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The Jing is vitality, the quintessence of Man Part I – Innate Jing: The quintessence of Man is called Jing in Chinese, which means an innate force but also an impulse of love, a great act of love. There are two types of Jing: the innate Jing, which is provided by both parents at the time of procreation. This can be compared to a “bank account” that the parents leave to their child, this account contains a capital that is limited and non-renewable and must be preserved to the maximum. Jing is therefore a vital principle that manifests itself in all forms. It is the prerequisite for a seamless interaction between movements and space, Energies, and substrates… It is a rhythmic sequence of events. Jing is a cornerstone for determining the future of beings and is essential to life. It determines a person’s innate energy and is developed and improved during pregnancy with a good diet, a positive frame of mind, some activity and plenty of rest. Jing enhances the programming of our existence, the potential of life! There are so many possibilities, it absorbs the information  important for our whole life. Later, it also acts as a reserve medium. This quintessence is the primary essence, both subtle and stored in the kidneys, deep within the being. The Energy of the kidneys allows us to keep our reserves, it is a hard disk that redistributes Energy to all our organs (psychological and physiological functions). The Jing transmitted to the child will be its base, a very subtle part, refined, and sharpened by the child and its mother during the pregnancy. Painting involves a canvas, colors, and intention. Jing encompasses these three actions. It is also all the colors of nature. We must make good use of the Jing we received at the beginning of our existence. It is up to us to decide and ensure that it is intact and operational, like a quintessential flower. This good use means that we must take care to fill the granaries with acquired Jing so as not to exhaust the innate part too soon. This includes the food we eat, the nutrients we give our bodies, but also the way we breathe and move in our environment. This will be explored further in the next article, in Part II!

For some time now nature has been slowing down and preparing for the “big Yin” of the year, winter. We are in the time of hibernation. Everything that is destined to reproduce life takes refuge inside the earth to regain its strength in quietness, rest and sleep. The bulbs and seeds, sheltered in the darkness, store up the energy and vitality they need to grow again in the spring. The Water element associated with winter ensures it’s fertilization by penetrating the depths of things, thanks to its will, its constant movement, its capacity to adapt to all forms and its relentless insistence. Winter confronts us with the constant fact that eternal growth is not possible and that we must pause for a moment. Salvation lies in the Yin, in the quiet of the source. In our bodies, this work of regeneration, preservation and fertilization is attributed to the energy of the kidneys. The essence of the kidneys is the foundation of the being, the place of storage of the quintessence. The kidneys occupy the lower part of the body, where fluids naturally flow, like rivers flowing to the ocean. This is the time of year when we should take the time to do nothing, to slow down, to meditate, to go to bed early, following the example of nature. In our minds, the energy of the kidneys translates into the ability to direct our gaze and attention inward. It gives us the wisdom to focus on what is essential, in depth, to use our instincts to distinguish between superficial desires and true needs. It is linked to the innate Jing, the heritage of the family line. It is the kidneys that store the innate quintessence and the surplus of acquired Jing. The depth associated with the kidneys also finds expression in the constitution of the skeleton, the spinal cord, the brain and the bone marrow. Strength and mobility are given to the bones by the fluid and thick juice of the marrow. The Energy of the kidneys gives us the strength of character we need to carry out our projects and the discipline to implement them at the right time, after reflection and maturation. Cold freezes and slows down in order to conserve heat and Energy. When kidney Energy is optimal: It increases our clarity of mind to conceive, the strength to act. It sharpens our intellectual and physical capacities by refocusing us on ourselves. It roots us within ourselves and strengthens the axis that guides our action. It helps to remove blockages that hinder our power to act when the time is right. Thanks to it, we face calculated risks when it is necessary to advance towards the unknown, without letting ourselves be held back by an excess of fear. Thanks to it, our libido finds the right balance and our sexuality is harmonious. If, on the other hand, an overactive year or an incorrect diet has drained the Kidneys of their energy, feelings of fear and insecurity set in. Fatigue, sleep disorders and backache follow. The lower back becomes weakened. Pain and stiffness can occur. The outward expression of the kidneys is revealed in our body through the ears. Hearing is linked to the depths of ourselves. Listening and being listened to are closely linked to the Kidneys. Listening to beautiful things makes our innermost core vibrate, Mozart for example, recharges the Kidney Energy! Listening to reassuring things is even better, let’s put the right vibration in our depth. This Energy is like the deep, dark, silent, and opaque waters, it arouses fear. The end of the year’s cycle is visible in nature, life is difficult to see underground. Towards the end of life, fear and hope join hands. The need to procreate is linked to a vital movement to ward off death and restart the wheel of life… For the body, it is the salty flavor that ensures this setting in motion. It must ensure a harmonious circulation of liquids, accompanying a downward movement favoring transit and evacuation, among others by the Bladder, the ally of the Kidneys. It softens abnormally hard accumulations in the body such as goiters, nodosities, cysts… The Kidneys are nourished by this harmoniously dosed flavor. Our heart also needs the salty taste. In our modern lifestyle, salt is far too present and instead of stimulating circulation and evacuation, it harms the kidneys, weakens the bones, and endangers the heart and digestive functions by drying out the stomach. As winter is associated with the North and the cold, the recipes we have to invite into our kitchens for the winter season should warm you up and help you avoid losing that North! We will be suggesting some of them to you in the coming days and weeks! Take good care of yourself! Winter is a precious friend! Isabella

