What it Really Means to Be Spiritual

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac.

What do you think of when you hear the word spiritual?

To many, ancient spiritual practices such as Yoga and Meditation give this word meaning. To others, the word spiritual may represent detaching from the challenges of the world to find a more peaceful existence.

One of the primary misconceptions that seems to turn a lot of people away from spirituality is that it’s always connected with religion.

Another misconception is that to lead a spiritual life, you have to forsake materialism and worldly desires. 

Living isolated in a cave doesn’t necessarily make you spiritual. 

In fact, the ultimate test for a spiritual life is the ability to cultivate that life in the midst of a society full of challenges. And each one of us can learn to live a more spiritual life.

It’s easy to retreat to the Himalayan mountains, meditate daily to center yourself and be (mostly) kind to the people around you. But can you maintain a sense of calm and inner quietude in the midst of morning traffic on your way to work or with a difficult friend or relative?

If the answer to that question is yes – at least more often than not  – then you’re living a spiritual life. And even if you can’t keep your cool but you’re aware of it and consciously trying to better yourself, you’re living a spiritual life.

The spiritual life challenges us each and every day. Can you look someone  in the eyes who’s yelling at you and feel a sense of compassion for him or her? Or do you take things personally and attack back? 

Dedication to a spiritual practice means nothing if you’re not implementing the teachings of those practices in your daily life.

A rise in our consciousness comes from the ability to be present in the moment and fully feel a sense of connection to our environment and others. Spirituality allows us to have a sense of connectedness with the soul, the spirit—our own as well as that of others. 

Kindness, compassion, presence, understanding—these are the pillars of spirituality. 

You can practice Yoga, Qi Gong and meditation every morning or pray in church, synagogue, mosque or temple weekly, but if you come home and yell at your spouse or kids every time you get triggered you’re in no way more spiritually cultivated than the person who doesn’t even believe in God, but can listen and be present with others unconditionally without reacting harshly or imposing their beliefs authoritatively on others. 

Of course, spiritual practices such as Yoga, Qi Gong, Meditation and prayer are powerful tools with which we can deepen our consciousness and sense of presence. 

When we sit quietly and tune into the rhythm of our bodies and minds, we cultivate a deeper sense of connectedness to our own needs, which then allows us to feel into and be present with others.

My father is one of the most spiritual people I’ve ever met. He also happens to be an atheist and is one of the least religious people I know. 

Having grown up in Iran in a very religious family, my father did a prayer ritual known as namaz up to five times a day until he went to college. He used to tell us the story of how things changed for him when he advanced his education and starting reading more. He came to the conclusion that religion was the underlying cause of most of the war and corruption throughout history. So, he stopped praying, gave up religion and became a political activist hoping to change the world, starting with his birth country in Iran through political consciousness.

Unfortunately, the 1979 Revolution in Iran only made matters worse by fully establishing an Islamic Republic that forged the country into a deeper struggle and religious oppression, endangering my family and forcing us to leave as political refugees.

Not only did the new government take away many of the people's basic human rights, but they also executed people who stood up for these rights, including several of my parents' closest friends.

You'd think that with such a traumatic experience my father would become angry, resentful and bitter. But the truth is that my father is one of the most peaceful, loving and selfless people I know.

His sense of compassion and nonjudgmental presence are inspiring and a true testament of what it really means to be spiritual.

When my husband Salvador first met my father, he saw right away how unconditional, kind and loving he authentically is, and immediately admired how my father embodies the spirit of deep patience. After 7 years, my husband's view of my father has never wavered. 

We all can learn to weave more conscious patterns into our lives. Here are 3 simple suggestions:

1. Listen authentically with a full sense of presence - turn off cell phones, computers and TVs and be there fully when someone is talking to you.

2. Take a moment at least every hour to breathe deeply and come into the moment - you can set a timer on your watch or cell phone to remind you to pause during every hour throughout the day.

3. Read ancient texts and philosophical books such as the Tao Te Ching or the writings of Chuang Tze. For a more modern Christian orientation, you can try reading A Course in Miracles. To cultivate living in the moment, the popular book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is quite helpful. Other influential authors that have written spiritually uplifting books include Marianne Williamson, Wayne Dyer, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Don Miguel Ruiz. These writers cover a variety of traditions and spiritual ideologies that provide wonderful spiritual food for the soul. Reading these synthesized ideas can help you cultivate living in the moment and connect you to the deeper meaning of life every day.

