One of the perks of being in this clinic is getting to treat the mini monks, whether it be rubbing Neem oil on their heads or dressing their many cuts and scrapes. (What the hell is Neem oil ? Why, it’s a wonderful Ayurvedic antimicrobial, antifungal, skin healing plant oil that has a gnarly funk to it.)

In my head, before I came here, I had thought how peaceful it would be to be next to a Buddhist monastery. I had pictured rolling green hills and monks chanting in unison at dusk. Monks in training are actually quite noisy; they’re learning to play horns, they chant out of tune and tempo. Every morning at 9:30 and evening at 7:30 they come into the clinic using the little English they know, “hellloo, hello, helloo?” I massage the Neem onto their shaved, fungus-infected heads, not bothering to wash my hands in between. A few of them roll back their ears to show crusty spots where I apply a Chinese herbal balm to it. Another shows me the chunk of skin missing on the bottom of his foot and points to the Calendula.

I can’t describe how magical it is to be crowded by little monks that need my help. This process makes me feel like a healer in a totally different respect than I’m used to (and in some ways I feel totally inadequate).  One of the monks communicated that he had a sore throat and wanted herbs. I was the only one around and felt so lame that I didn’t know which herbal formula to give him. Of course I don’t know; I’ve only been in acupuncture school for two years and that’s just long enough to know I don’t know anything.  I did, however, know to do some fire cupping to his back and chest. It’s too bad they all look the same. I would like to have asked him if it helped.

A 9 year old monk named Pema Lodoe Rabsel sprained his ankle the other day and we were able to give him some homeopathy that took the swelling down. The volunteer acupuncturist, Christina, was out of town on a retreat so I was asked if I could do some acupuncture on the little guy to help his ankle. At this very moment I was actually happy for the injury I had suffered to my ankle in almost the same location. I knew from getting over 20 acupuncture treatments how to help it. (Normally we don’t do acupuncture on children in the States even though my school has an offsite location at Children’s Hospital. Instead we use magnets and acupressure.) I knew I had to use tiny needles and keep it very limited so I chose only four points. With an adult most people use at least 8 needles in a treatment, and maybe even 10 or 12.

I asked him if he was scared (through a translator) and he sheepishly nodded yes. I held up one of the needles and said “See, they are very tiny. I will tell you before I put it in, okay? If it hurts we can take it right out.” He nodded again and I chose the point that I knew would be the least reactive and gently tapped it in. He smiled and I said, “It’s not so bad, huh?” and he nodded. The next point there was no reaction, but the last two he made a little noise. I again checked in with him “are any of them hurting you?” He nodded no.

“Now we’re going to do some moxa on your leg to help it heal, okay?” I showed him the moxa pole and lit it on fire. I said “Don’t worry, I’m not going to burn you, if it’s too hot you tell me.” As I drew the moxa up and down his leg I could see the fear in his eyes, but he eventually calmed down as he realized I wasn’t going to burn him. I kept explaining about the moxa, asking him if he knew what it was and then explaining about it being a plant called mugwort, known for it’s healing properties. I was scared too. He was the first child I ever needled. Point location on him was harder because of how tiny he was. I got the feeling I might break something if I was too rough or that he would run off screaming and forever be afraid of me. Kids are like dogs though; you can’t let them smell your fear.

So far this has really been the best part about working in the clinic here. The mini monks, or monk-eys as I have been calling them, are very cute and sweet. They are also classic little boys, wrestling, running, and playing soccer. They come with a myriad cuts and scrapes every day to be treated. They are also amazing little mantra chanters. You can’t help but love the kids here, the monks and others. They have the biggest, brightest smiles and are so friendly.

The monks had huddled onto the porch of the gumpa. As soon as they saw I was taking pictures they all started hamming it up

Follow earlier blogs of Metal Monkey’s adventures in Asia!

