Lews Info (lews-info) (www.lews.info)

Survival of Life: Einstein and Hawking

2011-12-03T12:32:00.004+08:00

Survival of Life: Einstein and Hawking

My family and I were at a vegetarian restaurant a month ago and I came across a quote that got my attention very much. It was actually printed on the restaurant menu, most likely to convince people to try out vegetarinism. Is it powerful and convincing enough? And how it got my attention that much? Simply because it's quoted from Albert Einsterin and it goes:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." - Albert Einstein

And I went online to check if it's truly from Albert Einstein and, it seems it is; Many websites acknowledge that but none so far gives the detail source of the quote. A few more checkings show that many websites and organisations have used the quote for encouraging vegetarian diet or simply kept it as their quote database. I was thinking how I could make the quote more marketable and meaningful.

So I decided to highlight the two aspects in the quote:

1. Human health: Basically the statement means if we take vegetarian diet, our health will be kept very optimal. Vegetarianism is the number one contributing factor to good health and guess what, nothing else beats that, i.e., if you believe in Mr. Einstein's wisdom.

2. Chances for survival of life on earth: Are human beings and other life forms going to survive on earth? Are we using science and technology for creation or destruction? Are we living in harmony with all creatures? Is our enviroment getting better or getting worse? Has the earth got enough resources for everybody to live materialistically happy? Why do we seem to pollute our mother earth all the time?... How will vegetarian diet do good for survival of life? Again, if you have faith in Mr. Einstein, vegetarianism is also the number one helping factor to survival of life on Earth.

To put it in short, if you are a person who care about your health and our mother Earth, come and become a vegetarian.

And interestingly enough, Stephen Hawking wrote about survival of human beings on Earth roughly 2 weeks ago:

“We are entering an increasingly dangerous period of our history. Our population and our use of the finite resources of planet Earth are growing exponentially, along with our technical ability to change the environment for good or ill. But our genetic code still carries the selfish and aggressive instincts that were of survival advantage in the past. It will be difficult enough to avoid disaster in the next hundred years, let alone the next thousand or million." And he continued: “Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain lurking on planet Earth, but to spread out into space."

Mr. Hawking is talking about survival of human life from the physical perspective, I presume. Venturing out into outer space helps create more resources for human consumptions. When more resources are available people will be busy venturing out rather than fighting over limited resource back home on Earth. But it most likely doesn't help with the 'selfish and aggresive instincts' of human beings. As long as this 'selfish and aggressive instincts' are still with us, we'll always use force to solve conflicts and problems. And 'it will be difficult to avoid disaster' in the remote future too.

Many people believe, and I believe, that vegetarian diet helps cultivate love for all living beings, thus helps diminishing 'selfish and aggressive instincts'. It's all so important to recognise the root cause: the selfish and aggressive instincts of human beings. Thank you, Mr. Hawking.

Mr. Einstein and Mr. Hawking have both provided their insights and solutions as to the survival of life on Earth. Mr. Einstein's approach seems covering all life forms and more of a change of personal actualization; whereas Mr. Hawking's idea is more outward and in line with scientific adventure.

If you ask me (well, nobody asks though, ha!), I'll say: "What about both? And many others too." Many times we human beings are looking for just one answer to a complex question and situation. There are many methods and approaches to solve many things. I'm sure many people are quietly and brilliantly doing their parts for the people and mother Earth they love.

We should all become vegetarians to preserve more natural resources and protect all life forms.

And at the same time some of those more adventurous people will go to the outer space for resources on other planets. There is no contradiction whatsoever.

PS: --------------------------------

+) Albert Einstein (1879-1955), widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century and a lifelong promoter of peace, who said, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” On a similar note he stated, “Our task must be to [widen] our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” And on the day he became a vegetarian, Einstein wrote in his diary, “So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way. It always seems to me that man was not born to be a carnivore.” - Info from the Florida News Group, USA

+) Mr. Hawking's excerpts published by the Winnipeg Free Press: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/human-survival-depends-on-space-exploration-says-stephen-hawking-134135238.html

+) More about Stephen Hawking at here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking

+) “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” - Albert Einstein. I find this quote very amusing and can't help laughing after reading it for the first time and everytime! I'm laughing because it's very sure that human beings are stupid and those that are smart enough will know that humans are stupid; these smart people are humans too and therefore stupid too. And those that are stupid will believe they are very smart indeed. Human beings' stupidity is infinite! Ha ha!

Moon is here

2011-11-30T14:08:00.008+08:00

Moon is here.

Welcome to the jungle Earth, Moon. To be exact, 刘(LEW) 歆月(Xinyue) Moon, welcome to the chaotic life!

On November 15th, 2011 my wife and I welcomed the arrival of our baby daughter Moon. It was in a way as exciting as the arrival of Rain, Moon's elder sister by 2 years plus. But my wife said I seemed to be more care-free this time. Probably with a bit more experience, people become less anxious; so did I. Anyway, I'm equally thankful to all beings who make this happen. The forces of the universe work in a way that deserve respect and much must be learned so that we live in line with the messages of life.

Moon's arrival inspired me to write about Jaundice and the importance of confinement in certain ladies. I hope very soon I will be able to have time to write about the two topics. There seems to be some different views about how yellow jaundice comes about, physiologically or pathologically. As for confinement, many people may not realize how different human bodies can be from one race to another. So some say it's necessary to consolidate the body and some say no need. I say confinement is very necessary, yet the details differ depending on one's body type.

Looking back the past 2 years since Rain was born, I realized I still make mistakes. And some very big mistakes! I thought nearing 40 should be a good age nothing stirs my mind anymore; but it's not like that at all. I'm still being controlled by my emotional changes, hormonal raging and old bad habits. And things I said and wrote about improving myself as a son and husband and brother didn't materialize well. Still much hard work has to pour in.

Moon, and Rain, it's a much harder world than we think it is. Having said that though, let's admit the mistakes and vow never to repeat them again. Let's all calm our minds and do the right things right!

Bravo!

Thank you.

John LEW

Releasing lives gets fortune

2011-10-31T20:12:00.021+08:00

Releasing lives gets fortune

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/Releasing-lives-gets-fortune-100-sparrows.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/Releasing-lives-gets-fortune-100-sparrows.html

******************************** ********************************

One hundred sparrows: Benefits of protecting lives

During the Qing dynasty in the city of Jing Kou, Jiang Su province, China, lived a ministry councilman, Fan.

One day, Mr Fan got back home excitedly.

Mr Fan: "Chun Mei, is madam's illness getting better today?"

Chun Mei: "Madam isn't eating anything at all."

Mr Fan: "Oh!... Never mind, tell madam I'll be seeing her soon."

Chun Mei: "Yes, master."

Shortly after, 5 cages of sparrows were sent in by a bird shop.

Mr Fan: "A-Cai, bring these sparrows to the backyard."

A-Cai: "Yes, master."

A-Cai was wondering: "Why is master buying so many sparrows?"

After which Mr Fan rushed to see his wife in her room.

"Sweetheart! Good news! Dr Wang told me a secret ingredient of treating Lung TB this morning," said Mr Fan excitedly.

"He taught me to make medication from brain marrows of 100 sparrows, and to be consumed in 21 days."

"Then your illness will all be healed."

"I've already bought 100 sparrows and they're at the backyard now."

After hearing what her husband said, Mrs Fan got up angrily.

She started talking but can't help coughing breathlessly:

"In order to save my life, that's to sacrifice the lives of 100 sparrows."

"Hmm!" Mr Fan exclaimed.

Mrs Fan: "I'd rather die of the illness than to do this."

"Chun Mei, help me to the backyard."

Chun Mei: "Yes, madam."

Mr Fan: "Sweetheart, what are you doing?!"

"I just don't want 100 sparrows die because of me," said Mrs Fan.

Chun Mei helped Mrs Fan to the backyard; Mr Fan followed closely.

Mr Fan: "Sweetheart, please don't be angry. Okay, I promise I won't kill them."

Mrs Fan: "No. I have to set them free myself or I'll be worrying about them."

Mrs Fan opened the cages and talked to the sparrows with full of compassion: "Go fly! Go fly! Don't let people catch you again."

One hundred sparrows flew out from cages, chirping loudly and cheerfully.

Mrs Fan saw them leaving; and her face smiling.

They all witnessed the magnificent vibrancy of life forms.

Mr Fan was a bit disappointed:

"Sweetheart, let's get in the house, or you'll get cold again.”

“Please take a good rest. I'm going to the doctor for other medication.”

Mrs Fan: “Hmm, thank you.”

But Mr Fan was worried there might not be better medication to treat her wife.

“Chun Mei! Take special care of madam!”

Chun Mei: “Yes, master.”

As time went by, surprisingly, Mrs Fan got better and was eventually completely healed.

Furthermore, she gave birth to a baby boy the following year.

Mr Fan: “Ha! Look at this baby, smart look with clear eyebrows and sparkling eyes, he must be somebody one day.”

Mrs Fan: “Darling, you see here. There is a birthmark on his arm. Does it look like a sparrow?”

Mr Fan: “Ya! It's so much like a sparrow!”

And Mr Fan said, thoughtfully: "Sweetheart! Do you remember what we did with some sparrows 2 years ago?"

Mrs Fan: "Of course I do."

Mr Fan: "Did this baby come as a result of your kindness to living beings?"

Mrs Fan: "Maybe!"

"I deeply believe in "Accumulate-kindness-one's-family, sure-have-extra-celebration". We must do more good deeds from now on."

The couple looked deeply at the baby in their hands. And they smiled happily.

******************************** ********************************

积善之家，
必有余庆。

ji shan zhi jia,
bi you yu qing.

Accumulate-kindness-one's-family,

sure-have-extra-celebrations.

A family that accumulates good deeds will always have extra good health, wealth and happiness.

******************************** ********************************

人人咸欲达期颐，
不必寻思觅巧医。
戒杀放生若作得，
愈汝顽疾添麟儿。

ren ren xian yu da qi yi,
bu bi xun si mi qiao yi.
jie sha fang sheng ruo zuo de,
yu ru wan ji tian lin er.

Men women all desire reaching expected health,
No need search worry look-for talented doctors.
Abstain killing freeing lives if doing so,
Cure your tough illness getting kirin baby.

Everybody wants to heal and cure their illnesses fast and have a healthy body. There is no need trying so hard to look for talented doctors. If you can stay away from killing living beings and promote freeing lives, you can then cure your illnesses and even be able to bear intelligent and beautiful children.

******************************** ********************************

The message is simple:

Be kind to animals and all living beings,
good fortunes will bestow on you.

Whenever possible, spare and release lives.
Good fortunes and more lives will come back to you.

******************************** ********************************

PS:

+) Contributors: Story adapted by 慧长(Hui Zhang); comics drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu); Comic version presented in 护生漫画集 (Hu Sheng Man Hua Ji, Protect-Lives-Casual-Drawing-Collection or Protection for living beings). English translation by www.lews.info.

+) Story: adapted from 故事图说(Gu Shi Tu Shuo; Past stories illustration narration).

+) Quote: "Accumulate-kindness-one's-family, sure-have-extra-celebrations." is from "积善之家,必有余庆." in the book of 周易(Zhou Yi) or 易经(Yi Jing), more known as "I Ching" in the west; an ancient philosophical book in Dynasty Zhou, BC 1066 - BC 256.

+) Names of people/places/events involved: 范(Fan), 清朝(Qing Chao; Qing dynasty, 1644-1911), 京口(Jing Kou) city, 江苏(Jiang Su) province, 放生得福(Fan Shang De Fu; Releasing-lives-gets-fortune).

+) Right and wrong? To seek help or not? It seems I'm going to be in trouble by translating and publishing the poem here in my blog; it will then mean I agree to what it says about not necessary to look for good doctors for medical complications. The fact is that I believe in doing the right things right. The right thing to do in this story is we must not kill the sparrows for their brain marrows as medication. All lives are precious; it's not like we can take others' lives to save ours (Even if we can, that's a bigger price to pay ahead). And the other right thing to do is to seek for medication which is herbal based or which we don't harm living animals. Therefore, at the time we're looking for medical help, we need to ask ourselves: "Am I doing the right things right?" If the initial approach has been wrong and inhumane, how can we expect the outcome be right and beneficial to humanity?

Mid Autumn and Mid Spring

2011-09-16T19:59:00.010+08:00

Mid Autumn and Mid Spring

This time of the year the northern hemisphere is celebrating the period of mid autumn. The Chinese celebrates it on the 15th day of the 8th traditional farming calendar month (A bit like the lunar calendar too). The west will be welcoming the mid autumn roughly on late September. And I suppose many parts of the world where farming is still of importance will happily welcome the mid autumn in different ways and similar time. After all, everyone enjoys harvest during autumn time.

Seasonal change takes place roughly the same time everywhere. And seasonal change is such an important part of traditional farming.

Down at the southern hemisphere, few weeks down the road is the mid spring time. Not sure if there are many people celebrating it. It's more like a forgotten role yet most people are busy pruning and planting seeds ahead of this time to take advantage of the season's great potential growth.

Autumn is the harvesting time; spring is the cultivating time. The mood, of course, will be very different. Comparing to one's life span, it's like seeing someone appreciating harvest at the age of 55 and some others adventuring into adulthood at the age of 15.

So it takes turn. The teenager eventually will grow into 50s and 60s. And the elderly uncle will shred his piece of old body and move on to some other realms? And coming back as new born creature? That is, if you believe in reborn or reincarnation...

Spring, then summer, then autumn, then winter. Then what's next? Spring again... summer again, and the cycle goes on and on. It's been like this probably as long as lives existed. So it seems living creatures do come and go...

And we celebrate all things seasonal every year too.

Hmm...

What am I trying to say? I guess what I'm trying to bring across is: Things come and things go in a pattern of cycles. We human beings need to recognize them and live according to the law of nature. Ha.

Oh, before I really truly forget, some people believe the ultimate goal is to break free from the cycle of lives; to be free from seasonal change, for example. Ha.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PS: Many times I myself don't know what and why I'm writing on something. This piece is most likely one of those. Thank you so much for your time.

Ants move house

2011-07-21T13:26:00.007+08:00

Ants move house

This is children's naughty act? Small stools lined up as road barriers blocking pedestrians? Or some sorts of children games? The boy and the girl use stools acting like daytime soap series? For behaviours of children, many adults who are busy making a living usually don't care, don't notice, don't understand about what children do.

Oh you, busy walking by, please bend down your body and take a good look. Underneath the row of stools is a team of living life force full of discipline and marching spirits. Ants are moving family/house! Up front are leaders with sharp destination in mind; no distractions get in the way. And follow by soldier ants of strong forces, many of whom carry heavy loads of grains.

These two children are setting up corridors from stools in order to protect the ants crossing the middle of the street safely. In the world of tens of thousands of climatic scenarios, there are many 'normal scenes' which get ignored by human beings. And thus many small and minute lives get jeopardized. In the journey of life, the weak life forms need to be protected. And that the sacred hearts of children, and children's behaviours that are full of love and care, need more nurture and encouragement!

Please praise and encourage children games such as this one that helps ants move house!

NOTE:
+) Comic: Comic drawn by the late Mr. 丰子恺 / 豐子愷 (FENG Zi Kai) in his book 《护生画集》; hu sheng hua ji; Protecting-lives-drawing-collections. Original writing in the comic: 蚂蚁搬家, Ma-Yi Ban Jia, "Ants Move Family/House".
+) Writing: Original writing in Chinese edited by 宋慧燕 (SONG Hui Yan), Sin Chew Plus， July 20th, 2011, of Sin Chew Daily, a Malaysian daily newspaper in Chinese language.
+) Translation: By John Lew, trying to keep the original tones and grammar patterns intact.

Materialism versus Idealism

2011-06-30T15:34:00.009+08:00

Materialism versus Idealism

Life's short. Time passed fast. Before Johnny knew it, he had to, in a way, decide if he should opt for the passion of his life, which was music, or the cruel reality of sustainable living, in a big monetary city.

In fact, he wasn't given a choice. Coming from a relatively underprivileged family meant that he could only give in to the reality.

He would have very much liked to strive for a balance. He tried, but he was too young to be skillful in it. He failed miserably. In the end, he became so stressful and turned insane...

... ...

Stress is a phenomena taking place everywhere, all the time. We should learn to understand how it arises and deal with it.

Do you know how your stress comes around? The nature of it? And what are your solutions?

Note:
Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

Six patterns not treatable

2011-05-31T14:33:00.016+08:00

In my practice of traditional medicine, I've come to realize quite many factors are involved in the recovery of sickness and illnesses. We all know there are many illnesses and sicknesses about body of human beings. How diseases develop and change is getting more and more complicated. Methods to treat or cure, however, are not that many and far reaching. Therefore if factors such as attitude, mindset, living lifestyle, diets and others can be of positive and appropriate ones, recovery of course will turn out to be better, and faster.

If certain factors are not cooperative, it will be difficult to help/treat/cure...

According to 扁鵲(Bian Que), there are six scenarios/situations/patterns in which it's not easy to treat and must be approached with great care:

Title: 六不治, Liu Bu Zhi, Six-(patterns/traits)-not-(easily)-treatable

+++++++++++++++++++++++

驕恣不論於理，一不治也；

輕身重財，二不治也；

衣食不能適，三不治也；

陰陽并，藏氣不定，四不治也；

形羸不能服藥，五不治也；

信巫不信醫，六不治也。

有此一者，則重難治也。

+++++++++++++++++++++++

In PinYin pronunciation:

1. Jiao Zi Bu Lun Yu Li, Yi Bu Zhi Ye;

2. Qing Shen Zhong Cai, Er Bu Zhi Ye;

3. Yi Shi Bu Neng Shi, San Bu Zhi Ye;

4. Yin Yang Bing, Zang Qi Bu Ding, Si Bu Zhi Ye;

5. Xing Lei Bu Neng Fu Yao, Wu Bu Zhi Ye;

6. Xin Wu Bu Xin Yi, Liu Bu Zhi Ye.

You Ci Yi Zhe, Ze Zhong Nan Zhi Ye.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Arrogant attitude not rationalized on truth, one not (easily) treatable thus;

2. Ignore body emphasize money, two not (easily) treatable thus;

3. Clothes diets not able suitable, three not (easily) treatable thus;

4. Yin Yang conflict, organs energy not stable, four not (easily) treatable thus;

5. Shape weak can not take herbs, five not (easily) treatable thus;

6. Trust witchcraft not trust medicine, six not (easily) treatable thus;

Got any one these, then hard difficult treatable thus.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Explanations/Interpretations:

1. People who are arrogant, stubborn and spoilt and who refuse to be rational; it's not easy to treat them. These people may not cooperate in changes of lifestyle and diets. And their mindset so strongly fixed it's hard to share with them some other useful perspectives. Some could have been taking modern chemicals for many years and walk in to ask if the traditional medicine can 'fix' their chronic illnesses in two weeks, for example. Some always believe branded names and luxurious presentations; many ended up over doing surgery or operations, and some having their organs removed at some 5-star public-listed hospitals. And after which they turn to traditional medicine for help after all the invasive and removal surgeries... And many times they expect the side effects or the original illnesses can be 'fixed'in two weeks..., for example. For such people, with lack of rationale, it's not easy to treat them.

2. People who ignore their bodies but emphasize on making money; it's not easy to treat them. There are quite a number of people who craze with materialistic possessions to the extend they may not know the value behind physical possessions and therefore they don't know how to use money as tools for something more useful than physical world. Being too busy with making money and thus having too little time to listen to their bodies need (or family's or friends' need) is always a problem itself. There are also some people who are too stingy to spend money on medical need; an extra figure in their banks make more sense than a healthy body. For such people, a discount of 50 percents of the medical cost may be more helpful than the actual treatment itself. For such people, who don't know the true value of monetary sense, their illnesses are difficult to treat.

3. People who don't wear appropriate clothing or eat proper diets and herbs (and live a proper lifestyle); it's not easy to treat their diseases and illnesses. Revealing too much body parts can be more prone to windness and coldness, especially during autumn and winter, for example. People are also conditioned to take cold and icy drinks; and some women don't bother to reduce them before and during menstruation and thus menstrual pain and some pre-menstrual syndrome persist, for another example. Some work in the evening and at night shifts; the body clock has some hard time adjusting to activity at night. People who work at night will bound to have heaty liver and low immune system. Some inappropriateness is due to ignorance, some due to free will to indulgence, some due to the hardship of making ends meet...

4. People whose body have conflicts in Yin and Yang, plus whose energy of internal organs isn't stable; it's not easy to treat them. There are people with lots of conflicts among internal organs in terms of physical substances and functionality. And some organs can be weak too from chronic battles with illnesses and with each other. It's analogous to a person whose family members are fighting each other and lots of enemies outside too. It's chaotic and it's obviously a difficult situation. When the equilibrium between physical substances and their functionality is broken, plus the invasion of external pathogens, it's difficult to treat the problem.

5. People whose body are too weak to take herbs; it's not easy to treat them. This happens to people whose stomach and spleen functions are so weak they can't help to take it and digest and absorb the efficacy of foods or herbs. It'll take a very long time to treat such cases. It can be equally long to use acupuncture/tuina to treat because the body, too, reacts very slowly to external stimulants into the body. For such people, they have to start taking very original, simple and organic foods to have a good start to recover their spleen and stomach functions, before other organs can benefit from it.

6. People who believe in witchcraft but not in medicine; it's not easy to treat them. There are people who believe much more in deities or spirits, be they up there in heaven or down there in hell. Even though I talk about the relationship of body, mind and soul with my patients, I tend not to get into the soul part. I believe we are who we are by the way we think, talk, interact, and act with choice. And therefore we should just do our parts well on earth. There are situations, however, I do share my thoughts on souls with someone I suspect involves beyond physical or mental problems.

For anyone who's found to have one of the scenario, it's quite difficult to treat and must be approached with great care.

In short, those that aren't rational and don't take care of their bodies well are not easy to treat.

