Guest guest Posted December 30, 2000 Report Share Posted December 30, 2000 Another excellent newsletter from Dagmar, and very timely considering the current discussion on depression. This month's newsletter deals with the element Metal and grief, learning to recognize the essential, and learning to let go of the inessential. Victoria >Dagmar Riley <dagmar-riley >dagmar-riley >Letter-from-China >Letter from China 00/12 >Fri, 29 Dec 2000 18:06:13 -0800 > >_____ > >LETTER FROM CHINA >December '00 >A newsletter on and modern China > >by Dagmar Riley >______ > >In this issue: > >THE 5 ELEMENTS >...(A) Short Revision >...(B) The Metal type: energy characteristics and >personality > >BEIJING MEMOIRS OF MY CANADIAN FRIEND ROBIN >...autumn > >DISCLAIMER >SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE information >______ > >Please feel free to FORWARD this newsletter to friends. >______ > >THE 5 ELEMENTS >A) SHORT REVISION: > >The 5 Elements are a symbol for the 5 basic energies of >the Universe. >The 5 Elements are: Wood - Fire - Earth - Metal - Water. > >The Element METAL is associated with: >Autumn - withdrawal – sadness/grief - dryness - lung >– large intestine - nose - pungent. > >For BACK ISSUES of this series, please visit >http://www.topica.com/lists/Letter-from-China > >B) THE METAL TYPE - energy characteristics and personality > >Usually, I start this part with a description of the season >the particular element is associated with, because everybody >knows the feel and characteristics of the four seasons. This >time, though, I was drawn to the emotion associated with Metal: >Grief. > >Grief seemed to me like the emotion I could least deal with – >anger (wood), ok, joy/lust (fire) nobody has a problem with, >and brooding (wood) might be boring and energy-depleting, but >not scary like grief. Grief scared me, and in combination with >autumn seemed even more depressive: Winter comes next, and I >grieve for all the life, the colours, the lightness of summer >that will die. > >Writing this newsletter, though, I was forced to look at grief >more deeply than I usually do, and I am glad I did: I discovered >the necessity and beauty of grief. > >Grief is an emotion that requires internal strength and honesty. >Through grief we acknowledge that we have lost something that >was dear to us. But only if we acknowledge this truth with our >heart (and not only 3 seconds with our brain and then suppress >any further feeling) and feel grief, we can let go of the old >and embrace something new. If we do not admit that we lost >something that was dear to us, or if we pretend that it was not >dear to us, we are not ready to feel the same dear feeling again. >Without grief, joy cannot be felt again as fully as before. > >But going through the pain of grief brings us even more than >the ability to fully feel joy again. Grief reminds us that we >can feel love; it makes us able to feel compassion and strips >all superficialities, preconceptions, vanities, arrogant feelings >and dishonesty away from us. It brings us closer to our fellow >human beings, and reminds us of what is truly important in our >lives. > >When we grieve, we feel more clearly than ever what really matters >in our lives, what we really need, what we really love. It gives >us the chance to redesign our lives according to what is important >and what we want our lives to be. > >And, last but not least, through grieving we also begin to notice >that only so much can be taken away from us during our life, and >although we can lose possessions, loves ones, our health, etc, we >cannot lose a certain part of ourselves that is lies even deeper >than our character. This part is worth protecting, because it gives >us great strength. This part is essential. Grief makes us see the >essential, and that is the beauty of it. > >Autumn is the time when nature sheds everything that is not >absolutely essential and withdraws the essence deeply for >preservation. In a time that prepares for survival in winter, >there is no time for wasting energy on anything impractical. >In former times, this was also the season when humans had to >take stock, to plan and calculate, and to make the best decision >based on clear facts in order to survive the winter. > >The metal-type likes to discover the essence, the inner mechanism >of the phenomena in his world, and this includes technologies as well >as emotions. He analyzes emotions, tries to understand the underlying >mechanism of why he or others feel this or that way. Because of >his habit of observing emotions and what they do to us rather >than just feeling them, he respects their, sometimes destructive, >power. He is thus extremely careful with his emotions, which often >leads strangers to wrongly believe that the metal-type is cold >and distanced. > >In order to focus on the essential and make the best decision that >corresponds to reality, he