The basis of uterine function is endometrial receptivity; yet Western reproductive medicine can offer very little to assist women with uterine receptivity. The wisdom of TCM takes receptivity as the central theme in fertility. If endometrial cells are not receptive, they will not open up to hormonal messages, appropriate protein expression, or the ability to receive an implanting embryo. Our focus is on overcoming hindrances to receptivity, and therapeutic modalities to help women become more receptive to life. The sun was humankind's first unit of measurement. The earth's relationship to the sun set up our initial awareness of duality: as the sun rose and set we became aware of day and night; light and dark. Our brains set up mechanisms to respond to these biorhythms through the pineal gland's output of chemicals like melatonin and serotonin. Interestingly, the first biological unit of measurement was the uterus. For approximately every moon cycle, women seemed to bleed, unless they were bearing a child. The Greek word Maitra, which is the initial unit of measurement, parallels the Sanskrit root mater (root for matter, mother, meter, dimension, immense, menses), meaning uterus. The very first treatment for menstrual irregularities was to instruct women to sleep outside for one moon cycle, so the biorhythms could reset the hypothalamus.
The uterus gives rise to life; the primary means for measuring this state of existence we find ourselves in. To be born, from nothingness into this dimension. To become material. The uterus is seen as a potential. The Chinese word for uterus is Bao, or wrapper, which emerges from the Dan Tien, or source of life that we tap into with our Qi Gong exercises. The Tao te Ching reminds us that the utility of anything is in its potential space; not in that which fills it up:
We join spokes together in a wheel, But it is the center hole That makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, But it is the emptiness inside That holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house, But it is the inner space That makes it livable.