Suwen, Chapter 2

Siqi Tiaoshen Lun  'Great Treatise on the Four Seasons and the Regulation of Shen (神)'

"The three months of summer are called 'flourish and bloom' (夏三月此謂蕃秀).Between heaven and earth, within the (space) of the qijiao, the ten thousand things exhibit their fullness and glory (夏三月此謂蕃秀天地氣交萬物華實). Retire as the night falls and arise in the early morning (夜臥早起). Do not meet the day with a sour disposition, allow your will to be without anger (無厭於日使志無怒). Cultivate excellence and bring forth what is magnificent and beautiful (使華英成秀). Allow your qi to open and display your love to the world (使氣得泄若所愛在外). In this way align yourself and be sustained by the qi summer (此夏氣之應養長之道也). Acting contrary to this brings harm the heart."

With a still mind, and an open heart, we allow ourselves to flourish, in the time of blossoming: Summer time. The time for Heart Qi , the SHEN, to flourish . Allow the fullness to fill you, and relax in its joyfulness.

WINTER

The best of winter be its frosty mornings, and dewy leaves, be it with or without sunshine! Each season has its beauty, as in our lives, in each decade, being seasonal too, brings new perceptions on what we already thought we perceived so well. We change. We grow.
At the heart of the writings of, ancient Daoist masters, it is said that to maintain a good health and a joyful state of mind, in what can be a hectic and challenging life, if we follow natures lead, and changes, we are sure to master the art of health and happiness.
As we stoke the hearth fire to keep warm, we also need to keep our inner fire warm. Our hearts emotions keep our emotional wellbeing full of love, which is joy, and so we find ourselves in the festive season. The warmth in the winter
Here and now we should find time to rest, before we set ahead for a new year.
Winter is the time to gather our physical energies, also our Qi, to refresh our thoughts for creative contemplation and focus, and to enjoy the best of this season.
How can we do this?
Please see my Philosophy Today Blog , top right hand, top of page, blog options, for best results; seen then as Start the Day as you mean to go on and Prevention orientated Top tips –

AUTUMN

" In ancient times people who understood the Tao (the way of self cultivation) patterned themselves on the yin and yang (the two principles in nature) and they lived in harmony...." Yellow Emperor Classic of internal medicine.

In these modern days we too also aim to align ourselves with the great currents in the Cosmos, which are the seasons.