Early Summer in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fire Element, Circulation, and the Nervous System

As nature enters early summer, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views this vibrant season through the lens of the Fire element, a phase of maximum Yang, warmth, expansion, and communication. Fire governs not only the Heart and blood vessels, but also the nervous system, emotions, and spiritual awareness. This inner fire fuels both our physical vitality and our mental clarity. In this unique seasonal phase, the flow of Qi, Blood, and Shen (spirit), especially through the veins, arteries, and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians takes center stage.

Understanding the dynamic between the Fire element, cardiovascular and neurological systems, and the deeper energetic channels allows us to harmonize body, mind, and spirit during this high-energy time of year.

🔥 Fire Element and Its Associations

In TCM’s Five Phase (Wu Xing) framework, Fire is associated with:

Season: Early Summer
Organs: Heart (Yin) and Small Intestine (Yang)
Emotions: Joy, enthusiasm, overexcitement, or mania
Body Tissue: Blood vessels and the nervous system
Sense Organ: Tongue
Color: Red
Climate: Heat
Direction: South
Taste: Bitter (Maciocia, 2005; Deadman et al., 2007)

Fire energy is expansive and expressive, symbolizing circulation, communication, and consciousness. When well-regulated, Fire fuels love, clarity, movement, and insight. When excessive, it can consume the mind and disturb the spirit.

❤️ Heart, Blood Vessels, and Nervous Regulation

The Heart (Xin) is considered the “Emperor” of the body, orchestrating the flow of Qi and Blood and serving as the seat of Shen (mind/spirit). TCM describes its functions as:

Governing the blood and blood vessels
Housing the Shen, which includes consciousness, thought, memory, and emotions
Regulating mental activity and sleep (Maciocia, 2005)

The blood vessels, seen as pathways of both Blood and Qi, rely on the Heart’s warmth and rhythm to remain supple and open. But TCM also suggests that nerve-like communication and coordination are part of the Heart’s governance.

In modern integrative interpretations:

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), particularly the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” functions, mirrors the Heart’s role in maintaining emotional and physical balance.
Excess Fire may overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to agitation, insomnia, hypertension, palpitations, and anxiety.
Deficient Heart Fire may lead to neurovegetative fatigue, poor concentration, and low vitality (Kaptchuk, 2000).

Thus, the vascular and neurological systems are harmonized through Fire’s balance affecting everything from blood pressure to mood and mental performance.

🧠 Fire Element and the Nervous System

TCM may not anatomically label the nervous system as Western medicine does, but the concepts of Shen, Yi (intellect), and Zhi (willpower) reflect cognitive and neurological activity.

In early summer:

Shen becomes more active and outward, seeking expression, connection, and joy.
The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) linked with the brain and spine, rises in importance, guiding mental alertness and emotional regulation.
The Fire element’s influence supports neurotransmitter balance, sleep-wake cycles, and emotional processing.

From a modern neurobiological point of view, this aligns with the brain-heart connection:

Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a marker of nervous system resilience, increases with parasympathetic tone, a goal of Heart-focused qigong and meditation
Practices that balance Heart Fire can directly impact the vagus nerve, thereby stabilizing emotions and stress responses (Porges, 2011)

🩸 Extraordinary Meridians and Fire Circulation

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians function as deep energetic reservoirs, regulating circulation, constitutional energy, and emotional integration (Larre et al. (1996). In early summer, these vessels help modulate the Fire element’s rise and distribute Qi and Blood in ways that nourish the whole system.

1. Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)

Sea of Blood, linked to Heart and uterus
Balances hormonal and emotional rhythms
When Fire is excess: anxiety, chest oppression, uterine bleeding

2. Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)

Nourishes Yin; anchors the Heart through calming fluids
Connects deeply to Heart-Yin and Shen stabilization

3. Du Mai (Governing Vessel)

Axis of Yang energy; influences brain, spine, and nervous system
Becomes overactive when Fire flares upward, causing insomnia or hyperarousal

4. Dai Mai (Belt Vessel)

Regulates Qi flow around the waist, harmonizes rising Fire from middle and lower burners

By supporting these vessels through breathwork, meditation, herbs, and seasonal living, we can help regulate the Fire element’s effects on circulatory, emotional, and neurological functions.