Here in Vienna plums are smiling at me everywhere! It’s really the season to eat these purple treasures.  In Chinese wisdom, plums have a neutral nature and a sweet and sour flavor. They will therefore neither heat nor cool the system, invigorate the spleen and act as an astringent. They circulate Qi and Blood and prevent accumulations. They help to treat swollen legs and other accumulations of moisture in the body. They tone and nourish the blood. They circulate the Blood, brighten the eyes. Tones the Yin by helping to produce body fluids (e.g., dry throat or skin). They act as antioxidants by expelling free radicals from the body. They help digestion (fiber) and tone up the digestive system. And finally, they treat constipation. In ancient China, the plum was used to strengthen the immune system, in view of a winter where this will be a good idea. So, to keep the fun going, I suggest making a mousse spread for the yin season of the year: Voici une recette merveilleuse bien de chez moi ! Avec cette recette vous en aurez pour tout l’hiver (environ 4 bocaux) Ingredients: 2 kilos of ripe plums 500 g brown sugar 1 teaspoon lemon peel 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 pinch of black pepper (grapefruit pepper, if you have it) 1 pinch of fleur de sel 4 tablespoons of rum Preparation: Wash, remove the stone and cut the plums into small pieces. Put everything in a large saucepan, mix with the sugar, lemon zest and cinnamon and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, add the pepper and the fleur de sel and leave to simmer for an hour, stirring regularly. A good time to listen to some waltzes by Strauss…. or Die Fledermaus! Preheat the oven to 130°C. After baking, mix the mixture with a giraffe. Put the foam in a heatproof container, place it in the middle of the oven and leave it to dry for about 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Sterilize jam jars with boiling water, fill them with the hot mousse, divide the rum evenly and pour it over. Close tightly and store for a delicious winter.

The beautiful strawberry that makes beautiful women: The sages of ancient China tell us that a strawberry each day sustains beauty, strengthens the vital energy, nourishes, and sustains body and mind… The strawberry has a sweet and sour taste and is fresh in nature. The combination of sweet and sour flavors helps us to counterbalance heat and dryness, creating organic liquids. Strawberry should be grown locally and without pesticides! Strawberry helps to produce body fluids, especially for the lungs. Think of it if your throat is dry and painful. This beauty is then a great tonic of the Yin! They also promote fluid in the bladder by encouraging diuresis. In case of constipation, strawberries help to moisten the intestines. It is perfect for treating the pain of gout. The palace ladies in China tell us about masks: To refresh the complexion and reduce our wrinkles, crush 15 strawberries, and apply for 20 minutes on the skin. Here is a little recipe that will do you good: Zesty strawberries Ingredients : 800 g seasonal strawberries 1 bunch of mint leaves 1 half bunch of basil 30 g whole meal sugar (optional) Ground black pepper Juice of 1 lemon 4 tablespoons hazelnut oil or olive oil 5 sage leaves 1 small pinch of fleur de sel Préparation : Wash the strawberries. Hull and cut in half lengthwise. Remove the leaves, wash and drain the mint, sage and basil. Place the strawberries and half the lemon juice in a glass bowl. Add the chopped sage leaves, then the hazelnut or olive oil and sugar. Mix everything together. Add a few turns of the pepper mill, the basil and mint leaves, then a dash of fleur de sel and the rest of the lemon juice. Mix again and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Enjoy your meal!

