This is the monthly live event, on the second Friday or Saturday of each month, as part of my Imperial Tutor mentorship. I either present a more formal lecture myself, followed by a lively discussion (what used to be called “History Train Lectures”), or I invite an important voice or two in Chinese medicine (practitioner of the East Asian healing arts, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, translator, author etc.) for a casual chat. While this is a members-only event, the general public can always join for a 9-day $9 trial to check it out.

For this month’s Tea Time Talk and in honor of today’s seasonal node “Great Cold” 大寒, I have invited my dear friend and podcast partner, Leo Lok, to join me for an exploration of cold, from the perspective of Chinese medicine, both in terms of etiology and as therapy. To those of you who know me, it will be obvious why I have a fascination with this topic. I am, after all, a passionate open-water swimmer and live pretty far up north in a cold rainy dark climate. Am I making myself healthy or sick with this practice? Am I strengthening my weiqi (protective qi) or am I taxing my poor kidneys? I know I make myself happy every time I take a dip without a wetsuit, that is for sure. Are we to follow the advice in the Shanghanlun (Treatise on Cold Damage)? And what does that mean? As you can see, I have way more questions than answers, so I sure hope Leo will help us shed some light on this, based on his unparalleled combination of clinical insights, scholarship, and cultural experience!!!!

This particular event was inspired by an email from a reader of my little article on Dos and Don’ts of Winter. They wrote me the following email, which got me thinking about this yet again:

As I am deepening my attention to the rhythms of the seasons, I have found myself studying and sharing more and more the wisdom of the classics. This leaves me questioning some of the ‘truths’ I acquired in my early understanding and examining how to apply the wisdom in modern times.

As we seek storage in the winter months and protect/tend our yang, I am wondering about the need to avoid sweat. I advise keeping the surface more closed than open and covered. I am often questioned by others about the appropriateness of winter activities that may cause sweat- skiiing, ice skating, winter hiking- and whether they should be avoided. I think when dressed appropriately, we can safely experience a gentle sweat without depletion and promote smart care practices. As you suggested, wool is so helpful in winter. And, most importantly, understanding our resiliency at the surface level is a valuable guide.

I wonder if there is anything you could share or lead me to reference beyond the guidance of suwen ch2 in regards avoiding sweat in winter. I don’t know that my advice is in line with the classical thinking, and I would like consider this.

Upon more thinking, I also find interesting the increase in popularity of ice bathing- which is sometimes followed by sauna use. I remember you shared your experiences taking cold swims in the waters of the NW. I’m wondering if practices similar to these (what I understand as forms of hydrotherapy) are discussed in any of the classics or in any references you could share?

I think of the healing potential of the extremes and I tend to apply that thought to understanding these methods.

As always, Imperial Tutor members will receive the invitation with the ZOOM link directly via email. Everybody else who wants to join us is invited to sign up for a trial membership below, for $9 for 9 days...