🌿 Seasonal Strategies for Summer Balance

🔹 Qigong & Meditation

Heart-centered qigong and the Inner Smile meditation bring Shen home to the Heart
Breathing practices that lengthen the exhale can calm the nervous system and increase vagal tone
Include “Cooling the Fire” meditations to harmonize Du Mai and Shen

🔹 Lifestyle Adjustments

Avoid overstimulation, especially from social media, caffeine, or excess sun
Go to bed earlier, maintain emotional equanimity
Emphasize connection over excitement
Prioritize joyful stillness rather than external thrill-seeking

🌀 Summary: Fire’s Intelligence in the Body

Early summer is the season of Shen and circulation, a time when the Fire element stimulates outward movement, connection, and the full flowering of human potential. Yet this power must be anchored. Overexertion, excess heat, and emotional overload can disrupt the Heart, destabilize the nervous system, and drain the blood vessels and extraordinary meridians.

Through awareness, breath, and regulation, we can cultivate a sovereign Heart, a resilient mind, and an inner flame that warms but never burns.

References:

Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Larre, C., de la Vallée, E., & Rochat de la Vallée, E. (1996). The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Spirit of the Vessels. Monkey Press.

Maciocia, G. (2005). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists (2nd ed.). Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

From Wuji to Tai Chi

Understanding the Evolution of Supreme Principles in Daoist Cosmology

In the study of Daoist philosophy and traditional Chinese thought, the term “Tai Chi” (太極) is widely recognized as referring to the Supreme Ultimate, a foundational principle in the universe from which all dualities (yin and yang) arise (Liao,1990).

Practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan may know the term as associated with martial arts, yet its roots are far deeper, embedded in cosmology, metaphysics, and classical Daoist thought.

But what if we go one step earlier, or even further back? What came before Tai Chi? And what of other similarly constructed terms such as “Tai Su” (太素) and “Tai Yu” (太宇)? Are they simply linguistic variants, or do they represent unique philosophical concepts in the evolution of universal principles?

Wuji (無極): The Limitless Void

In the beginning was Wuji, often translated as “non-ultimate” or “limitless.” Wuji represents pure potential being formless, timeless, and undivided. It is the Dao before manifestation (Robinet, 1997). In diagrams, Wuji is usually shown as an empty circle or a vast blank space, signifying the absence of polarity.

Tai Su (太素): The Supreme Simplicity

Emerging from Wuji is Tai Su, a term less commonly discussed but highly significant in classical Daoist texts.

Tai (太) = supreme or great
Su (素) = simple, elemental, unadorned, or fundamental substance

Tai Su is understood as the primordial essence or supreme simplicity. A state where differentiation is beginning to arise but not yet fully formed. It is the first stirring of substance, the bridge between the void and duality. In Huainanzi, Tai Su is mentioned as a precursor to cosmic formation (Le Blanc & Mathieu, 2008). In early Chinese alchemy and cosmology, it represents the primordial qi that has yet to divide into yin and yang (Pregadio, 2008).

Tai Chi (太極): The Supreme Ultimate

When differentiation occurs, Tai Chi comes into being. The term, often Romanized as Taiji, literally means “Supreme Ultimate.” This is the phase where the one becomes two: yin and yang emerge as complementary polarities (Liao,1990).

Tai Chi is typically symbolized by the Taijitu, the black-and-white “yin-yang” symbol, expressing balance, transformation, and interdependence. In this state, movement and stillness alternate, giving rise to all forms in the universe (Kirkland, 2004).

Tai Yu (太宇): The Supreme Universe

Tai Yu introduces a more spatial or structural aspect to cosmology.

Yu (宇) refers to the universe, cosmic space, or even the eaves of a roof, or a poetic image of a sheltering order.
Thus, Tai Yu translates to “Supreme Universe” or “Great Cosmos.”

While Tai Chi marks the origin of dynamic duality, Tai Yu is more about manifested order, and the structured universe as it exists with stars, planets, natural laws, and cycles (Graham, 1989). It is not a transitional phase but the result of the Tai Chi mechanism unfolding through space and time.

