Tag: meditation

Affirmations and TCM

Affirmations are intentional statements we speak to influence our mindset and actions. When said with sincerity and conviction, they clarify what we want, reinforce our values, and help us move toward our goals.

Spoken affirmations are clear, specific statements—not wishful thinking. Repeating them daily helps embed them in the subconscious; over time, we start living as if they are true, and our actions follow.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also supports the use of affirmations. Practices like meditation and qigong combine breath and intention through affirmation to help move qi through the meridians, the body’s energy pathways.

Another approach, sometimes called “acu-affirmations,” pairs acupressure with affirmations: you apply gentle pressure to specific meridian points while speaking an affirmation. For example, massaging ST36 (Stomach 36)—a point below the kneecap on the outer lower leg—is commonly used in TCM to support energy, immune function, and digestion. While pressing the point, you might say, “I am energized,” or “I am healthy,” as part of a wellness routine.

How do we create affirmations? Choose statements that are specific and say them as if they are already true. For example, instead of “I exercise so I can be stronger,” say, “I am strong.” Instead of “I am getting healthier,” say with conviction, “I am healthy.”

Knowledge of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) along with affirmations can greatly benefit our health. Each element is linked to particular organs and emotions. Our organs’ health depends on what we eat and how we feel.

For example, our kidneys hold the emotion of fear. We can rub our kidneys, or move our hands over the kidney meridian, or even sit in meditation and visualize the energy flowing through the kidney meridian and saying, “I am secure and safe.”  Or, or a healthy kidney, we say, “My kidneys are healthy,” and visualize and “see” strong healthy kidneys.

Our liver holds the anger emotion, so we can place our hand on our liver to rub it gently, or move our hands following the liver meridian, or meditate and see the flow of energy moving over the meridian and heal the liver saying, “I am calm.  I am patient.”

Pairing affirmations with our TCM practice make sense. They are a powerful partnership because they reinforce positive possibilities in our conscious and subconscious minds. When we say affirmations aloud two to three times a day and trust the process—we become what we repeatedly believe and declare.

               I am strong. I am well. I am beautiful. I am healthy. I am kind and loving.

Finding Mental Clarity and Peace Through Meditation

Our mind is often cluttered by distractions coming from every direction—phones buzzing with constant updates, 24-hour TV news, and around-the-clock sports coverage.

Racing thoughts can overwhelm us, fueling stress and anxiety. We may feel drained, weak, distracted, and unmotivated. Without a daily pause to reset, the pattern can persist and erode our well-being and peace of mind.

We often refer to the “monkey mind” because we know how hard it can be to calm and clear our thoughts. Meditation is one of the most effective ways to create mental space and think more clearly. Each morning, sit quietly for 10–15 minutes. If possible, choose a consistent, quiet spot. If not, sit comfortably with your eyes slightly open, letting in a thin sliver of light.

Sit comfortably and bring your attention to your breath. As you inhale, let your abdomen expand; as you exhale, gently draw your navel toward your spine. Continue slowly, feeling your belly rise on the inhale and fall on the exhale. Yes—this is intentional: breathe in by expanding your abdomen like a balloon, and breathe out by drawing it in.

Take slow, steady breaths and focus on your abdomen as it rises and falls. This deep breathing can reduce stress and quiet the mind, creating a sense of “space.” Chogyal Rinpoche—a spiritual leader, meditation master, and humanitarian—says, “During meditation a space is created within the subconscious mind: say 20%.” He adds that space is “…mindfulness, that space itself is compassion for others, that space itself is wisdom.”

Meditation deepens our understanding, clarifies our beliefs, and strengthens critical thinking. When we don’t make time and space to think, we lose opportunities for self-reflection and hinder intellectual growth. Quiet moments also improve focus and concentration—skills essential for making sound decisions.

Mr. Rinpoche also says that “Meditation gives the mind the space it needs to (re)discover the natural balance, goodness, and discernment that have always been there for the asking.” In today’s world, we pay close attention to what we eat and drink and how food affects our bodies. With the constant stream of technology and information, we should be just as mindful of what we feed our minds—because our thoughts alone can increase stress in the body. Now more than ever, it’s important to practice meditation to clear the mind.

Tai chi and yoga are forms of moving meditation that help you create the mental space needed to stay centered, supporting clarity and peace of mind.

Whether you’re seated or moving, breathe slowly and deeply. Notice the “space” between your thoughts—and let it bring you peace.