Volunteering in Nepal, A Personal Story
Teaching in Massage in Nepal

Aromatherapy

Utilizing essential oils for aromatherapy purposes dates back nearly 6,000 years to the time of Egyptians and was a crucial part of their culture and religious ceremonies and was routinely used in embalming dead bodies for burial preparation within Egyptian tombs.

The practice of using aromatherapy spread across the Eastern hemisphere and, particularly within China, became a vital part of their medicinal practices.  In fact, for many years, aromatherapy was the primary medicinal used in treating various ailments.  In India, the custom was never lost and still today Avurveda, the most ancient medical practice, is still widely practiced.  In the West, however, the use of essential oils took a bit longer to gain momentum and just over the past thousand years has gained popularity.

In addition to medicinal applications, essential oils are often used in conjunction with other complementary ingredients, including various oils, sea salts, clays and muds from around the globe to produce cosmetics and beauty treatments.  The perfect combination of these elements results in rich, luxurious beauty products whose properties not only benefit the psychological aspects of a person, but also often produce results that make an individual appear more youthful and vibrant.

Often times, individuals mistake perfume oils for essential oils, simply based on aroma alone.  They are, however, completely different from one another as one derives its fragrance synthetically and the other, essential oils, are completely, 100% natural, being derived from the essence of a plant.

Another mistake many people make is thinking that since essential oils are completely natural, they aren’t harmful.  As a result, many will use them, undiluted, directly on the skin.  Doing so can cause burning, dermatitis and even a lifelong sensitivity to that particular essential oil.

Women who are pregnant or individuals with certain medical conditions should avoid the use of essential oils as they can cause adverse affects.  For example, certain types of oils when used in pregnancy can actually bring about contractions within some women.  Epileptics must also be cautious as some oils contain certain neurotoxins that can cause seizure activity.  Other oils, such as wormwood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor and sassafras are so potent and can potentially produce harmful side effects, and should never be used by anyone other than a qualified aromatherapy practitioner and even then, only with extreme caution.  Regardless of which essential oils you choose to use, a skin test prior to long-term use, is essential.

There’s a lot of hype that surrounds the use of essential oils.  Some think that they can be healed from their particular affliction by regular use.  While cancer patients and those with other serious illnesses such as AIDS can certainly benefit from the use of aromatherapy for serious illnesses, it is not a substitute for traditional medicine and can truly only help the individual live a more comfortable life.

Essential oils can be beneficial in providing comfort measures to less serious illnesses and afflictions such as indigestion, stress, and PMS.  Oils have also been shown to help promote in faster healing from minor injuries, wounds, abrasions and bruises.

One of the leading uses of aromatherapy in the West, is in various beauty treatments.   One of the most popular beauty treatments seen marketed recently are the combination of Dead Sea salts, lavender oil and a complementary blender oil, such as jojoba oil.   This solution is then rubbed on the hands, legs and arms for exfoliation, rendering smooth, supple skin and the benefit of the calming properties of lavender essential oil.

Another popular use of essential oils within the beauty industry is in bars of bath soap.  Often times, goat milk is used to make bath soap and essential oils are combined, producing a rich, creamy yet gentle soap that gently exfoliates while conveying the properties of the essential oil.

Lastly, and probably the most popular essential oil bearing product within the beauty industry is actually a best-selling gift: aromatherapy candles.   Through the combination of essential oils with beeswax, soybean oil, and even traditional paraffin wax, a luxurious, fragrant candle is produced that when burned, imparts the qualities of the particular essential oil it contains.

If you’ve never tried essential oils, you’re in for a treat.  And, with so many products on the market and so many varied applications, you’re certain to find a use for your particular essential oil that will leave you wondering, “why on earth didn’t I try this sooner?”