Cosmological Sequence Diagram

To visualize this progression, the accompanying diagram illustrates the unfolding of the cosmos:

Term	Translation	Symbol	Meaning
Wuji	Limitless Void	Empty circle (〇)	Undifferentiated nothingness
Tai Su	Supreme Simplicity	Solid black circle (●)	Primordial essence
Tai Chi	Supreme Ultimate	Yin-Yang (☯ / Taijitu)	Birth of duality
Tai Yu	Supreme Universe	Bagua or Heaven–Earth (八卦 / 天地)	Manifest cosmos; structured reality

Cultural and Linguistic Notes: Korean Equivalents

In Korean, these terms are written in Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korean language):

Tai Chi (太極) → Tae Guk (태극), as seen in the South Korean flag
Tai Su (太素) → Tae So (태소) (rarely used in common language)
Tai Yu (太宇) → Tae U (태우) (used in poetic or classical references)

While the philosophical usage remains mostly consistent with Chinese meanings, these terms are far less prevalent in Korean popular culture outside of Tae Guk.

Conclusion: A Philosophical Framework of Evolution

From non-being to primordial essence, and from dynamic polarity to cosmic order, this cosmological sequence illustrates how Daoist philosophy views the evolution of the universe not as a chaotic explosion, but as an elegant, cyclical, and ordered unfolding.

Whether you are a practitioner of martial arts, a student of Daoist metaphysics, or a philosopher of natural laws, understanding Wuji → Tai Su → Tai Chi → Tai Yu offers a powerful lens through which to view the origin of all things and your own place within the ever-unfolding Tao.

Important to note, in martial arts culture, Tai chi, Tai Su, Tai Yu, Tae Guk and Tai Chi Chung are all very different forms of mental, physical and spiritual practices. While some may share some similarities, anyone who has deeply studied and practiced these methods is aware of their varying nuances and complexities.

Term	Characters	Translation	Philosophical Meaning
Wuji	無極	Non-Ultimate / Limitless	The primordial void; pure potential without polarity
Tai Su	太素	Supreme Simplicity / Primordial Essence	Undifferentiated, fundamental matter—precursor to form and duality
Tai Chi	太極	Supreme Ultimate	The origin of duality (yin and yang); dynamic balance
Tai Yu	太宇	Supreme Universe / Great Cosmos	The structured universe or cosmic order that emerges after duality

References:

Blanc, C. L., & Mathieu, R. (2008). Approches critiques de la mythologie chinoise. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.pum.19027

Graham, A. C. (1989). Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China. Open Court.

Kirkland, R. (2004). Taoism: The Enduring Tradition. Routledge.

Pregadio, F. (2008). The Encyclopedia of Taoism. Routledge.

Robinet, I. (1997). Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Stanford University Press.

Liao, W. (n.d.). T’ai chi classics. Shambhala. https://www.shambhala.com/t-ai-chi-classics.html

Chronic Illness, Shrinking Circles, and the Crisis of Modern Aging

I’ve spent over 40 years teaching others how to live well, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I’ve taught classes, delivered lectures, produced hundreds of educational videos, and authored more than 30 books on health, martial arts, mindfulness, personal growth and self-mastery. My mission has always been clear: to help people avoid the slow decline into pain, isolation, and despair that so often accompanies aging.

And yet, here I am at 61 and asking the hard question:

Was anyone really listening?

The Uncomfortable Truth Few Want to Face

Over the years, I’ve watched countless people, friends, former students, co-workers, even family members, slide into chronic illness, mental stagnation, and deep loneliness. Their bodies give out. Their thoughts become incessant and negative. Their social circles shrink, often down to nothing. And worst of all, society tends to look away. People in pain make others uncomfortable. We don’t have to age this way, and we certainly don’t have to suffer in silence. Still, the outcomes I see around me are too often the same.

I have never claimed to have all the answers. Only the experience of walking this road with care, curiosity, and a deep respect for the process. I don’t sell miracle cures or promise instant transformation. I’ve simply chosen to live and teach what I know from having stayed on the path.

