A universal truth among all living beings is that we share an aura, a kinetic connection that senses both our presence and intent. There is a harmony between our mind, body, and the energy around us. What we think and feel doesn’t remain within us but instead alters the environment, as touched upon in my earlier post. It shapes and influences how others perceive our presence. I believe this applies to everything we do, think, and touch in nature. This also applies to all creatures both great and small in nature. They can sense or feel harm is nearby and know to try to take cover. It aligns with the earliest teachings of shamans and Indigenous peoples, who, as the ancient Chinese said, remind us that “we are but one of the ten thousand things found in nature and the importance of finding the proper balance of things”.
While living in Qufu, I learned that one of the best ways to alter one’s environment directly was in the serving and drinking of tea. I had two close friends in Qufu who owned the most famous and highly regarded tea shops in the city. They were single 
women passionate about teaching others the significance of drinking Chinese tea. For them, it was a spiritual journey. Both enjoyed practicing their English with the foreign teacher from the university—me. I gained a wealth of knowledge about Chinese tea from them. They would suggest different teas for their customers, tailored to fit the mood or occasion. Generally speaking, drinking tea is often associated with relaxation and seen as a time to unwind and enjoy with friends.
The two ladies knew each other well and often competed to prove who was more knowledgeable about serving tea and selecting the perfect blend for each moment. (I always favored the flower, esp. chrysanthemum and jasmine teas among friends. In more formal settings green and black tea were more popular depending on the season). While explaining how tea influenced the history of China was significant, that would be another story for another time—or perhaps another book. For now, it was the healing properties of tea that matters. But I’m getting ahead of the story again.
Ancient healers have always understood this truth. Healing traditions have long taught that our emotions and connections carry an energy strong enough to influence both ourselves and those around us. Often it would be the comforting and medicinal aspects of drinking tea that contributed to the healing at hand and showing why love and gratitude hold such a powerful place in every culture. For the healer, the type of ailment would determine the best tea to use. Often adding to or creating what we would now call “our body’s signature” that illustrates how we respond becomes essential, especially by cultivating emotions like mindful gratitude. For me, exploring philosophy, religious ideas, ancient wisdom, and the teaching of the shaman is key to awakening the connection between body, mind, and spirit. The aura we refer to is simply the genuine expression, or authenticity, of our true essence or selves. Learning how to best express this becomes our challenge.
People with smaller social circles often possess the ability to express deeper love, a stronger sense of integrity and virtue, a connection with nature and all living things, and a peaceful presence. They focus on discovering what nurtures themselves and others, allowing it to flourish in their surroundings. Ultimately, they embrace their true authentic selves and strive to transform their world into a paradise for everyone.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Five – The Questions of T’ang
81. The Ultimate Give and Take
Should not everything remain in perfect balance? Simply looking for the yin and 
yang of all things before making a final appearance. Matching the give and take that is expected with nature with the Tao always having the final say. Defining problems and finding solutions as those following Mo Tzu are to tell one day all in the Mohist Canons.
As with Chan Ho, making a fishing line from a single thread of silk, a rod from bamboo and baiting it with rice to go fishing. He catches a fish large enough to fill his cart after casting his line in the middle of a swift river several hundred feet deep.
The line did not snap, the hook did not straighten out, and his rod did not bend because he let out and drew in the line following the give and pull of the water. The King of Ch’u marveled when he heard of this story and summoned him to tell how this feat was accomplished.
Chan Ho explained:
“I once heard my late father speak of Pu Chu Tzu’s archery with a line attached 
to his arrow. Using a weak bow and thin line and shaking them so that they would ride the wind, he was able to bring down two black cranes who rode on the edge of a dark cloud.
He could do this because his attention was focused and the movement of his bow and arrow equalized that of the cranes who also were riding the wind. I simply followed this teaching with my fishing.
After five years of effort, I learned all there is to know about this way. When I am fishing, I think of nothing but the fish. When I cast the line and sink the hook, I do not pull too hard nor give too easily so that nothing can disturb it. When the fish see the bait, they think of nothing and swallow it without suspecting.”
Chan Ho continued by saying that this is how to use weak things to control strong ones and light ones to control heavy ones. If the Empire could be ruled this way what could be of trouble? Upon hearing this, the king was overjoyed and much relieved. 4/24/95
Number eighty-one of one hundred fifty-eight entries
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