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Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. is Co-Owner and Director of A Center for Natural Healing in Santa Clara, California, a health and wellness clinic that specializes in Classical Chinese Medicine and Traditional Japanese Acupuncture. Setareh offers clinical services and transformational workshops that blend the ancient practices of Classical Chinese Medicine and Yoga. More information at www.setarehmoafi.com and www.acenterfornaturalhealing.com. 

Hope for CTE Part I: Healing our American Warriors with Classical Chinese Medicine

by Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

The recent publicity around the apparent pandemic of brain injury and the resulting problem of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has raised questions regarding how to help these individuals suffering with this progressive disease.

While Western Medicine has very limited treatment options, there is much evidence to indicate that Classical Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can contribute greatly in the reduction of symptoms and disease progression of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

The Impact of CTE on our American Warriors

Since the time of ancient Western civilization, society has been entertained and fascinated by the strength and exploits of the gladiator. Today, the persona of a gladiator can be found in our modern day athletes.

Historically, boxers were a strong representation of the gladiator and today the sport of cage fighting is the quintessential gladiator experience. Football, the most popular of all sports in the U.S., emulates men in battle. Football players garbed in armor and prepared to fight can also be viewed as today's gladiators.

These types of impact sports all share a risk; the risk of repeated trauma to the head. We've known about a fighter becoming "punch drunk" from repeated blows to the head and if the problem is chronic and progressive, the term Dementia Pugilistica was coined to refer to conditions of dementia following a boxing career.

Today medical science correlates "punch drunk" syndrome with the condition of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy that many former athletes of these sports are developing.

Afflicted individuals suffer with a progressive pattern of symptoms ranging from severe headaches, to brain fog, memory loss, dementia, mood disorders, anxiety and depression, motor impairment and even suicidal tendencies.

Brain research has shown that one of the reasons for the symptoms of CTE is related to lesions called neurofibrillary tangles that develop from denatured tau proteins due to hyperphosphorylation. A second type of brain lesion has been associated with CTE as well. These lesions called amyloid plaques form on neurons from denatured amyloid protein. The microtubules of nerve axons become damaged by these lesions. A nerve microtubule serves as a conduit for vital circulating substances involved in nerve transmission and also for transport of waste material back to the cell body for recycling.

As this mechanism of transport within the neuron’s microtubules degrades, so does the neurological function of the brain.

Image credit: Brian D'Cruz Hypno Plus

CTE is a progressive disease as lesions spread along these neuronal pathways and over time, in the late stages of this disease, the brain becomes noticeably shrunken due to a lack of circulation of vital nutritive substances.

War Veterans also Suffer from CTE

CTE can also develop without direct impact to the head. Autopsies have found CTE in WWII veterans who were likely exposed to repeated concussive impacts from artillery blasts. Some of today's war veterans suffering from similar brain deficits have also been found to be accumulating tau protein clusters associated with CTE.

Research using PET scans which now view the brains of living individuals has provided these insights. Dr. Geoffrey Ling, director of the Biological Technologies office at DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) recently commented on research done on living brains of 14 former athletes thought to have CTE and compared them with 2 former soldiers. The results were similar with tau protein clusters present in both types of subjects (LaMotte 2015).

There is one paradox with CTE patients. Not all people with a history of concussions and noticeable accumulations of tau protein in their brain are symptomatic.

It is unclear why some people are symptomatic and others are not. Research to further understand CTE is still in the early stages and treatment involving pharmaceutical drugs to reduce the damaging effects of tau protein lesions in the brain are still being developed as well. 

Hope for CTE with Classical Chinese Medicine

Considering Western medicine is still in the process of Research and Development for the treatment of CTE, the time is now to open our minds and look beyond conventional medicine for immediate solutions.

Having had personal success using Classical Acupuncture and herbal medicine for the treatment of brain injury following brain surgery, I have no doubt that Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) can serve as a viable system of treatment for CTE.

