Smooth Transition Into Menopause
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
For a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 10,068 mothers were interviewed by phone. The Ministry found that the women’s concerns were in the following order: health afflictions, deterioration of physical condition, decline in cognitive functioning and memory, weight gain, changes in physical appearance, and decline in self-esteem. Basically, these are issues related to menopause.
People, like nature, undergo periodic changes known as “change of life.” In women, this change is known as “menopause.” By the way, men too have their own “menopause.” In both cases, what does “change of life” really mean? It means undergoing a “transformation.” If we let ourselves be transformed, there will be regeneration. But, if not, aging and decay will follow and, no matter how much we try later on, this process cannot be reversed. Therefore, “menopause” is an important milestone in our lives.
The Chinese have a saying: “Everything is cyclical.” It means that every ten years a change takes place. Change and transition are natural phenomena. If we wish to have a smooth transition, we should ask ourselves how we nurture our being in our daily lives.
Another saying goes: “Those who are vigilant will be safe, and those who are negligent will fall.” This means that a person who is often negligent in his ways eventually fails badly, while a person who is always vigilant will tread a smooth path. If we are generally prudent and practice “Qi” exercises regularly, we will accumulate positive energy — so that once we reach any turning points in our physical or mental being, we are able to make a smooth transition. Otherwise, problems will arise easily.
If we do things in the proper way, and be more diligent in our practice during our menopausal years, we can transform ourselves, and not be plagued with health problems. As for women, they should display their maternal qualities during the menopausal years, showing love and compassion. In this way, they transform not only themselves and their spouses, but also everyone else around them.
“Be vigilant always and your path will naturally be smooth.”— Lee Feng San Shifu
