The journey continues!
I’m heading back to Ashland this Wednesday through Friday – and have been coming back and seeing clients twice a month now since July and, for the most part, it seems to be working well. For the most part we’ve been able to maintain a bi-weekly continuity with many of you – and I think the judicious use of herbs allows for a lot of that to happen. Last time down was completely full – this time there are some openings so please feel free to call and leave a message for Courtney or myself (541-621-7101) or schedule online (see just below)
A few things to mention…
We’re looking for another practitioner to share the space Center for Chinese Medicine office when I am not here – preferably another acupuncturist who has interest in using herbs, or an experienced massage therapist. Jody Herriott L.Ac. will continue to be using her rooms full-time.
And can safely announce that on-line scheduling seems to work quite well. We will continue to have Courtney answering the phones and returning calls, but to make it easier, here’s a link that will reliably allow you to setup (and cancel) appointments: http://centerforchinesemedicine.fullslate.com/
And so the Ashland/Portland connection that has me coming down twice a month on Wednesday through Fridays has really been working out quite well. The winters in Portlandia do seem to promise a certain different kind of severity – though apparently I’ve been lulled by an extraordinarily clear and sunny Fall into finding it a biking utopia – the chill is setting in.. Ashland has that pristine clarity and sunshine and magical snowdust that I look forward to as I come down – its one of my favorite times of year in the Rogue Valley. Enjoy it!
In traditional Asian meditative and healing philosophy we generally say its time to think about retreat and leaving it behind as the season ends…and the TCM advice is to stay warm, have soups, stay out of the wind, rest as much as you can in-between events, etc… ..but I’ll leave you with these words about this particular Goat Year (ends in February 7th) written by my mentor and friend Liu Ming who passed on this Spring. Maybe because I sense even the supply of quality of unadulterated herbs seems to be vulnerable, and that I have children, and I care about you all that I’ll pass it on….the message being don’t dismiss personal power and the ability of the collective to get things done.
“Political idealists have a chance to make real changes this year. In the industrial countries newness has just become a slogan. Let’s practice idealism and throw off the gloomy complacency in the USA. Can we do it? Will you do it?
Treaties and alliances will be made in many places. There may even be a pause in fighting/war as peaceful solutions will appeal to almost everyone. There is also an aspect of Wood Goat idealism that does not have defense contingent plans, so betrayal and slaughter cannot be ruled out. The qi of this year supports the notion that every betrayed and butchered Goat will be immediately replaced by another, even more idealistic Goat.
For every person who listens to their children, makes peace within their families and supports basic human rights this Wood-Goat-treaty qi will grow in the hearts of leaders. Do not disenfranchise yourself – be as stubborn as a Goat – and if you fall off; jump right back up. Your every action counts.
Over the last two generations in the modern industrial world we have come to assume that the rights and privileges we have are hard won (working and fighting hard). In fact no being has rights or privileges anywhere in Space or Time that are not the gifts given by and upheld by everyone else on Earth and in Heaven. Every sentient being has the instinct to give to and protect every other being on Earth. In the Chinese Tradition, every one of us must be vigilant in our generosity and stand up for those who need protecting. Let the Wood Goat year wake you up from complacency and the trance of entertainment, to love and protect each other like the proper herd we are”
May you all enjoy the holiday season and find yourself happy, healthy, and full of blessings
Take care,
Ken