I want to have a life! I want to experience things, people, and places as well as be in love with Chinese medicine. To become an acupuncturist you have to be passionate about it, you have to love people, and you have to be driven. It’s not an easy path but it’s very rewarding. To be a Chinese medicine practitioner is to give your life to it, to live it, and to be an example. At least that’s what they tell you. To become a traditional healer, you have to do hours of rote memorization, you have to study relentlessly, and you have to get to a point where you just don’t give a shit any more and then try to remember why you’re there. You have to half ass your way sometimes and choose your battles.

So, I needed a break. A good break, a real break—not just the measly two to three weeks you usually get in between trimesters. (Yes, school is year round.)

I’ve never been to Asia before and here I am studying Chinese medicine. So much is lost on me because I don’t innately know the culture. Asia is huge; it encompasses places like Nepal, China, Tibet, both Koreas, and Japan. I’m not a very experienced traveler; I’ve been to some of the standard locations in the U.S. , as well as to Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. None of this could really prepare me for what it’s like to come to Nepal. I knew I had to get the hell out of dodge and take a break from school before I went crazy, stopped giving a shit, and stopped learning.

Why Nepal? Well, it’s where Mindful Medicine Worldwide has its two clinics. I became compelled to work with Mindful Medicine Worldwide after I met the founder, Grainne, at an acupuncturist’s convention. She was well-spoken, educated, and passionate about her work. Grainne told me about her organization and how they bring health care to Nepal and are also working on other locations in Thailand. I was impressed that an organization that had only been around a year had accomplished so much. It’s in my nature to mistrust new organizations so the fact that I didn’t feel this way was something significant to me. Over the years I have learned to trust my instincts and intuition  (call it a perk of my career).

At the time I didn’t know this but Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. After a long war there was no money left for health care and the people were left to deal with it on their own. A lack of education, health care, and hard work has made the people of Nepal deeply in need of free and inexpensive health care. As it turns out, a lot of people don’t know this about Nepal. In fact when I told people I was coming here half of them weren’t even sure it was a country.

“Where’s Nepal? Is that a country?”

“Yes, yes it is and, by the way, it’s a landlocked country on the Indian subcontinent, it’s where Mt. Everest is.  Go ahead and Google it like I did.”

Please visit here again soon, as I share my adventures of being in Nepal.

Namaste

Himin Group's Sun-Moon Mansion

This rabbit recently hopped over to the city of Dezhou, in Shandong Province, to partake in some Earth Day festivities with a few friends. While there, I learned more about the greening of China and the significant role Dezhou plays in this cleantech movement. The future certainly looks bright for 德州!

Did you know that Dezhou is one of the leading global players in solar technology today? The city boasts a thriving research and development, manufacturing, and tourism center and those in the renewable industry often refer to Dezhou as China’s Solar Valley. The Chinese government has supported the cleantech movement in this region through preferential tax benefits and other various policies that helped attract top firms to Dezhou. In just a few short years, China has become the leading manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels around the world. It appears China has really stepped up in a significant way to promote sustainable technology.

According to the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), there were 1.12 million renewable energy jobs in China, as of 2008; the association believes more than 100,000 new jobs will be added each year in China going forward. The solar industry in China is very robust and is currently experiencing a growth rate of nearly 30 percent a year. It is China’s stated goal to have 8 percent of their electricity generation come from solar, biomass, and wind by the year 2020. The government plans to subsidize renewables to the tune of $450 billion over the next five years to help meet this goal.

– China’s Solar Valley in Dezhou (Promotional Video) – [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY8t8QBONHY[/youtube]

The 4^th International Solar Cities Congress (ISCC) will take place in Dezhou this fall. Since the city is a world leader in solar panel manufacturing, it only seems appropriate that the world’s largest solar building will be hosting the event. The Sun-Moon Mansion, headquarters of Himin Group, houses research and development facilities, exhibition space, offices, and even a luxury hotel. The solar panels meet 95 percent of the building’s energy needs. The iconic sundial structure is meant to symbolize the contribution the local citizens are making toward greening their country.

Do you think China’s environment or economy benefits more from renewable energy? What is your city doing to position itself as a leader in renewable energy? It’s comforting to know that this rabbit’s hometown is striving to become a world leader in the clean technology economy.

