REN DAO Wellness Center August 2007 Newsletter


REN DAO Wellness Center Monthly News Letter August 2007


Main Article A Chinese Medicine Perspective on the Causes of Illness. The Ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine recognizes five basic causes of illness; External or Environmental causes, Internal or Emotional causes, Improper Diet and Rest, Negative Energy Entities and Karma. External or Environmental Causes. There are six external or environmental causes of illness. They include wind, cold, heat, fire, damp and dryness. These conditions occur naturally and are dependent on our geographical location, the seasons and the weather. We naturally dress warmer to reduce the affects of the cold of winter. We seek the warming action of the sun to dry or reduce dampness. It is our continuous ability to adapt and stay in harmony with these environmental conditions that keep them from becoming harmful. The six external causes manifest internally too. Conditions of wind, cold, heat, etc occur naturally within the body. When they manifest abnormally, they appear as the symptoms illness (a hot rash requiring a cooling salve, leg edema appears as dampness requiring draining). Internal or Emotional Causes We experience seven emotions in responses to stimulus we received though our sense organs (eyes, ears, nose taste, smell, touch). These emotions include; anger, joy, worry / excessive thinking, fear, and shock. Each of these emotions is vital to our survival mechanisms and our ability to properly respond to the day to day activities we encounter. They are also integral to our ability to learn, adapt, plan and react appropriately. When the expression of any of these emotions becomes too excessive or too passive, our reactions become out of balance with our true nature and our environment. Each of these emotions is rooted within a corresponding organ and that organ’s functionality within our body. Excessive or deficient expression of these emotions over time causes harm to the organs. Disharmony in the organs leads to disharmony in the emotions. [A Five Element Correspondence Charts can be viewed at www.ren-dao.com/five_element.pdf] Diet and Work / Rest Our major source of energy and the building material for growth and our body’s maintenance comes from the foods we eat. We must eat a balance supply of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Additionally our food should provide an appropriate amount of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, trace elements and other micronutrients required for our bodies to function efficiently. Chinese medicine recognizes five flavors; sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent. Each should be eaten in balanced amounts to nourish the five (yin & yang) organs, the tendons, muscles, sinews and bones. Eating to much taxes our digestive, storage and elimination systems. Eating to little reduces our energy and nutrimentalstores. Eating to much of some foods and not enough of others causes imbalances within the body since proper assimilation and usage of foods requires a balanced intake of nutrients. Work, exercise and rest are equally important. A balanced amount of each is needed to provide for our material needs and growth, to move the qi and blood and provide adequate time to relax and rebuild. Too much or too little of either will tax our bodies resources eventually leading to illness. Negative Energy Entities When our energies are very focuses and vibrating at a very high level we attract similarly high level focused energies, situations and experiences. We remain uninfluenced by low level energies situations and experiences. When our energies are scattered and of a low quality, it is very easy for outside energies, situations and experiences to influence us, further scattering and reducing our energies, carrying us away from our primary goals and responsibilities. Ghost and spirits are the first images we may have when visualizing negative energy entities. Indeed, some may experience ghost and spirits of either a good or bad nature. The main point here is being unfocused and scattered leaves us open to unhealthy influences and energies. For example, we all know, to receive optimal energy and nutrients from our foods, it is best to select the most wholesome, natural foods possible. We should prepare and eat our foods with a sense of joy and gratitude, in a relaxed and stress free manner. Today, our busy lifestyles leave our time and energies stretched and scattered. We have little time to commit to ourselves and our primary basic needs. We become receptive and open to McDonald’s as a complete and balanced food source. We sit a TV pill commercial away from ultimate health. Karma Karma is an intangible concept that glues all of our past and current actions to our current and future experiences. All negative actions and deeds engender future negative situations and experiences. All good actions and deeds engender future positive situations and experiences. In health or illness we are responsible today for bearing the burden of our past deeds, current actions and thus future situations and experiences. Emotions and Habits After karma, it is stress / emotions and lifestyle / habits that lead to most illness and unhappiness in today’s society. Awareness of the five causes motivates us to maintain balance over our thoughts and action and take corrective steps when needed.		Upcoming Events for August 9/29 - Eating for a Healthy Colon. 9/19 - Health Breakfast - Health Snacks Lecture at Yonkers Riverfront Library. 9/15 - Monthly Reiki Healing Circle. 9/8 - Yonkers Riverfest 8/26 - Third Intra-Dojo Martial Arts Workout. 8/18 - Monthly Reiki Healing Circle. Sensei Earl Monroe (click to enlarge) Three Generations of Goju (click to enlarge)

MORE INFORMATION

The Disease as Part of the Treatment Monday, July 16, 2007
Often in medicine, the tendency is to view illness as antagonistic. But, like everything else, a simple shift in perspective can point one in a whole new direction. If one thinks of their illness as part of themselves rather than something separate, one can view their illness as a way of getting to know oneself better. The Type A personality who has a heart attack may have an opportunity to slow down and "smell the roses;" the father who suddenly loses his job gets to spend time with his children; the cancer patient who comes to terms with her mortality and can fully appreciate the time that she has left, are just a few examples. I have had patients who later became very thankful for their illnesses and the lessons that they learned from them.

