What can you do now? A lesson from the Nei Jing and Eastern medicine.
Sometimes you encounter something that directly relates to what is happening now, in yourself or in the world.
There has been a lot of activity in recent times, big and small. I keep hearing more people thinking about questions like: how can I make a difference, what can I contribute, where can I find balance?
That’s how I read an interview last weekend with Ina Brouwers, who was the CPN’s parliamentary group leader in the 1980s and 1990s. A driven woman who now, with the wisdom of many years of life experience, looks at society. It made me think: if you want to change something, it’s important that you yourself have inner balance and wisdom.
With that, I drew a parallel with Eastern medicine, as described in the Nei Jing. This ancient text teaches that the way our life energy flows is visible in the world we create around us. So it is a good reason to handle that energy carefully.
The Nei Jing, Also known as the Classic Book of the Yellow Emperor, it forms the basis of Chinese medicine. The body is described there as a rich system in which energy, emotions, seasons, and lifestyle all shape life together. The organs are more than just physical parts; they are seen as agents with their own tasks and responsibilities, which together ensure harmony and order.
Thus, the heart is described as the emperor who rules the empire, while the other organs serve as ministers to keep the whole in balance. From this image, it becomes clear how each organ occupies a specific place and how their cooperation is crucial for our health and our functioning as human beings.
The workings of this inner realm do not remain confined to our bodies. How the organs fulfill their functions affects how we feel, how we think, and how we act. It determines how we live and how we shape the world around us. This applies to each of us, but equally to those who hold responsibility in politics or in government.
If we want to improve the world around us, it starts with ourselves. By taking good care of our body and mind: with healthy food, enough exercise, and especially with clear and constructive thoughts. That last part is often the most challenging. But let’s start there, with ourselves, before we try to change someone else.
A reflection question for you: What would the world look like if we all started with ourselves first?
Perhaps you would also benefit from paying more attention to personal growth, balance, and connection right now, in your own way. Would you like to discuss this in more detail, or learn more about how Eastern medicine works in practice? You are always welcome to send me a message or come by for an open evening or the training.
Norbert grote Beverborg