If I may add some of my own ideas of 'difficult cases' or 'not-easily-treatable cases', I'd say:

7. People that indulge themselves in desires (Seeing beauty, tasting great foods, smelling sweet scents, hearing sexy voices, touching softness and sophistication) especially the sexual pleasure; it's not easy to treat their illnesses. All indulgence in senses exhaust energy, depending which organs is more responsible over which senses. Over activity in sex reduces original kidney qi, the kidney energy, which is the ultimate reservoir of all energies. When it's not sufficient, all functions of other organs go down dramatically.

8. People who want only fast relief or simple ways out; it's not easy to treat their medical problems. Fast reliefs are usually symptomatic relief, they hardly target on the real internal problems that give rise to the illnesses. Similarly, people who are impatient or just look for 'miraculous' cure; it's difficult to help either.

9. People who have yet to find a balance of things and issues; it's not easy to treat their diseases. These people tend to blame most things on others and create unnecessary conflicts and dismays in life. They may also over worry or be lustful over materialistic items. There are also people who think they can plan most things like 20 years ahead but then ignore how to live to the fullest these very days. When a balance isn't there, the mind will be occupied by tedious things in life and lose her main direction. Mind is more powerful than the body... in a way. Please strive to strike a balance of things and issues.

10. The list goes on; but the not-so crucial ones let's not worry about them. And some of them overlap too. Remember, live at this very moment.

Now, do we still wonder why there are so many difficult-to-treat illnesses in the world?

Or care to shed your own ideas of how things can be better dealt with?

PS:

- The writing's from 六不治(Liu Bu Zhi; Six-Not-Treatable) of 扁鵲(Bian Que), recorded by 司馬遷(SiMa Qian) in his historical records of 《史記》(Shi Ji; History Record; Historical and literature records from roughly 3000 B.C. to 122 B.C., in China). According to what Mr. SiMa wrote, Bian Que lived during the era of 春秋(Chun Qiu; Spring Autumn; 770 B.C. - 476 B.C.), practiced medicine in countries of 齊(Qi) and 趙(Zhao). Bian Que's stories span a time frame of a few hundred years (A debate questioned by many scholars to be comprising of many reasons). A small section of the the book 《史記》 recorded Bian Que's exceptional (and miraculous and unbelievable) therapeutic skills.

- The Chinese characters are in old/complicated versions to reflect the original feel.

Treating Illnesses and diseases with herbs and acupuncture

2011-05-01T14:43:00.010+08:00

Illnesses and diseases that I treat with herbs and acupuncture

Some patients have been asking why I don't have a page of medical services available for reference. They'd like to refer to some 'list of illnesses' treatable well with herbal or acupuncture medical treatments. I remember I once wrote a page of diseases recognized by WHO to be treatable with acupuncture a long while ago.

And so I decided to write a page of diseases I treat in my clinical practice.

Below are some illness and diseases which I use herbs and acupuncture for treatments. The names of illnesses and symptoms are simply put and some simple explanations, if necessary, follow. And as a result they're more like phrases; I beg your pardon.

In short, the table of contents is as:

(Gynecology):
- [Menstruation related]:
- [Vaginal discharge related]:
- [Pregnancy/ Pre-natal related]:
- [Post-natal related]:
- [Other gynecological illnesses]:

(Pediatrics):
- [Common illnesses]:
- [Seasonal illnesses]:
- [Miscellaneous]:
- [Newborn illnesses]:

(Internal Medicine):
- [Lungs]:
- [Heart]:
- [Stomach-gastrointestinal]:
- [Liver and gallbladder]:
- [Kidneys and bladder systems]:
- [Diseases related to Men]:
- [Treatments related to Women]:
- [Illnesses related to endocrine system]:
- [Diseases and illnesses related to energy, blood, and fluids]:
- [Illnesses related to limbs and meridians]:

(Others):
- [Illnesses related to bones and joints]:
- [Diseases related to skins]:

FOOTNOTE: (Some clarifications...)
- [Consultation process]:
- [Other illnesses and diseases?]
- [Cure or treatments or both?]
- [Treatment methods]:
- [Are the needles or the herbs safe?]
- [Treatment course/time]:
- [Cancer patients or not?]
- [Drop me questions?]:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Gynecology):

- [Menstruation related]: Menstrual period can be early, late or alternating in between. And the amount of bleeding can be little, or more. There are times period is prolonged and dragging. There can be bleeding in between two proper menstrual periods (dysfunctional uterine bleeding). Prolonged and severe cases lead to over-bleeding of menstruation or absence of menstrual period (Amenorrhea).

And of course one of the quite common complaint is period pain (Dysmenorrhea). Endometriosis is one of the causes. And there are a few different body types that contribute to it.

There are many different patterns of pre-menstrual tension syndromes (PMS). Some continue during the menstruation. Among them are: fever, headache, dizziness, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, energy bloating (a form of body swelling), breast distention/tenderness, painful nipples, emotional upsurge, mouth ulcers, hives and body dryness.

Pelvic inflammatory disease too.

And there are climacteric syndromes (menopause) for ladies getting to year of 49 years old, plus and minus.

- [Vaginal discharge related]: Vaginitis; infection or not, yeast related, bacteria etc. The color and time of occurring is important clues. Some are related to cervical inflammation and even pelvic infection.

- [Pregnancy/ Pre-natal related]: Illnesses of pregnancy related problems differ greatly depending on body types. This is why even the more experienced ladies in giving birth can't understand why things can be so different with different pregnancies. Anyway, I mostly treat nausea, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, lower lumbar pain, lower abdominal unease. The vaginal bleeding, lower lumbar pain and lower abandonment pain can lead to threatened abortion. They can be early symptoms of miscarriage. Great care must be taken to ensure the continuation of pregnancy. There are ladies who have had abortions (forced or voluntary) for a few times and who have difficulty continuing any pregnancy or who have difficulty getting pregnant again.

There is also case of slow growth of fetus. Other symptoms seen are nausea and vomiting (upsurge of stomach gas), water retention; those that are related to high blood pressure are energy or water retention coupled with dizziness and seizure. Cases with too much or too little amniotic fluid.

Most TCM clinics are not equipped for acute cases (unless you're in TCM hospitals in China, where they practice modern and traditional medicine hand in hand), so please only visit TCM practitioners or acupuncturists for chronic treatments or after A&E treatments.

There are cases of urinary tract infections and coughing during pregnancy. They're not strictly pregnancy related illness but they occur quite common among pregnant ladies. So I see them quite a lot too in my practice.

Toward the trimester some ladies may have improper baby position. In common words we say the head isn't going downward or doesn't go into the pelvis cavity; we may either do acupuncture or herbs or both to help. Sometimes there are overdue cases too.

Those that I don't mention are not commonly seen in my practice; they're usually taken care by modern medicine. It's important to know when to use what.

Uterus fibroid (6cm or smaller), poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Infertility.

- [Post-natal related]: Loitering vaginal bleeding can be observed. Feverish muscle ache is also common. Some ladies with weak body may have dizziness. There are cases of lower abdomen pain and body aching. Losing too much blood can also cause muscle cramping. Urinary blockage/retention or incontinence can take place. Constipation may also occur after pregnancy.

There are those who're breast-feeding may ask to have more milk supply. Vice versa, there are also ladies who ask to have their milk supply stopped. Some ladies develop breast inflammation, partly due to improper breastfeeding.

- [Other gynecological illnesses]: Infertility is commonly seen in my clinical practice. Fallopian tubes may be blocked and other reasons as well. Lower abdomen pain of either or both sides is common too. There are cases of uterine fibroid and ovaries cysts. Sexual dysfunctional problems and low sexual libido.

Breast inflammation; acute or chronic with multiple nodules of hyperplasia of breasts (mammary glands).

There is also depression due to menstrual periods, pregnancies, post-natal, and menopause.

Among those involve vagina are vaginal itchiness, vaginal infection, 'vaginal farting', swollen and pain in vagina or labia areas.

(Pediatrics):

- [Common illnesses]: Cough is among the most common symptom. It can be an isolated illness or just one of the symptoms of other illnesses. Flu or common cold is next. Feverish symptom is another symptom common to many illnesses. There are plenty of cases of asthma, acute or chronic. And that asthmatic cough due to lung infections sometimes seen. Mouth ulcers are common too.

Those related closely to stomach and spleen systems are: nausea/vomiting, infantile diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, food stagnation, malnutrition, seizure, epilepsy, and so on.

- [Seasonal illnesses]: There are cases of flu/common cold, measles, German measles (Rubella), chicken pox, heat stroke and etc.

- [Miscellaneous]: There are cases of bet-wetting (Enuresis) and frequent urination, night crying. Occasionally there are babies or children who sweat a lot or have palm sweating. Others are growth problem involving hair, speech, teeth. There are also cases of weak limps, legs and muscles.

- [Newborn illnesses]: Jaundice is among the number 1 problem I see in newborn. Then there are indigestion, phlegmy breath, constipation, chronic mild fever and so on. Babies with G6PD-Deficiency must avoid six (6) distinct herbs in the prescription.

(Internal Medicine):

- [Lungs]: Among the common illnesses I treat are coughs, bronchial asthma, common cold (wind heat or wind cold or others) and influenza. Other lungs related symptoms are: persistent cough (whooping cough-like), coughing with blood, nose allergy/rhinitis/ sinusitis, sore throat with infections and etc. Many symptoms caused by bronchitis and pneumonia can be treated. Chronic cough with tuberculosis-like patterns are actually on the rise too. Heat stroke can be seen too.

Herbal and acupuncture treatments for quitting smoking are provided too.

Related to nose are: rhinitis (chronic, allergic), nasal polyp, nosebleed.

- [Heart]: Insomnia is definitely more seen. Palpitation, chest pain, or numbness around the upper chest are common. These symptoms may be caused by cardiac arrhythmia, some coronary heart diseases. Some dizziness/giddiness are related to heart problem too. Stroke or its side effect with half body paralysis is treated. Epilepsy, mostly the primary one, is treated. More and more emotional illnesses are showing; among them the depression, mood or stress-related disorders. Schizophrenia is treated. High blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension) are common too. Bad memory.

- [Stomach-gastrointestinal]: Stomach ache (acute or chronic gastritis), upper bloated sensation (some by reflux problem, or functional indigestion), lower abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting (or food poisoning related), hiccup, burping, diarrhea (or enteritis or dysentery), and constipation. Symptoms shown by IBS, hemorrhage of gastrointestinal nature, mal-absorption can be treated. Bad breath.

Some forms of internal bleeding are closely related to spleen system. Body slimming is a common request these days. Breast enhancement too.

- [Liver and gallbladder]: Jaundice related to viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, gall stone formation, gallbladder infections. Fatty liver, metabolic illnesses related to diet. Side chest pain, the hypochondrium, one-sided or both sides, again it's related to many illnesses involving liver, gallbladder; some is about the nerve system around the area. Symptoms related to herpes zoster. Malaria-like fever is categorized here too.

- [Kidneys and bladder systems]: Edema, or simply water retention, urinary tract infection (UTI), or stones in the urinary tract, blood in urine (hematuria), bubbles in urine, frequent urination (may or may not be related to Diabetes), incontinence, difficulty in urination, and so on.

Related to ears (Kidneys' opening is at the ears; TCM theory is special huh?) are: Meniere's disease, ear ringing (tinnitus), middle ear infection (Otitis Media).

- [Diseases related to Men]: Infertility issues such as lack of sperms, non-liquefaction of semen, teratozoospermia (structural deformation), dead sperms. Sexual impotence (prostate related or not, and/or erectile dysfunction ED), premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, prospermia (premature ejaculation) and also symptoms related to prostate enlargement and prostatitis.

- [Treatments related to Women]: Breast enlargement/enhancement, body slimming.

- [Illnesses related to endocrine system]: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, simple goiter are quite common in clinical practice. Occasionally some cases with hyper-cortisol-ism for people who have been on corticosteroid drug for some time... More often than not I'm treating the side-effects more than the disease itself...

- [Diseases and illnesses related to energy, blood, and fluids]: Depression (also a heart related problem), blood issues (nose bleeding, gum bleeding, coughing blood, vomiting blood, blood in stool, blood in urine (pinky or blood threads, or red blood cells microscopically), skin purpura), perspiration issues (involuntary sweating, hyperhidrosis, night sweating), Diabetes Mellitus (frequent urination, lots of water drinking, lots of foods intake), internal fever (chronic fever of various causes), chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity.

- [Illnesses related to limbs and meridians]: Headache (including migraine, and internal or external related), paralysis, rheumatism, muscle atrophy, spasm, tremor, lumbar pain and etc. Some symptoms shown by rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis can be treated accordingly. Occasional some cases of facial spasm, sciatica.

(Others):

- [Illnesses related to bones and joints]: Cervical spondylosis, osteoporosis, shoulder periarthritis, neck soft tissue injury, waist sprain (acute and chronic).

- [Diseases related to skins]: Eczema, urticaria/hives, psoriasis, herpes zoster, acne, hair loss.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FOOTNOTE: (Some clarifications...)

- [Consultation process]: Regardless of the main and secondary complaints, many symptoms will be consulted for determining the body type. Usually the below will be inquired upon: Temperature adjustment, cough, breathing, thirst, the upper or lower abdomens, appetite and favorite foods or drinks, perspiration, the head or alertness, energy level, stamina or fatigue, bowel motion, urination, retention of energy or water, and etc. Some people find this weird as TCM doctors seem to be asking irrelevant questions about the main complaint. Actually they're very relevant to knowing the body type/syndrome, which is usually the cause of the type that causes the main or secondary complaints.

- [Other illnesses and diseases?] Those diseases or illnesses not listed above may still be consulted; if I have no confidence in helping even for the first time I'd guide the patients to somewhere or someone more professional. TCM treats diseases and illnesses especially those involve complex and complicated causes. It's no surprise to see patients with unknown or rare situations looking for help.

- [Cure or treatments or both?] Often time patients and friends and family members of patients ask me if there is a cure to his or her illness. Depending on the illnesses, sometimes there's no cure and lousy treatment results; sometimes there are treatments with good control of symptoms; and sometimes there can be complete cures. The list above are the illnesses or symptoms I use herbs and/or acupuncture for treatments; the efficacy or the result depends on many other factors yet to be determined individually.

- [Treatment methods]: Herbs are to be prescribed and taken orally. Acupuncture with needles on points and meridians where they interact with our internal organs to achieve a desired state of body. Sometimes I prescribe washable liquids (herbal based) for washing or flushing on skin diseases, vagina related cleansing. On top of these, advices on diet, living lifestyle and even mental adjustments are shared based on individual body and mind, usually after I get to know the particular patient better.

- [Are the needles or the herbs safe?] Yes, they are and No, they are not; depending on how you define “safe”. If you're asking about hygiene, yes, they are safe. Needles used are pre-sterilized, one-time and disposable, never reused on the same patient or different patients. Herbs are GMP grade condensed extract of the real herbs. So they're safe in this regard. If a physician prescribes them (the combinations of herbs, or the needle prescription or the manipulation methods) not so appropriately, the patient may experience some side effects. So are they safe? Yes, they are, if the doctor does it right.

- [Treatment course/time]: How long it takes to solve the problem? It depends. For acute cases such as common cold, it may take 3 days, or slight longer. For some not so stubborn constipation, 3 weeks may be good enough. For regulation of menstrual cycles, it usually takes 3 months and above. So, whether it's 3 days, or 3 weeks or 3 months or even 3 years, it depends on the nature of the illnesses and the body type of ours. Oh, by the way, for most cases some forms of diet change, lifestyle change or even mental adjustment maybe necessary.

- [Cancer patients or not?] Hardly take cancer patients because of a few reasons: (-) If it's been operated upon and main tumor removed; herbs are only/mainly used to treat the heaty body (usually dry and heaty) left behind by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy procedures. (-) I don't have much experience in it. (-) I don't look old enough to convince people I'm experienced in cancer treatments; even if I desperately want to. (-) I'd usually recommend them to other more qualified TCM doctors who specialize in cancer treatments/post-cancer operation treatments.

- [Drop me questions?]: Please do.

Cows and dogs are friends

2011-04-19T16:55:00.006+08:00

Among the six domestic animals (pig, ox, goat, horse, fowl and dog), cows and dogs are the most useful and harmless animals for human beings.

In the ancient times, Oxen and cows were around to help us transport goods, plowing for farming, their milk as our drinks and their flesh as our foods too. Dogs were around for protection of premises, helping in hunting other animals, as well as our dishes on dining table. They've always been loyal to human beings. They're obedient and hardly complain. To these days, we benefit from their company pretty much the same.

A small change though; dogs have since escalated her status as pet too. Many different breeds of dogs are human beings' favorite pets and some are as close as family members. The same probably can't be said for cows, pigs, goats, deers, chicken; they've all become human's favorite foods.

In order to make them foods for our mouth and stomach we need to make them dead. To make them dead we need to slaughter and kill them. Who would wanna be slaughtered to death? What kind of pains involved in slitting one's throat to death? Do we believe animals have no sensory perceptions? So they don't see, hear, taste, smell, touch and therefore don't feel any pains?

Do we want such pain and torture in slitting our throats and bleeding to death?

Please spare them the pains... especially the ones that have helped us so much.

Let's start by not eating beef... cows... dog meat...

and then pork... pigs...

and then deers, lambs, horses...

and then chicken...

and then all living animals...

and then all living beings...

Note: Comic drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu). Original wordings translated to English: [Among the domestic animals, those that benefit mankind the most and least harmful to us, are cows and dogs; must not be eaten.]

Wild geese fly like family

2011-02-28T18:15:00.004+08:00

Don't kill or eat wild geese. Wild geese fly like brothers/sisters/family.

Many ancient civilizations in the past respect animals with behaviors like human beings. One of those animals displaying human traits is wild geese.

Wild geese live together and fly in flock like brothers and sisters and family members. The formation they take is called V or Vic formation and it reduces aerodynamic drags from wind and helps them to fly farther with less efforts. Also, when the leading goose at front gets tired facing the wind, the trailing goose at the very back of the team will move forward and take over the role; former leader will then become the second goose in the formation, taking some rest. And the process takes turn alternating between left and right wing. This way everybody gets a chance to face the front wind and rest well long enough before taking the lead again.

There are plenty of stories from grain farmers who tell of how geese would come back to look for lost goose in between flying in flock. They seem not easily abandon their flying members, and in doing so, unfortunately fall into victims of goose hunting. Goose hunters know this well enough and that's why techniques like goose decoys and goose calling work well to attract geese for hunting.

We don't kill our brothers/sisters/father/mother; why do we then kill others' brothers/sisters/ father/mother? Just that they look so different than human beings doesn't make them less living beings. Unfortunately, again, human beings don't get this well.

Don't hunt geese, or any other animals.

Animals are just like us; albeit bearing different skins and looks.

PS:
(1) I read about wild geese flying formation long ago and if the info given isn't accurate or wrong please do correct me so. Thanks!
(2) Comic drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu). All photoes of geese flying from internet. Do let me know if any of them are copyrighted.

Interracial Marriage gives peace

2010-12-30T13:30:00.004+08:00

Human beings are constantly in wars. We're in wars inside and outside. Wars take places because of ignorance of the real truth. We fail to see that we're all living life forms. We fail to see we're on the same boat sailing toward the same destination.

More often than not, we only see the physical differences among us: the colors of our skins, the different religions we believe in, the choice of foods we choose to eat, different parts of the world we come from and thus different cultures we are brought up with. There SEEMS to be so many differences among us...

Instead of embracing the beautiful diversity of human kinds, we choose to alienate with each other.

Some people believe, one way to help reduce the conflicts of races, religions, and cultures is to encourage interracial marriage.

Babies and children born of interracial parents usually see things in parental love rather than parents' skins or the traditional costumes they wear.

"I love my mommy, I love my daddy. Who are they? They're my mommy and daddy! I love them."

"My dad is red, my mom's white. My granddad is black, my grandmother's yellow."

"So much love! So colourful! I love them all. I love all colours!"

To keep things simple, it's that simple.

Eventually all single races will move on to another realm and newer generations with gray scales who blend all races, all religions, all cultures, and all backgrounds are here to stay.

And the result? Quite likely a more peaceful world and less wars.

It's much easier then to focus on the truly important things in life.

Are we all in the same boat sailing toward the same destination?

Yes, we are.

Note:
Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

White turtle repays gratitude

2010-11-09T13:53:00.012+08:00

White turtle repays gratitude

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/White-turtle-repays-gratitude.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/White-turtle-repays-gratitude.html

White turtle repays gratitude

******************************** ********************************

Once upon a time in Jin dynasty (China, year 265-420), General MAO Bao was in charge of Wu Chang town. One day, a soldier of his went to market with a few others for groceries.

When they were about done and heading back to camp, there came a fisherman...

Fisherman: Selling turtles! Turtles!

The fisherman came up to the soldiers and in his hand was a white turtle.
He said: Sirs, this white turtle is the only one left. I'll sell to you officers at cheaper price!

Soldier A: Hey! It's white? White turtle?!
The soldier: She's so cute! I'll buy her!

Soldier B: Why do you buy her for?
The soldier: So that I can raise her and set her free when she's older. It's good merit!

********************************

Soldier A: Hey, you have kind and sympathetic heart! Great!

And so he paid the fisherman and all of them got back to camp with their groceries.

Back in camp, the soldier raised the white turtle in a water tank, taking good care of her whenever he could.

As days went by, the white turtle grew bigger. They'd developed a strong bonding.

A few years went by, the white turtle could no longer live in the water tank.

One day, the soldier talked to white turtle sadly:
Oh, white turtle! You've grown up. I'll be sending you back to river. River is your real home.

********************************

A few days later the soldier brought the white turtle to a river.

He padded the turtle and said:
Go! White turtle. I hope we can meet again one day. Be careful, don't let fishermen catch you again. Take care!

White turtle swam a few strokes and turned back to gaze at the soldier, as if she missed him.

And then she continued moving forward, disappearing in the river.

The soldier was already missing the white turtle.

A few more years went by. SHI Ji Long, king of Zhao kingdom, attacked Jin dynasty. General Mao was given order to secure Zhu city.

********************************

In year 340, King SHI sent his top general with tens of thousands of troop to attack Zhu city.