Some of our acquired Jing depends on the acquired Energy. In Chinese, this is called Qi! The ideogram for “Qi” translates as ENERGY or BLOOD. Visually, it represents a field divided into plots with grains of rice or millet in the middle. The upper part represents steam. This steam symbolizes the transformation of grain through water and fire into nutrients usable by the human body. Everything is there. The dynamic dimension of the concept of “Energy” speaks of a mechanism: the transformation of the food bowl into vital substance. Energy is the most fundamental substance to ensure vital activity. Man is part of a whole. He lives in the midst of nature. His growth and development depend on exchanges with this environment. Regarding food, the ideogram Qi indicates that the best source of energy for humans is found in seeds and in their transformation from the raw state, which is difficult to consume, to the cooked state. The Energy that is released from the transformation of the food bowl gives an immediately usable force and constitutes our vital source. For this to be an easy process, without consuming vigor, the food must be chosen according to the needs and digestive capacity of the person. Chinese dietetics recommends cooking food. Cereals must be cooked very well; vegetables require less cooking. Raw food should be the exception. If your digestive system is weak, raw food can cause symptoms such as bloating, chills, fatigue after eating… It is quite obvious that in the West we eat more raw vegetables and that is part of our habits, so we need crunchy textures in our busy and somewhat stressful lives. Know yourself: if your digestive fire is strong, you can digest them, if your belly is bloated, you feel cold and tired after eating, reserve raw vegetables for the beginning of your meals and the warm season. And never eat them at night. In any case, to digest well, a hot drink (infusion, broth, our marvellous Energetic Potions, or simply hot water) is recommended at the end of the meal to bring the Stomach the liquids and the heat necessary for digestion. (For more details, see the chapter “The Pivot of Digestion, Stomach and Spleen”). The quintessence of this acquired Energy is found in food. The vigor of what we eat is again explained through the concept of Jing. Does our food have Jing or not? This Jing, this nutritive force of the body and mind, is  a component of food which has a life force , and of cours grows in its natural season. A tomato which grows without real soil will have little or none. The color, consistency, taste, resistance to predators in the form of insects, snails, etc… also shows its strength. Food that is processed and assisted in its growth loses the intrinsic strength to develop into a strong plant capable of it’s own defense. We are once again what we eat. The human species is part of the natural world. The natural world around us provides the foundations for our development and health. Changes in the climate, for example, directly or indirectly influence our lives and are reflected in our physiological and psychological life. Man communicates with his environment through his mouth and skin. The Su Wen, one of the classics of Chinese medicine, clearly states: « Heaven feeds Man with its five properties, Earth feeds man with its five flavors. The human being lives within nature and is subject to its laws ».

THE METAL ELEMENT SEASON Did you know that the autumn season is associated with the Metal-Element? The autumnal equinox will soon be upon us, meaning that the day is equal in length to the night. Autumn is associated with change, purification, and harvest. It is the perfect season to begin to refocus on oneself, especially as with Metal, Man cuts, slices to ensure his survival. As we said, autumn is synonymous with harvest, it brings the first frosts that purifies nature, it is also  associated with the West where the sun sets, and with the white color of  first frosts and  snow. It could be said that the season also refers a little to melancholy because on the one hand we say thank you to Mother Earth and nature through festive rituals and on the other hand we mourn what has been. Summer is over! At this time of the year, rigor is required, so that severity does not turn into brutality, because Metal that is too hard can be harmful. The return is implacable and necessary, it must be done with confidence and without violence.

We are pleased to be partnering with the CY School Design for a period of 3 months. The aim of this partnership will be to understand “How to enhance a Chinese approach to health”.

