A thriving coexistence: cultivating Zoöpolis. Zoöpolis is a new word for me. Maybe you already know it? It has a z and an umlaut, so I already liked it, before I knew what it meant. Jennifer Wolch, a geographer coined this term. Definition: The place where the polis meets the zoo, an overlap of human… Continue reading Zoöpolis Is Where It’s At
Month: May 2016
Stand up and paddle Alton Baker Canal
A lovely 4-mile paddle! This is an easy protected canal paddle, good for getting out and enjoying a calm route with water and birds. The water is fairly shallow for most of this paddle. To get there, go to Autzen stadium. Just across from the stadium, a bit east of the dog park, is the… Continue reading Stand up and paddle Alton Baker Canal
Wherever you go, there you are
How to make it matter? I’ve been reading a couple of blogs by folks hiking the PCT from Mexico to Canada. I find it motivational; it inspired me to finally start a blog. I am inspired by people taking the time to record and summarize each day, complete with photos and reports of their external… Continue reading Wherever you go, there you are
How can Chinese medicine add quality of life to end of life?
Hospice patients who request acupuncture roughly fall into three categories. 1) They have had it before, and found it useful. 2) They are at the stage of trying anything. 3) They have always wanted to try it, but before hospice care, had never had the opportunity. All patients are seeking relief. Mainly people are looking… Continue reading How can Chinese medicine add quality of life to end of life?
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture, does it hurt? What does it feel like? The following is a list of real-life comparisons, levels of possible feelings. Light: A gentle breeze A parakeet landing on your finger Water splashing on your skin Medium: A high-five Pressure from a normal handshake A grasp or pinch of skin Feet hitting the pavement while… Continue reading Does acupuncture hurt?
Meditation. Try this!
“Try not to think. Quiet your mind.” Meditation can sound daunting, mysterious. What is quiet? What is empty? It’s not completely understood. Much interest and information surrounds meditation, yet it remains elusive to many. The main stumbling block is attaining inner quiet. “I can’t shut my brain off” is a common defeated observation. How do… Continue reading Meditation. Try this!
How does acupuncture work?
Restoring harmony Acupuncture inspires a lot of questions. What does it do? How does it work? Why would I have it done? People want to connect the dots of its function. As an acupuncturist, I get these questions every day. My favorite explanation was in a recent newspaper article, which simply stated, “we don’t know how it works.” … Continue reading How does acupuncture work?
why bring Chinese medicine to a hospice patient?
Hospice and traditional Chinese medicine- How do they go together? I treat patients receiving hospice care. Most are near the end of their life. Some have six months to live; others have a few days to live. I use acupuncture and acupressure (same points, no needles, just pressure). Pain, discomfort, and anxiety are the main… Continue reading why bring Chinese medicine to a hospice patient?
Does acupuncture work?
I get asked this question a lot: “Does acupuncture work?” Based on my experiences and observations of patients receiving acupuncture, as well as many positive research studies, I say, “yes.” Does it always work, every time, for everything? No. I used to feel bad about this. Then I shadowed physicians on the job. This was… Continue reading Does acupuncture work?
So you want to be a bodhisattva?
One time I listened to a lot of CDs about how to be a bodhisattva. It was from an ancient Indian text and sort of explained by Pema Chodron. But this is not the point of the story. The point is how do you become one? And what is one? One definition: a person who… Continue reading So you want to be a bodhisattva?