Season of Summer

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the Earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”
— Robin Wall Kimm

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the season of summer is associated with the heart, and the beautiful quote above exemplifies the heart’s energy. When our heart energy is balanced and strong, we can experience joy, love, compassion, and playfulness, even when life presents us with difficulty and challenge. With healthy heart energy, we are able to tolerate paradox without getting too mired down by logic. How does the heart possess all this wisdom and joy? According to T.C. M., it is by holding the inner spirit of brightness, the divine spark known as “shen”.  Shen is believed to increase during the weeks of summer, and peak at the moment of the solstice, this year on Wednesday, June 21. These midsummer days present excellent opportunities to take the time (patience is also a virtue of a balanced heart!) to go out (or maybe inward?) and celebrate the spaciousness, loveliness, and joy of the season.  Happy Summer, everyone!