General Mao and his troops defended the attack for a few days before being defeated due to poor back-up. He then led his troop to fall back and flee.

Enemy kept pursuing and Mao and his troop had no choice but to jump into a river.

********************************

The soldier who bought and raised the turtle jumped too to save his own life.

The moment he landed, to his shock, he felt he landed on a piece of big rock.

"This is strange! Why's the river so shallow?" He thought to himself.

And when he looked more carefully, it's the white turtle he saved and raised many years ago. He was in pleasant surprise.

The white turtle swam swiftly toward the opposite shore.

He tilted back, everywhere he saw was soldiers screaming and struggling in rapid flows.

And arrows from the enemy came down as if it was raining.

********************************

At last the white turtle managed to carry him to the opposite shore.

He said, appreciatively:
Thank you, white turtle. If it wasn't you, I would've died without doubt.

The white turtle looked at him, eyes to eyes, seemingly understanding the soldier.

Then the white turtle slowly turned around and swam back to the river. The soldier waved goodbye, full of thankfulness.

Jin troop suffered great loss in the battle of Zhu City. General Mao and his troop of six thousand soldiers all died in the river. Only the soldier, who saved and raised the turtle, survived because of the white turtle's help.

******************************** ********************************

军士慈悲能掷金
白龟图报岂辞辛
欲得共中不共业
放生戒杀合天心

Jun shi ci bei neng zhi jin
Bai gui tu bao qi ci xin
Ye de gong zhong bu gong ye
Fang sheng jie sha he tian xin

Army officer's compassionate mercy can throw gold
White turtle desire repay won't avoid difficulty
For getting living together not sharing karma
Release life abstain killing suit God's heart

********************************

It doesn't seem easily or readily understandable what the poem says; basically it means:

The compassion and humanity of the army officer can create miracle.
White turtle wanted to repay gratitude regardless of how difficult the situation could be.

In order to live together (and thus probably or unavoidably creating bad merits) but not sharing bad merits, preserving life forms and abstaining from killing is in line with God's will.

The individual merit of the soldier who saved and raised the turtle helped himself to be rescued when things were bad. Bear in mind that he most probably had done much more good deeds than just saving the turtle, with a heart of compassion and sympathy as he had. And in God's will he be saved and continued his good deeds and merits making, helping all living beings on earth.

And yes, we're gonna be just like him, if not more!

******************************** ********************************

PS:

+) Story modified by 慧长(Hui Zhang); comics drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu); English translation by www.lews.info.

+) Story modified from 晋书(Jin Shu; JIN Book / Book of Jin Dynasty), 廿五史/二十五史(Nian Wu Shi / Er Shi Wu Shi; Twenty Five History / Two Ten Five History; "Twenty-five Official Dynastic Histories")

+) Some names of people/places/events involved: 毛宝将军(MAO Bao sergeant general), 武昌(Wu Chang, name of a city), 赵国(Zhao Kingdom), 石季龙(SHI Ji Long, king of Zhao Kingdom), 邾城(Zhu Cheng; Zhu City), 东晋咸康五年(Dong/East JIN Xian Kang 5th year, the year 340), 白龟报恩 (Bai Gui Bao En; White turtle repays gratitude).

Don't shoot the birds

2010-09-22T16:56:00.012+08:00

谁道群生性命微？
一般骨肉一般皮；
劝君莫打枝头鸟，
子在巢中望母归。

shui dao qun sheng xing ming wei?
yi ban gu rou yi ban pi;
quan jun mo da zhi tou niao,
zi zai chao zhong wang mu gui.

Who says bunch creatures life forms worthless?
Same type bones flesh same type skins;
Advice you don't hit branch-tip birds,
Chicks at nest-in waiting mother home.

PS:
1. Poem by 白居易（BAI Ju Yi, year 772～846, 唐朝, Tang dynasty）. The name of the poem is 《护生诗》 ("Hu Sheng Shi", or "Protecting Life Poem"). Comic drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu); Translation by John Lew.
2. Thought of explaining further on the poem but it seems pretty self-explanatory.

The world is full of smart people who shoot the birds (or something similar to that nature) for fun, for pleasure, for killing time, for revenge, for money and etc; we just need more wise people who know what's more important in life...

Happy Mid Autumn Festival!
(Lunar August 15th; Sept 22, 2010)

It's a time of
family reunion!

Deer's intestines broken in inches

2010-08-31T20:16:00.012+08:00

Deer's intestines broken in inches

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/Deer-hunting-intestines-broken-in-pieces.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/Deer-hunting-intestines-broken-in-pieces.html

Drawing: 牧谷 Mu Gu;
Modified by: 慧长 Hui Zhang;
English: www.lews.info

There was the time of Jin dynasty (265 AD - 420 AD) in China. XU Xun, a resident of He Nang province, was skillful at archery. He enjoyed animal hunting. One day, he was again getting ready to go hunting.

Zhang: Good morning, Mr. Xu. Are you going hunting again?
Xu Xun: Yes! Mr. Zhang. Do you want to come along?

Zhang: Sure! We can have some Barbecue. Just a sec, let me go get my gears.
Xu: Okay.

After Mr. Zhang got his bow and arrows, the two of them went straight up to the mountain for hunting.

When they got to the mountain...
Xu: Hey, Mr. Zhang. There are two deers right over there.

**********************************

Zhang: We'll go beneath and against the wind; let's not scare them away.

They moved slowly and hid behind a big rock downstream.
Xu: Look like mother-son they do.

Zhang: Hey, we'll shoot them at the same time. You shoot the little guy; I go for the mother.
Xu: Alright.

They then aimed and shot their arrows at the deers...

Zhang's arrow missed the mother deer and landed near her legs. The mother deer quickly reacted and ran away.

**********************************

The poor baby deer got shot and wounded badly, collapsing after uttering a loud whine.
Xu: Haa Haa! Great shot!
Zhang: You're good. Too bad I missed the mother deer.
Xu: It's ok, Mr Zhang. Let's go over and take a look.
Zhang: Ok.

Suddenly there was movement.
Xu: Hey, Something's moving. Let's stay away first.
They hid themselves behind some bushes and noticed the mother deer came back to the baby deer.
Zhang: Alright! I must get it this time.
Xu: Wait a sec, Mr. Zhang. See...

**********************************

They saw the mother deer in tears and licking her baby's wound again and again.
And she went around her baby wailing in great sadness...
After a while, the mother deer collapsed and dropped to the ground too.
Xu: Hey, what happened to the mother deer?
Zhang: Hurry, let's take a look.
Xu: The mother's dead.
Zhang: Impossible. Let me see.

**********************************

Zhang: Hey, really, she's dead. She must've felt too sad!
Xi: Really?

Xu Xun was curious and full of doubts, and he asked Mr. Zhang:
Xu: Why don't we cut her open and see what happened?
Zhang: But why?
Xu: I just wanna know how she died.
Zhang: Okay, let's find out.

And so the two of them cut her abdoment open.

Suddenly Xu Xun let out a sharp cry:
Xu: Oh! You see, Mr Zhang, her intestines are broken into 1-inch pieces. How horrible!

Out of control, Xu Xun felt a sense of deep sadness and regret.
Xu: I think the mother deer must've been too sad over her baby's death and caused her intestines to break into pieces. How I regretted killing the baby deer.

**********************************

Zhang: Sigh, who would've thought of such thing. Please don't blame yourself.
Xu: I didn't know animals and human beings are alike in our love of children; even though we look so different.

Xu: Mr. Zhang, let's bury them, shall we?
Zhang: Okay. Hopefully it helps lessen our sins.

And so they buried the mother deer and the baby deer.

And Xu Xun broke his bow and arrows and vowed never to hunt again.

**********************************

Original story from 警心录 (Jing Xin Lu, Alert-Heart-Records);
Comic version presented in 护生漫画集 (Hu Sheng Man Hua Ji, Protect-Lives-Casual-Drawing-Collection or Protection for living beings).

**********************************

呦呦双鹿戏林阴
you you shuang lu xi lin
Bell bell two deers play forest shades

裂帛一声悽母心
lie bo yi shen qi mu xin
Break silk one sound hurts mother heart

寸寸断肠真实语
cun cun duan chang zhen shi yu
Inch inch broken intestines real concrete words

千秋闻者泪沾襟
qian qiu wen zhe lei zhan jin
Thousand autumns hear beings tears soak shirts

Spirit, Energy and Material worlds; Messages behind the movie Avatar

2010-07-30T15:15:00.006+08:00

Watching the movie Avatar is an eye opener. The colors of flora and fauna are splendid and scenes of nature and jungles breathtaking. While the eye candies are delights to watch, the messages behind the film are more appealing to some, and to me too.

Let's look at the following scripts:

1: “I'm trying to understand this deep connection the people have to the forest. She (Neytiri, Na'vi native) talks about a network of energy that flows through all living things. She says all energy is only borrowed, and one day you have to give it back.”

In ancient and traditional world of living, jungles and rivers have always been the source of shelters, food, water, clothes. Any many ancient writings of scholars talked about how lives come and go around like an exchange of energy, albeit in different linguistic presentations. Many of us look at living and dying with such extreme joy and fear respectively, to the extend of horrible turbulence of emotional disturbance. If we see things through to their very real existence, all material things wear off, there are lifespans to everything. But the energy within lives on, taking different forms as mortal existence.

If we can come to appreciate all things are only borrowed, i.e., including our bodies, will we see life a little differently then?

2: “I see you... ...brother … and thank you. You spirit goes with Eywa (the spirit of the universe?). Your body stays behind... …to become part of the people.”

Jake said to the deer-like animal when taking her life. Neytiri watched to see if he had understood the meaning of life.

If you “have to” kill a living being, kill her quick. Kill her with the least pain involved. Offer your apology, give your reasons, ask for forgiveness, show your appreciation and share the benefits with mankind...

That is, if you “have to”...

The Na'vi people kill for 'good enough' and for the very basic need of everyday life. There is never greed or luxury in the motive. It's always about sustainability of the material bodies and balancing energy flow.

Look around us these days, the ideas of “simplicity”, and “good enough” are hardly found in the commercial world, where people are made into consumers of all sorts of things. We're being brainwashed into believing we need so many different kind of things in order to live a quality life.

I wonder if 'quality life' only means 'materialistic life' but not 'meaningful life'...

And how many people say “Thank you” to the unwilling sacrifice of animals? We take animal family members apart and we kill them for their flesh brutally and we make them into unrecognizable canned food and try to deceive people and we waste them by only finishing less than half of whatever we put into our stomachs.

It's obvious that's no appreciation and gratefulness... There isn't even awareness!

It's sad. It's a sad sad situation.

Human beings, please wake up to the reality, sooner or later you have to face the truth.

Let's make it sooner.

Vegetarianism promotes Intelligence and Wisdom

2010-07-11T11:01:00.004+08:00

Vegetarianism promotes Intelligence and Wisdom

The book 《大戴礼记》 (Da Dai Li Ji； Big-DAI-Rites-Record), by 戴德 (DAI De; Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD)), says:

"食肉勇敢而悍，
食谷智慧而巧。"

shi rou yong gan er han,
shi gu zhi hui er qiao. (HAN YU Pronunciation)

"Eat meat brave strong thus fierce,
eat grains intelligent wise thus smart."

Many scholars believe this is the earliest written testimonial of Chinese literature which ascertains the idea of vegetarianism promoting intelligence and wisdom. The idea is of utmost important to the intellects these days. Many evangelists of vegetarianism promote the idea from the points of view of cause-and-effect and mother-nature-protectionism, very few scholars analyze vegetarianism promote intelligence and wisdom.

All of us want to be intelligent and wise. Vegetarianism can be one of the better approaches.

PS:

1) The book 《大戴礼记》(Da Dai Li Ji； Big-DAI-Rites-Record) is a classical literature on 儒学 (ru xue； Confucianism studies). Most of the articles in this book belong to students of 孔子 (Kong Zi； Confucius) and other scholars of confucianism around the time of 战国时期 (zhan guo shi qi； warring-states-time-period), 475 BC - 221 BC.

The first person who studied such Confucianism studies was 劉向 (LIU Xiang), the great Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD) scholar. Han scholars 戴德 (DAI De) and 戴圣 (DAI Sheng) collected and edited 130 articles and simplified them into 85. And thus it's called Big-DAI-Rites-Record.

This book narrates ancient Chinese rules and rituals, standards of the society and also is a text book on benevolence, humanity, justice, virtue and morality. It governs the management system and thoughts of Confucius' benevolence and justice.

2) Other translated names of the book include:
a) Book of Rites with Commentaries of DAI De;
b) Record of Rites of the Elder DAI.

Posted by John J. C. Lew at 1:32 PM, Feb 13th, 2009. Re-posted to avoid unsolicited postings.

The Best Religion

2010-07-03T19:49:00.008+08:00

The best religion?

The following is a brief dialogue between a bearded scholar and a religious guru.

In a round table discussion about religion and freedom in which many scholars and gurus were presenting ideas and opinions as to how to make the world a better place, the following conversation between two participants took place at a recess...

A bearded scholar maliciously, and also with interest, asked a religious guru: "Hi guru, what is the best religion?"

The bearded man thought the guru would say: "My own religion" or "The oriental religions, much older than Christianity."

The guru paused for a while, smiled and looked at the bearded man in the eyes, which surprised him because the bearded man knew of the malice contained in his own question.

The guru answered: "The best religion is the one that gets you closest to God. It is the one that makes you a better person."

To get out of his embarrassment with such a wise answer, the bearded man asked: "What is it that makes me better?"

The guru responded: "Whatever makes you more Compassionate, more Sensible, more Detached, more Loving, more Humanitarian, more Responsible, more Ethical."

"The religion that will do that for you is the best religion."

Hearing this, the bearded man was silent for a moment, marveling and even today thinking of his wise and irrefutable response:

"I am not interested, my friend, about your religion or if you are religious or not. What really is important to me is your behaviour in front of your peers, family, work, community, and in front of the world."

"Remember, the universe is the echo of our actions and our thoughts."

"The law of action and reaction is not exclusively for physics. It is also of human relations. If I act with goodness, I will receive goodness. If I act with evil, I will get evil."

"What our grandparents told us is the pure truth. You will always have what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny. It is a matter of options."

Finally he said:

"Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.
Take care of your Words because they will become Actions.
Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits.
Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.
Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,
and your Destiny will be your Life..."

"and..."

"There is no religion higher than the Truth."

PS:
1) In case you're interested, the bearded scholar is Brazilian theologist Leonardo Boff and the religious guru is the Dalai Lama.

2) Subjects and greetings of the conversations modified for mysterious presentation to initially hide the identities of the two beings. Ha!

3) I got this from an email circulation and it seems to be in a few blogs and discussion groups. I presume the conversation really took place.

Giving Pledge and the poor people

2010-06-24T22:09:00.007+08:00

Giving Pledge and the poor people

On June 16th, 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett launched a campaign to ask every billionaire in USA to pledge to give away 50% of their wealth for philanthropy. Needless to say, it has created more than a big stir in the economical world.

One of the interesting things about it is that it's a moral contract or commitment: The pledge has no legal obligation. In this world of so many laws and enforcement agencies, this tells and convinces people to do things from their hearts and own willingness. There is no one but we ourselves facing the social responsibility to the world.

It's going to be great help and have wonderful impact, both psychologically and in actual fact, to the world in terms of education, cultural, medical, healthcare, public policies, international aids and etc.

While most of the media have been focusing on how Gates and Buffett act so philanthropically with their great wealth, there have been skepticism about their motives and the methods to do it right. Nonetheless, it's great news for the seemingly selfish world.

I have a feeling it's not only the amount of money that has strong impact to the philanthropic world; the initiative will pose great significance in the culture of returning to the society.

The world is changing. Some of the old rigid golden rules of ancient societies may not seem very welcome by the new and younger generations. These days many people look upon the rich and famous and many fancy their materialistic lifestyle and glamor. So if the rich and famous can set a trend of donation frenzy, why not?

So, one may wonder if the rich and famous are running the show, what about common people like you and me? I've been thinking about this for a while. In fact, many ancient thinkers have thought about this and some wonderful concepts have always been around for long.

Below is one of those concepts I believe work well:

The poor must work harder in contributing for charitable activities QUIETLY, CONSISTENTLY and hopefully UNKNOWINGLY too.

QUIETLY means we don't have to tell the world we're doing good deeds. We do encourage everyone to do good and nice deeds but we don't boast things openly. This is called quiet charity. It encourages humble humanity.

CONSISTENTLY is important to make it a habit, so that the merit keeps accumulated.

UNKNOWINGLY is about subconscious level. The more frequent we do certain things, the more unknowingly it becomes. And when that free thought takes place, it's more in tune with the frequency of the resonance of nature; at the same time all the natural abundance will come to us...

In the world of material possessions, one takes nothing with them when one leaves the world. All the monetary and material wealth mean nothing to dead people. Only kind gestures and good deeds for people and living beings will stay in everyone's memories.

So my brothers and sisters, let's all work harder on ways we give and change how we receive from the universe. As some put it, big money makes the news, but it's the giving, both material and emotional supports, of all ordinary individuals that make the world a better place.

PS:
1. For ideas and concepts on how charity and good deeds can change one's destiny and fate, please take a look at the label "charity" on the right.

Proper food for human beings

2010-05-18T21:16:00.008+08:00

Proper food for human beings

There are many perspectives and doctrines about suitable or proper foods for consumption of human beings. Some look at it from nutritional (Calories, Carbohydrate, Protein, Sugar, Fat, Fiber...) point of view. Some from mineral (Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Chloride, Magnesium...) perspective. Some are about chemical contents (Amino acids...). Some from the angle of traditional medicine (such as Cold, Cool, Neutral, Warm or Hot; or which organs the food works on; or whether the food nourishes Yin, Yang, Energy or Blood and etc.). Some are from biological needs of human body. Some from physiological structure of human bodies...

All these perspectives are mostly independent of each other. Experts usually talk about foods from their relative fields of studies. It almost always is impossible to blend all different perspectives into one and come up with perfect or ideal food for human beings. After all, every individual body is unique and has different needs.

However, wouldn't it be interesting to look at the view of bible in terms of proper food for human beings? from God's words Himself?

Let's look at Genesis 1:29. It says of:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. (Ref 01)

Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. (Ref 02)

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. (Ref 03)

God said, "I have given you every plant with seeds on the face of the earth and every tree that has fruit with seeds. This will be your food. (Ref 04)

And God said, See, I have given you every plant producing seed, on the face of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit producing seed: they will be for your food; (Ref 05)

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb producing seed that is on the whole earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree producing seed: it shall be food for you; (Ref 06)

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food. (Ref 07)

God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. (Ref 08)

And God saith, 'Lo, I have given to you every herb sowing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree sowing seed, to you it is for food; (Ref 09)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The keywords are:
plants (vegetables, legumes...),
seeds (and nuts...),
fruits,
herbs (leaves, flowers, roots...).

It seems quite likely that the proper food dictated by God for human beings is: vegetarian foods.

Vegetarian foods?
Yes, vegetarian foods. Very very likely.

_______________________________________

References:

Ref 01: New International Version (©1984) http://biblica.com
Ref 02: New Living Translation (©2007) http://www.newlivingtranslation.com
Ref 03: English Standard Version (©2001) http://www.crossway.org
Ref 04: GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) http://gwt.scripturetext.com/genesis/1.htm
Ref 05: Bible in Basic English http://basicenglishbible.com/genesis/1.htm
Ref 06: Darby Bible Translation http://darbybible.com/genesis/1.htm
Ref 07: Webster's Bible Translation http://websterbible.com/genesis/1.htm
Ref 08: World English Bible http://worldebible.com/genesis/1.htm
Ref 09: Young's Literal Translation http://yltbible.com/genesis/1.htm

Useful Links:

List of plants with edible leaves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plants_with_edible_leaves)
List of culinary vegetables (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_culinary_vegetables)
List of culinary fruits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_culinary_fruits)
List of edible seeds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edible_seeds)
List of culinary herbs and spices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_culinary_herbs_and_spices)

Charitable works / Doing good deeds

2010-03-24T12:44:00.007+08:00

Charitable works / Doing good deeds

These days I'm enjoying, or rather obsessed and possessed by, the thoughts of “cause and effect”. And would like to share with all of us the benefits of give-and-take, and charitable works below: [The ones in brackets is my own interpretation]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Doing good deeds in time can prevent our thoughts from stemming corrupted ideas.
Those who delay charitable works find themselves constantly in contact with bad deeds.
[Constant work keeps our mind and conscience cleaned. The reward of serving is peace of mind that attracts similar peaceful events.]

No one can avoid death; we should do as many good deeds when we are around.
It's analogous to planting a baby tree in front of our house, nourishing her everyday, growing bigger and flourishing into big tree, and then you and even your children and grandchildren and the next generation of human beings can rest well underneath.

Do not under estimate small charities; and wrongfully believe that small charities will not yield great returns.
Small charities, if done everyday for months and years, kept accumulated, enable the whole of you be covered in great luck and fantastic returns.

Be tolerant in the crowd of angry people;
Be mild and gentle in the crowd of fierce people;
Be philanthropic in the crowd of greedy people.
[It's all so obvious people are greedy. An individual can be very unselfish but a group of people gathered for materialistic causes will always be greedy. This is the time we must be giving; when many others are greedy.]

Do not do any bad deeds.
Cultivate good deeds and the heart of compassion.
Cleanse the thoughts.

Rich people should help poor people, with hearts of compassion.
Poor people should learn the value of life, open the hearts, and strive to do charitable works to change the fates.
[Remember that no small giving is too small. It's not like we have to wait until we become millionaires to do something good for other people. Start now. Start today. No matter how small, or in what forms. Smile and make people happy!]

Doing things, if it's with a kind and helping thought, will help us to bridge closer relationship with people who used to distance us;
Doing things, on the other hand, if it's with the thought of hurting people, will distance people as close as our mothers and fathers from us and create common hatred.
[Thoughts matter. Be kind in and out.]

