As we transition away from the fullness and heat of summer, we gratefully accept and move toward Autumn.  In Chinese medicine the organs associated with this season are the Lungs and Large Intestine.  The element is Metal.  Some of the associations with Metal and these organs are the breath, letting go (as witnessed by the falling leaves), grief, nostalgia, and connection to Spirit. 
   Much of Asian literature and poetry revolves around the spectacular beauty and significance of Autumn.  Perhaps no one else better exemplifies the inspiration, love, and sadness experienced in Fall than the Japanese poet Basho, 1644 to 1694. His birth has become a matter of legend, giving him the birthday of the Autumn Full Moon September 15.  In this year 2010, the Autumn Full Moon is one week later on September 22nd, also the Autumnal Equinox. 
   Following are a few haiku by Basho:

From a treetop
Emptiness dropped down
In a cicada shell



Autumn has come
Visiting my ear on 
A pillow of wind



Along with Autumn                                                     
I would like to go to                                                         
Little Pine River                                                             



Under a crescent moon
The ground is hazy
With buckwheat flowers



On a bare branch
A crow settled down
Autumn evening



Autumn has come               
Loving a wife with stars
On buckskin

Here are a few more Autumnal Poems from The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu:

From Lady Murasaki,
By the wide ocean, roasting salt,
The fisherwoman's heart burns as
She piles up her grief like firewood.



Think of me in the forgotten sadness of Autumn,
Even though your heart be captured by the moon.


Winds of Autumn,
Saddest season of all,
Scattered the remaining leaves from the trees.



Lying awake,
I heard the cry of the little night owl
As chill moonlight poured through
Bare branches in an ancient image of Autumnal sadness.



Nothing awakens old
Memories
Like the Moon.

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One may at first think this an odd subject on which to write, but nonetheless it was a significant part of our experience.  Again, the city where we were is Tianjin, the third largest city in China. Many of the streets are 3-5 lanes across in each direction, plus a big bike lane on the outside of the car lanes. There are a few crosswalks but they tend to not be acknowledged. So, the method for a pedestrian to cross the street is such:

First deal with the bike lane......find a pause in the constant flow of bicycles, mopeds, carts, etc. and find safety on the line separating the bike lane from the car lane. From here, look into the traffic and discern an opening not readily visible to the eyes.
Secondly walk across one car lane, to again temporarily seek safety on the dotted line between car lanes. If possible, proceed to the middle of the street.
Thirdly, once here in the middle, begin to observe traffic coming from the opposite direction, and use the same technique, making your way across one lane at a time.
Finally, the bike lane again......find your chance across in the non-stop flowing assortment of bicycles.

Ok, so that is a basic approach of how to do it. What is really interesting is that after a few days of trying this, which tends to be a pretty intense phenomenon, I noticed something. I started looking at not just the cars, buses, taxis, bicycles, but also the people operating them. Consistently, every person was calm and serene. I realized they were not nervous or uptight about the scenario. There was an obvious sense of trust that they were not going to be run into by another vehicle, nor were they concerned that they might run over a pedestrian! Ok, this was a big breakthrough for me. From then on, I got into the practice of doing a breathing meditation while crossing the streets. I sought and cultivated the calm mind, as it seemed everyone else was also doing.
I did not see any accidents or road rage......in a system of seemingly no rules, there was order.

Wow.

It was such an amazing experience to be in Tianjin in northern China for 3 weeks. The bulk of our time was spent in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tianjin. There, our patient and friend was staying for an extensive acupuncture treatment of 3 months' duration.  She received acupuncture twice a day, Tui Na (TCM massage), cupping, and physical therapy (also twice a day.)  The hospital provided her herbal medicines which she took four times a day, and they served her nutritious meals, designed for her constitutional health.  Needless to say, the patient made many significant improvements in her health!

The hospital is huge....15 stories. There are four buildings that make up the hospital. It is a TCM teaching hospital. Often there were many students observing the doctors. We were fortunate enough to befriend some of the students....very kind and dedicated.  There is a huge herbal pharmacy, actually there are two. There is a building devoted entirely to the cooking for the patients.  And...interestingly, the food was excellent! Lots of fresh vegetables, tofu, pumpkin cakes, fresh squeezed juices of kiwi, carrot, pineapple, and watermelon......very tasty!

I learned a lot as the doctors were aware of my being an acupuncturist in the U.S., and they were happy to show me what they were doing as far as treatment principles and needling techniques. They knew that I would be continuing her treatments once we were home, which I am! Generally, I found that I was reminded of my  Chinese teachers from Five Branches and their approach to medicine and humanity as I watched the Chinese doctors in Tianjin.

I have arrived home feeling inspired.

Will write more soon!