The Living Well Blog

Qigong (literally meaning energy + work) is an ancient practice of working with the body’s innate energy (animating life force) for purposes of health, martial arts, and spiritual connection.  While a true study of this profound esoteric method requires a lifetime of dedicated practice, understanding the content behind the form will give you an opportunity to Read More

This week I have been thinking about the spaces between things.  Last week I wrote about the breath, and today I am noticing the pause within the breath motion. In each breath there is a momentary pause between inhale and exhale, exhale and inhale, that is a part of the rhythm of life. So too Read More

When I return to presence I remember the importance of breath.  Did you know that poor posture and shallow breathing can contribute to a disturbed shen (spirit)?  This can look like increased anxiety, sadness, and irritability.  Simply breathing properly, and having good posture while doing so, can do wonders for your mood! Here is a Read More

Happy (I really, really hope…) New Year!   In last week’s post I mentioned that now is the perfect time for reflection on what matters most given the Great Conjunction. Given this year and how it compelled many of us reevaluate our lives, I offer a particularly potent way to find the answer around which you can orient Read More

The more I study ancient Chinese philosophy, the more I come to appreciate how civilizations through history have looked to the stars to understand the patterns that occur on Earth. I’ve become more interested in great celestial events and their possible meaning. If nothing else, they can provide potent questions for self-inquiry. So… let’s talk Read More

The weather is getting even chillier, the night time encroaching on the day earlier, the tree leaves continue to dry and fall away, and the winter solstice is around the corner.  I know I can already feel winter more in my bones. The bones are part of winter, as is cold, ultimate yin, the direction Read More

Walking among the trees yesterday I was drawn in by their soaking up the rain; being nourished. I imagined they were gently smiling – welcoming the water home. A friend paused and it had me notice what they were observing – the raindrops clinging to the upside down hemlock. We stared for a good long Read More