This course will be online and will consist of two parts on 1 December and 8 December from 5pm to 8pm. These courses will be aimed at women who have just given birth and will help them to have a simple diet, based on fortifying plants, while offering them postnatal recipes good for energy and vitality. The announcement of the course (in German) can be found here: https://zhong.ch/weiterbildungen-2/

Welcome to the Year of the Water Tiger! The lunar year started on February 1st, the solar year starts today! According to Chinese wisdom, the well-being and prosperity of human beings depend on their ability to tune into their environment and what the “present moment” offers. Since ancient times, the sages have considered that places condition us and time gives us the message to decide whether to move forward or to wait. Knowing how to choose the right place, turning at the right time towards the favorable wind remain the challenges of our lives! Places and times are full of information and influences, it is time for me to introduce you in detail to our guest of the moment: the Water Tiger! The Yang force of the year is Water! Strong Water, with a steady flow and potential. This Water is synonymous with communication, speaking, moving, and travelling. This means that it will manifest itself in our actions, it supports and governs our way of doing and especially our ability to say. The question that will arise is: – Do I have something important to say? – If so, how will I say it? – If Water is a favorable Element for you (according to your Ba-Zi) you will know how to rely on it. You will know what to say, to whom and when. Your innate wisdom will guide you. – If Water is not favorable to you, you must weigh your words carefully! When this Yang Water is appropriate, it will be expressed in wise words, steeped in knowledge and experience. In any case, many things will be said very openly, while not everything is useful or audible! Let’s sort it out! Let us listen to the quintessence! Besides this Yang Water, there is the Tiger which brings us its intrinsic Energy. Let’s look at its symbolism; With a keen eye, he can see and act with speed and power in order to proceed with sovereignty to the needs of the moment. The Tiger is a metaphor for power and determination. He takes the North-East place in the wheel of life of the 12 animals. It embodies the Energy of Spring and more specifically the Thunder, like an earth-quake. A tension can no longer be sustained and the storm rumbles, something must break, be released, in order to be converted into fertile rain. The already mentioned Yang Water contributes to this accumulation, which will reach its peak. A liberation in a way! Our Tiger stands for renewal, an exit from the depths into the light is coming. The Tiger carries two forces, Wood, and Fire, two Elements that were missing in 2021! Welcome back! Thank you for being back! Human warmth and creativity! Wood and Fire from the Tiger: How is this different from last year? The Metal Buffalo presented himself to us with strength and determination, the Metal was cutting into the Yin, into our bodies and intimacy. The Earth could stagnate! The Tiger brings us the Energy of Wood which translates into a new dynamic. Fertile ground for enthusiasm. This renewal will guide us towards new ideas and a know-how of “acting together” with benevolence. It is up to us to seize the opportunity! Benevolence is important because it is THE virtue associated with spring. It is the soil that makes the present moment fertile. This Wood Energy presents itself to us in two phases: firstly, the imagination and the dream. Let us take this gift to ask ourselves the right questions! As Nietzsche said: it would be useful to become oneself! The right moment to search for one’s true self is here. A good question is worth its weight in gold! A good answer will follow! Do you know what you dream of? Do you know what makes you vibrate? Are you able to draw, describe or write this dream? The Tiger Wood is very conducive to opening this window for us and once this Energy has been dusted off, we can look at its organization, the second phase of the Wood. So, in order to move towards the growth strategy of your life and your projects, you have to look at your inner space, your private museum so to speak. You are the creator of the 2022 exhibition, the time is right!  Nelson Mandela believed that a winner is just a dreamer who never gave in! The key to its realization lies in expressing it as clearly as possible. Will you be able to describe your personal growth strategy, or ‘pitch’ it as we say today? In a few words or a few gestures with your pencil? Another word on the influence of wood: a plant is strong when it can photosynthesize. To do this, it relies on the “little people” in the soil, on the biodiversity that offers it a “predigestion” of nutrients within the earth so that it can deploy its full capacity to store the sun. It has to be done together; the plant is in a way synonymous with a leader who knows how to work together. The year 2022 calls for the strength of the community, of the group, of the initiative “together”! We need to anchor our roots to the deepest waters to find the core values in which individuals will find security and value. The leader must be fully supportive of the community, wanting the good of all! Individuals must play their part in growing our lush forest. And everyone must be exemplary!! Let’s put in place structures that grow common projects in which individuals can flourish. Beware of division! It goes against the wood that wants to grow. In a forest everyone supports each other and those who want to go very fast towards the light are confronted with strong winds! It is the groupe which protects the rider, alone he is exposed to the weather. Let’s protect ourselves from the wind this year! To complete our analysis: we must speak of the Fire that