by Adam Okerblom, LAc, DAOM
The famous Daoist alchemist and physician, Ge Hong (283-343 CE), wrote about absorbing the qi of nature for our health and spiritual cultivation. In his text, the Baopuzi, “The Master Who Embraces Simplicity”, he recommends: “At dawn face the rising sun and absorb its pure qi to nourish the spirit.”
In his studies and meditations, Ge Hong pondered the question, “How can we integrate our spiritual practice with our worldly ethics and responsibilities?” He believed there was a dynamic connection and crucial interplay between our worldly pursuits and our personal, inner spiritual cultivation.
Right now is an excellent time of year to devote a few moments of our day to the radiant nourishment of the sun. As the energy of springtime activates, so does the power of our internal yang qi. Our fire element physiology stirs and begins to move outward from within. This fire element aspect of our internal landscape helps us with many functions of health and vitality. Particularly, our fire element physiology activates within our consciousness to promote inspiration, motivation, courage, and confidence. The stirring of yang begins in spring. By summertime, it will be fully activated.
This spring season of the Yang Fire Horse year has fresh, young yang qi energy and potential for action, but it is important not to push that yang too hard. It is natural for us to feel a sense of renewal and inspiration. Thus, we may feel motivated to work on improving our health, diving into our projects in the world, and even to help make our whole world a better place.
In order to find direction and sustained vigor in these pursuits, we should begin by working with our own internal elemental landscape. We can find the rhythm of our self-care practices, for the health of our bodies, speech, and mind. We can nourish the blossoming of yang to strengthen our vitality for the rest of the year to come. Absorbing the yang qi of sunlight is a fantastic way to start. If we wish to receive some help from the universe with our health and our work, we can simply look up and find it literally beaming down to us, all day long!
I often coach my patients to develop their daily connection with the elements of nature. I ask them to spend time hiking, gardening, earthing, water gazing, or touching rocks. Let us take the advice of Ge Hong and add absorbing morning sunlight to our list of nature-based self-care practices. Below, I outline a simple practice for integrating the morning qi.
Absorbing the Qi of the Morning Sun
1. Any time of the morning, but especially 30-60 minutes after sunrise (Ge Hong was up at dawn. You work with your own circumstances!)
2. Any outside space in view of the morning sun, preferably no window (The quieter the better. The more birds, plants, etc, the better.)
3. Bare feet directly on the earth is ideal
4. Stand facing the morning sun in the East, feet hip distance apart
5. Straighten the spine (lifting the arms high above your head helps to straighten the spine)
6. Deep, full breaths, through the nose, engaging from the abdomen up to the shoulders (3—21 breaths, if you have time)
7. Eyes open and gently lift the face towards the light, without staring directly into the sun (when the light grows uncomfortably strong, you may close your eyes)
8. Simply relax, breathing normally, allowing your awareness to open inward
9. Relax into your internal sensations and remain for as long as you deem appropriate
10. Finish by setting a compassionate intention for yourself and the world
Adam Okerblom, DAOM, LAc, is a doctor of Chinese Medicine with over 12 years of clinical experience and longstanding training in Tibetan Medicine. His work bridges these traditional medical systems through clinical practice, teaching in doctoral programs at Chinese medicine schools, and guest lectures at universities including San Francisco State University. He also contributes to translation and writing projects focused on classical Tibetan medical literature.
Learn more about Dr. Adam Okerblom and schedule acupuncture with him or join one of his classes.