Rich people must learn:
Tens of thousands of angels money is;
Tens of thousand of devils money is, too.
Use it righteously, we build lucky foundations.
Use it evilly, we build bad obstacles.
If we can deduct a penny of self-use, add a penny of sharing, good luck may not be seen fairing, yet bad luck will diminish by itself.
Add a flavor of stinginess, and we may think we have gotten advantage. Once fallen in disaster, all the possessions will be gone. The tiny gain of being stingy will not be worth it. Too late to regret.
[The rich should act fast and huge. For the able people not acting kind is more sinful than those not-so-able ones.]

There are three kinds of treasures in life:
- We CAN rob them in life; CAN'T bring them with us when we die: Gold, silver and precious stones.
- We CAN'T rob them in life; CAN'T bring them with us either when we die: Intelligence, wisdom and ability.
- We CAN'T rob them in life; CAN bring them with us when we die: Good deeds and merits.

Those with THICK merits, be born in happy heaven.
Those with THIN merits, be born in miserable poverty.
[If our merits are thin or thick enough, we may see changes, be they negative or positive, almost immediately.]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note:
The writing is translated from chapter 12 of the brochure “Intelligent Lamp of the Heart” which is originally in Chinese language. There are a total of 29 chapters in the brochure. The God is watching if I'm able to translate them all. There is plenty of time I overestimate myself.

Me and my past

2009-12-28T17:03:00.008+08:00

Me and my past

What's left behind? All these photos?

I was so young and beautiful... Not anymore... old and ugly now...

Am I happy now? Did I make mistakes? Big? small?

Any regrets?

Have I fulfilled my own destiny? Or is there any destiny? At all?

The house's dying. This place is dying... and I'm dying, too...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Oh... John... my husband... He was so sweet. He was a good man. At least he tried to be. And good men die early... How cruel he left me alone... for all these years?

My children... They lead their own lives. Are they going to be alright? Without me? Or better without me? I'm now a burden to them. It's better if I just vanish from their lives...

My sisters... I'm sorry for what I've done... I shouldn't have... Will they pardon me? Set me free? And set themselves free from rage of hatred?

My father... I'm sorry I ran away from home. I made mistakes. Had you pardoned me before you left this world? All these years...

Mom... I'm sorry about the tortures you had to suffer all these years. It's my fault.

I'm sorry...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

How am I going to be remembered? Will they remember me, at all? Or is it of any importance?

Will I ever meet John again? Where is he now? Heaven? Or hell? Where? Will I recognize him in next life? Is there next life? Reincarnation?

Is this what I have now? Memories of bitters and sweets? Questions unanswered?

What significant is my life? Or is it any important?

What now?...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

The house's dying. This place is dying... and I'm dying, too...

PS:
1) The story is about a lady; a lady in you and me.
2) Illustration taken from internet, amazing work; unknown artist. Anyone knows of the origin please let me know.

Rain is here

2009-10-06T23:00:00.009+08:00

Rain is here.

Hi my friends and family, how are you all? Things may not always go the way we want but there are always hope and faith that hold us hanging around. I wish you all doing well.

One of those important things that help us to be more responsible and lead a more meaningful life is the born of new birth. I'm happy, excited, scared and unsure to have become the father of Rain LEW(刘) Xinyu(歆雨). She was born on Sept 26, 2009. I thank God and the force of the universe and all the beings for her willingness to come to this sinful family, especially since I've sinned so much to have deserved her.

When I was at the National Registration Department to register the birth of Rain, I came across this poster board on a wall, facing public sitting and waiting for registration of both birth and death. It goes:

“Tahniah kerana menerima cahaya mata. Takziah atas kehilangan orang tersayang” which goes into:
“Congratulations because receiving light [of] eyes. Condolences upon loss [of] people beloved [the most]. ” which is pretty self-explanatory.

I was a little taken by surprise; that people waiting for registrations of both birth and death are together in a big hall, sitting side by side. Many parents brought along the newborn babies with them for registration of birth. And there were other people who seemed sad and indifferent/cold about the surroundings. I assume they were there for death registration.

On second thought, I said “why not?” Living and dying have always been in pair. All things material have life span. We come and we go when the time is ripe and right.

There is a saying:
“生亦何欢，死亦何惧，千年万年，白驹过隙。”
“Sheng Yi He Huan, Si Yi He Ju, Qian Nian Wan Nian, Bai Ju Guo Xi.” which translates into:
“Birth yet why joyful, death yet why fearful, thousand years ten-thousand years, white speedy-horse through small-gap.”

Why being happy and joyful having new birth or being alive? Why being fearful and sad when approaching dead? Tens of thousands of years may be a long time, but it's a blink of an eye like the speedy white horse passing through a narrow gap.

We may be philosophical and indifferent about birth and death, however, as mortal beings, we for sure cherish life/birth more than death. In a way it's similar to the way how different we treat our children versus elderly. It's all so wrong to treat our children and grandchildren like jewels but our parents and grandparents like dirt. For the jewels were from the dirt soil too, at one time.

Therefore the right attitude would be to treat our mothers, fathers, grandparents the way we treat our little princes and princesses. Coming life and approaching death are natural phenomenon. Why favour one another?

If you manage to finish up to here, I thank you for your perseverance and apologize if you find the piece uneventful. This is a little something that came to me at these moments; may or may not be worthwhile. And I haven't had much time to organise things better.

In my life of remaining days I wish to become a good father, a good coach, and a good friend of Rain. But right before that, I myself have to be a good example, to be a good son, a good companion, and a good friend to my mother, Madam Hoo Sew Pong . My die-hard wishful will.

Rain, welcome to the sad and chaotic world. Let's all make it a worthwhile journey.

Regards,

John LEW

Searching for something

2009-07-29T15:59:00.003+08:00

Searching for something...

(Click on for clearer picture)

“Searching for forever... turns out to be... forever searching..."

We're searching for something, something so undefined, something vague. Yet we're sure there is something worth searching for in life. Many times we search for this very important something outside. We seem to believe this very important thing lies in the material and physical world.

And the thing is: It doesn't.

This very important thing that we've been searching high and low doesn't exist in the material or physical world. It's all in the mind. It's all in the soul. And it's always been there. There is no beginning, and there is no ending.

We've been searching for our soul. The purpose of our lives.

Our soul.

Our immortal and everlasting and perfect soul.

Once we find it, we will achieve permanent peace. And the purpose of our lives.

Note:

Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

Sexiest Vegetarian 2009 by PETA

2009-06-17T13:23:00.003+08:00

PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Winners Cause Global Warming

By Karin Bennett (PETA)

Of course I don't mean that these sexy vegetarians contribute to the mind-blowing amount of greenhouse-gas emissions caused by the meat industry. Au contraire! The winners of our Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest turned up the heat with their sleek physiques and radiant good looks. PETA’s affiliates also recently announced the winners of their international Sexiest Vegetarian contests.

And the winners are:

PETA U.S.

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler shares more with the world than her stunning voice. When she went vegetarian, she was quick to share her decision with close friend and past PETA champ Carrie Underwood.

***************************************

Milo Ventimiglia

Mamma mia! How handsome is Milo Ventimiglia? There's really no question, judging by all the winning votes that the star of television's Heroes raked in.

***************************************

PETA Asia-Pacific: Australia

Portia De Rossi

Voters went gaga for gorgeous Geelong-born Portia De Rossi, who went vegan with her wife, comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres. Portia says, "It feels like such a compassionate choice. We are such animal lovers, why stop short of cows and chickens? It didn't make any sense."

***************************************

Andrew G

Hunky Australian Idol host Andrew G. racked up the most votes for the gentlemen. He says of his decision to go vegan, "The cleaner I kept my diet, the more obvious benefits I felt."

***************************************

PETA Asia-Pacific: Asia

Barbie Hsu

Voters crowned beautiful Taiwanese actor and singer Barbie Hsu Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian Woman of 2009. Barbie says, "Lives are equal, eating meat is like eating corpses to me, and it makes me feel sick and sad."

***************************************

Shahid Kapoor

And Bollywood superstar and heartthrob Shahid Kapoor has won the title of Asia's Sexiest Male Vegetarian. Word is, he convinced leading lady Kareena Kapoor to go vegetarian while they were dating.

***************************************

PETA Germany

Lina van de Mars

The writing was on the wall early in the competition: The lovely tattooed television host Lina van de Mars won top spot for the women.

***************************************

Thomas D

Rap star Thomas D. of the hip-hop band Die Fantastischen Vier wrapped up his win for Sexiest Male Vegetarian.

***************************************

Now put your palms together, not just for these winners but for all the vegetarian hotties who were in the running for this year's title.

PS:

1) I'm quoting the PETA's blog posting by Karin Bennett on Sexiest Vegetarians! These beautiful beings on earth have learnt that animals are not food for human beings. And they walk the talk too. Let's all learn a little something from each other.

2) The original blog is at http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/06/petas_sexiest_ve.php

Swine Flu and Herbal Prescriptions for prevention

2009-05-05T15:48:00.005+08:00

Viral infections are actually better treated with herbal prescriptions. Many scientists use herbal active ingredients for treatments of viral-based diseases such as AIDS, influenza. Unfortunately they mostly base their research on microscopic level of one or two active chemical ingredients from the herbs rather than the overall effectiveness of hundreds of natural chemical compounds found in the herbs. And they have neglected the usage of these herbs based on traditional theories such as characteristics, nature, taste, target organs of the herbs and so on.

If we read newspapers in Chinese language around the world, there are plenty of info about herbal treatments as well as precautions of influenza, and influenza A (H1N1; formerly Swine Flu) belongs to one of them. Different body types require different prescriptions. And different stages of the disease manifestations require alterations to prescriptions too. Therefore, the timing is crucial.

For precautions or strengthening our body immune system, one can use a formula such as: 防风 (Fang Feng) 6g, 黄芪 (Huang Qi) 12g, 白术 (Bai Zhu) 12g, 大枣 (Da Zao) 1pc. This formula is good for those who tend to sweat relatively more and get cold easily. The tongue impression should be pale and a little obese and pulse being weak. This formula also helps for people of weak digestion due to weak spleen. By enhancing the energy production of spleen and lungs, our bodies thus are able to generate a layer of protection around our skins, preventing us from catching cold and flu. If the local weather is hot, add 菊花 (Ju Hua) 9g.

Where as for people whose bodies are lacked of energy and inner fluid, the following formula can help to retain fluid in the body so as to prevent inner heat. They are: 党参 (Dang Shen) 12g, 麦冬 (Mai Dong) 9g, 五味子 (Wu Wei Zi) 6g. People with this body type tend to have less fur coating on the tongue and complain of dry mouth.

In terms of creating a shield around the skin to prevent flu infection, former prescription is more powerful. The later serves better in preserving yin fluid to prevent onset of sore throat, headache, itchy throat and so on.

There are also those whose bodies are of the heaty and mighty type. For this category of people, they can afford to take prescriptions that are more cooling and detoxifying: 夏枯草 (Xia Ku Cao) 15g, 板蓝根 (Ban Lan Gen) 9g, 金银花 (Jin Yin Hua) 9g, 紫花地丁 (Zi Hua Di Ding) 12g, 蒲公英 (Pu Gong Yin) 15g, 连翘 (Lian Qiao) 6g, 生甘草 (Sheng Gan Cao) 6g. This formula is also suitable for people who live in high-risk cities as it's very effective against viral threats. Do bear in mind that the cooling and bitter nature of these herbs can hurt the stomach and spleen functions if used for unnecessarily long period. Alterations is necessary to suit different manifestations due to local climate and seasonal changes.

Health Minister LIOW wins PETA award

2009-04-05T20:13:00.002+08:00

Health Minister LIOW wins PETA award for promoting veg diet

Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri LIOW Tiong Lai, a vegetarian himself, has won People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific’s Proggy Award for promoting a vegetarian diet. Congrats! “Proggy” stands for “progress” and PETA’s annual award recognises animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture.

“I would emphasise more on prevention and healthy living instead of curing patient and health,” said Liow in a statement. “I’m concerned about the health of the people in the country, especially with regard to the healthy lifestyle,” he added.

Meat consumption has been conclusively linked to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, obesity and several kinds of cancer. Adopting vegetarian is the key in preventing a variety of diseases, including today’s leading killers, he said.

Vegetarianism is certainly good for the environment and for your health.
A recent UN report (2006) determined that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, ships and planes in the world combined. The report stated that the meat industry is ‘one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global’.

“Liow is promoting healthy living and we commend him for leading by example,” said PETA director Jason Baker, adding that going vegetarian “is the best thing we can do for health, animals and the Earth”.

Vegetarian diet was also one of the best ways to fight against the abuse of animals raised and killed for food, he said.

PS: Story compiled from writings of Maybritt (www.klue.com.my) and WONG Wei Hwang (www.thestar.com.my), early April 2009.

Link: http://www.petaasiapacific.com/feature_proggy_malaysian_moh.asp

Bad breath: Simple Chinese herbs

2009-03-20T18:11:00.005+08:00

For bad breath in general, we can use fresh reed rhizome (鲜芦根; Xian Lu Gen). Use large amount of fresh reed rhizome and boil it in 3 litres of water. Consume it as replacement of daily intake of water.

For chronic respiratory diseases that give rise to bad breath, lily bulb (百合; Bai He) and green mung bean (绿豆; Lv Dou) can be boiled into soup for regular consumption. Lily bulb is sweet and slightly cold. It nourishes the lung and clears away heart-fire whereas mung bean is cooling and helps to detox inflammatory factors. This combination is also good for cigarette smokers.

For chronic gastrointestinal problems that give rise to bad breath, fresh hawthorn fruit (生山楂; Sheng Shan Zha) and tangerine peel (陈皮; Chen Pi) are two proper herbs to be used together. Hawthorn fruit, sour and sweet in flavour and warm in property, acts on the spleen and stomach channels to remove retention of food and resolve blood stasis. Tangerine peel, pungent and bitter in flavour, warm in property, has the effects of eliminating dampness and resolving phlegm. Together, they get rid of food retention and dampness that contribute to bad breath. A little rock sugar adds good taste to it.

Our coldness in winter

2009-01-08T18:43:00.014+08:00

(Click on for clearer picture)

Help this poor old man~ Please~~
It's freezing here~

... ...

Poor old man... Oh...
I'll miss you...

... ...

Note:
1. Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

Insomnia and Chinese herbs

2008-12-27T19:39:00.005+08:00

By Kenneth Tan and John Lew

Dysfunctional bedtime will throw you off for the next day, or even the whole week. Don't let insomnia ruin your life. While sleeping pills may be a quick solution, prolonged use may lead to addiction and worsening insomnia conditions. Instead, turn to natural remedies such as herbs to help treat your condition.

“The current technological progress has made it possible for the curative powers of the herbs to be reduced to powders so the traditional preparation of boiling for hours is no longer needed,” say Eu Yan Sang integrative health physician and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner John Lew. “Now, you can either mix it in water or swallow as a capsule.”

The following are six common body syndromes to insomnia and the herbs which will fix it.

PROBLEM 1: You have a highly-strung nervous system and when you sleep, you have a fearfulness of the dark. Palpitation with fear is a common sign, coupled with dreaminess, fearful of disturbances, involuntary sweating and short breath. The tongue is usually pale with taut and thready pulse.

THE CAUSE: Your heart and gallbladder systems are weak. “When the heart-qi is weak, the mind is easily disturbed. And when the gallbladder-qi is weak, the whole person finds most things scary and fearful,” say Lew. Also, deficiency of qi makes breathing to be short and sweating more profound.

THE SOLUTION: To strengthen the heart and gallbladder, first of all, ginseng ( 人参; Ren Shen) boosts the qi of heart and gallbladder systems. Poria (茯苓; Fu Ling), poria sclerotium with hostwood (茯神; Fu Shen) and polygala root (远志; Yuan Zhi) reinforce spleen (strengthen digestion and absorption of food), dissolve phlegm and tranquilize the irritated mind. Grassleaf sweelflag rhizome (石菖蒲; Shi Chang Pu) stabilizes and calms the mind; yet at the same time brings more awareness to the heart. Wild jujuba seed (酸枣仁; Suan Zao Ren), sour in taste, related to the channels of heart and liver, nourishes liver, cools the heart and tranquilizes the mind. Rhizome of anemarrhena (知母; Zhi Mu), bitter in flavor and cold in property, purges heat and gets rid of irritation. Chuanxiong rhizome (川芎; Chuan Xiong), pungent and fragrant in flavor and warm in nature, regulates the blood by promoting the flow of qi. If palpitation and irritation gets severe, add raw dragon’s bone (生龙骨; Sheng Long Gu), raw oyster shell (生牡蛎; Sheng Mu Li) and Cinnabar (朱砂; Zhu Sha: Contains mercuric sulfide, not to be taken in large dosage or for a long time to avoid mercurialism. To be refined into powder with water but not to be decocted in water).

The formula has the effects of nourishing the blood, tranquilizing the mind, inducing sleep and calming down fever.

PROBLEM 2: Despite feeling fatigue around the limbs or the whole body, you cannot sleep well and you feel moody and slightly irritated. Your face shows sallow complexion with poor appetite. The tongue can be pale with thin and whitish coating, and thready and loose pulse.

THE CAUSE: The late hours reduce your liver’s effectiveness in detoxifying blood, depriving your heart and spleen of good blood. “The qi and blood in the heart and spleen systems are lacking, causing palpitation, amnesia; sometimes even night sweat, recurrent mild fever, anorexia,” says Lew. “This body type happens frequently to men and women undergoing menopause.”

THE SOLUTION: In this suggested formula, ginseng (人参; Ren Shen) and astragalus root (黄芪; Huang Qi) serve as principal herbs, have the effects of tonifying qi and invigorating the spleen. White atractylodes rhizome (白术; Bai Shu) and prepared licorice root (炙甘草; Zhi Gan Cao), sweet in flavor and warm in property, assist ginseng and astragalus root in enriching the source of the production of qi and blood by reinforcing the spleen and replenishing qi. Chinese angelica root (当归; Dang Gui) is good at enriching the liver to promote the generation of heart-blood. Poria sclerotium with hostwood (茯神; Fu Shen), longan aril (龙眼; Long Yan) and wild jujuba seed (酸枣仁; Suan Zao Ren), all being sweet and neutral in nature, function in nourishing the heart and tranquilizing the mind. Honey-parched polygala root (蜜炙远志; Mi Zhi Yuan Zhi) relieves mental stress by means of restoring normal coordination between the heart (fire) and kidney (water). Aucklandia root (木香; Mu Xiang) regulates the flow of qi and prevents qi-replenishing herbs and blood tonics from causing stagnation of qi. Fresh ginger (生姜; Sheng Jiang) and jujubae Chinese dates (大枣; Da Zao) tonify the spleen and regulate the stomach (better digestion and absorption), coordinating the effects of other herbs in this suggested prescription.

The formula is effective for promoting digestion and absorption, strengthening metabolism, consolidating the mind, regulating excitement.

PROBLEM 3: Hyperactivity and prone to emotional swings and irritability when under stress, with possible signs of depression. Insomnia occurs with possible back and joint pain. Palpitation, nocturnal emission, dry stools can be observed. Tongue impression is reddened with little or no fur accompanied by thready and rapid pulse.

THE CAUSE: Your body is lacking fluid, particularly yin and blood, causing an upsurge of internal heat. “This internal heat turns into heart-fire of the deficiency type. The person isn't really having excessive heat,” comments Lew. “This constant mild heart-fire irritates the mind and causes all the corresponding symptoms.”

THE SOLUTION: Dried rhizome of rehmannia (生地黄; Sheng Di Huang) is used in larger or double dosage to nourish yin and blood, tonify the kidney and the heart. Together with figwort root (玄参; Xuan Shen), not only do they nourish yin, they also clear pathogenic fire to have the deficiency-fire suppressed and the mind tranquilized. Herbs such as red sage root (丹参; Dan Shen), Chinese angelica root (当归; Dang Gui), ginseng (人参; Ren Shen) and poria (茯苓; Fu Ling) invigorate qi, enrich the blood and tranquilize the mind. Arborvitae seed (柏子仁; Bai Zi Ren), wild jujuba seed (酸枣仁; Suan Zao Ren) and polygala root (远志; Yuan Zhi) reinforce the heart and the spleen to calm the mind. Lucid asparagus root (天冬; Tian Dong) and ophiopogon root (麦冬; Mai Dong), sweet in taste and cold in nature, produce an moistening effect to clear deficiency-fire. Schisandra fruit (五味子; Wu Wei Zi) astringes qi and promotes the production of the body fluid to avoid the dissipation of the heart-qi. Magnolia vine fruit (桔梗; Jie Geng) carries all the ingredients in the formula upward. Cinnabar (朱砂; Zhu Sha) tranquilizes the mind. If nocturnal emission takes place, add cassia bark (肉桂; Rou Gui) to redirect the fire back to kidney-yang.

The above suggested formula gets the yin and blood nourished, the fire of the deficiency type reduced, and thus the mind tranquilized at the same time. It induces sleep without causing drowsiness and achieve the effects of enriching the yin and blood.

PROBLEM 4: Besides sleeplessness, the tip of your tongue is very red or takes on a yellowish hue. Your urine is also very yellow in color and has a very strong odor. You may also have severe palpitation, heart-burn sensation in the chest and lots of dreams.

THE CAUSE: There is too much heat in your heart. When this ‘fire’ is very strong, you will be very easily irritated. “Heart system is where the mind and consciousness reside. When the heart feels heat, the mind will sure feel much irritated,” says Lew. “The heart channel and the small intestine channels are directly linked. That's why the yellowish urine condensed from the heaty small intestine.”

THE SOLUTION: Cinnabar (朱砂; Zhu Sha) clears away heart-fire, relives floating the yang energy that floats on top of the heat and tranquilizes the mind. Coptis root (黄连; Huang Lian), which is very bitter and cooling in nature, clears away heart-fire and relives restlessness. These two herbs play leading roles in the whole formula. Chinese angelica root (当归; Dang Gui) and dried rhizome of rehmannia (生地黄; Sheng Di Huang) nourish yin and enrich blood. Rehmannia root can also replenish the kidney-yin so that it flows upward to help clear away flaring heart-fire. Prepared licorice root (炙甘草; Zhi Gan Cao) tonifies the spleen and regulates the stomach (better digestion and absorption as the above-mentioned herbs can be demanding for spleen and stomach functions). Licorice root also coordinates the actions of all other herbs. If the chest is tight and with numbness, add bamboo shavings (竹茹; Zhu Ru) to clear away stagnated fire in the chest. If constipation is severe with very yellowish and condensed urine, add rhubarb (大黄; Da Huang) and bamboo leaves (Zhu Ye; 竹叶) to guide the fire downward, and to purge the heat.

