What’s in a virtue?

I’ve been investigating the relationship between the virtues and pathologies of the elements. Each element has its strengths and its weaknesses. For example, some of the strengths of Wood is its ability to discern, plan, and take action. Pathologies might include, lack of inner vision, over controlling, and rigid. As an acupuncturist, if someone came in with Wood constitution it would be my job to help steer them toward transforming the not so good qualities into shining gems. But, I wonder, is that really making that much of an improvement? It has been my experience that one can embody the virtues that we commonly associate with the elements and yet still be operating from an egoic position in life. Many of what we consider virtues today don’t actually lift an individual up and out of the realm of ego… it’s merely that they are operating from a higher place within the ego.

This isn’t to undermine the transformation from pathology to virtue, or say that it isn’t needed, of course it is. It is the first step in the right direction, but I think all too often it is viewed as reaching the finish line. But the movement from one to the other could be endless, especially if the patient is depending on someone else to do it for them.

It seems like the virtues that we commonly associate with the elements are outdated. I think it’s time that we step back and reexamine what it really means to be a person of virtues and how acupuncture can play a role in helping one go beyond the elements. What lies beyond the elements is pure consciousness. A relationship to life that is enlightened and pure. It is one where integrity is ignited into action, where responsibility replaces the emotional whims- where one recognizes that they are responsible not just for their own self, but for the good of the whole.

We’ve all heard the saying, “the body is a temple,” but what if we viewed it more like a vessel? Like a cannon that is primed for the explosion of pure Authenticity? That body would need to be operating at its optimal health, so of course acupuncture would address such conditions, but it would be doing so all while having one eye on the horizon, holding a vision of higher potential and seeking to heal from that grounded intention.

I wonder what an acupuncture practice would look like if it were to strive to go beyond nurturing personal virtues (element virtues) of the patient and endeavor to help guide the patient to have a higher relationship with life…to become a vessel of pure intention, integrity and responsibility.