The wind suggests movement and is felt but not seem, until it interacts with a stationary object, like a tree, or a mountain, or the ocean. Science explains it as an outcome of processes by which gradients (temperature, pressure) are eliminated. Traditional systems of medicine recognize it as a powerful influence on both human and societal health, with both gentle and terrifying aspects. When the wind enters our bodies, it is disruptive and becomes a pathogenic influence.
How does Internal Wind (TCM) manifest in the human body, and in Society?
As a Yang pathogen, Wind is a manifestation of damage to the Yin or material compartment‒ e.g., body fluids, Blood, muscles-tendons-ligaments ‒ of the Body. This concept can be extended to the social sphere, e.g., a fraying of the societal fabric, and manifests when people feel trapped and unable to escape societal pressures / overstimulation. Internal Wind is a manifestation of patterns characterized by Excess Yang, Deficient Yin.
From the physio-psychological and sociobiological perspectives, conditions like rash-hives which affect the skin, conditions like Bells’ Palsy, tics-tremors and seizures, which affect the musculoskeletal system, manic behaviors and spontaneous outbursts of violence suggest Internal Wind derived influences. As with earthquakes, they are gradient decreasing/eliminating processes.
Western biomedical models‒ long recognized for their sociocultural impoverishment and lacking a theoretical framework with regard to the management of many chronic and resistant conditions known as ‘syndromes’‒ call for more drugs, at public expense, to redress societal imbalances. When the adverse effects of these drugs manifest as conditions similar to the pathologies that they are trying to manage, we recognize their fundamental helplessness.
We have a long way to go, to learn how to protect our Yin‒ our bodies’ infrastructure.
***
Restoring Yin, Finding Balance
Wind ‒ A Yang External Pathogenic Influence (Part 2)
As noted earlier, Internal Wind is a term used in Chinese Medical Theory to discuss clinical patterns characterized by Excess Yang, Deficient Yin. An excellent source for Yin-Yang Theory, albeit somewhat abstract, is the treatise known as the Book of Changes , Yi Jing (Yijing, I Ching). We want to look at its analysis from a scientific rather than divinatory perspective, exploring the complementary duality that is at the root of the taijitu, ☯, the entangled and intertwined dark (Yin, broken line) and white (Yang, solid line) circular meme known in Chinese martial arts, medicine, and philosophy.
We start with the trigrams, a set of 8 symbols built using a stack of three lines, either solid (Yang) or broken (Yin). Of special interest are the symbols (combinations) involving 3 Yang (solid) lines, ☰ representing Heaven (Qian) and the one with 3 Yin (broken) lines, ☷ representing Earth (Kun).
The next step is consideration of the symbols that emerge when the middle lines in these two symbols are exchanged with their complement. The trigram with a broken line sandwiched between two solid lines, i.e., Yin within Yang, ☲ is Fire (Li). Think of it as a log (Yin) feeding the fire. The trigram with a solid line sandwiched between two broken lines, i.e., Yang within Yin, ☵ is Water (Kan). The mysteries of Kan, and its clinical applications, are what we will explore, to restore Internal Harmony.
Yin is silent, receptive, and yielding, somewhat like Water, when contained. Get Kan moving, however ‒ i.e., manifest the Yang within the Yin ‒ and we see a totally different aspect. Release powerful forces, as demonstrated by environmental changes unleashed by Global Warming.
Clinically, to restore Balance and Internal Harmony, we need to move , i.e., regular physical exercise. Chi Kung techniques, dancing, stretching + breathing (e.g., Yoga), and walking can all help prevent dis ease.
Movement with Intent (Yi), directs the Chi, our bodies’ electrochemical bioenergy, and prevents the accumulation, and outbursts, of Internal Wind.
Be Well.