Illnesses, symptoms, etc. are a chance for us to purify ourselves; purify our negative karma, change faulty beliefs, let go of pain, sorrow, anger, etc. that no longer serves us. We need to view our symptoms as something that is trying to teach us something. Our job is to figure it out. We can't squash it with pain medication, or antibiotics, or chemotherapy. We need to face it head-on. To be a warrior and fight through the suffering to get to the other side. Be on a quest for truth, simplicity and finding one's inner nature.

And above all, don't be afraid to change. If you see your imbalances as rooted in your thought patterns, your past actions and your behaviors, without changing one can never heal. Your symptoms are your opportunity to make the necessary changes and adjustments. Failure to adapt and change breeds illness. Awareness is the first step.
From Acupuncturist Ross Rosen's Blog
News
• Second Annual SYBCG Professional Martial Arts Seminar – Held August 4th, in Woodbridge Va. Many leading martial arts instructors from the area and New York shared their techniques and experiences with those who participated or watched. The highlight of the event was the attendance of Sensei Earl Monroe who has not been active within the martial arts community for several years since moving to Arizona. We all appreciate Sensei Zuriane Bennett’s efforts for organizing another great event and for arranging for Sensei Monroe to attend. A video of the seminar will be available shortly at www.sybcg.com.
• Fire in the House - Last January, one of the RDWC’s Adult Karate students was struck by a car while riding his bicycle to class. His left knee was shattered, his left shoulder badly dislocated and he suffered numerous other injuries. He endured several surgeries and was hospitalized for three months. August 8th, He walked into the RDWC (up two flights of stairs) quite unexpectedly and unassisted to watch karate class. This is a great testament to the power of mental will and the body’s ability to heal. Fire (as he is called), now in his mid fifties, proves the importance of staying fit and healthy.Though not fully recovered, it was almost indiscernible that he had been severely injured months early.
• Soundage Massage – Massage therapist, Karen Yanco is working on a new rhythmic massage technique preformed to music. She completed her first series of trials at the RDWC in July and is currently accepting appointments for her final series of trials. The massages are free and are open to healthy persons between the ages of 20 and 70. Please contact Karen at 646-259-2439 to schedule an appointment.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 9/29 Eating for a healthy Colon – 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
During this lecture we will discuss ways to eat that will improve the health of your colon and overall health. Today, many of us live with lifestyle related gastrointestinal issues. Daily we overlook the warning signs, we endure the pain and discomfort, and mask the symptoms with medication. It is not until our bodies begin to fail and fall ill that we cry for help. Sadly, after medical intervention, we return to our old habits and ways. During this lecture we will present a video that clearly shows how poor eating habits affect the colon. You will witness the remarkable ability of the body to rejuvenate when healthy habits are followed. Suggested donation: $10.00
• 9/19 Health Breakfast - Health Snacks Lecture at Yonkers Riverfront Library. – 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
This fun and enjoyable class is intended for school age children and teenagers. We will cover what is a healthy breakfast, healthy snacks and why. We will talk about easy to make healthy morning and afternoon foods. We will talk about the affects of consuming excess sugar during the day on energy levels, ability to concentrate, body weight and overall health.
This lecture will be held at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. For more information please contact, Children’s Librarian, Ethel Petryczka at 914-337-1500 ext 446 or the RDWC. Suggested Donation: Free
• 9/15 Reiki Healing Circle – 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
Take part in our monthly Group Reiki & Energy Healing Session Saturday, September 15th from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Session will include opening meditation, exercise and attunements. This will be followed by Reiki healing treatments and individual unique prophesy provided by Reiki Master and Teacher, Peter Goldbeck. All are welcome to come and participate. Suggested Donation: $10.00
• 9/8 Yonkers Riverfest – See us There!
• 8/26 Third RDWC Intra-Dojo Martial Arts Workout – 11:00 am to 3:00pm.
All members of the San Yama Bushi Dojos, Kyo Rei Bujinkan Dojo, Nisei Goju-Jitsu Dojos, Ji Chung Do Kan Hapki Ryu Dojo & affiliates are invited to take part in our third Intra-Dojo Martial Arts workout.
Contact Michael Kelly at 914-548-7585 for more information. Suggested Donation: $10.00 Intra-Dojo Workout Flier
• 8/18 Reiki Healing Circle – 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
For more information: Reiki Healing Circle Flyer

On the Internet
Acupuncturist Ross Rosen L.Ac.
• Clinic Web Site
• Ross Rosen's Blog
Find out how much Mercury you have in your body.
• Sierra Club Mercury Test Kit
Master Cleanser Re-visited:
• Master Cleanser Newsletter
• Master Cleanser Lecture Outline
Brain Burn: Armand DiMele’s two day radio shows on Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. They aired 8/7 and 8/9 on radio station WBAI, 99.5 in New York.
• Armand DiMele, The Positive Mind Radio Show Archives
Internet Radio interview with Kai's Odyssey - 7/25
I would like to thank Kai Adwoa-Thomas for inviting me to talk about Chinese medicine and nutrition on her internet radio show, Kai’s Odyssey. Her show can be heard weekly Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.
• Kai's Odyssey - Rocklandworldradio.com

At the RDWC:
Take advantage of our Community Acupuncture Program. Preformed in an open and relaxed group setting. Great for providing relief from stress and pain. Effective Affordable treatments offered on a sliding scale fee basis. Call to schedule an appointment or a free health history consultation.