The project wrapped up just in time for the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Visitors will surely experience a more functional Bund as they marvel at the aesthetic buildings built in the early 20th century. This certainly is not a cheap venture either; the restoration is part of Shanghai’s overall RMB 300 billion World Expo investment.

Han Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai, pointed out some of the more notable changes to the riverfront:

• Area for public activities increased by roughly 40 percent; the Bund can now accommodate up to 800,000 visitors on peak days.
• Six-lane tunnel built beneath the Bund to mitigate traffic congestion on surface streets.
• Improvements to the public transport network and the flood-control infrastructure.
• Tree plantings along the banks of the river and installation of 2,000 park benches.

Video: Revamped Shanghai Bund open to public—CCTV

This rabbit is not too keen on ripping out a lot of the original greenery. However, the large open spaces makes the Bund seem more unified and accessible. The Bund is an iconic symbol of Shanghai, and the project will preserve and promote the city’s cultural heritage while improving urban infrastructure for the city. In fact, you can even say it is grander than it used to be.

So, what do you think? Is this Shanghai’s answer to Paris’ Champs-Elysees? Shanghai is the “Paris of the East” after all.

PS: Stay tuned for future posts from Rabbit and other animals from the world of the Chinese horoscope. If you’d like to be one of those animals, leave us a comment. All animals welcome!

Join this dragon as it celebrates Earth Hour with the rest of the world!

World-famous landmarks, including Egypt’s pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and Beijing’s Forbidden City, will go dark Saturday at 8:30pm local time, as millions turn out the lights for “Earth Hour”, a rolling grassroots movement aimed at tackling climate change.

Now in its fourth year, the campaign promises to be the biggest ever with thousands of cities and towns in 125 countries, 37 more than last year, pledging to take part.

Sydney’s iconic Harbor Bridge and Opera House will kick off the energy-saving marathon, with Egypt’s Pyramids and Sphinx, Italy’s Trevi Fountain and Tower of Pisa and all major landmarks in Paris to follow, led by a five-minute blackout of the Eiffel Tower.

China will see its Forbidden City go dark, along with the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing. In Thailand, Bangkok’s Wat Arun Buddhist temple will also go dark.

In Singapore, where 3.3 million people have registered to take part, the world’s biggest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, will extinguish its main lights.

In Indonesia around 200 buildings will take part in Jakarta, while official buildings will be blacked out in Seoul.

Many cities in India are expected to participate, including the massive urban centers of Delhi and Mumbai, as well as the country’s thriving Bollywood film studios.

And in Dubai, the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa tower, will also dim its lights.

For the first time, residents of Norway’s Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, are set to brave an influx of curious polar bears normally deterred by lights after voting to participate in the campaign.

Japan’s heritage-listed Hiroshima Peace Memorial, one of few buildings to survive America’s 1945 atomic bomb attack, will take go dark, while major companies, including Sony Corporation, Sharp Corporation, and Asahi Breweries Ltd.  will switch off across Tokyo.

Multinational companies including Google Inc. (GOOG), Coca-Cola Co. (CO), Hilton, McDonald’s Corp. (MCD), Canon Inc. (CAJ), HSBC Holdings PLC (HBC)and IKEA have pledged to darken their offices worldwide in support. (Also, planning to go dark are Google’s home page and Cola-Cola’s famous billboard in Times Square.)

In the United States,  30 states and municipalities will mark Earth Hour with darkness falling on sites, including the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, and Seattle’s Space Needle.

“Earth Hour is meant to cross geographic, economic, country boundaries,” said Ridley, founder of Earth Hour, admitting that it was mostly a symbolic act.

“It’s one hour, one day, one year. We’re not saving the planet by turning the lights off for one hour.”

But he added: “What you are doing is adding your voice to a global call for action.”