This suggested formula has the effect of cooling and tranquilizing the mind, inducing sleep, regulating heart beat and nourishing the body.

PROBLEM 5: Your sleep is interrupted by a heaviness and stuffiness in your stomach, and acid regurgitation with fetid odor. Loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhea may be observed. And your tongue is coated in a greasy, thick yellowish substance. The pulse can be slippery.

THE CAUSE: There is too much food stagnation as a result of a late dinner and lousy supper. Sleeping on a full stomach interrupts natural slumber. “Improper diet and bad timing is the main cause of retention of indigested food,” says Lew, “this is especially true for those who tend to eat oily, greasy food.”

THE SOLUTION: In this suggested formula, hawthorn fruit (山楂; Shan Zha) is used to remove all kinds of food stagnancy. It's especially good at removing greasy food stagnancy. Medicated leaven (神曲; Shen Qu) is effective for promoting digestion and strengthening the spleen (the digestion and absorption). It's especially good at removing stagnated food related to alcoholic drinking. Radish seed (萝卜子; Luo Bo Zi) keeps the adverse qi downward and promotes digestion, great for food stagnancy due to grain food. Pinellia tuber (半夏; Ban Xia) and Tangerine peel (陈皮; Chen Pi) have the effect of removing stomach phlegms and arresting nauseous vomiting. Poria (茯苓; Fu Ling) strengthens the spleen and induces diuresis which in turn arrests diarrhea or loose stool. Forsythia fruit (连翘; Lian Qiao) clears away heat and scatters stagnancy.

This formula of herbs promotes digestion, helps proper movement of stomach and intestines, arrests vomiting, subdues inflammation. It gets rid of food stagnation that contributes to insomnia.

PROBLEM 6: A flushed face and plenty of heat phlegm in the body which irritates the throat and causes stomach wind. This heat phlegm takes on a green or yellowish color and your emotional condition is quite irritated causing fitful sleep. The tongue is red and the fur yellowish and greasy. Fast slippery pulse is observed.

THE CAUSE: Heat phlegm, which is an accumulation of eating too much spicy, fried and heaty food, is to blame for this. “And it's the combination of emotional irritation, gastric discomfort, palpitation and even bitter taste in mouth that cause you to have insomnia,” says Lew.

THE SOLUTION: Pinellia tuber (半夏; Ban Xia) lowers adverse flow of qi energy to regulate the stomach. It also eliminates dampness to resolve phlegm. Bamboo shavings (竹茹; Zhu Ru) clears away heat and resolves phlegm to relieve vertigo and heavy head. Tangerine peel (陈皮; Chen Pi) regulates qi energy flow and removes phlegm. We can use coptis root (黄连; Huang Lian), which is very cooling in nature, to reduce heat-phlegm. We can also use capejasmine fruit (栀子; Zhi Zi), which helps to purge liver and gallbladder fire and clear damp-heat, to further cool the emotion. For severe palpitation and over-alertness, add Nacre (珍珠母; Zhen Zhu Mu) and Cinnabar (朱砂; Zhu Sha) to calm the mind. If the phlegm is persistently heaty and of the excess type, use prepared arisaema (胆南星; Dan Nan Xing) and scutellaria root (黄芩; Huang Qin). The bitter taste and cold nature of these two herbs is stronger in clearing heat and resolving dampness.

The above prescription has the effect of heat-clearing, phlegm-eliminating, heat cough and asthma relieving. It's suitable for the syndrome of stagnation of phlegm and heat in the upper parts of the body, namely the heart and lung systems.

Tips (Overall):
1) For most cases, standard suggested range of daily dosage for each herbs can be referred to when prescribing the herbs.
2) You can boil the herbs in traditional ways or by opting for condensed extracted powder of each herbs which can be taken orally without boiling.
3) Cases presented are typical or representatives of obvious body types. Most of the people belong to combination of two or three body types, depending on degree of severity. And there are other body types mixed with other diseases. Please consult a physician of TCM for proper diagnosis of body syndromes (types) and other diseases.

PS:
1) This solution of Insomnia appears in MIND & BODY_The Roots to Snooze, on page 76 and page 77 of Men's Health magazine, January 2009, Malaysia.

Attitudes of Life

2008-12-13T15:07:00.021+08:00

Smile Attitude

Take a 10-30 minute walk everyday and while you walk, smile.
Walking with a smile on your face promotes positive stress-less exercise. Even if we feel depressed, just put on the smile, the physical smile will change our feelings. Oh, it's so liberating to walk in open park and along a lake.

Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
Smiles and laughters are the best energy charger.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.
One of the very well defined goals of any day. When we're sad, we may need friends and family to cheer us up; when they're down, we're there for them to cheer them up.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Just go and enjoy the swing. It's in our hands we make ourselves happy.

Attitude of Life

When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to... today."
It's difficult to have a specific and different purpose everyday. It'll be a bonus if we do.

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
Personally I believe life is fair; just that we're not good enough to see it through. Life is fair and life is good. We just need to see better.

Live with the 3 E's... Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the 3 F's... Faith, Family, Friends.
Another inspiring conclusive notion of life

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
Things should be practical, beautiful to the nature and happy. Sure.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Many of us save the best for last. But it's hard to say if there's a last. Why not live at this moment? Every second is a new beginning.

Dream more while you are awake.
Dreams for all living beings.

The best is yet to come. Believe.
Positive mindset. Yet we must not be greedy.

Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.
Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
Enjoy the journey. We may or may not reach the destination. Enjoy the journey and let's not hurt too many beings on the way.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Yes. Life is a school. We learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them. We also try to help others.

However good and bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't be too joyous where there are good things; don't be too sad when there are bad things. For the goods and bads are just perspectives. One man's good thing is another's nightmare; one man's bad thing is another's fortune. See it through.

Do the right thing!
Excellent! Do the RIGHT things! Don't do the wrong things! What's wrong and what's right? Go with your conscience, and grow bigger conscience.

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
"I'm thankful for..."
"Today I accomplished..."
Again, we may or may not have accomplished something,
do make sure we enjoy the righteous process and be thankful for it.

Friends & Family

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
They both give us great perspectives: End and Beginning of a journey. We come and we go. Shall we come and go again?

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Quite true. Always stay in touch. A "Hi' in ten years is fine. Ha!

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
It's never about us. Just show up and our silent support will be felt.

Call your family often.
And say nice things. And listen patiently. Feel the true meanings and tones behind the voice...

Self Feelings

Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
We can keep on complaining, or we can shut up and do the right things.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
What does that little voice in us tell us?

Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
In the mean time, get some temporary solutions and, shift our attentions off elsewhere.

What other people think of you is none of your business.
We have more important things to do in life.

Make peace with your past, so it won't mess up the present.
Learn to be responsible in things happen to us. Admit the mistake and never to repeat again.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Oh, we surely have something more happy and constructive to do. Don't we?

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Journeys are always 'personal' experiences. Enjoy them!

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Doing the things right is important; doint the right things is more important.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagreements.
It's a matter of different perspectives. We can always strive for win-win.

Forgive everyone for everything.
Including yourself. And never to repeat again. Please.

PS:
1) All the above photos and carefully constructed wordings in the pictures belong to an unknown being. If anyone knows of their origins please drop me a line, thank you.

Breastfeeding, infant jaundice and Chinese herbs

2008-11-29T20:40:00.001+08:00

I received an email from a concerned mother inquiring about the effects of Chinese herbs on breastfeeding mothers. Mary was particularly concerned if taking Chinese herbs for postnatal breastfeeding women could cause jaundice in babies.

Below is my reply to Mary:

********************************************************

Dear Mary,

Good day to you. It's always delightful to know more and more people are interested in traditional medicine. And that people realize again how important breastfeeding is.

An invalid idea: "Breastfeeding mothers taking Chinese herbs will cause babies to have jaundice" is an invalid statement or idea.

Physiological or pathological? First of all, many people are messed up with physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. A physiological one is a normal one which usually begins from day 2 to day 3 and will disappear by itself in one or two weeks. As a matter of fact, physiological jaundice can take place anytime within one or two months. Some simple traditional remedies are sunbathing babies in the early morning, taking mild sugar solution, or phototherapy. A pathological one, of course, is more complicated and needs to deal with depending on the type of pathological changes: viral hepatitis, maternal-fetal blood type incompatibility, other infections or a thyroid problem.

The traditional explanations of having physiological jaundice are:

Possibility 1) Late bowel motion of newborns. For this type, early or more frequent feedings of breast milk to help infants pass the bilirubin in their stools may be recommended.

Possibility 2) Late or lack of breastfeeding by mothers. This jaundice occurs when the baby is not getting enough breast milk, either because of difficulty of breastfeeding or the mother's milk isn't enough yet. For this type, there's nothing wrong with the breast milk itself, it's simply because the baby has not enough to drink.

Possibility 3) Certain substances in milk. In 1% to 2% of babies, their jaundice could be caused by substances in the mother's breast milk. Some substances cause bilirubin to rise. This type usually begins from the first 3 to 5 days, and conditions improve over 1 to 3 months. If it's highly suspect case of such, and the bilirubin level rises toward the need of exchange transfusion, a mother can temporarily stop breastfeeding for 2 days, and resume after the jaundice subsides.

Boosting milk supply: There are certain Chinese herbs that boost a breastfeeding mother's supply of milk and thus allow young mothers who otherwise aren't able to breastfeed to do so. And if jaundice occurs after such cases should we blame it on late breastfeeding or consumption of Chinese herbs? Bear in mind that the newborn was late or not getting good supply of mother's milk at all initially. Could the physiological jaundice have taken place because of late or the lack of breastfeeding? Or the late bowel motion due to late or lack of breastfeeding (Breastfeeding helps first bowel motion)? Or more conveniently, some people will just blame it on the Chinese herbs.

Taking care of postnatal women: There are many postnatal illness or symptoms which have been treated with Chinese herbs. For these highly individual cases, the mother's body type or syndrome must be determined properly through face-to-face consultation before an appropriate therapeutic principle can be drawn on and thus the herbal formula prescribed. Herbs common for postnatal women usually possess the effects of nourishing yin fluid, promoting blood growth and circulation. They tend to strengthen the body constituent, encourage uterus contraction and prevent postnatal infections.

Traditional preparations: Some herbs do get into the breast milk, making milk yellowish in colour, and a few have milk withdrawal effects. Fortunately for us, or as in the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, these herbs aren't in the traditional preparation for wellbeings of postnatal women.

Traditional herbal formula for postnatal women's wellbeing are very safe. Many have been used for hundreds of years if not thousands. This is the reason these proven formulas are made into over-the-counters for the ease of availability. For treatments of more specific postnatal illnesses or symptoms, please consult TCM physicians for proper individual prescription.

I hope the info helps. And your effort in helping new moms to breastfeed and live a natural lifestyle is admirable. Keep it up please.

Do let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,
John Lew

Beat High Blood Pressure naturally

2008-11-11T16:58:00.008+08:00

Your herbal resort to lower blood pressure and boost health.

By Kenneth Tan and John Lew

High Blood Pressure

If you’re beset by depression, insomnia, constipation, headaches, dryness in mouth and even a bad temper, all these could be related to a body syndrome which manifests itself also in high blood pressure, says Eu Yan Sang traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician John Lew. “There are many different types of body syndromes which show itself through high blood pressure,” he says. “Usually, a consultation with a TCM physician will enable a diagnosis of the body syndrome and thus enable us to prescribe the right herbal remedy for the patient.” Read on to discover which body syndrome you are and how to beat it with an all-natural cure.

THE PROBLEM 1: Hyperactivity and prone to emotional and irritability when under stress with possible signs of depression. Dizziness and headache, weak knees and back pain, forgetfulness and insomnia are commonly seen symptoms.

THE CAUSE: Your body is lacking in fluid which results in an ‘upsurge of fire’, says Lew. “Imagine a sun shining on a small lake as opposed to a big one. The temperature of the small lake will be much higher than the bigger lake with its larger volume of water,” he says. The outcome is high-blood pressure.

THE SOLUTION: The idea is to replenish the fluids and also reduce the internal heat. Prepared rhizome of rehmannia (Shu Di Huang; 熟地黄) possesses the effect of nourishing the kidney-yin. Dogwood fruit (Shan Zhu Yu; 山茱萸), sour in flavour and warm in nature, is used to nourish the kidney and replenish the liver system, while dried Chinese yam (Shan Yao; 山药) for nourishing the kidney-yin and tonifying the spleen. Oriental water plantain (Ze Xia; 泽泻) helps clear and purge fire. Moutan bark (Dan Pi; 丹皮) cooperates with Dogwood fruit in purging liver fire and Poria (Fu Ling; 茯苓) shares similar effect with dried Chinese yam to excrete dampness from the spleen. To help reduce internal heat and fire, rhizome of anemarrhena (Zhi Mu; 知母), bitter in flavor and cold in property, is added. Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai; 黄柏), also bitter and cold, helps clear heat and purge away fire. If dizziness and headache is severe, Gastrodia tuber (Tian Ma; 天麻) and Uncaria stem with hooks (Gou Teng; 钩藤) are added to calm the emotional liver system and stop spinning wind. If constipation poses a problem, hemp seed (Huo Ma Ren; 火麻仁) and bush-cherry seed (Yu Li Ren; 郁李仁) can be used to moisten the bowels and relieve constipation. If you're easily agitated, double the amount of moutan bark and add white peony root (Bai Shao; 白芍) to nourish the upsurging liver and suppress liver hyperactivity. The above formula has the effects of reducing excitement of the brain, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, inducing diuresis, and improving the kidney system, etc.

THE PROBLEM 2: Paleness in face, with a weak pulse and a furless tongue. Dizziness, constant mild headache, short breath, frequent night urination and dreaminess are common symptoms. For some, feverish sensation in the palms and soles, lassitude of loins and legs can also be present.

THE CAUSE: Your body is lacking ‘yin’ fluid in kidney and liver. “When these organs are weak, then they are easily bullied by external factors,” says Lew. “This is especially common for people getting into their 50s and 60s.” Also, the functionality ('yang' energy) may also be lacking, causing aversion to coldness, low sex drive and weak knees. Ultimately, the disharmony in the organs also manifests itself in high-blood pressure.

THE SOLUTION: In order to promote an increased 'yin substantial essence' in your liver and kidneys, you’ll need to take dried rhizome of rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang; 生地黄) and dogwood fruit (Shan Zhu Yu; 山茱萸). They're both meant to nourish the kidney and replenish the liver systems. In order to boost up 'yang' warming energy, medicinal indianmulberry root (Ba Ji Tian; 巴戟天), desertliving cistanche (Rou Cong Rong; 肉苁蓉), cassia bark (Rou Gui; 肉桂) and prepared aconite root (Fu Zi; 附子) are used because of their ability to strengthen kidney-yang that helps with cold knees, low sex drive and night urination. Dendrobium stem (Shi Hu; 石斛), Ophiopogon root (Mai Dong; 麦冬) and Schisandra fruit (Wu Wei Zi; 五味子), with their sweet and slightly cold in nature, help to promote body fluid and nourish yin. Schisandra fruit even arrests sweating, seminal emission and calms the mind. To further calm the mind and strengthen digestive system, grassleaved sweetflag rhizome (Chang Pu; 菖蒲), polygala root (Yuan Zhi; 远志) and Poria (Fu Ling; 茯苓) are added. If dry mouth, dry throat and inner body heat is severe, more herbs that help nourish the kidney-yin can be included, such as wolfberry fruit (Gou Qi Zi; 枸杞子) and glossy privet fruit (Nv Zhen Zi; 女贞子). Wolfberry fruit also nourishes the liver system to improve acuity of vision whereas glossy privet fruit also improves eyesight and darken white hairs. If you're plagued with water retention in the lower limbs and chronic aversion to coldness, coupled with pale facial complexion, white atractylodes rhizome (Bai Shu; 白术), oriental water plantain (Ze Xia; 泽泻) and agaric (Zhu Ling; 猪苓) can be added to replenish qi energy and reinforce the spleen system (better digestion and absorption) for inducing diuresis. The above prescription has the efficacies in promoting blood circulation, cooling the mind, lowering blood pressure, strengthening the kidney system and protecting the liver, etc. It can also be modified for climacteric hypertension in women.

THE PROBLEM 3: A flushed face, plenty of yellowish or greenish phlegm with an irritated throat, fitful sleep. Fullness sensation in the chest, rapid pulse, yellowish greasy fur and fast slippery pulse can be observed.

THE CAUSE: There is a presence of ‘heat phlegm’ in your body which causes discernible discomforts and also the high-blood pressure. “The problematic ‘heat phlegm’ will also irritate your emotional conditions,” says Lew. Typical symptoms include vertigo, gastric discomfort with acid regurgitation, palpitation, insomnia, bitter taste in mouth and so on.

THE SOLUTION: First, you can use coptis root (Huang Lian; 黄连), which is very cooling in nature, to reduce heat-phlegm. Then, once your phlegm is less heaty, use Poria (Fu Ling; 茯苓) to absorb it and flush it out through bowel movements and urination. Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia; 半夏) lowers adverse flow of qi energy to regulate the stomach. It also eliminates dampness to resolve phlegm. Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru; 竹茹) clears away heat and resolves phlegm to relieve vertigo. Tangerine peel (Chen Pi; 陈皮) regulates qi energy flow and removes phlegm. Immature citron fruit (Zhi Shi; 枳实) promotes circulation of energy to remove phlegm and renders phlegm downwards for excretion. Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang; 生姜), jujubae Chinese dates (Da Zao; 大枣) and prepared licorice root (Zhi Gan Cao; 炙甘草) tonify the spleen and regulate the stomach (better digestion and absorption), coordinating the effects of other herbs in this suggested prescription. If the heat-phlegm is persistent and of the excess type, use prepared arisaema (Dan Nan Xing; 胆南星) and scutellaria root (Huang Qin; 黄芩). The bitter taste and cold nature of these herbs is stronger in clearing heat and resolving phlegm. The above prescription has the effect of heat-clearing, phlegm-eliminating, cough and asthma relieving. It's suitable for the syndrome of stagnation of phlegm and heat in the lung system.

THE PROBLEM 4: A lack of energy and presence of wet phlegm with paleness in face and accompanied usually by signs of obesity. Many times dizziness, nausea, chest oppression can be observed. Tongue is whitish and greasy with taut and slippery pulse.

THE CAUSE: “Your digestive system is weak which results in food stagnation and consequently the wet phlegm,” says Lew. “Poor absorption of the food leaves it in the body causing an accumulation of the wet phlegm. Some people have bulky hands and weakness on their lower legs also which causes the blood-pressure to shoot up.”

THE SOLUTION: To improve the digestive system and resolve inner dampness and phlegm. Also, it is important to cut down on your salt intake because it promotes water retention, leading to heavier legs and higher blood pressure. To further lower your blood pressure, cut out alcohol, teas and cigarettes which weaken your digestive system. Regular exercise of 45 minutes a day will quickly improve your blood pressure readings as well. For herbal remedy, the principle is to dry dampness to resolve abundance of phlegm. Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia; 半夏) eliminates dampness to resolve phlegm and lowers the adverse flow of qi energy to arrest nausea. Gastrodia tuber (Tian Ma; 天麻) resolves phlegm and calms spinning wind that caused by stagnated liver system to relieve vertigo. These two herbs are essential in the treatment of vertigo with headache due to wind-phlegm syndrome (body type). Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Shu; 白术), strengthens the spleen system (digestion and absorption) to eliminate dampness and phlegm. Poria (Fu Ling; 茯苓) further strengthens the spleen to excrete dampness. Tangerine peel (Chen Pi; 陈皮) regulates qi energy flow and removes phlegm. Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang; 生姜), jujubae Chinese dates (Da Zao; 大枣) and licorice root (Gan Cao; 甘草) tonify the spleen and regulate the stomach (better digestion and absorption), coordinating the effects of other herbs in the prescription. For condition with sticky phlegm, add fritillary bulb (Bei Mu; 贝母) and prepared arisaema (Dan Nan Xing; 胆南星) to resolve more phlegm and nourish the lung system. The prescription helps improve digestion and absorption and thus gets rid of stagnated phlegm inside the body. Syndrome marked by up-stirring of wind-phlegm can be treated by this modified formula.

THE PROBLEM 5: Bad temper, constant flushed face, slight constipation, yellowish urine, bitterness in mouth, acid reflux, deep red tongue, taut and forceful pulse. Dizziness and headache and probably head distension are common symptoms.

THE CAUSE: An upsurge of liver ‘fire’ which is caused by keeping late nights or/and eating plenty of spicy foods. “The hours of 1am to 3am is when your liver detoxes your blood while the time of 11pm to 1am is when your gall bladder system clears the secretions and blockages,” says Lew. “When these two organs are deprived of their regular bio-rhythm, the stagnation will result in upsurge of liver-yang or fire and there all the above symptoms and your pulse will also toughen like a guitar string which indicates increased blood pressure.”

