One of the perks of working at a fairly large company is the free caffeinated drinks you find in the break rooms. Lattes courtesy of the choking latte machine, questionable coffee from questionable coffee dispensers, an abundance of hot chocolate packets, and (my favorite!) an assortment of Bertie Bigelow's every flavored tea (minus the Bertie part, I was just trying to be clever). So today, instead of my usual green tea, I decided to brew myself a mug of chai. And what a great decision that turned out to be because on the end of my tea bag was a thoughtful Chinese proverb that consequently ignited an inquisitive Google search for more Chinese proverbs, ultimately sparking what I would like to call my Chinese Proverb Lecture Series! You'll understand why this is a marvelous idea after I introduce a few of the bad boys I found. Some are wise and telling but others are just plain weird. Anyway, today's poignant proverb of choice is none other than the one dangling from my chai tea bag:
"When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy."
Simple, yes, but what exactly eases the heart? I really think it's more than just good dieting and exercise that constitutes a healthy heart and, ultimately, a healthy body. It has to be a more intimate practice--something powerful enough to successfully unravel the intricacies of this peculiarly symbolic and all-important organ. A spiritual meditation of some kind? Or the physical calm that comes after taking deep breaths and those lovely lazy yawns. What can put the heart at ease?
Personally, I would like to make a tiny addition to this proverb, an addition that has proven itself highly important in my own pursuit toward a physical well-being. That aspect being happiness (!), and I think it is a thrill that only our minds can acknowledge and experience. A flow of relaxation that calms the tensions of our cluttered thoughts, thereby allowing our hearts to open, accept, and love-- to be at ease. But then again that's just my interpretation :)
"When the mind is happy, the heart is at ease and the body is healthy."