What’s most heartbreaking is that this pattern isn’t just anecdotal, it’s documented. One of the most important and longest-running psychological studies in history, the Harvard Grant Study, which began in the 1930s and followed hundreds of men (and later women) throughout their entire lives, revealed something striking:

The single most important factor in long-term health and happiness wasn’t wealth, fame, or even physical fitness. It was the quality of one’s relationships.

Those who maintained close, supportive connections, with friends, family, or community, aged better, lived longer, and experienced less pain and decline than those who didn’t.

This truth has deeply influenced my understanding of health. It affirmed what I had already intuited through years of teaching: isolation and disconnection are just as deadly as any disease.

Why Is It So Hard to Reach People?

It’s not that people don’t know the truth. Many understand what’s coming, in that neglecting the body, ignoring the breath, resisting change, and isolating oneself will eventually take a toll. But very few choose to act while there’s still time.

I’ve given my best efforts. I’ve tried to be an example. And yes, some have been moved. Some have changed their lives. But the deeper truth is that reaching people at scale, truly reaching them, has always felt like swimming against the tide. There’s an exhaustion that comes with trying to offer healing in a world more interested in convenience than discipline, distraction over reflection, and quick fixes over lasting change.

And Yet… This Work Gives Me Meaning

Despite the fatigue, the frustration, the quiet disappointments, this work still gives me purpose. It is, in fact, the very thing that keeps me well. Without this mission, I might have drifted long ago into the same darkness I warn others about.

I teach because it keeps me whole.

I guide others because someone once guided me.

I keep going because I believe the message matters, even when the audience is small.

So Where Do I Go From Here?

I don’t know exactly. But I do know this. I am no longer chasing a mass audience. I don’t need viral videos or bestseller lists. What I need now is connection with those who truly get it, who are ready, who are willing to walk the path, not just read about it.

Maybe that means smaller, deeper circles of mentorship. Maybe it means fewer books, but more personal conversations. Maybe it means continuing to teach, not from a podium, but from a place of presence.

An Invitation to You, Reader

If you’re reading this, and something in your heart resonates, if you’ve seen the same patterns of decline and loneliness and want a different outcome, I’m here.

I’m still walking along the path. I’m still learning, adapting, evolving.

And I sincerely invite you to walk it with me.

Let’s not wait until the body breaks down or the mind turns sour before we act.

Let’s build strength now in the body, the mind and also in the spirit.

Let’s stay connected to others, to meaning and purpose, and to ourselves.

This is not just about growing older. It’s about growing wiser, deeper, and more alive, together.

_________

Resources & Further Reading

The reflections in this article are deeply informed by the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a landmark longitudinal study that began in the late 1930s and followed hundreds of individuals for over 75 years. Originally known as the Harvard Grant Study, it remains one of the longest and most detailed examinations of adult life and well-being ever conducted.

This research uncovered three essential contributors to long-term happiness and healthy aging:

Warm, supportive relationships – The most consistent predictor of happiness, physical health, and mental clarity was the strength and quality of one’s close relationships. Loneliness and isolation, by contrast, were strongly linked to earlier decline.
Emotional adaptability – Those who fared best over time weren’t those without hardship, but those who learned how to regulate emotions, rebound from setbacks, and find meaning through challenges.
A sense of purpose and engagement – Having work, projects, or passions that felt meaningful — even in later life — was a powerful anchor for mental and emotional resilience.

“Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”
— Dr. Robert Waldinger, current director of the study

If you’re interested in learning more about these findings and their practical implications for your own life, consider the following resources:

Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon & Schuster.
Waldinger, R. (2015). What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness [TED Talk]. https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness

Deep Breathing Benefits for the Blood, Oxygen & Qi

My latest book is the result of more than four decades of study, practice, healing, teaching, and reflection. It has been shaped through a lifetime of learning, from the grind of physical training to the quiet revelations of stillness. I’ve experienced injury and recovery, frustration and discovery, disillusionment and renewal. I’ve worked with athletes and seniors, martial artists and skeptics, students in pain and seekers of peace. And in all of this, I’ve come to a clear and powerful truth: how we breathe determines how we live.

Breath is our most intimate connection to life. It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last act of the physical body before death. In between, we take tens of thousands of breaths each day yet few of us are ever taught how to breathe well. Breath is assumed, automatic, and too often ignored until it becomes impaired. But for those who learn to pay attention, the breath is also a teacher, a tool, and a gateway to better health, greater awareness, and inner strength.

