Altruism

Earth Element, Gift, Joy, Spirit, , ,

The Gifts of an Element represent the essential goodness of the Element, its deepest nature. One of the greatest Gifts of the Earth Element, whose season of Late Summer we are now traversing, is altruism.

Selfless GivingAltruism is the highest form of giving. It is not simply giving to another in need but also includes a selfless concern for their well-being. It often involves some kind of sacrifice on the part of the giver, a sacrifice of energy, time or possessions, without any thought of receiving anything in return, either directly or indirectly. There is no expectation of recognition, gratitude or even a subtle desire to feel good about the giving.

Interestingly, when a person takes an altruistic action, it does feel good. Neurobiologists have found that when people placed the interests of others before their own, the generosity activated pleasure centres in a primitive part of the brain that also lights up in response to food or sex. Even when the altruistic action is done with no expectation of reward, there is a pleasurable sensation.

Philanthropy is the concern for others which arises out of love for humanity and which has come to be associated with charitable giving. Altruism goes further in that it includes unselfishness. At its highest, there is actual selflessness, a lack of self. In this state, the giver has no sense of himself as a separate individual but rather as a part of the infinite web of manifestation. There is no sense of giving from one to another because there is no separation. No gift, no giver.

This brings to mind Lao Tzu’s thoughts on the subject:

The Master stays behind;
That is why she is ahead.
She is detached from all things;
That is why she is one with them.
Because she has let go of herself
She is perfectly fulfilled.

The ego is inherently selfish and self-serving. When there is no ego self, there is no selfishness. There is no self-centred action because there is no self there to act. Therefore, the way to true altruism is through disengagement from this false self and engagement with the True Self, which is not a separate individual but a manifestation of the Infinite. Then, fulfilment is not in the doing but in simply being.

Consider:
• What are your motives for giving?
• What is the most altruistic thing you have done?

Book cover

 

This is an extract from my forthcoming book The Way of the Five Seasons. Publication by Singing Dragon Press March 21st 2016. For more information and to pre-order click here

One for all, All for one

Detoxification, Digestion, Ear problems, Menstrual disorders, Reproductive, Tiredness, Urination, Vitality, , , , ,

Late Summer is upon us in the southern hemisphere, time to return once more to points of the Earth Element. We begin with Spleen 6, a really useful point as you will see.

Sanyinjiao ~ Three Yin Crossing ~ Spleen 6
* Forbidden during pregnancy

5.9The motto of the Three Musketeers could well be applied to Sanyinjiao – Three Yin Crossing where three meridians unite at a single point. While the point is given to the Spleen meridian because its primary influence is upon the Spleen, it is a meeting point with the Kidney and Liver meridians. Like a river that joins together with two other tributaries, producing a combined force, SP 6 is a powerful confluence of forces where the combined action is more than the sum of the parts.

The wide range of conditions addressed by this point makes it one of the most frequently selected points in treatment. As it influences the three yin meridians of the leg, it treats conditions of the digestive, urinary, lymphatic and reproductive systems, treats damp, tonifies Qi and Blood, and raises the Qi upwards.

As a Spleen point, it strengthens the Spleen, thereby treating all Spleen Qi deficiency symptoms: feelings of heaviness and fatigue, abdominal fullness, loss of appetite and loose bowels. It clears oedema by mobilising the Spleen’s capacity to move fluids. Similarly it has a strong influence on nourishing the Blood and clearing Blood stagnation.

Three Yin Crossing is a great point for resolving damp, a pathogenic factor to which the Spleen is particularly prone. Damp in the lower burner can manifest as infections of the bladder, vagina and prostate; damp in the middle burner can cause diarrhoea, poor digestion, abdominal pain and nausea.

In its role as a Kidney point it strengthens Kidney Qi which is the source of our vitality. It treats difficult and painful urination, tinnitus, night sweats, dry mouth and difficulty with hot weather.

As a Liver point, it promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi, treats painful menstruation and abdominal pain generally. It also treats pain in the genitals, seminal emission and sexual hyperactivity in men, impotence and infertility, blurred vision and hypertension.

Sanyinjiao is one of the best points for regulating the uterus, and so is very useful for all menstrual irregularities. Its effect on the uterus makes it one of the best points for promoting labour, and is therefore forbidden during pregnancy except in the final stages.

Emotionally it soothes the spirit when a person is despairing, feeling weighed down by the burdens of life. It helps calm a worried mind and ease insomnia. Its influence over the Liver means it can calm irritability, especially when associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Spleen 6 combines well with Stomach 36 to strengthen the middle burner and balance the Earth Element. A nice little treatment is to combine SP 6 with the source points of the three associated meridians, namely Spleen 3, Kidney 3 and Liver 3. The quality of the Qi at these three points will tell you much about the health of these meridians and organs.

If you want to raise your game, raise your Qi with this triple crown winner of a point.

 

5.10Location of Spleen 6

 

Located 3 cun (four fingers width) above the crest of the inner ankle bone. Press towards the back of the tibia bone.

 

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This is an extract from The Way of the Five Elements by John Kirkwood. Available now from your favourite bookseller.