Herbal Medicine (including Essential Oil/Aromatherapy) is an important modality of Classical Chinese Medicine to help CTE. There are many plant substances that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to help resolve plaques and improve microcirculation of blood and fluids. In addition, recent research from Japan by Jimbo, et al. (2015) shows the profound benefits of essential oil therapy for reversing Alzheimer-related dementia.

Another important modality of CCM is Acupuncture as it can stimulate brain neurological function and potentially reduce the oxidative stress believed to be involved in the development of tau protein and amyloid protein accumulation. In this way, Acupuncture may help to reduce the progression of neurofibrillary tangles from developing.

A study by Parka, et al. (2003) showed that Acupuncture supports restoration of dopamine pathways which can potentially benefit both depression and motor deficits related to CTE.

The tremendous benefits of Acupuncture for post-stroke motor deficits due to brain ischemia is already well established. Research by Liu, et al. (2013) supporting the benefits of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's has also been established via a study in China that shows results were even better when Acupuncture was combined with eugenol. Eugenol is a chemical component of some essential oils that have shown significant benefit for cases of dementia.

Diagnosing Brain Pathology with Chinese Medicine

Classical Chinese Medicine has a complex methodology for diagnosing pathological processes in the body. One component of this system is based on differentiating the 6 Exogenous Causes that may be presented in each case. These are described as Wind, Heat, Cold, Damp, Summer Heat and Dryness.

There are also two other causes that need to be considered in the context of CTE which are Phlegm and Blood Stasis. An additional assessment is based on whether the condition is based on a Deficiency or Excess and in any chronic disorder there are mixed presentations where some factors are depleted (deficient) and other factors are in excess.

From a Western medical point of view, CTE is rooted in an excess of tau and amyloid protein accumulation. Since CTE develops from the spreading of these protein lesions in the brain, this pathology is an excess accumulation described as Phlegm in CCM.  It is also understood that the protein lesions are related to oxidative stress and the activation of enzymes that stimulate the hyperphosphorylation process. In CCM, this can be seen as a problem of Excess Heat. Since we know the substance of these abnormal accumulations is denatured proteins spreading throughout the neuronal network, we can surmise that CTE is ultimately rooted in a condition of Excess Hot Phlegm in the brain.

Where does this Heat and Phlegm come from and how is it generated? 

From a treatment standpoint, this is the most important question. In CCM, any excess heat pathology damaging the brain is coming from heat in the Stomach and/or the Liver and Gallbladder systems. 

The brain lesions found in CTE are likely formed from the body's innate compensation to control the excess heat (oxidative stress) with dampness and this response creates the pathology of phlegm. The combination of these factors creates the Hot Phlegm lesions. It is important to note that from this medical model, the greater the heat factor, ie. oxidative stress, the faster the progression of the disease. Furthermore, heat as an expression of a acidic terrain indicates the need of an alkalizing diet to control the inflammatory process underlying the spreading of brain lesions found in CTE.

Classical Chinese Medicine focuses on treating the person, not the disease.

Treatment protocols for Hot Phlegm in the brain have been well established for Acupuncture and Herbal medicine over many centuries of practice. It is important to note, however, in CCM, each individual needs to be assessed and treated independently based on their specific needs and diagnostic patterns. Even though Hot Phlegm may be diagnosed as the pathology, treatment for resolving the Hot Phlegm disorder will vary from person to person. With this said, standardized treatment protocols are best implemented with modifications to properly support a patient's unique clinical presentation. Otherwise, positive results will be compromised as well as a patient's health.

In conclusion, CTE is a disease Western medicine is still in the early stages of understanding and developing treatment. However, we need to find answers today as many people are suffering and lives are being traumatically impacted with some ending in suicide.

It’s time we explore alternative solutions  beyond conventional medicine.

Classical Chinese Medicine is a viable option with extraordinary healing potential. CCM offers a comprehensive system to treat the symptoms as well as the root causes underlying CTE to slow down its progression and improve quality of life today when it matters most.

Click here to read Part II of this series on CTE. 

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Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac. is the Founder & Co-Director of A Center for Natural Healing in Santa Clara, CA, where he specializes in Classical Chinese Medicine & is one of the leading US practitioners of Japanese Meridian Therapy, a rare non-insertion form of Acupuncture. More information at www.acenterfornaturalhealing.com. 