THE SOLUTION: The first priority is to purge excessive fire from the liver and gallbladder systems. Removing damp-heat is next. Now, in order to purge excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder and clear damp-heat, gentian root (Long Dan Cao; 龙胆草), scutellaria root (Huang Qin; 黄芩) and capejasmine fruit (Zhi Zi; 栀子) are selected. They are extremely bitter in flavor and cold in nature. Oriental water plantain (Ze Xia; 泽泻), fiveleaf akebia stem (Mu Tong; 木通) and plantain seed (Che Qian Zi; 车前子) have the effect of removing heat and inducing diuresis to dispel damp-heat. Dried rhizome of rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang; 生地黄) and Chinese angelica root (Dang Gui; 当归) nourish yin and blood so as to soothe the liver. Also, bupleurum root (Chai Hu; 柴胡) should be included as it soothes the liver and regulates the qi circulation in the liver and gallbladder systems. It further induces the efficacy of all the herbs into the liver and gallbladder. Licorice root (Gan Cao; 甘草)) coordinates the effects of various herbs and prevents the stomach from being hurt by the bitter and cold property of most herbs. For constipation, rhubarb (Da Huang; 大黄) can be added to purge heat and loosen the bowels. For severe headache and vertigo, add gastrodia tuber (Tian Ma; 天麻), uncaria stem with hooks (Gou Teng; 钩藤) and nacre (Zhen Zhu Mu; 珍珠母) to calm the emotional liver system and stop spinning wind on the head (vertigo). For dry mouth and thirsty tongue, add dendrobium stem (Shi Hu; 石斛), Ophiopogon root (Mai Dong; 麦冬) and figwort root (Xuan Shen; 玄参) to promote yin fluid build-up and clear heat. The formula has the effect of bringing down the heat, tranquilizing the mind, relieving inflammation, inducing diuresis, promoting the functions of gallbladder and liver systems, and decreasing blood pressure.

Tips (Overall):
1) For most cases, standard suggested range of daily dosage for each herbs can be referred to when prescribing the herbs.
2) You can boil the herbs in traditional ways or by opting for condensed extracted powder of each herbs which can be taken orally without boiling.
3) Cases presented are typical or representatives of obvious body types. Most of the people belong to combination of two or three body types, depending on degree of severity. And there are other body types mixed with other diseases. Please consult a physician of TCM for proper diagnosis of body syndromes (types) and other diseases.

PS:
1) This solution of High Blood Pressure appears in Malegrams Balance, on page 52 and page 54 of Men's Health magazine, November 2008, Malaysia.

Android open source smart phone

2008-10-23T14:55:00.004+08:00

Open source system: Just recently Open Handset Alliance and Google released the source code of smart phone operating system Android, based on Linux kernel and operating system. What does that mean to the common public? It means so many developers/hackers/programmers can come up with really creative and innovative ideas/applications for the open smart phones of yours. Anyone can take a look at source code and help contribute by providing more ideas. Anyone who wishes to make any hardwares compatible with the software can do so with modification without any charges incurred, part of the benefit of GNU GPL License.

An open world: I've always opted for open systems as I believe living beings evolve in an open environment. Our genetics have gone through countless natural selections to have become the human forms today. Traditional medicine has always worked in an open manner without patents or copyrights. Why not the operating systems for computers/smart phones/pdas and etc.?

More joining: Another company that is going to open up her source code is Nokia and her Symbian operating system. Visionaries such as these people see the benefits that can be shared among human beings, and the vast amount of human talents that can help contribute to better and more innovative coding.

First Android phone: To the more common public all these names and programmings may not mean much. Let's bring something closer to the earth: The first android hand phone: HTC Dream G1

Links:
1. Google, http://www.google.com
2. Open Handset Alliance, http://www.openhandsetalliance.com
3. Android Open Source Project, http://www.android.com
4. HTC Corporation, http://www.htc.com
5. Nokia, http://www.nokia.com
6. Symbian OS, http://www.symbian.com

Teresa Hsu: 110 years of wisdom

2008-10-18T14:02:00.002+08:00

110 years of wisdom: Teresa Hsu

I was reading the sub edition of Chinapress newspaper (Oct 15th, 2008) and came across this incredible human being by the name of Teresa Hsu Chih (许哲; Xu Zhe). Apparently there is so much to learn from her 110 years of wisdom about sharing and giving.

"Clothes, foods, houses, transportations are things I don't mind about. My clothes are old clothes of others. Material things are just tools. Because I'm a full vegetarian, my diet is really simple. Coarse teas and plain rice [Simple foods] are no problem." Vegetarianism that goes her heart to suffering animals. Simplicity that cares about mother earth's resources.

"I must have got it from my mother because she was totally dedicated to the job she chose to do and that was looking after the family. I think that trait was passed down to us. I've no family, so I look after everybody else. I choose to serve everybody else who comes to me—that is my job... The world is my home, all living beings are my family, selfless service is my religion." An incredible being that walks the talks of serving selflessly.

"I prefer to laugh than to weep. Those people who cry to me, I always tell them it is better to laugh than to use tissue paper, as laughing is free but tissue paper still cost five cent. 'Ha ha ha' cost no cents." Positive tone of life takes precedent over negativity. Golden rule.

"There are no secrets [to my longivity]. I just enjoy simple, spiritual peaceful life. As a matter of fact, I didn't choose longivity; it just happens to be so." Quite many people aim for the destinations without enjoying the journey. In the end, many don't reach the destinations nor do they learn much from the journey.

"Neither am I Christian nor Buddhist. Ha ha ha." Love is what we need. It's never about religion, or race.

Please learn more about Teresa Hsu at the links below. I'm sure we're all going to learn something wise from her.

LINKS:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Hsu_Chih
2) http://www.hearttoheartservice.org/AboutFounder.htm

Once a week, Johnny the Moron

2008-09-14T16:17:00.008+08:00

(Click on for clearer picture)

Johnny "the moron" once worked at a farming factory. One of the jobs he hated most was milking the cows. He always asked himself why he had to do the work everyday.

One day out of the blue he came up with a brilliant idea: "Why not once a week? Just leave the milk in the breasts and collect it every week, instead of everyday!"

He thought doing so could cut down the amount of time he spent everyday and yet still be able to collect a total of 6-day milk at the end of the week.

Applying the same analogy, some people believe they can:

1. exercise once a week for 3 consecutive hours (total = 3 hours) instead of exercise everyday for 30 minutes (total also = 3 hours).
2. drink water four times a day 500ml each (total = 2 liters) instead of once every hour 200ml each (total also = 2 liters).
3. pass bowel movement once a week (In one big lump sum with hardened stool; refusing to take any vegetables and fruits) instead of pass motion everyday (With smooth and adequake portion without hurting the anal lining).

4. bring their children for a weekend material shopping spree (Total = 6 hours plus materialistic bonding) instead of reading 30-minute spiritual bed-time stories to them every night (Total = 3 hours plus quality family bonding).

5. visit his/her mother once every week at the old folks house for half-a-day (Total = 6 hours; plus his/her mother's lonely and emptiness feelings) instead of having his/her mother to stay with them and accompany her an hour everyday (Total also = 6 hours; plus warmth and sense of togetherness).

You'll be surprised how many of us do things these ways...

Do we understand how frequency versus quantity (versus yet quality)?

Note:
1. Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

2. If you think of any other misuse of frequencies, please let me know by writing your comments. Thank you.

Thou Shalt Not Kill. Go Vegetarian

2008-09-09T18:26:00.004+08:00

"Thou Shalt Not Kill" - Go vegetarian

I was reading some materials on 'proper food' and I came across the following conversation between Srila Prabhupada and his visitors, among them was Father Emmanual. The conversation took place probably some time back in September, 2000. The conversation was long. I only quote the sections on my perceived idea of 'proper food'.

======================================

Srila Prabhupada: We have to accept all the injunctions of the scripture as they are given, not only those that suit us. If you do not follow the first order, "Thou shalt not kill," then where is the question of love of God?

Visitor: Christians take this commandment to be applicable to human beings, not to animals.

Srila Prabhupada: That would mean that Christ was not intelligent enough to use the right word: murder. There is killing, and there is murder. Murder refers to human beings. So you think Jesus was not intelligent enough to use the right word - murder - instead of the word killing? Killing means any kind of killing and especially animal killing. If Jesus had meant simply the killing of humans, he would have used the word murder... If you want to interpret these words, that is something else. We understand the direct meaning. "Thou shalt not kill" means "The Christians should not kill."

Father Emmanuel: Isn't the eating of plants also killing?

Srila Prabhupada: The Vaisnava philosophy teaches that we should not even kill plants unnecessarily. In the Bhagavad-gita [9.26] Krishna says:

"patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah"

"If someone offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or a little water, I will accept it."

We offer Krishna only the kind of food He demands, and then we eat the remnants. If offering vegetarian food to Krishna were sinful, then it would be Krishna's sin, not ours. But God is apapa-viddha - sinful reactions are not applicable to Him... Eating food first offered to the Lord is also something like a soldier's killing during wartime. In a war, when the commander orders a man to attack, the obedient soldier who kills the enemy will get a medal. But if the same soldier kills someone on his own, he will be punished. Similarly, when we eat only prasadam [the remnants of food offered to Krishna], we do not commit any sin. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita [3.13]: "The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food that is first offered for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin."

Father Emmanuel: Krishna cannot give permission to eat animals?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes - in the animal kingdom. But the civilized human being, the religious human being, is not meant to kill and eat animals. If you stop killing animals and chant the holy name of Christ, everything will be perfect... I think the Christian priests should cooperate with the Krishna consciousness movement. They should chant the name Christ or Christos and should stop condoning the slaughter of animals. This program follows the teachings of the Bible; it is not my philosophy. Please act accordingly and you will see how the world situation will change.

======================================

"Thou shalt not kill" means "The Christians should not kill any living beings."

Go vegetarian.

Note:
1. Source of the conversation: Science of Self-Realization (pp. 129-33) [http://www.harekrishna.com/col/books/VEG/ht/ahightaste.html]

Migraine Headache and traditional Chinese medicine

2008-08-12T15:04:00.005+08:00

Back in the year 2001 I started a site:

Migraine/Headache at http://www.lews.info/headache/".

This site aims to give a perspective of how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sees the problems of headache/migraine. You'll see what 'syndromes' mean to the diagnosis of proper causes, how 'symptoms' help in reaching the right conclusion, what 'channels' are responsible for a specific parts of headache, how migraine is classified in terms of TCM diagnostic methods, some of the case studies that illustrate real cases of headache/migraine, what specific herbs are for various types of headache/migraine. Further readings are provided if you're interested in some of the deep theories of TCM.

Below are the categories I started with:

Headache (general):
Headache: Causes and Mechanisms
Discussion on Endopathic/Internal Headache
Differentiative Diagnosis
Channels of Headache
Locations/Characteristics of Headache
Conclusion

Headache (Syndromes):
Hyperactivity of the Liver-yang
Deficiency of the Kidney-yin
Insufficiency of Kidney-yang
Deficiency of both Blood and Qi
Retention of Phlegm and Dampness
Blood Stasis

Headache (Symptoms):
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) (Liver-Jue) Headache
Low Blood Pressure (Hypo-tension) Headache
Headache due to Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Premenstrual Tension (PMT)
Headache due to Menopause (Climacteric Syndrome)

Migraine:
Migraine (Neuro-headache)
Modern understanding of the causes of migraine
Modern interpretation of the manifestations

Treatments According to Syndromes
S1: Wind-Heat type
S2: Wind-Phlegm type
S3: Qi Stagnation due to Liver-Fire type
S4: Jueyin Inner Cold type
S5: Blood deficiency
S6: Insufficiency of Qi

Migraine differentiation in accordance with symptoms
Type 1: Mono Type (Accumulation of Cold in the Liver Channel and Qi Stagnancy)
Type 2: Blinking Dim Spots Type (Three syndromes in TCM)
Type 3: Complex Light Spots Type (Accumulation of Cold in the Liver Channel and Qi Stagnancy)
Type 4: Cluster Type (Stagnancy of the Liver-Qi and Exterior Wind)

Case Study:
Headache due to Blood Stasis
Headache due to High Blood Pressure (Hyperactivity of the Liver-Yang)
Headache due to Loss of Blood
Headache due to Low Blood Pressure Type (Deficiency of both Qi and Blood)

Migraine: Mono Type (Accumulation of Cold in the Liver channel and Qi Stagnancy)
Migraine: Bush Type (Stagnancy of the Liver-Qi)
Migraine: Complex Light Spots Type (Stagnancy of the Liver-Qi)
Migraine (Wind-Cold Type due to Insufficiency of Kidney-Yang)

Specific Herbs:
藁本，GaoBen, Gao Ben, Ligusticum Sinense (Ligusticum Sinense Oliv.)
川芎，ChuanXiong, Chuan Xiong, Chuanxiong Rhizome (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong)
白芷，BaiZhi, Bai Zhi, Dahurian Angelica Root (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae)
吴茱萸，WuZhuYu, Wu Zhu Yu, Evodia Fruit (Fructus Evodiae)
柴胡，ChaiHu, Chai Hu, Bupleurum Root (Radix Bupleuri)
细辛，Xixin, Xi Xin, Wild Genger (Herba Asari)
苍术，CangZhu, Cang Zhu, Atractylodes Rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis)
羌活，QiangHuo, Qiang Huo, Notopterygium Root (Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii)
防风，FangFeng, Fang Feng, Ledebouriella Root (Radix Ledebouriellae)

Resources:
"Zhang's Medical Comprehension", by Zhang Jing-Yue
"The Heart Law of Dan Xi", by Zhu Dan-Xi
"Medicine Narration", by Wang Ren-Yen
Manifestations of Headache, various contributors
The Causes of Migraine, various contributors
Links to other Migraine Headache sites

For more details please visit "http://www.lews.info/headache/"

You and Me, Beijing Olympic Games Theme Song

2008-08-11T12:28:00.015+08:00

Many people were watching the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony on 8-8-2008 at 8.08pm and the 8th second (Beijing Time). There were many amazing sections of the performance. What caught my attention most is the THEME SONG 《我和你》(Wo He Ni, I And You, [You and Me]) presented by 刘欢 (LIU Huan) and Sarah BRIGHTMAN. The song seems so simple and yet beautiful and to an extend 'pure' from the heart.

Here I'm presenting the song in her original Chinese characters, PINYIN pronunciation and the literal meanings of the lyrics. I hope you'll like it.

《我和你》Wo He Ni, I And You, [You and Me]

Beijing Olympic Games Theme Song

Lyrics and music by: 陈其钢 (CHEN Qigang)
Performed by: 刘欢(LIU Huan) and Sarah BRIGHTMAN

我和你，	心连心，	同住地球村。
Wo He Ni,	Xin Lian Xin,	Tong Zhu Di Qiu Cun.
I-and-you,	heart-links-heart,	same-live-earth-globe-village.

为梦想，	千里行，	相会在/ 北京(这里）。
Wei Meng Xiang,	Qian Li Xing,	Xiang Hui Zai / Bei Jing (Zhe Li).
For-dreams-wishes,	thousand-mile-journey,	meet-ing- / in-Bei-Jing (right at here).

来吧，	朋友，	伸出你的手。
Lai Ba,	Peng You,	Shen Chu Ni De Shou.
Come-on,	fri-ends,	extend-out-you-r-hands.

我和你，	心连心，	永远一家人。
Wo He Ni,	Xin Lian Xin,	Yong Yuan Yi Jia Ren.
I-and-you,	heart-links-heart,	forever-ever-one-family-people.

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

Travel dream,
A thousand miles,
Meeting / in Beijing (right at here).

Come together,
Put your hand in mine.

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

来吧，
朋友，
伸出你的手。

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

The song is beautiful because of her simple yet meaningful lyrics: All of us human beings living in this globe coming to one place for the same dream. I'd want to imagine we human beings are here to learn lessons, to pass the lessons and to excel in them without hurting anyone. We were all from the same source of spirits; just that we have never been aware of it. Now that we've come to realize our family, friends, and everyone are here to help us progress, improve and learn to be better human beings.

PS:
1) I've taken the liberty to change one part of the lyrics to "Meeting / in Beijing (right at here)". "Meeting right at here" means human beings are here on the mother earth. We can be scattered around the globe and we're still on the earth, learning lessons and trying to stay on the righteous track.

2) Can someone please do a video/music video with subtitle on this page? I'd imagine many non-Chinese speakers will be interested in knowing and learning this song. I wanted to grab the music video off YouTube and do some subtitle editing before posting back on it. Lack of know-how and my low-spec notebook forbid me from doing so.

Eating meat is eating human beings?

2008-07-31T17:32:00.004+08:00

Eating meat is eating human beings?

Chinese characters are combinations of symbols (pictographic: drawing), sounds (phono-semantic: shape and sound) and meanings (ideographic: ideology and concept). Of the three, what makes the characters stand out most visually interesting is the symbolic and artistic nature.

Take the word 肉(“rou”, meat / flesh) for example, the special thing about this word is how it's constructed from. There seems to be two 人(“ren”, man / human being) inside the character 门(“men”, door). Two men inside a door is meat? What does that mean?

The way I would interpret the character 肉(“rou”, meat) is quite similar but with a simple twist. My idea was inspired by the concept of universal love. You shall see why below:

人(“ren”, man / human being): The character looks like a man walking with two legs.
门(“men”, door): The character itself resembles a door with hinge.
內(“nei”, inside): A man inside a door means 'inside', quite graphical too.
肉(“rou”, meat / flesh): There is actually a 'human being' (the lower character 人) hidden 'inside' meat.

This is the conclusion: There is a human being inside meat. If you eat meat, you eat human beings. How do we come to comprehend this? This simple conclusion is in line with the concept of reincarnation, that all living beings keep incarnating to other living forms depending on how well (or how bad) they've contributed during their life time.

What we are really eating? This piece of chicken could have been a grandmother of your friends in previous lives. That piece of red meat (cow) could have been your own grandfather who passed away many years ago. Killing and eating each others have created deep hatred and curses. No wonder the world is full of vengeance wars of all kinds.

PS:
1. This is one perspective to look at why eating meat is wrong. If you find the idea comfortable and useful, you can help to spread the message or even translate it to your own language for a good cause.
2. The concept of 肉(“rou”, meat / flesh; 'Human beings' are 'inside' meat) includes beef, chicken, turkeys, pork, pigs, chicken eggs, cows, fish, lobsters, crabs, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, cattle, goats, swines, mules, birds, donkeys, rabbits, leopards, giant pandas, owls, pigeons, crayfish, octopus, deers, eagles, hawks, ostriches, penguins, gooses, salmon, tuna, eels, snakes, snails, frogs, turtles, ducks, calves, steaks, puppies, kittens, ponies and so on.

Yin, Yang, Qi and their roots

2008-07-19T15:37:00.009+08:00

The other day I was sorting my emails out and noticed this inquiry from a reader of the blog and my reply to the individual. I think it can be an interesting reading.

Message: I read with interest your website info and would like to know:

Question: The principles of yin, yang, qi - do they have their roots in Chinese (Taoist or Buddhist) beliefs?

I will be grateful if you can answer my query. Thank you.

For that I wrote the following as a brief introduction of how yin, yang and qi came around:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you so much for your interest in TCM. I've always enjoyed sharing TCM knowledge. To answer your question:

The terms 阴(yin, facing the moon), 阳(yang, facing the sun) and 气(qi, air energy movement above grains) have many implied meanings. Different fields take those terms for different definitions. At first, yang and yin meant only if a place faces the sun or not, respectively. The place that faces the sun is yang and the one not is yin. It was the fundamental understanding of nature. It's within the theory of duality of ancient Chinese philosophy. Subsequently, people have come to realize, through living, practice and observation of daily natural phenomenon, that the concept of yin and yang exists in all things. A simple example that applies to TCM can be: A fresh flush face is yang whereas a pale exhaustive face is yin.

The theory of yin and yang in TCM includes how these two components oppose each other, how they depend on each other to reach a balance, how they wax and wane and how one transforms to the other. TCM physicians use theory as such to understand the nature of diseases.

An ancient philosophical book, 周易 (Zhou Yi; Zhou: Dynasty Zhou, BC 1066 - BC 256; Yi: A word forming from the upper日(Ri, the sun, yang energy) and the lower 月(Yue, the moon, yin fluid), meaning ‘change’), considers the transformation of yin (night time, for example) and yang (day time, for example) into each other as the 'basic law in the universe'. This book dates back to the time mentioned as in Dynasty Zhou in the north-eastern part of China (Now nearby Shandong province). Buddha came to enlightenment in northern India at a time later than that. Therefore, yin and yang cannot come from Buddhism.

"Zhou Yi" is a book on the law of the universe, which is also called "Dao" (Direct Mandarin PinYin pronunciation) or "Tao" (Cantonese pronunciation, more known to the western and English world). Indeed, the idea of yin and yang can be found in the book. As a matter of fact, many TCM scholars these days consider Zhou Yi as the ultimate root of where TCM developed from, before which the book 皇帝内经 (Huang Di Nei Jing; Yellow-Emperor-Inside-Sutra; The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, the most ancient TCM publication ever preserved) appeared back in 2,400 years ago...

So I'd agree to the saying the concept of yin and yang originally came from Taoism (Dao, what Zhou Yi is based on). But then again there are nowadays so many denominations of Taoism, some of which may have lost the original constituents of Dao.

As for the concept of qi in TCM, the first book that described this term is "The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine". The term qi, widely translated as energy, is also the unseen energy flows inside human body meridians, where acupuncture is based on.

Therefore the concept of qi neither originated from Buddhism nor Taoism.

Also mind I if correct your question, Buddhism isn't a Chinese belief, it's an understanding and practise that explains, as many believe, the finest and complete understanding of the universe. It was the teaching of Buddha, once prince Siddharta Gautama of a small country in northern India. Taoism, derived from the book Zhou Yi, author unknown. Confucius, in his later years, came across this book and pondered upon it and wrote ten chapters to explain this mysterious book of universe and proclaimed “If only I had known this book 10 years earlier, I would then have more time to understand the universe.” or something similar to that.

I hope this helps in understanding a little about the origin of yin, yang and qi. Different people, depending of their reading levels, may have different understandings. Please feel free to let me know if my views contradict with someone else's or if I have made a mistake.

Thank you so much for your interest in TCM. I deeply believe constituents of TCM such as: Qigong (The practise of Qi and energy with exercise or meditation), proper living lifestyle in tune with nature, proper diet in line with humanity, emotional peace and herbal remedy can help to achieve a peaceful world.