From physiology to philosophy, Eastern medicine to Western science, every tradition I’ve explored acknowledges the power of breath. What this book offers is a bridge between those worlds. It is not just a technical manual or a philosophical essay, it is a lived map. It charts what I’ve seen work, what I’ve tested, and what I’ve returned to again and again, both for myself and my students.

This book is also a response to a culture that too often seeks complex fixes while ignoring the fundamentals. We have machines that track every heartbeat, yet people feel exhausted. Medications suppress symptoms but rarely resolve the cause. In contrast, breathing with awareness costs nothing, requires no equipment, and is available to you at any moment. It can regulate blood pressure, balance hormones, release chronic tension, improve digestion, enhance mental clarity, and restore emotional balance. It can return you to yourself.

Whether you’re new to breathwork or a seasoned practitioner, this book is designed to meet you where you are. It begins with the body, your physiology and posture, then moves through traditional practices, energetic systems, and meditative tools. By the end, you’ll understand not just how to breathe better, but why doing so changes everything.

My hope in writing this is not just to inform, but to awaken, to stir in you a sense of curiosity, empowerment, and agency. You do not need to be a guru, athlete, or mystic to reclaim your breath. You only need to begin. Each chapter in this book is an invitation to return to that beginning again, more skillfully each time.

Proverbs, Koans, Dichos and Chengyus

Proverbs, koans, dichos, and chengyu are all concise expressions of cultural wisdom, yet they each emerge from unique linguistic and philosophical traditions. Though they may differ in form and function, they share the universal purpose of offering insight into human nature, behavior, and values. Below is a comparison that highlights their origins and distinctions.

Proverbs

Cultural Origin: Found in virtually every language and culture worldwide, proverbs are traditional sayings passed down through generations.
Purpose: Proverbs offer practical wisdom, moral lessons, or general truths about life. They are often metaphorical and easily remembered.
Examples:
- “A stitch in time saves nine.”
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Koans

Cultural Origin: Originating in Chinese Chan Buddhism and further developed in Japanese Zen Buddhism, koans are used as a tool for spiritual training.
Purpose: Koans are not meant to be logically solved. Instead, they challenge conventional reasoning and are used in meditation to provoke deep introspection and insight into the nature of self and reality.
Examples:
- “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”
- “What was your original face before your parents were born?”

Dichos

Cultural Origin: Common in the Spanish-speaking world, especially in Latin America and Spain, dichos are culturally rich sayings deeply embedded in Hispanic traditions.
Purpose: Like proverbs, dichos reflect cultural values and offer observations or advice about life, often with regional flavor or humor.
Examples:
- “No hay mal que por bien no venga”
  (There’s no bad from which good doesn’t come.)
- “El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta”
  (Jack of all trades, master of none.)

Chengyu

Cultural Origin: Chengyu (成语) are idiomatic expressions from classical Chinese literature. Most consist of four characters and are rooted in historical or mythological events.
Purpose: Chengyu condense complex narratives or moral lessons into brief, poetic form. They are often used in both written and spoken Chinese to convey layered meanings.
Examples:
- 卧薪尝胆 (wò xīn cháng dǎn) – “To lie on firewood and taste gall.”
  Refers to enduring hardship and humiliation in pursuit of a goal or vengeance.
- 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) – “To draw legs on a snake.”
  Means to ruin something by overdoing it.

In summary, proverbs are universal sayings found in many cultures. Koans are paradoxical statements used in Zen Buddhism for meditation and self-realization. Dichos are Spanish-language proverbs commonly used in Hispanic cultures. Chenyus are from Chinese culture and are idiomatic expressions or set phrases. While they all share common goal of conveying wisdom, they vary in their cultural origins and specific uses.

From a holistic health perspective, such wisdom serves not only the intellect but the mind-body-spirit connection. These expressions often guide emotional balance, mindful behavior, and personal growth, cornerstones of overall well-being. They offer reminders of resilience, compassion, humility, and inner strength, supporting wellness not just as a state of physical health, but as a dynamic, cultural, and spiritual journey.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119