every experience as an opportunity to contribute without attachment. Not forcing an outcome. Trusting that we are a part of the bigger picture, not the orchestrator or designated commander.
THIS makes absolute sense and explains why I’ve felt so uncomfortable in this disheveled world
As I dove into researching why we’ve witnessed the de-evolution of man’s health over the last century with an increase in degenerative illnesses, the answer lies in the stress response. With my background in pharmacology, I took a hard look at the cultural method for treating health issues, and quickly saw the flaw.
Ironically, wu wei was a proclaimed way of leading a country, yet, today’s governments could care less about a balance of power. Where is the harmony and equal energy?
And then we have big pharma to consider with its powerful government allies. I almost said ‘contend with’ and rethought that statement because to contend is to struggle and wu wei encourages the opposite. You and I both know, there is a reason for everything, and in today’s world, we navigate life through a climate of regulation, also known as control. The contrast is revealing.
Although control is the point here, I have no intention of launching into a discussion on the ‘hows and whys’ of the overall big picture. The intention is to help loosen the grip on the control factor when it comes to the body’s ability to be healthy.
we can only change one thing at a time
The challenge we face is breaking free from the cultural training to live in fear which is an understandable trauma response that began thousands of years ago. Survival is the first matter we must attend to, whether it’s famine, fire, or plagues, or someone trying to take your land, livestock, or life. These threats were and continue to be real even with wu wei emerging in certain parts of the world around the fourth century.
The human ego doubts, worries ... fears. These are survival mechanisms. Fear divides people as it disconnects you from yourself. Ongoing disconnection is traumatic which triggers endless automatic protective reactions.
control is a trauma response
So you say, ‘I’m not a controlling person’.
Let’s put it this way. When you chase symptoms, you question the body’s abilities and in turn, attempt to control the outcome. While the comfort may be a relief, it limits your full health potential. Please know this is not a judgment. I’ve learned from my own health journey that the more uneasy I was about a situation, the more dis-ease and dis-comfort I experienced. Keep in mind the prefix ‘dis’ means lack.
Do you question the idea of trauma?
This is understandable given the fact that it’s sometimes viewed as a violent experience, but that’s only one form.
If you’ve lost a loved one, a marriage, your home, a job, your health, money, your children .. you’ve experienced trauma. 2020 was a traumatic year for many of us. If you’ve lived with chronic health issues whether your own or someone else’s, stress was / is a daily reaction affecting decisions and actions.
Trauma is simply complex and defined by suffering and deeply distressing events.
When your body is not aligned [形不正],
The inner power will not come.
When you are not tranquil within [中不靜],
Your mind will not be well ordered.
Align your body, assist the inner power [正形攝德],
Then it will gradually come on its own(Harold Roth, 1999: Original Tao)
In an ideal world, we would observe empowered leaders being fully aware of the situation at hand, and empowering everyone around them to be a part of the solution. You see, wu wei may teach non-forceful effortless actions, but this doesn’t mean lack of action. It’s simply suggesting another way; a harmonious way. One that seeks a well-rounded win.
When applied to your physical and mental health, it’s highly possible to be aware of your body’s current condition and empower the entire system to be a part of the solution as you mindfully introduce wholistic remedies into your care. This is the intention of Revolutionary Aromatherapy.
Wholistic remedies offer a formula for systemic wellness, not just symptom relief.
Although I essential oils are ‘my thing’, they are not the sole answer. Yes, they are a key solution, but without wholesome nutrition and tireless faith, they are no better than anything else you try with minimal success.
The ‘wu wei’ way requires an understanding that:
the body is a chemistry lab and constantly influx which means adapting your practices based on how the body feels .. health does not happen with rigidity
working in harmony with the body is essential for optimal health
healing is a creative process
rest, breathe, play
For example, a child with autism is sensitive to sounds, textures, too many people, has trouble sleeping and a number of allergies between food and local plant life. Many times, this child struggles to focus
While a familiar approach is to protect those we love and ourselves we do what we’ve learned to do which is which is provide comfort; using things that hopefully induce sleep i.e. melatonin, restricting certain foods to lower the chance of symptoms and attention issues as well as making sure they have their allergy medicine.
When it comes to the ‘wu wei’ approach, the practice is to soothe the system, not just quiet the symptoms.
What’s the difference between the ‘wu wei way’ and what we typically do?
Simply put; the current methods are based in doubt. Culturally we’re told that the body is weak and defective, so every issue we experience is addressed separately which traumatizes the body and leads to more sensitivities albeit pain, inflammation, etc.. Remember, fear divides.
The ‘wu wei way’ sees the reality of the situation and understands that it’s all connected. The body, as a whole, is consistently on high alert. Where there’s a symptom or concern, there’s your sign that the body is in distress. Therefore, ‘wu wei’ seeks to minimize the stress response while working in harmony with the body to also provide symptom relief.
Back to the concerns mentioned, a ‘wu wei’ protocol looks something like this:
incorporate essential oils that influence the production of anti-inflammatory hormones that will ease the stress response and calm immune activity (everyday as a lifestyle)
a. vetiver
b. cedarwood texas
c. benzoin
d. myrrh
e. roman chamomile
f. angelica root
include essential oils that support digestion (everyday as a lifestyle)
a. cardamom
b. coriander
c. black pepper
d. frankincense carterii
e. rosemary verbenone
consider adding essential oils that support the lymph and kidneys (everyday as a lifestyle)
a. laurel leaf
b. carrot seed
c. golden rod
d. grapefruit
e. angelica root
f. juniperberry
g. celery seed
use additional essential oils for specific symptoms (for as long as necessary)
take a magnesium supplement i.e. magnesium glycinate
hydrate throughout the day, children and adults .. if water is a struggle to drink, add lemon or lime or an unsweetened hydrator as a flavoring … I happen to find a fabulous beet and pomegranate powder that is
oh, so good! Let me know if you’d like to no more (and no .. I am not affiliated with the company)focus on eating single ingredient foods .. this isn’t to say you can’t combine them … the point is to avoid premade / premixed foods (this actually goes for essential oils as well)
take digestive enzymes and probiotics
take care of your mouth .. brush, floss, and oil pulling! The microbiome is being viewed as a super organ whereby the bacteria are in constant communication. Oral health directly impacts lung health (there’s a microbiome in the lungs) as well as the gut flora balance. When you use essential oils, you’re helping the body maintain this balance. However, if you have a few decades ‘under your belt’, it’s wise to give your body a chance to reset itself.
speaking of ‘oil pulling’, coconut oil is nearly 50% lauric acid and is amazing with neutralizing bacteria in the mouth. At the same time, eating up to 1 tablespoon a day improves gut flora as well!
minimize the number of chemicals used around the house .. there are healthier alternatives to many of the commercial products.
avoid deeply inhaling / sniffing manmade chemicals that
smell good
The bottom line is when you place your faith in the nature that’s kept you alive so far, you begin making empowered choices. You take actions that align your cells to ease, restoring your inner power and tranquility, lessening your experience of dis-ordered thinking, feeling and choosing and returning your system back to its natural ebb and flow with life.
Ready to get into a more natural flow?
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