So set your alarms for 8:30pm local time on Saturday and join the world in by participating in this 24-hour wave of hope and action!

As it continues to develop more and more into a super world power, China’s impact on the world is growing, effecting everything from the stock market, Internet, international business, to the value of the dollar. Chinese culture continues to submerge with other cultures worldwide, especially in America, where we are so very connected by the Internet and world trade. (See our earlier post, The Asian Hot Pot That is America.)

This dragon figures it’s time to brush up on the home country so began digging on the Internet in America (where the Internet remains mostly uncensored, even to dragons)!

Though written for college students, check out this great resource on China: 50 Lectures to Learn about the Past, Present, and Future of China. Got a greater understanding about what makes China tick! Even this Chinese dragon learned a lot from this resource!

So what’s your favorite resource for news on Asia? And how do you feel about Google getting out of China? How do you feel this decision will impact the Internet world?

This festival,  one of the world’s four largest ice and snow festivals, includes humongous ice buildings built from the frozen waters of the Songhua River, gigantic snow sculptures, and ice slides. (Kind of an icy version of Burning Man at night!)

I loved the multi-colored night lights that illuminated the sculptures from both inside and outside. Really cool to see the brilliant and dazzling lights against the dark night sky.

Something for everyone, this year’s festival even included the first China Ice and Snow Wedding Ceremony Festival and the 26th Ice and Snow Festival Group Wedding Ceremony on the Ice. (Hope the honeymoon was able to warm up these brides and grooms!)

Lacking the company of another dragon to snuggle up to, I stayed warm by trying ice rock-climbing, ice golf, skiing, skating, sliding, snow fights, and ice archery. (Unfortunately in a fit of sneezing I flamed the tip of Mao-tse Tung’s nose and then was encouraged to leave – immediately. Ah… the life of a dragon!)

Being rebellious, I spewed some flames as I flew away. Created quite a minor sensation below, with photographers snapping pictures of the mysterious light in the sky!

“We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all,” the world’s leading search engine posted on its official blog yesterday. “We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.”

This dragon is especially shocked by the possibility that the Chinese government might have been hacked into Google to monitor the email accounts of human-rights activists.

What would it truly be telling the world if the Chinese government resists Google’s demands for an impartial search engine, or if the implied accusations against the government that it hacked into Google are true?

Even the White House on Thursday backed Google’s decision to no longer submit to China’s Internet censorship:

“We will be issuing a formal demarche to the Chinese government in Beijing on this issue in the coming days, probably early this week. It will express our concern for this incident and request information from China as to an explanation of how it happened and what they plan to do about it,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters.

And from China (not very meaningful in my opinion):

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Thursday at a regular press conference that “China welcomes international Internet companies to conduct business within the country according to law.”

Google is in a tough place. It knows that bad things are happening to its service in China (such as hacking and censorship), and it thinks it may have to pull out of China. But is that the right thing to do? What do you think?

I met the dear emperor in my younger days (around 250 B.C.), as he was starting to plan for his afterlife.

You see death was perceived as a prolongation of life, and an emperor’s mausoleum was his afterlife palace, mirroring the magnificence of his palatial life on earth. As an old Chinese saying instructs, “treat death as life.”

It was natural then for emperors plagues by war to make their tombs battle ready. In the early days , it was customary to put the servants of a king to death so that they might serve him in the afterlife, but human sacrifice was less common by the time of Qin’s death. Rather than sacrifice an entire army, my pal Qin decided to bury himself with a symbolic force of detailed, life-sized, terracotta soldiers and horses assembled to protect him in the next world. (Just more humane though the people that constructed this army might not think so!)

I missed the discovery in 1974 when these awesome warriors were found by a local farmer digging a well so I’m glad I can now see the finished product!

These dudes look so vibrant, almost alive! And I didn’t have to fly to Xian to see them! (Still a bit bloated from my Halloween eats so Washington DC is so much closer!)

Check them for yourself if you have a chance!