prefers to stick to the facts rather >than letting himself be influenced by subjective feelings. His strength >is to be able to make clear decisions of right and wrong, much like >a good judge, or a fireman during a rescue. > >The outer expression of this clear-mindedness is his tidiness >and love for aesthetic beauty, law and order, and moral >principles. He deeply understands, and sometimes is himself, the >hero who takes a clear stand for what he knows is right, in spite >of the emotions he might feel and the danger involved. > >Discipline is another strong point of the metal-type: In >comparison to the wood-type he does not need a competitor but >constantly competes against himself, fighting the weaknesses >inside him. He constantly strives for perfection in the >Japanese sense: Simple, symmetrical, useful, nothing more >than the essential, beautiful. > >His dress is another reflection of this kind of perfection: >He likes to dress well, perfect for the occasion. In contrast >to the fire type, however, he does not dress well to be the star, >flamboyant and outrageous. For him, dress is a matter of >aesthetics and order. > >A clear mind, discipline and drive for perfection also make him >a good organizer: When the wood-type has the vision, drive and >enthusiasm to start a project and motivate a whole team, the >metal-type will see that the organization is perfect so that >the project will be realized in the most effective manner. > >Furthermore, metal types: > >*love to discover the inner mechanisms of phenomena, the >mechanism that makes things tick, their essence. To know this >mechanism is necessary in order to react perfectly to and make >the best choices about any phenomena. > >*thus have the clear mind to tell right from wrong in most >situations. > >*strive for perfection in all their actions and reactions in >every moment and aspect of life. > >*Take emotions seriously but also know that the power of emotions >can be destructive, thus they prefer to analyze feelings rather >than acting upon them without further judgment. > >*prefer to solve problems by analytical reflection rather than >being influenced by their emotions. > >*expect their friends, partners, families etc to keep agreements >and take their duties seriously. The metal type himself will give >the perfect example. > >*cannot understand how the fire type can follow his emotions >blindly, thus often endangering long term relationships and >established moral principles. > >*value stability and reliability in a relationship. > >*tries to do everything he does as well as possible or he doesn’t >do it at all. > >*likes to plan his day/holiday, so he can identify and >concentrate on the things he considers important. > >*values customs, rules, ways that have established and >proven themselves useful over time. > >*values a pleasant, well groomed appearance – simple but with >style. > >When the metal-type gets out of balance, this clear, organized >and stable mind can get stiff (along with the joints). The metal- >type becomes judgmental and over-critical of other people and >distances himself from his fellow human beings. He develops >preconceptions instead of reflecting according to the situation >and facts and becomes intolerant. He starts clinging to the ways >of the past and is so afraid that something might disturb his >order and tidiness that it becomes impossible to be creative. >Tidiness can become an obsession, discipline a metal corset that >becomes impossible to break out of. In his self-righteousness >the metal-type loses his clarity, his judgment, his power of >reflection. Thus he becomes afraid of change and clings to the >past, rituals, things or persons with almost an obsession, so that >it becomes difficult to breathe for him. He loses touch with his >emotions, which often reflects in skin problems, and becomes cold >and hard. > >In balance, though, the metal-type is unique in his clarity of >mind and ability to see the essential factor in every situation. >This mental stability and clarity give him internal strength and >emotional honesty, and makes it possible for him to develop >deep emotions that are not misused in an egocentric, blindly >destructive way. > >**************** 1************************* >FREE Healing Herbs Newsletter~Original articles on natural >and alternative health, FREE online health analysis to target >exactly what is going on in YOUR body, and MUCH MORE! 6 Lucky >rs get a free ad each week! Join us today. You'll >feel better for it! >healingherbsnl- >*****************END ************************ > >BEIJING MEMOIRS OF MY CANADIAN FRIEND ROBIN > >[i had the opportunity, over the past year, to visit China. >My husband is a refrigeration mechanic who was sent to >Beijing to build an ice rink in a shopping plaza so that >you can skate and shop. Since I love to travel, I quit my >job to follow him. This is the story