Thank you,

John Lew

Photoes:
1) The relationship of Yin Yang fish and eight 卦 (Gua, trigrams, as it's called in the western worlds). The eight Gua consists of different combinations of yin and yang as it changes from one to another.
2) 周易, Zhou Yi, more known as "I Ching" in the west.
3) The characters of 日(Ri, sun) and 月(Yue, moon), and how they were formed from symbolic looks of the actual bodies.
4) 皇帝内经, Huang Di Nei Jing, "The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine". This book is the bible of TCM. There are a few different translations in English name.
5) The character 气(Simplified version) and 氣(Original and complicated version). Three waves of air energy on top of and generated by 米(Mi, grain-based rice). It basically means the energy of the body is derived from diet of grain-based rices or cereals.
6) First sermon of Gautama Buddha at the Deer Park.

Open source Openmoko phone

2008-07-07T20:08:00.005+08:00

July 4th, 2008 came a phone so unique it may revolutionize the mobile phone industry. Openmoko Neo FreeRunner is a completely open source mobile phone, including the mobile Linux platform and application software, and as such is sold "unlocked" and can be used with any GSM network.

There are currently three voices in the world of open platform for handphones. The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner is ahead of the other two (the LiMo Foundation and the Open Handset Alliance) in terms of rolling out handsets in the actual world market.

About the phone:
Operating the device seems not difficult because it has built-in core software that’s meant for recording contacts, dialing, and SMS. Neo FreeRunner is going to be available in two versions – 900MHz and 850MHz models.

Aside from that, it has 128MB WSDRAM and 256MB NAND flash memory. Making it more competitive is the 2.8-inch VGA touch screen having 480 x 640 resolution. Yes, anything you want done can be achieved with a touch of finger. Connectivity available is 802.11 b/g, AGPS, and GPRS 2.5G. Bluetooth is also provided.

Open source everything:
Openmoko hopes that by using open source software other developers can also make something unique out of the Neo FreeRunner handset.

Open source hardware:
Openmoko has made available downloadable Pro-Engineer format CAD files under a Creative Commons license for the developer community. It’ll be interesting to see how the developer community adapts the insides of FreeRunner to various form factors and application areas.

Open source software:
The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner comes equipped with a GNU/Linux OS base, and a core system for dialing, SMS and recording contacts. It currently does not include a camera, but it wouldn't surprise us if it is somehow modified into one. In about a month, a brand new software suite will be released that will provide location-based applications.

The FreeRunner can be a good training ground for the Linux community to adapt their codes/programs from desktop to this phone. So if you want to move beyond the narrow confines of the Windows Mobile operating system, or Nokia's Symbian OS doesn't float your boat, you might want to try this one out.

Discussion of specifications:
The FreeRunner will come in two versions at first: 850MHz or 900MHz Tri-band GSM. It packs in 128MB WSDRAM and 256MB NAND of flash memory, and includes a 2.8-inch VGA touch screen (at 480 x 640), Wi-Fi at 802.1 1b/g, AGPS, and GPRS 2.5G. And it of course has Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, plus a couple of 3-axis motion sensors.

Upgrading and customization of the phone:
Users would have to become familiar with an apt-based (i.e. Debian, a Linux OS) Linux distribution. Programs and customization can be chosen over a device manager that links to a few sites, either OpenMoKo-related or certified sites. This in turn will definitely boost the sales of network operators’ bandwidth.

Endless possibilities:
The phone comes as a basic one. Much of the additional functionality is still in the developer stage and Linux skills are required to get many of them to work. At present new versions of the firmware are posted almost every day on the Openmoko web site. This is to say initial users are most likely to be open source / Linux geeks. Openmoko will eventually release a consumer version with fully functional, stable software.

One of the interesting things about this phone, according to Shiroh, an executive of the company, is “what people will do with this phone. What will people write in the open source community that I can't even imagine? It's the things that are completely unexpected that I'm really looking forward to."

So, what do you think are the exciting things we can do with the phone?
1) Walkie-talkie with GPS tracking?
2) Guitar tuner?
3) GPS assistant?
4) Add a camera (this is possible with hardware openness) and have conference call via GSM or WIFI?
5) Add an infra-red (again, possible) and have gyro-sensed remote control?
6) Digital drum machine? It’s all touchpad anyway. Let's throw in MIDI interface too.
7) Act as interface control of WII?
8) Many more unthinkable ideas?... :@)

Openmoko’s Neo FreeRunner phone can be availed at a retail price of USD399.

More info at:
OpenMoKo: www.openmoko.com; www.openmoko.org.
LiMo Foundation: www.limofoundation.org
Open Handset Alliance (Google Android): www.openhandsetalliance.com

Note:
1. Click on the pictures for original resolution of 480x640 VGA size.
2. Pictures are from www.openmobilefree.net (Chinese language) and www.openmoko.com.

Egg is bad for health?

2008-06-28T17:52:00.007+08:00

Egg is bad for health?

Much has been said about the benefits of consuming eggs; I’d like to shed some light on its contraindications/ cases when and why human beings shouldn’t eat eggs.

- Poor digestion affects growth: Because of incomplete digestion system, babies often time cannot digest properly. The chance of indigestion, manifested as diarrhea and vomiting, is high when eggs are in their diet. A type of protein, avidin, in the egg, blends with biotin in intestines, causing blockage of nutrients absorption. It results in poorer absorption of vitamins, affecting baby growth. From the point of view of Chinese medicine, eggs are unkind to digestion, leaving behind plenty of phlegm in the stomach/spleen systems which will further jeopardize digestion.

- Allergic reactions: Baby’s digestive tracts are premature.
The membrane of the intestines allows more permeability. The ovalbumin in the egg, with smaller molecular sizes, can penetrate the membrane and sips into the baby’s blood. Reaction of baby’s immune system is to generate some antibodies that cause the release of certain chemicals which in turn cause allergic reaction such as wheezing, diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomachache, eczema and itchy hives and so on. This happens not only to babies; some grown-ups are also affected because of different and weaker body types. For example, chronic dry and itchy skin of elderly shares similar pathology, triggered by sea food, shrimps, eggs and so on. Ever wonder why more and more babies have symptoms mentioned above, that just wouldn’t go away? One of the causes is the egg intake.

- Heat/Feverish concern: From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, eggs can produce plenty of warming energy (Conventional interpretation is that its protein produces calories), causing the build-up of internal heat, which is a must-not during feverish cold and cough of the syndromes of wind-heat, phlegm-heat types. Furthermore, feverish patients secrete less digestive enzymes and their activities are low. Taking eggs will cause indigestion that leads to bloatedness, diarrhea and so on. What happens then? The fever and cough linger on with more new problems in stomach wind and diarrhea.

- Consistent cough/asthma: Because of the body’s reaction to the proteins either in the white or yolk, one of the effects is sneezing. This sneezing is a triggering factor of asthma with coughing and wheezing. This is also one of the reasons why some cough/asthma can be so persistent, lasting for a long period of time. It’s simply because of the wrong diet. One of the prohibiting foods for asthmatic babies and children is eggs.

- Lower kidney function: People with chronic kidney function, as in the case of nephritis, coupled with low urination, may have trouble getting rid of metabolite waste of the body. With the intake of eggs, the egg protein causes more urea production, making the kidney system suffer more. If the situation deteriorates, it may lead to renal failure. For cases of babies and young children, their internal organs are premature and therefore have difficult time coping with protein intake of eggs.

- Liver burden: The cholesterol and fat in egg yolk are metabolized at liver, posing additional burden to liver and gallbladder systems. Those patients who have liver and gallbladder related diseases should be watchful of eggs.

Mosquito fogging brings bad karma

2008-06-23T16:12:00.008+08:00

Mosquito spraying/fogging has been carried out through out the world for many years with little successful results. The act of killing virus-carrier mosquitoes with chemicals has brought many unforeseen results.

To these days, many then unforeseen and destructive results have been known:

- Creating super mosquitoes: The use of many chemical insecticides in the past half decade or so has proven just one thing: The nature will prevail over human beings and new species of mosquitoes which can survive stronger insecticides will form by mutation. The next leading role of the movie will be the “super mosquitoes” who are not deterred by chemical pesticides. Then, what’s next? More and stronger toxic chemicals? And the same vicious cycle repeats again?

- Killing and extinguishing of its natural predators: Chemical insecticides/pesticides kill parts of mosquitoes, not all. And it also kills some other species. For example, sparrows, birds, frogs, bats and freshwater fishes could also be killed because of the fogging. And some of them are actually natural predators of mosquitoes as they feed on mosquito larvae. The decrease of the number of natural predators will only increase the number of new breeds of mosquitoes. The flourishing of mosquitoes today is the result of disturbance of natural ecological balance, partly due to fogging.

- Toxification of human beings and animals: The insecticides human beings used are synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, pyrethrins and malathion. And these are toxins. If they are toxic and harmful to mosquitoes, why can’t we understand they could be toxic and harmful to human beings/animals? In many parts of the world, there are hardly any control over the quality and quantity of insecticides/pesticides used in actual fogging. The more we use these chemicals, the more we and our children and grandchildren will suffer. The weaker our immune system becomes, the poorer health we have and the shorter our lifespan will be.

- Destruction of organic lifestyle: This is the time where more and more health conscious people are practicing the life-nourishing organic lifestyle with organically grown local produces. Many governments have also supported and hopefully will draft proper policies in helping the growth of this natural and productive agriculture. Can we imagine how chemical fogging destroys the work of organic plantations? It’s directly going against the balance of nature.

The government officials may or may not understand how ecology and nature works. Acting upon public complaints of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue fever, Malaria, West Nile fever and so on, they are busy showing the public and media they actually do their job by busy killing mosquitoes, seemingly fulfilling the demand of general public.

Instead of opting for the chemical fogging/spraying, a government which has green/ecology wisdom will:

- Push for green environmental education: Educating public about the impossibility of killing all mosquitoes. The more fogging we do, the more adverse consequences we and our children will face. Educating public on how reducing meat intakes can reduce attracting mosquitoes; reducing the use of anti-biotics for stronger immune system which even upon bitten the body will not be affected so easily.

- Push for ecology education: The environmental department can protect the growth of frogs, sparrows, birds, freshwater fish, bats and home lizards and so on.

- Encourage the use of natural mosquito repellents and other techniques: Growing more plants which crushed leaves can repel mosquitoes like citrosa, lemon thyme, marigolds around the neighborhood. Introducing naturally and organically produced insect repellents and aroma essential oils like Eucalyptus, Cedar wood, and tea tree oils.

- Take better care of the neighborhood environment: Clean up all stagnant dead water, and scattered rubbish which actually helps the growth of mosquitoes breeding. This community-wide mosquito abatement program definitely helps in getting rid of mosquito-breeding sites.

The nature has warned us again and again on how poorly we take care of our surroundings and environments. However, many years of ignorant actions/inactions cannot be rectified by the wrong move of fogging. If we do not wake up to the callings, a red card is sooner than we can expect.

Note:
1) The writing is inspired by Mr. Simon Chau, a social and environmental activist, of www.simonchau.hk. The outline of the writing follows his style as it provides the consequences as well as solutions to what human beings can do to help.

Human Avian/ Bird Flu and Chinese medicine

2008-06-14T18:14:00.006+08:00

Human Avian/Bird Flu and Chinese medicine

Translation and interpretation of section 5.4.1 of <人禽流感诊疗方案(2005版修订版)> (Ren Qin Liu Gan Zhen Liao Fang An (2005 Ban Xiu Ding Ban); Human Bird/Avian Flu Treatment Policy (2005 Revision version)), issued on November 23rd, 2005, by the Ministry of Health, People’s Republic of China.

The policy is the third revision (and the latest up to June 14, 2008) since the first publication in 2004. This new revision was compiled by 25 specialists in the departments of epidemiology, pulmonology, paediatrics, emergency, medical imaging, medical examination, virology, physical examinations & clinical skills.

Below is translation of section 5.4.1 of the policy which details Chinese herbal treatments of Bird Flu in accordance to TCM syndromes. Four syndromes are listed. Modification tips are given for reference. Comments by John Lew explain how the herbs play different cohesive roles in treating different syndromes.

5.4.1 Chinese herbal treatments of Avian/Bird Flu in accordance to TCM syndromes:

5.4.1.1)
Syndrome: External toxins invading Lungs
Symptoms: Fever, aversion to cold, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain, coughing, little phlegm, tongue with white coat, rapid and slippery pulse.
Mechanism: Toxins invading Lungs’ protective layer, Lungs losing the ability to maintain upward & downward qi passage.
Therapeutic principles: Clear away heat and toxins, activate the flow of qi, and penetrate external pathogens.

Basic formula (Ingredients) & reference dosage:
No. 1) 柴胡10g (Chai Hu, Chaihu, Bupleurum root, Radix Bupleuri);
No. 2) 黄芩12g (Huang Qin, Huangqin, Scutellaria root, Radix Scutellariae);
No. 3) 炙麻黄6g (Zhi Ma Huang, Honey-baked Mahuang, Honey-baked ephedra, Herba Ephedrae Praeparata);
No. 4) 炒杏仁10g (Chao Xing Ren, Fried Xingren, Fried bitter apricot kernel, Semen Armeniacae Amarum);
No. 5) 银花10g (Yin Hua, Yinhua, Honeysuckle flower, Flos Lonicerae);
No. 6) 连翘15g (Lian Qiao, Lianqiao, Forsythia fruit, Fructus Forsythiae);
No. 7) 牛蒡子15g (Niu Bang Zi, Niubangzi, Arctium fruit, Fructus Arctii);
No. 8) 羌活10g (Qiang Huo, Qianghuo, Notopterygium root, Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii);
No. 9) 白茅根15g (Bai Mao Gen, Baimaogen, Lalang grass rhizome, Rhizoma Imperatae);
No. 10) 芦根15g (Lu Gen, Lugen, Reed rhizome, Rhizoma Phragmitis);
No. 11) 生甘草6g (Unprepared Gan Cao, Sheng Gancao, Licorice root, Radix Glycyrrhizae)

Modifications: For severe cough, add 炙枇杷叶(Zhi Pi Pa Ye, Honey-prepared Pipaye, Loquat leaf, Folium Eriobotryae Praeparata), 浙贝母(Zhe Bei Mu, Zhebeimu, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii). For Nausea and vomiting, add 竹茹(Zhu Ru, Zhuru, Bamboo shavings, Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam), 苏叶(Su Ye, Suye, Perilla leaf, Folium Perillae).

John’s comments:
1) This formula combines that of 银翘散(Yin Qiao San, a powder formula for the treatment of superficial syndrome of wind-heat, consists of 10 herbs) and 麻杏甘石汤(Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, a decoction formula for the treatment of cough and dyspnea due to wind-heat, consists of 4 herbs) with modifications. Chai Hu dispels pathogenic heat in the half exterior. Huang Qin clears out stagnated heat in the half interior. The combined use of the two herbs removes pathogenic factors from Shao Yang channels. Ma Huang facilitates the flow of the Lung-qi to relieve asthma, and its pungent flavor is good at dispelling exogenous factors. When used in honey-baked form, the effect in relieving asthma and cough is stronger. Xing Ren, with bitter taste and warm property, helps to move the Lung-qi to the lower part of the body. Yin Hua and Lian Qiao, pungent in flavor and cool in property, are used to relieve the exterior syndrome and clear away pathogenic heat and toxic materials. Niu Bang Zi and Gan Cao are used to relieve sore throat and cough by clearing away toxins and removing phlegm and, furthermore, the pungent and cool property of Niu Bang Zi is good for dispelling exterior heat. Qiang Huo, pungent in flavor and warm property, is used to expel exterior wind, remove dampness and relieve pain. Bai Mao Gen, being cold and sweet, helps to cleanse heat in the Lungs and Stomach. Lu Gen, sweet in flavor and mild cool in property, is used to remove pathogenic heat and promote the production of body fluid and relieve thirst and restlessness, working in tandem with Bai Mao Gen.

2) The formula seems more inclined in catering for wind-heat syndrome. The use of Ma Huang, Qiang Huo, even though warm and pungent, helps in arresting asthmatic symptoms and removing dampness. Tongue impression for wind-heat is usually thin yellowish fur, in contrary to what’s stated above. Anyway, all other factors are to be taken into account.

5.4.1.2)
Syndrome: Toxins invading Lungs and Stomach
Symptoms: Fever, or aversion to cold, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lower abdomen pain, tongue with whitish greasy fur coupled with floating and slippery pulse.
Mechanism: Toxins invading Lungs and Stomach, dampness accumulated at Stomach and Intestines, causing disruption of downward movement.
Therapeutic principles: Clear away heat and toxins, remove dampness and regulate Stomach.

Basic formula (Ingredients) & reference dosage:
No. 1) 葛根20g (Ge Gen, Gegen, Pueraria Root, Radix Puerariae);
No. 2) 黄芩12g (Huang Qin, Huangqin, Scutellaria root, Radix Scutellariae);
No. 3) 黄连6g (Huang Lian, Huanglian, Coptis Root, Rhizoma Coptidis);
No. 4) 鱼腥草30g (Yu Xing Cao, Yuxingcao, Houttuynia herb, Herba Houttuyniae Heartleaf);
No. 5) 苍术10g (Cang Zhu, Cangzhu, Atractylodes, Rhizoma Atractylodis);
No. 6) 藿香10g (Huo Xiang, Huoxiang, Agastache, Herba Agastachis);
No. 7) 姜半夏10g (Jiang Ban Xia, Ginger-prepared Banxia, Ginger-prepared pinellia tuber, Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparata);
No. 8) 厚朴6g (Hou Pu, Houpu, Macrostem onion, Bulbus Allii Macrostemi);
No. 9) 连翘15g (Lian Qiao, Lianqiao, Forsythia fruit, Fructus Forsythiae);
No. 10) 白芷10g (Bai Zhi, Baizhi, Dahurian angelica root, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae);
No. 11) 白茅根15g (Bai Mao Gen, Baimaogen, Lalang grass rhizome, Rhizoma Imperatae)

Modifications: For severe stomachache, add 炒白芍(Fried Bai Shao, Chao Baoshao, White peony root, Radix Paeoniae Alba)、炙甘草(Honey-baked Gan Cao, Zhi Gancao, Honey-baked licorice root, Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata). For severe cough, add 炒杏仁(Chao Xing Ren, Fried Xingren, Fried bitter apricot kernel, Semen Armeniacae Amarum), 蝉蜕(Chan Tui, Chantui, Cicada slough, Periostracum Cicadae).

John’s comments:
1) This formula combines that of 葛根黄芩黄连汤(Ge Gen Huang Qin Guang Lian Tang, a decoction formula for the syndrome of toxins invading both Lungs and Stomach, consists of 4 herbs) and 平胃散(Ping Wei San, a powder formula for the treatment of stagnancy of dampness in the Stomach and Spleen, consists of 4 herbs) with modifications. Ge Gen, sweet and pungent in flavor and cool in property, dispels pathogenic factors from the superficial muscles to reduce fever and invigorates Spleen-Yang to stop diarrhea. Huang Lian, bitter in flavor, cold in property, acting on the Heart, Stomach, Liver and Large Intestine channels, purges pathogenic fire in the Heart and Stomach. Huang Qin acts to clear away heat in the Lungs and purge fire in the upper body. Cang Zhu dispels dampness to promote the function of the Spleen. Hou Pu promotes qi circulation and eliminates dampness to relieve distension and fullness in the abdomen. Huo Xiang, with a pungent and aromatic smell, not only dispels wind but also expels the turbid pathogen and regulates the Stomach to arrest vomiting; meanwhile it can send up the lucid qi and send down the turbid, clear away summer-heat and filthy pathogens. Ban Xia dries dampness and regulates Stomach, lowers the adverse flow of qi to arrest vomiting. Bai Zhi expels wind to relieve pain and removes dampness. Yu Xing Cao, pungent in flavor and mild cold in property, clears heat and toxins from the Lungs. It also subdues swelling and promotes pus discharge. Lian Qiao, pungent in flavor and cool in property, is used to relieve the exterior syndrome and clear away pathogenic heat and toxic materials. Bai Mao Gen, being cold and sweet, helps to cleanse heat in the Lungs and Stomach.

2) Comparing to formula 5.4.1.1, this formula of 5.4.1.2 tailors the direction toward getting rid of dampness around the middle part of the body, namely Stomach and Spleen, by regulating qi movement and drying dampness.

5.4.1.3)
Syndrome: External toxins clouding Lungs
Symptoms: High fever, cough with fewer phlegm, chest numbness, asthmatic short breath, or palpitation, restlessness, agitation, even delirium, coma, deep purplish lips, dim-red tongue with greasy gray or yellow fur and sunken fine and rapid pulse.
Mechanism: Severe case of toxins invading and clouding Lungs, causing disruption of upward & downward qi passage, thus the high fever and cough; phlegm accumulation and stagnation of Lungs, thus dim purplish lips and asthmatic short breath.
Therapeutic principles: Clear away heat and purge Lungs, remove toxins and resolve phlegm.

Basic formula (Ingredients) & reference dosage:
No. 1) 炙麻黄9g (Zhi Ma Huang, Honey-baked Mahuang, Honey-baked ephedra, Herba Ephedrae Praeparata);
No. 2) 生石膏30g先下(Xian Xia; Boiled first) (Sheng Shi Gao, Unprepared Shigao, Gypsum, Cypsum Fibrosum);
No. 3) 炒杏仁10g (Chao Xing Ren, Fried Xingren, Fried bitter apricot kernel, Semen Armeniacae Amarum);
No. 4) 黄芩10g (Huang Qin, Huangqin, Scutellaria root, Radix Scutellariae);
No. 5) 知母10g (Zhi Mu, Zhimu, Wind-weed rhizome, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae);
No. 6) 浙贝母10g (Zhe Bei Mu, Zhebeimu, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii);
No. 7) 葶苈子15g (Ting Li Zi, Tinglizi, Lepidium seed, Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae);
No. 8) 桑白皮15g (Sang Bai Pi, Sangbaipi, White mulberry root-bark, Cortex Mori);
No. 9) 蒲公英15g (Pu Gong Ying, Pugongying, Mongolian dandelion herb, Herba Taraxaci);
No. 10) 草河车10g (Cao He Che, Caoheche, [重楼, Chong Lou, Chonglou, Chinese paris rhizome, Rhizoma Paridis Chinensis]);
No. 11) 赤芍10g (Chi Shao, Chishao, Red Peony Root, Radix Paeoniae Rubra);
No. 12) 丹皮10g (Dan Pi, Danpi, Mountan Bark, Cortex Moutan Radicis)

Modifications: For high fever, unresponsiveness, or even delirium, add 安宫牛黄丸(Angong Niuhuang Wan / AnGong NiuHuang Pill, a OTC pill for treatment of high fever, delirium, coma due to phlegm-heat in the Heart or pathogenic heat in pericardium, consists of roughly 12 herbs (depending on manufacturers)); with a choice of using 清开灵注射液(QingKaiLing Injection), 痰热清注射液(TanReQing Injection), 鱼腥草注射液(YuXingCao / Houttuynia injection). For deep purplish lips, add 黄芪(Huang Qi, Huangqi, Astragalus root, Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), 三七(San Qi, Sanqi, Notoginseng, Radix Notoginseng), 当归尾(Dang Gui Wei, Danggui tail, Chinese angelica root, Radix Angelicae Sinensis). For constipation, add 生大黄(Sheng Dai Huang, Unprepared Daihuang, Rhubarb, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)，芒硝(Mang Xiao, Mangxiao, Mirabilite, Natrii Sulphas).

