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In the first half of 2022, TAOS Academy’s 3rd Diamond Class reached its final lecture after 100 days of continuous learning! Before officially commencing the final class, Teacher Chou invited everyone to return to their original intentions and review whether they have achieved the goals set in the first lecture. At the same time, he guided and advised: Learning is like a marathon in life; even with the help of our peers, reminders from seniors, and advice from teachers, we still need to put in 75% of the effort. Even with the blessings of the gods, the results are limited if we do not take the initiative to fulfill our desires. We are the only ones who truly understand all the things that we want in life, and if we don’t put in the effort to pursue it, who else will do it for us?
It was delightful to see that when the students revealed the achievement rate of their goals for this period, the average rate was over 80%, and there were even a number of students who had achieved over 90%, with some who completely achieved their goals. This echoes the concept advocated by the teacher: "Faster Alone, Further Together". With the support and companionship of fellow students and seniors, many have persevered through these 100 days and achieved transformations beyond their imagination! Of course, Teacher Chou encouraged everyone not to stop here as life is an endless journey of learning. There are always new and undiscovered things in the world to explore and develop. Just like in this lecture, we need to learn to decipher life's profound insights from the perspective of physical and mental well-being!
For many people, illness and recovery are the first things that come to mind when talking about physical and mental well-being. Teacher Chou is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner himself, and from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, diseases and symptoms serve as mirrors that reflect our internal imbalances. The five internal organs of the body correspond to the five emotions. A person's pathological state can be traced back to their emotions, which is interrelated with their inner subconscious and systemic dynamics. Therefore, our body and mind are the simplest clues for self-awareness. A person may become accustomed to certain negative states and numbness over time, but they cannot escape the uncomfortable responses emitted by their own body. For instance, when the hand hurts, one cannot lift things, or when the head aches, one cannot think clearly. These signals are accumulated emotions that have been continuously reaching out to you, urging you to make adjustments and corrections so that the burdened and heavy heart can find its way back to equilibrium. Therefore, starting with the practice of mindfulness in body and mind - being aware of our thoughts and emotions, recognizing patterns of the mind, and understanding the dynamics of our inner system - can easily help you identify the hurdles in your life that you need to overcome. There is no need to ask the divine for guidance or seek advice from experts. All you need to do is to be calm, honest, and unconditionally accept and connect with your body and mind. During this time, many hints will appear. We can then identify the root causes, effectively engage in self-improvement, and unleash our inner drive by drawing from the collective wisdom of those who came before us. This makes it possible for us to revitalize and restore our health!
So what is the collective wisdom of our predecessors? It refers to the experiences and insights passed down by our ancestors. Teacher Chou has specifically integrated the systemic perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine and diseases, imparting the knowledge of many interconnected clues about the mind and body to everyone. For example, what effects will pain have on either suppressed or appropriate emotions? Anger, hatred, resentment, annoyance, and anxiety—how do they manifest in the body at different levels of emotional buildup? And how are common ailments like cardiovascular issues, hypertension, numbness in limbs, and gastrointestinal problems linked to the accumulation of these emotions and energies? As the Chinese saying goes, “If the roots are not removed during weeding, the weeds will grow again when the Spring breeze blows”. During the class, Teacher Chou repeatedly emphasized that addressing the root causes is the fundamental approach. If we do not address the root causes, all of the body's suffering will be in vain. When the energy accumulates and rebounds, the entire process will repeat itself, and the body's reactions are straightforward - once we become excessively distressed or troubled, symptoms will start to emerge.
Therefore, Teacher Chou constantly reminded everyone to focus on the root cause, and not get stuck in a cycle of focusing only on the external symptoms of illnesses. We need to understand the messages that the illnesses are conveying to us, and then delve into them to take care of our feelings and inner state. By altering behaviors that are already out of balance, diseases will naturally adapt as well. The focus is on our hearts. As we bring about inner changes, what’s on the external begins to transform. It is even more beneficial if we can allow the frequency of joy to enter our lives at this very moment, for joy is a wonderful healing force. A heart filled with joy remains free from illness. As for how to create joy, Teacher Chou has two core secrets, and this report will keep you guessing for the time being and leave it to those who are interested to find them out personally in the classroom! After explaining the intricate interplay between one's inner self and mind-body connection, Teacher Chou also explored the broader perspective of how the family system affects individuals and families on both the psychological and physical level. This often goes unnoticed by most people, but many illnesses are closely tied to family dynamics and family identification. Some even stem from generations of inherited dynamics. Are you now intrigued to learn more about this? Don't worry, this course report is nearly over, and we'll share this fascinating content in the next installment!
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