References:

1. LaMotte S. Could Veterans Have Concussion-Related CTE? CNN. Tue April 14, 2015. 

2. Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Inoue M, Urakami K. Effect of Aromatherapy on Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Psychogeriatrics - The Official Journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society. December 2009. Vol 9(4): 173-179.

3. Parka H, Lima S, Joob W, et al. Acupuncture prevents 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal death in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in the rat Parkinson's disease model. Experimental Neurology. March 2003. Vol 180(1).

4. Liu Z, Niu W, Yang X, Wang Y. Effects of Combined Acupuncture and Eugenol on Learning Memory Ability and Antioxidation System of Hippocampus in Alzheimer disease rats via olfactory system stimulation. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2013 June 15; 33(3): 399-402.

Understanding Yin & Yang in Your Body

by Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

At the core of Chinese Philosophy and Chinese Medicine is the fundamental principle of Yin and Yang. 

The concept of Yin and Yang is often attributed to the philosophical traditions of Daosim. This holds true for the theory of Five Elements as well. These major theoretical concepts were, however, all established by the School of Naturalism that predated Daoism. This school was also called the School of Yin and Yang. The first mention of Yin and Yang are found in the I Ching, a book of cosmology established by this school, dating back to 700 B.C.

The ideas of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements were established as theoretical principles in order to understand the cosmos and man’s relation to the cosmological forces found in nature. Yin and Yang are symbolized by the black and white divisions within a circle, indicating the circle of life and the movement of energy from one basic form into another.

As described in Chapter 1 of the Dao de Ching: "From nothing, came the one, the Ether that was the first Essence of life.  From the one, formed the two and from the two creates the myriad of all things."

This is how Yin and Yang are considered the fundamental principles of life and creation. 

Yin represents the substantial resources of life while Yang is the motivating force that works with these resources. Yang is about action, Yin is about substance. From the Chinese philosophical creation idea, first comes the force, the Qi, the Yang aspect creating a constrictive energetic field. As this constrictive field gathers, the condensation of gas creates the dust that densifies into matter. In this way, Yang initiates the formation of Yin. In other words, function creates form.

Prior to planetary matter were clouds of gas. Yang is the gaseous state, the Heaven. Yin is the state of particles creating matter, our Earth.

As the Earth forms, matter collects together into a sphere with its gaseous state contained within its center. The magmatic core found within the Earth equates to the core energetic center that is called the “Dan Tian” or “Elixir Field” in the body of humans. The Dan Tian, located below the navel, is the most powerful energetic force within the body that maintains optimal function and preserves the integrity of form.

When using the terms Yin and Yang to describe personality types, these definitions do seem contrary. For example, a Yin personality type is more constricted or constrained and in its extreme state an introvert whereas a Yang personality type is very expressive and in its extreme negative state rather manic or belligerent.

The more Yang, the more expressive and the more Yin, the more reserved. 

There are four basic principles of Yin and Yang. 

1. Yin and Yang are oppositional forces.

2. Yin and Yang are interdependent and cannot exist without the support of each other.

3. Yin and Yang are mutually creative as one energetic movement can transform into the other.

4. Yin and Yang are mutually consumptive forces as each will consume the other as it becomes over predominant.

These are the fundamental aspects of YIn and Yang that form the basis for understanding the forces influencing and shaping our selves and our lives. These principles of Yin and Yang are the basic building blocks that guide us to create balance in body and mind.

Yin relates to contraction and introversion, darkness, coldness, feminity and alkalinity.

Yang relates to expansion and expression, brightness, warmth, masculinity and acidity. 

If a person is too Yang, overactive and overstimulated with work, exercise, sex and drugs such as caffeine, cocaine, or energy drinks, this can lead to excessive heat in the body. Excessive heat or acidity in the body will burn the body out.

Over time, too much Yang will lead excess Yin as overactivity will create fatigue and lethargy. Hypo-metabolism will potentially result with lowered thyroid and adrenal function.

In this way, balancing activity (Yang) with rest (Yin) is essential to creating a balanced, healthy life.

