Have you often heard people around you say they are feeling the autumn blues? It is a season when restless feelings arise, daily tasks become tedious, and tears can surface without an obvious cause. Donguibogam views this experience thoughtfully within the broader flow of nature.
Our ancestors believed that the seasonal shifts between heaven and earth profoundly shape both body and mind. This is known as the movements and transformations of heaven and earth qi. Donguibogam describes autumn as a time when the qi of heaven is urgent and the qi of earth is bright. The vital energy that flared throughout summer gradually contracts, and all things gather inward to prepare for harvest and fruition. Just as green leaves change color and return to the soil, our bodies and minds naturally receive this astringent, settling energy.
This autumn quality of astringency is closely connected to the lung. In Korean medicine, the lung does not simply govern breathing; it also oversees systemic qi and grief among the emotions. When the astringent energy of autumn reaches the lung, just as the sight of falling leaves and shorter days brings a quiet sadness, grief and low mood can arise more readily.
Donguibogam also outlines how to respond thoughtfully to this atmosphere, which was compared to an autumn punishment. It advises keeping your will calm and stable to ease the punishment of autumn, gathering your spirit qi to harmonize the autumn qi, and keeping desires from turning outward so that lung qi remains clear. It emphasizes winding down external engagements, looking inward, and steadying the mind. Just as animals prepare for winter rest, we also benefit from collecting our energy, clearing away distractions, and finding inner quiet. This allows both body and mind to navigate autumn smoothly and build resilience for the coming season. Instead of feeling rushed or demanding too much of yourself, pausing to align with the rhythm of nature is a gentle approach to autumn passed down from our ancestors.