as it unfolds.] > >[This is the November update that couldn’t be published >last month] > >Hello to all. Fall is in its full glory here in Beijing. >This is the nicest time of year according to the locals. >Of course I prefer spring going into summer rather than >facing winter but the weather has been really great- sunny, >dry with temperatures gently falling until it is now around >11-15 C during the days. The Beijing winds have been starting >to blow and according to legend there are 7 big winds from >fall festival (Sept) until winter arrives. I think there have >been 5 up till now. > >Halloween has just passed and we were lucky enough to spend >it at the Goose and Duck Ranch. >The leaves were already turning yellow and a lot of them were >on the ground - giving that crunchy sound as we walked and >leaving a scent of fall leaves in the air. Amy has enlarged >her bar/recreation hall and it was decorated with Halloween >masks, lights, candles and scary objects. Outside were >mummies, 6 ' plaster casts of pumpkins, ghouls, goblins in the >yards and balloons dressed up as ghosts hanging in the trees. >They really added atmosphere to the day. > >We had a large group of people with the required children – >both old and young and everyone got into the fun. There were >games around the bonfire such as apple bobbing and teams >wrapping one of their members in toilet paper to create mummies. >Of course there was the usual fireworks to add the Chinese >traditions to our celebration. > >In the bar we were supplied masks, rubber hands, and wigs to >dress up in and the adults seemed to have more fun with that >than the kids. It was a really fun night and we returned to >our cabins to find them warm and cozy with electric blankets >to make sure the beds were comfy. The next morning we awoke to >find a perfect day outside. Sunny with no wind and the leaves >gently falling like snowflakes. > >After breakfast Michael and I along with friends of ours >(Peter and Deggie & their girls) climbed the mountain to a >pagoda on the first plateau and were rewarded with the sight >of the mountains in the distance. It was so clear that we >could see the terraced farming and portions of the Great >Wall. > >We returned for a great Chinese lunch made from the products >of the farm. After lunch we went horseback riding, to the >archery range, and practiced our swings in the batting cage. >We got back to the city tired, but pleased that we were able >to spend such a gorgeous weekend in the country. > >The next day, I was interviewed by a radio host for a show >on " Stories from foreigners in Beijing " , apparently my name >was given to her by one of my friends and if it goes well >she has suggested that we co-host a regular show. I never >imagined I would be doing such unusual things. > >I am now teaching basic Oral English 4 afternoons a week >and advanced Oral English 2 mornings a week, which has >been fun. It was a little intimidating at first since I >was given no guidelines at all and had to muddle through >alone. My students are older - business men/women, university >graduates, people who are looking to emigrate to different >English speaking countries and want to practice their English. >It seems they can read it or write it without difficulty but >need the opportunity to speak it. > >Well, I guess that's all for now since I have to leave soon >for school. >Stay well and happy. Love Robin >**************** 2************************* >Looking for Chinese herbs? >Go to www.1stchineseherbs.com/ for a wide selection of >Chinese herbs. >*****************END ************************ > >_____ >DISCLAIMER >The material in this newsletter is intended for >informational purposes only. I do not prescribe and I >do not diagnose. If you use the information in this >newsletter without the approval of a health professional, >you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional >right, but the author assumes no responsibility. >_______ > >SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE > >The Letter from China is published every last Friday >of the month. >New rs will be forwarded the current issue. > > >by sending a BLANK email to: >Letter-from-China- > > >by sending a BLANK email to: >Letter-from-China- > >submit your own personal stories >gesund2000 >and write " article submission " in the subject line. > >for back issues visit >http://www.topica.com/lists/Letter-from-China >_______ > 2000 by Dagmar Riley. All rights reserved >worldwide. > > > > > > > > > >-- >Dagmar's free CHINESE MEDICINE NEWSLETTER! >Subscribe by sending a BLANK email to: >Letter-from-China- > >Sent through GMX FreeMail - http://www.gmx.net > >_________ >T O P I C A http://www.topica.com/t/17 >Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics > _______________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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