“In the three months of Autumn all things in nature reach their full maturity. The grains ripen and harvest occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The wind begins to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the yang, or active phase turns into its opposite, the yin or passive, phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the weather in Autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain peaceful and calm, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly.

This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, conserve, be more focused, and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy full, clean, and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to enhance the lung qi.

Also, one should refrain from both smoking and grief, the emotion of the lung. This will prevent kidney or digestive problems in the winter. If this natural order is violated, damage will occur to the lungs, resulting in diarrhea with undigested food in the winter. This compromises the body’s ability to store in the winter.

-Neijing Suwen

The second chapter of the Su Wen section of the Nei Jing is titled The Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit with the Four Seasons (四氣調神大論). This chapter gives basic descriptions of the four seasons and, based on Yin-Yang and Five Phases theories, how we harmonize ourselves with each. One of the initial recommendations the Nei Jing gives us is,

“In Autumn it is desirable to sleep early and get up early at the crowing of the cock.”

In Summer, when everything is in a state of Yang expansion, we can stay up late and get up early without harming Qi. In Autumn, however, since we are in a state of contraction, of moving towards quiescence, we should get to bed a little earlier so as to harmonize ourselves with the growing Yin influences in nature. That said, the season is still not characterized by the complete stillness of Winter, so we can get up early to get to work. Certainly, in traditional society, it was important to get up early so that crops could be harvested and stored in preparation for Winter.

The Nei Jing continues its recommendations by saying, “Let the mind-will be peaceful and tranquil, so as to temper the punishment carried out in Autumn. Collect the Shen [Spirit] Qi and cause the Autumn Qi to be balanced. Do not direct your mind-will to the outside so the Lung Qi remains clear.” This is an interesting statement!

The recommendation about sleep is teaching us how to harmonize our physical body with the season. It means that not only should we literally get more sleep, but we should also not exert as much as in Summer if possible.

In this second section the Nei Jing teaches us that body and mind are inseparable. Just as we harmonize our body with the season, we harmonize our Shen-spirit (shen 神) with Autumn as well.

Again, according to Wang Bing, “When the Shen [spirit] Qi is in turmoil, it may become too vigorous, which may cause harm to peaceful Qi; once peaceful Qi is lost, Autumn Qi may be disturbed. Thus it is important to constrict the Shen [spirit] Qi so that Autumn Qi may remain peaceful.” In general the movement of Metal and Autumn is an inward movement towards quiet. We harmonize our Spirit-mind with Autumn by engaging in quiet self-reflection.