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Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac. is Founder & Co-Director of A Center for Natural Healing in Santa Clara, CA, a wellness clinic that specializes in Classical Chinese Medicine & Japanese Meridian Therapy, a rare non-insertion form of Acupuncture. More information at www.acenterfornaturalhealing.com. 

What it Means to Be Healthy (and why it's easier than you may think)

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac.

“The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The topic of health can instigate a variety of feelings and responses. If you’ve ever struggled with your health, the word alone can be a trigger. 

You may even feel shame and guilt about your choices with your health or think that being healthy may be too costly. 

And quite frankly, with all the information that’s available about the topics of health and wellness, it can be challenging to know what to believe or even where to begin. 

By definition, health is “the condition of being well or free from disease.” But to be healthy means “enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit.” 

So, to be healthy is to be free from disease and have vigor of body, mind or spirit.

Note that the spirit is embedded in this definition, which is why we’re going to look at why being healthy is fostered through a deeper relationship with yourself. 

Having a healthy lifestyle does not mean letting go of all the fun and pleasure in life and it certainly doesn’t mean making healthy choices all of the time.

Being healthy simply means doing things that keep you feeling good physically, mentally and spiritually. 

The World Health Organization’s definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” illuminates just that.

We are all comprised of a physical body, a mind and a spirit. So why is it that most of us forget about at least one of these parts of ourselves throughout the day?

The most complicated element of the human experience is the mind—and it’s also the most difficult to condition. Luckily, if you notice that your mental state is imbalanced early on, you can use your physical body to reshape your thinking. Ancient practices such as Yoga, Qi Gong and Meditation are designed to help with this.

The ‘monkey mind’, as many of these ancient traditions call it, needs to be trained. Otherwise, the mind will run in all directions and lead you to the demise of both your physical body and your spirit.

But what if you have a problem with your body physically, perhaps as a result of an illness, an injury or some type of chronic pain? 

When your body suffers, you have two choices—you can dwell on the pain or dwell on the process of healing.

When you’re able to change the station that’s playing in your head to focus on healing, you can more effectively uplift your spirit to then help your body recover. This can be done through a variety of spiritual practices and very simply through the daily and routine practice of gratitude. 

Gratitude creates space for positivity and joy to flow into your life. 

The more you focus on the good you have, the more you magnify those things and begin to cultivate better things to come into your life. This is the fastest way to heal your body, which is a reflection of the health of your mind and spirit.

To be healthy then does not necessarily mean eating the right foods, exercising and sleeping well.

In its very essence, health is cultivated through a sound, peaceful and positive body, mind and spirit. 

Health is the state of ease you cultivate through an intimate relationship with your body and mind.

This means that you care about and pay close attention to both the body and mind. 

To pay close attention, you have to be fully present. 

When you’re present, you feel what you need and want in each moment and are therefore far less likely to make decisions based on impulse. 

When you’re present, you often choose nutritious foods because you’re in tune with the impact of food on your body and mind. 

When you’re present, you’re more more mindful of the people with whom you spend your time because you want to feel nourished by your relationships. 

When you’re present, you listen to the cues to exercise not because you feel you have to, but because you actually enjoy it. 

Paying close attention to your body and mind means being present with how you feel moment to moment, and this cultivates self-love. Self-love brings ease to the body, mind and spirit and prevents disease manifestation.

Self-love means that you care enough about yourself that you fill your life with the people, things, foods and activities you enjoy. 

It’s more important to have your life be fullfilling than to have it be full. 

For many of you this may mean that you do less, rest more and spend time in fewer yet more nurturing relationships and surroundings.

Tips on what foods will give you energy, which exercises are appropriate for your body, element and age, and which practices will help recondition your mind are certainly helpful.

But the truth is, no matter what I or anyone else tells you, the choice to be healthy must authentically come from you. 

And once you really slow down and pay close attention to yourself, the realization of a truly fulfilling life simplifies making healthy choices.

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Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. is Co-Owner and Director of A Center for Natural Healing in Santa Clara, California, a health and wellness clinic that specializes in Classical Chinese Medicine and Traditional Japanese Acupuncture. Setareh offers clinical services and transformational workshops that blend the ancient practices of Classical Chinese Medicine and Yoga. More information at www.setarehmoafi.com and www.acenterfornaturalhealing.com.