John’s comments:
1) The formula combines that of 麻杏甘石汤(Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, a decoction formula for the treatment of cough and dyspnea due to wind-heat, consists of 4 herbs), 白虎汤(Bai Hu Tang, a decoction formula for the treatment of excessive heat syndrome in Yang Ming channels and qi system, consists of 4 herbs) and 葶苈大枣泻肺汤(Ting Li Da Zao Xie Fei Tang, a decoction formula for the treatment of phlegm accumulation and retention, consists of 2 herbs) with modifications, mostly addition of herbs. Ma Huang facilitates the flow of the Lung-qi to relieve asthma, and its pungent flavor is good at dispelling exogenous factors. When used in honey-baked form, the effect in relieving asthma and cough is stronger. Shi Gao, pungent and sweet in flavour and extremely cold in nature, acts against excessive heat in Yang Ming channel. Xing Ren, with bitter taste and warm property, helps to move the Lung-qi to the lower part of the body. Huang Qin clears out stagnated heat in the half interior and removes pathogenic factors from Shao Yang channels. Zhi Mu, which is bitter in taste and cold moist in nature, serves to strengthen the action of Shi Gao. Ting Li Zi, pungent and bitter in flavour, very cold in property, removes heat from the Lungs, and relieves asthma. Zhe Bei Mu, bitter in flavor and cold in property, has a strong activity of cleansing heat phlegm away and dissolving accumulation. Pu Gong Ying, bitter in flavor and sweet cold in property, acts on Liver and Stomach channels to clear heat and detoxicate, subdue swelling and dissolve lumps. Chong Lou, bitter in flavor and a little cold in property, acts on Liver to clear heat, detoxicate, subdue swelling, kills pain and relieve convulsion. Dan Pi has the effect of cooling the blood and removing latent heat from the body’s Yin system. Chi Shao removes pathogenic heat from the blood, dissipates blood stasis and relieves pain.

2) The formula is intended to do five therapeutic principles: First, it clears cough and asthmatic cough due to wind-heat. Second, it clears pathogenic heat in the qi system. Third, it has strong emphasis on removing phlegm heat. Fourth, that’s to detox and finally fifth, to cool the blood in the Yin system. This syndrome is definitely more serious and a step further toward deterioration in terms of prognosis. From the point of view of conventional medicine, the symptoms can be similar to that of pneumonia.

5.4.1.4)
Syndrome: Internal shut-down; external collapse
Symptoms: High or low fever, cough, asthmatic short breath, cold limbs, cold sweat, dark purplish finger nails and lips, with deep and fine or non-existing pulse.
Mechanism: Further sinking of toxins, collapse of qi, Yin and Yang.
Therapeutic principles: Strengthens the essential qi to rescue from collapse

Basic formula (Ingredients) & reference dosage:
No. 1) 生晒参15g (Sheng Shai Shen, Sun-dried ginseng, Radix Ginseng);
No. 2) 麦冬15g (Mai Dong, Maidong, Ophiopogon root, Radix Opiopogonis);
No. 3) 五味子10g (Wu Wei Zi, Wuweizi, Schisandra fruit, Fructus Schisandrae);
No. 4) 炮附子10g先下(Boiled first) (Pao Fu Zi, Prepared Fu Zi, Prepared lateral root of Aconite, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata);
No. 5) 干姜10g (Gan Jiang, Ganjiang, Dried ginger, Rhizoma Zingiberis);
No. 6) 山萸肉30g (Shan Yu Rou, Shanyurou, or 山茱萸, Shan Zhu Yu, Shanzhuyu, Dogwood fruit, Fructus Corni);
No. 7) 炙甘草6g (Honey-baked Gan Cao, Zhi Gancao, Honey-baked licorice root, Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata)

Modifications: For severe sweating, add 煅龙骨(Duan Long Gu, Calcined longgu, Dragon’s bone, Os Craconis Fossilia), 煅牡蛎(Duan Mu Li, Calcined muli, Oyster shell, Concha Ostreae). For abundance of phlegm, sputum in throat, greasy coat on tongue, add 金荞麦(Jin Qiao Mai, Jinqiaomai, Wild Buckwheat Rhizome, Rhizoma Fagopyri Cymosi), 苏合香丸(Su He Xiang Wan, a OTC pill for treatment of cold syndrome of coma, consists of roughly 15 herbs (depending on manufacturers)), 猴枣散(Hou Zao San, a OTC powder for treatment of inner phlegm accumulation, consists of roughly 13 herbs (depending on manufacturers)). For injections the following can be selectively used (based on syndrome differentiation): 醒脑静注射液(Xingnaojing Injection), 生脉注射液(Shengmai Injection), 参麦注射液(Shenmai injection), 参附注射液(Shenfu injection), 血必净注射液(Xuebijing injection) and so on.

John’s comments:
1) The formula is a combination of 生脉散(Sheng Mai San, a powder formula for the treatment of impairment of both qi and Yin manifested by short breath, spontaneous perspiration, exhaustion and faint pulse, consists of 3 herbs) and 四逆汤(Si Ni Tang, a decoction formula for the treatment of syndrome of insufficiency of Yang manifested by cold limbs, intolerance to cold, diarrhea, cold-pain of abdomen, mental fatigue and sleepiness, pale complexion and profuse sweat, consists of 3 herbs) with modifications. Sheng Shai Shen (A type of Chinese/Korean ginseng which has been sun-dried) is sweet in flavor and warm in property, acts to replenish qi and promote the production of body fluid, and invigorates primordial qi. Mai Dong, sweet in flavor and cold in property, is used to tonify Yin and promote body fluid production, clear away deficient heat to get rid of restlessness. Wu Wei Zi, sour in flavor and warm in nature, is used for astringing the Lungs to stop sweat. Fu Zi, pungent and hot in the extreme, acts on channels of the Heart, Kidneys and Spleen, helping to warm the Yang and qi and recuperate the depleted Yang to rescue from collapse. Gan Jiang, functions in warming Yang of the middle portion and eliminating interior cold. Therefore it’s suitable for vomiting and diarrhea due to cold of the insufficiency type. Shan Zhu Yu, sour in flavor and slightly warm in property, induces astringency to arrest excessive loss of body fluid. Gan Cao, in honey-baked form, strengthens the Spleen and replenishes qi. It is used in assisting Fu Zi to recuperate depleted Yang and promote blood circulation, in assisting Gan Jiang in warming and restoring Yang of the middle portion, in reducing toxin of Fu Zi, in relieving the extremely pungent property of Fu Zi and Gan Jiang so as to make it possible to warm Yang and remove Yin cold without injuring Yin fluid.

2) The formula achieves the result of replenishing qi, warming the Yang energy and astringing Yin. This stage is of the extreme one as the patient has exhausted the body’s qi, Yin fluid and Yang energy during the course of battle with the pathogenic factors. The first priority is to quickly replenish qi, recuperate Yang and promote body fluid production. The second direction is to astringe further exhaustion through excessive perspiration.

Postscript:
I have written on the general applications of traditional Chinese medicine in treating Avian/Bird Flu related symptoms. Some advantages of TCM have been outlined. With the ever increasing threat of human-to-human pandemic I see a need in better awareness of using traditional medicine to reach wider scope of people.

One of the advantages of using Chinese herbs is that the patient, having flu-like, or pneumonia-like symptoms, who may or may not be Bird Flu virus related, can immediately take Chinese herbs once his or her syndrome is properly diagnosed with TCM diagnostic method. The diagnostic method doesn’t rely on availability of test kits, machines, and can be done in 10 minutes. Of course, a properly trained TCM physician has to do the job in diagnosing. In the case of suspected Bird Flu, medical personnel can be trained to recognize the most prominent features of identifying the commonly manifested different syndromes.

There are purposes for this article:
1) To outline the different syndromes manifested by human beings infected by Bird Flu virus. There are of course some other syndromes which can share certain similarities to that of this policy. There are at least two policies which have been translated into or written in English: (1) The policy issued by 441-443 of issue No. 6, 2005 of 天津中医药 Tian Jin Zhong Yi Yao (Tianjin Chinese Medicine & Medicinals) journal, translated by Bob Flaws and; (2) “The potential Avian Flu epidemic” by Jake Paul Fratkin, April, 2006 . They are very good references; they would have been better if elaborations and explanations were given.
2) To explain and elaborate how different herbs, with different properties, flavours, channel tropism, and effects are applied cohesively into a formula that works hand-in-hand to treat a particular syndrome. There are certainly not many writings focus on how herbs actually work on our human bodies.
3) As mentioned above, to emphasize how Chinese herbs can be applied with or without knowing the existence of H5N1 virus. By proper diagnosis of syndromes based on many symptoms/manifestations, a herbal formula can be custom-tailored for treatment.

Over-The-Counter Prescriptions:
Another section of the article, section 5.4.2, focuses on the application of OTCs (Over-The-Counter) according to various syndromes. There are six categories of the OTCs, in the forms of pills, boluses, oral solutions, powders and injections. The categories are: 1)解表清热(Jie Biao Qing Re, Exterior-relieving and heat-clearing, 3 OTCs suggested); 2)清热解毒(Qing Re Jie Du, Heat-clearing and toxins-clearing, 4 OTCs suggested); 3)清热开窍化瘀(Qing Re Kai Qiao Hua Yu, Heat-clearing, resuscitation and clearing blood stasis, 6 OTCs suggested); 4)清热祛湿(Qing Re Qu Shi, Heat-clearing and dampness-removing, 2 OTCs suggested); 5)止咳化痰平喘(Zhi Ke Hua Tan Ping Chuan, Cough-arresting, phlegm-resolving and asthma-relieving, 4 OTCs suggested); 6)益气固脱(Yi Qi Gu Tuo, Qi-supplementing and exhaustion-astringing, 3 OTCs suggested). They can be convenient in prevention as well as treatments at various stages. I do not translate nor elaborate on them because these OTCs are not normally available outside China.

Notes:
1) The modifications to the suggested formulae must be based on differentiation of syndromes, i.e. taking into accounts the properties, flavours and channel tropism of the herbs.
2) Directions: All the ingredients are to be decocted in water for oral dose. Modern form of herbal preparation includes fine powder extracted from individual herbs; without the need for inconvenient decoction.
3) Capitalization of the first letter of internal organs in this writing refers to the channels/systems/organs; not just the physical organs alone.

References and more information:
1) Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China: www.moh.gov.cn
2) 人禽流感诊疗方案(2005版修订版); issued on November 23rd, 2005, by the Ministry of Health, People’s Republic of China
3) World Health Organization, WHO’s perspectives: Avian Influenza: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
4) The Potential Avian Flu Epidemic, By Jake Paul Fratkin; Acupuncture Today, April, 2006, Vol. 07, Issue 04
5) Bird Flu and Chinese Medicine, By Bob Flaws, Acupuncture Today, October, 2006, Vol. 07, Issue 10

Abstracted, translated, compiled and analyzed by John Lew.

The greatest love of all

2008-05-23T18:57:00.004+08:00

ma ma ...

Thalassemia and Chinese medicine

2008-05-15T13:27:00.007+08:00

Thalassemia, being a genetic disease, runs in a family. Most are silent carriers or suffer mild anemia. Severe cases such as the Hemoglobin H disease with enlarged spleen, small body and malnourished look shows more prominent symptoms. [Pic below: Enlargement of spleen, small body]

TCM looks at Thalassemia from the genetic perspective too. Its symptoms such as anemia, feeling tired, paleness, jaundice, enlargement of spleen, pigmentation of skin, and skeletal deformity can be treated with Chinese herbs. Typically, there are three syndromes associated with it: The deficiency of kidney-qi is the fundamental syndrome as it relates to genetic effect. As time goes on, the child may suffer more deterioration of kidney-qi and thus the chance of accumulation of damp-heat in the body. Toward the third syndrome, the child loses more blood, more accumulation of damp-heat coupled with stagnation of blood.

Early symptoms such as slow growth, big head, protruded forehead and front teeth, collapsed or low nose bridge, wide gap between eyes must be observed closely for the degree of severity. [Pic below: Big forehead, low nose bridge, paleness]

Depending on the type, syndrome and severity, therapeutic principle varies accordingly.

For treatments for cases with obvious and known symptoms and syndrome, matching OTC (if there is any on the market) can help. For most other cases, treatments are individual based with herbal prescriptions.

The eel that arched her abdomen

2008-05-05T20:21:00.008+08:00

In ancient China (Song dynasty? (960–1279)), there lived an educated man named 周豫(Zhou Yu). One day, his friend brought him some fresh eels, a delicacy that Zhou Yu liked very much. Having little to do that day, Zhou Yu wanted to try his culinary skills, which he had long left unused, and prepared to make a batch of unseasoned eel stew.

He placed the eels in a pot, and when the stew began to boil, Zhou Yu lifted the lid and saw an extraordinary phenomenon: One of the eels had pushed its abdomen upward in an arch, leaving its head and tail in the soup. With great curiosity, Zhou Yu immediately spooned the eel out of the soup and cut open its abdomen. To his amazement, he saw countless eggs inside. In order to protect its spawn, the mother eel had struggled to prevent hot water from hurting its abdomen by pushing its body into an arch.

The sight left Zhou Yu dumbfounded, and he could not contain his tears. Even an eel knew how to protect its eggs, he thought, yet he, a human being, the highest of all creatures, had not been filial to his mother. Deeply moved, Zhou Yu vowed never to eat eel again. And he loved and respected his mother evermore.

Original writing

“学士周豫，尝烹鳝。见有鞠身向上，以首尾就烹者，讶而剖之，腹中累累有子，鞠躬避汤耳… 物类之甘心忍痛，而护惜鞭子如此。恻然感叹，永断不食。” --《护生录; hu sheng lu; Protecting-lives-records》

"xue shi zhou yu, chang peng shan. jian you ju shen xiang shang, yi shou wei jiu peng zhe, ya er pou zhi, fu zhong lei lei you zi, ju gong bi tang er... wu lei zhi gan xin ren tong, er hu xi bian zi ru ci. ce ran gan tan, yong duan bu shi." --《护生录; hu sheng lu; Protecting-lives-records》

“Scholar Zhou Yu, tried to cook eels. [He] saw an eel bowed up, with head and tail fully cooked in soup. Puzzled, [he] cut open the eel, abdomen strains of eggs, bowing to avoid soup… living kinds willing to suffer, to protect babies at such. Deeply touched and sighed: Never to eat eels. ” --《护生录; hu sheng lu; Protecting-lives-records》

The story tells us:

“Animals do not live without feelings, emotions.
Neither do they live without love.”

Like you and I,
animals have mothers who care about them,
even when they die, babies come first.

Happy Mother's day
to all animals!
All living beings!

Shall we celebrate this Mother's day without taking lives? with vegetarian food?

Note:
1) I was preparing to translate this article from ancient Chinese expressions to English when I stumbled upon this writing. Apparently Sonoflight, a blogger from China, had already done the translation a while ago. Her narration of the story is of my taste and I can’t resist but to ‘borrow’ her work over here. Thank you, Sonoflight. A good job, indeed. The original article is at: http://sl.iciba.com/viewthread-85-347008-1.shtml#2625029

2) Original writing, quote from 《护生录; hu sheng lu; Protecting-lives-records》, was written probably during the time of Song dynasty (960–1279). A slightly more illustrated version (by John Lew, for the sake of more complete sense. Pin Yin pronunciation and English translation by John Lew) is shown above in Chinese language. Anyway, there is more than one version with slight difference in wordings.

3) The first illustration (首尾就烹; shou wei jiu peng; Head-Tail-In-Cooking) is by the late Mr. 丰子恺 (Feng Zi-Kai) in his book 《护生画集》第二集39; hu sheng hua ji; Protecting-lives-drawing-collections, 2nd episode, page 39. Origin of the second illustration (烹鳝; peng shan; Cooking-Eels) is unknown, though the style looks similar to that of the first one.

Life forms, souls, on earth.

2008-04-29T13:33:00.005+08:00

Life forms come to material world with bodies wrapped around the soul. Using bodies as a tool or vehicle to carry out earthly activities to fulfill destinies, whether to pay debts or to seek debts, life forms shed the bodies when the time is up for another journey.

Lessons learned. Souls move on.

Coming from the earth, going back to the earth. This is what it is for material world.

Jobs done. Souls move on.

These ants help the fly to decompose the left-over body which is no longer necessary. The soul, which previously took the life form as fly on earth, has moved on to another journey. The soul has her path to go. All life forms help each other to progress and to alleviate to higher regions; some, unfortunately, get lost, confused and jeopardize the process, hurting oneself and therefore others.

Quick, hurry, come back to the righteous path.

Note:
1) Photograph by John Lew. All rights on photographs reserved. More nature shots at http://www.lews.info/wallpaper/index.html
2) Click on the Photo No. 2 for a complete 1024x768 wallpaper.
3) Photo No. 3, title “Beautiful Earth – What are we doing?” by David Lewis-Baker.

Tibet, Olympic, China 2008: Things got complicated

2008-04-18T19:39:00.004+08:00

It’s always difficult to see the truth.

There were protests against Olympic torch relay in America, France, and Britain recently. The reason behind the protest, as the protesters claimed, was to voice out complaints for recent Tibetan crackdown. The protesters believed Chinese government had cracked down on pro-independent movement of Tibet and brought about bloody incidents.

Not being an intellect in this field but with a careful and solemn attitude I would like to try to sell short and analyze the situation from a few perspectives. Below are some questions we can try to answer for a better or hopefully non-biased understanding of this issue:

Q) What really happened in Tibet? Chinese government said it’s the Tibetan riot conspirated by Dalai Lama group. Some western media said it is Chinese government inhuman crackdown on pro-independent demonstration of Tibetan. We see altered and modified photos (admitted later by some media) on newspapers and internet. We see lots of views of video shots on the net, each telling their sides of stories. What really happened? For sure it’s a complicated issue with many parties chipping in their shares.

Q) Did the Tibetan really look for independence? Tibet first became a part of China back in Yuan dynasty (1279–1368). There are actually two versions of story of how Tibet became part of China (or not). In 1950s, Dalai Lama was in charge of Tibet, the rich noblemen and religious institutions in Tibet owed almost all the wealth; local Serfs had no education. In 1951, a 17-point agreement concerning the peaceful liberation of Tibet was signed in which the 14th Dalai Lama acknowledged Tibet is part of China. Dalai Lama later fled from Tibet in 1959, partly because of pressure from the Tibetan religious institutions and a riot arrangement by CIA and MI5 (or MI6?). And there are different versions of the view too. And we do see many players involved.

Q) Which party/parties was/were responsible? Parties involved could be: 1) Some local Tibetan group or probably rioters; 2) China government and policemen; 3) Dalai Lama group; 4) Politically-motivated world leaders/figures; 5) Invisible economically-motivated big companies and etc. 1% of population of rich and powerful but evil force can squeeze the rest of 99% dry. Is this true?

Q) What were the motives? Different people have different motives: 1) Tibetan wants more freedom? 2) Dalai Lama group was manipulated by external influence? 3) Some current world powers see China as a threat and try to bring her down? Any oil in Tibet? Wonder if some parties involved really care about the welfare of Tibetan people. 4) Some media tycoons flex their manipulating power as political wings? “The motive behind Tibetan riot is an international conspiracy to destroy Beijing Olympic”, an article wrote, 5 days before March 14th riot.

Q) Why so close before Beijing Olympics? The timing is near perfect. Some parties could be taking advantage of this time to make China conform to certain requirements. So is this a threat? A weakness that some mighty powers seize as good time to stop ever developing China? Some believe one would have to be blind not to see the connection.

Q) Which parties would benefit from such acts? To answer this question, let’s take a look at countries on the prints, countries/political figures/economical companies who or which have a lot of says with Tibet or China. Tibet is a place that is lacking of many monetary and natural resources. How does this place come into the picture? So it can be safely said that China is the target. If China failed to rise up economical and politically in world map, who or which countries would benefit more? Some former colonial powers still believe in imposing their own standards and rights onto others.

Q) Any biases in reporting the issue? Biases take place in many places; especially when it’s very politically and economically motivated (This writing is biased too, simply because I’m deliberately offering a DIFFERENT view?). Since strong media are mostly controlled by the ex-colonial powers, they could work hand in hand to bring upcoming players to their knees. Can we say there have been some crude attempts at misrepresenting China? You can be your own judge. Before rushing to do so, read many prints as diverse as possible and as many languages too. Bias may take place if there are misunderstandings, misrepresented critics, or malicious attacks.

For a very complicated issue we were looking for one simple answer. Could the approach have been wrong?

Many incidents are blinded or manipulated in the history of human beings. For many we’ll never know the truth. For those that matter to us we’ll have to relearn the lessons.

We always have to ask ourselves these questions: Am I doing the right things? Is this really for the benefits of mankind? For the healthy growth of a dignified and conscientious being?

More often than not, we know the answers are mostly “No” in our hearts, which is the reason why it’s always difficult to see the truth.

Link: www.beijing2008.cn