When I was young I had a collection of foreign coins. It was fun to sort through them and think about far off places. I would look at the pictures and try to decipher the writing on each coin to determine its corresponding country. There was one exception, though, and that was the coins that came from China. I could pick them out in an instant because they had a square hole in the middle. At the time I remember thinking that those coins were so different that China itself must be incredibly foreign and unknowable.
It turns out that the square hole in the middle of the coin occurred as part of the manufacturing process centuries ago. After the coins were molded and cast, they would be lined up on a square rod so that the excess material could be scraped off to make the edges smooth.
There is also a symbolic side to the shape of Chinese coins, too. The round edge, with no beginning or end, represents the infinite nature of the universe, or Heaven. In contrast, the square shape of the hole symbolically represents Earth, the shape of a plot of land or a farmer’s field.
As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, the shape of these coins and the juxtaposition of Heaven and Earth offer up lessons on how to live healthfully. Let me explain. The idea of Qi (pronounced chee), or vital energy, is the cornerstone of good health in Chinese medicine. Qi is the energy that animates us, causes us to grow and mature, turns food into nutrients, and powers many other body functions and transformations. We get our Qi from the air we breathe, or Heaven; and the food we eat, which is Earth. Anything that enhances our Qi also enhances our health and vitality, and with that in mind, here are some ideas about honoring symbolic Heaven and Earth to enhance your health:
Heaven
Heaven is above and all around us, including the air we breathe. Not only is it a source of Qi, but it oxygenates every cell in our body and eliminates toxins through exhalation. In addition, Heaven is the spiritual side of your existence. Tips for enhancing the Heaven aspect of your health include:
- Slow down, relax, and breathe deeply. Shallow breathing not only promotes the disease process, but it also accelerates aging.
- Sit and stand up straight. When you slouch, you are scrunching up your lungs, making it impossible to really breathe fully.
- Exercise regularly; it improves your cardiovascular health, increases lung function, and is pretty much the fountain of youth.
- Incorporate some kind of practice in your life that includes controlled breathing, such as yoga, Qi Gong, or Tai Qi. It’s relaxing and good for your lung health.
- Your mental health also comes under the heading of Heaven. Take time for yourself, choose activities that you enjoy, spend time with people you love, and cultivate a sense of gratitude and service as a way to bring meaning to your life.
Earth
Earth is all about our food; that which comes from the ground, sea, pastures, and orchards. In Chinese medicine, practitioners believe that one must first treat patients with the right foods. Only if that fails should we turn to acupuncture and herbs. In reality, by the time we see a patient, the time for the right foods alone has passed, but eating well is a fundamental way to build Qi and maintain good health. So, here are Earth’s lessons on healthful living:
- First, eat real food. That means eat stuff that your Grandma would recognize as food. Eat foods that only have a few ingredients that you can pronounce. Avoid the stuff that has been engineered to sit on a grocery store shelf for decades.
- Avoid food fads. There are no really good or bad (real) foods—there’s only what’s right for you and your nutritional needs.
- Support your digestion, because eating the most fabulous food in the world won’t promote your health if you can’t digest it well. If you’re having digestive symptoms, try cooking your vegetables and stay away from very cold foods and drinks. If you’re still struggling, work with an acupuncturist.
- Eat what’s growing here now. That means choosing what’s local and seasonal.
- Cook your own food. That way you know and control what went into it.
- When in doubt, think along the lines of a Chinese restaurant—real food, lots of vegetables, a little grain, a little protein, usually served with water or warm tea.
Finally, mankind exists between Heaven and Earth, which underscores our relationship with the natural world. Nature is man’s connection with the Divine, and working in your garden, watching birds, or taking a walk in the woods actually enhances your health. Researchers have documented that merely walking in a wooded area can decrease your stress, lower your cortisol levels, lower your blood pressure, and boost your immunity. So make the connection between Heaven and Earth by breathing deeply, eating well, and getting outside!
