A Brief Introduction
to Ancient
Chinese Medicine.

Individual Experiences.

Before writing about ancient Chinese Medicine and its comprehensive knowledge, I like to share with you some of my own thoughts related to it.

To me working with it is like drawing water from a deep well, I have to prime it every time in order to bring up its clear water.

This means that working with an individual with a disharmony, a connection must be made to his/her Original Source Chi as well as to that of the greater cosmos. The goal is to fit into the workings of the great Vital Energy – Wu Chi. Only then can we truly help and be helped.

In order to do this a silent and receptive state of mind is required. Without this receptivity, understanding the intricate patterns of disharmonies cannot become clear.

Intellectually we can gather information and apply it, we can even experience temporary relief, but ultimately our intuitive channel must become clear for lasting healing and wellness.

Therefore I'm asking you to open up your consciousness to the kind of knowledge which I searched for (and still do), through my studies of the ancient Chinese Medicine in the eighties.

All of them require a shift in consciousness every time I read them.

When I decided to study ancient Chinese Medicine in depth after reading the Huang Di Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), I realized that here is a health system through which I can bring some of my spiritual understanding into a usable format.

Later, when I began to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I found that with each individual with whom I worked, we sought for 'the main thread of the fabric' that connects us to the 'tone vibration' present in all and everything.

Tao of Health.

The question of acupuncture therapy and specific herbs for health and healing were important to the acupuncture doctor.

But equally important was how to guide the individual toward 'Tao of Health', a harmonious lifestyle by daily use of natural healing foods and remedies found in his environment.

Helping the person understand this goal of unity, even to inspire him to work toward longevity and the glorious destiny of Enlightenment, a birthright of every human being, was an important aspect of acupuncture doctor's work.

In the light of our modern knowledge, writing these pages is a modest but sincere attempt toward this noble goal.

Without the desire to understand the whole, the treatments we learn to give ourselves and those we love will be only patchwork. They cannot last without this deep commitment to the comprehensive physical-emotional-spiritual well-being.

The Unifying Logic of TCM.

As you read about the ancient Chinese Medicine you'll discover that although it is less analytical than our Western medicine, it is brilliant in its unifying logic. And I believe that by fully understanding this we can work toward permanently satisfying results.

Like most of its counterparts in other countries, Traditional Chinese Medicine evolved through the millenniums as a reflection of the culture and the philosophical-religious outlook of its people.

Tao, the Way of Harmony, is the directive and foundation of the mysterious intermingling of 'heaven, earth and man'. TCM describes health and illness as phenomena in relation to Tao's natural laws operating in all Creation.

Constantly Forming Vital Energy or Chi.

Central to TCM is the concept of Vital Energy or Chi, which constantly creates itself anew in myriad of forms, - yet in its essence is one - therein lies its paradox. However, when correctly understood it also reveals it beautiful and simple logic.

A doctor of the very early times was also a shaman. Chinese character of his magical cry - Ye! means doctor. Here is a short exchange between Huang Di and Ch'i Po.

The Emperor asks, "I have heard that the ancients treated disease by transporting essence and transforming Chi. Incantation was sufficient.

In recent times to treat disease poisonous medicines are used for the interior, and needles and stones for the exterior. The patient may or may not get well. How can this be?"

Ch'i Po replied, "People's lives now are more complicated and less healthful. For that reason incantation is no longer sufficient."

Confidence to Conquer Illness.

In another section of the book he says that in order to completely heal a person, acupuncture, herbs and the other modalities are only one aspect of the treatment. There must also be an integration within the patient in other ways.

“When people lack the confidence to conquer illness, they allow the Spirit to scatter and wither away. They let their emotions take control of their lives. They spend their days drowned in desires and worries, exhausting their Jing essence, their Chi and Shen spirit. Of course then, even with these other modalities, the disease will not be cured.”

Adaptability of TCM.

Because of this ancient Chinese Medicine's ability to adapt, it's principles based on the Law of Yin and Yang - and all that it contains - are applicable even in our changeable conditions and discoveries of Western Medicine.

In my twenty year practice of TCM, I did not discover even once any contradiction between Chinese Medicine and its western counterpart. Instead I found that they can compliment each other in a supportive way, when the principles are understood and practices properly applied.

A while ago we made a series of short YouTube-videos on Ancient Chinese Medicine as an introduction to specific aspects of it. The following video focuses on fundamental substances of the human body and on the goal of uniting 'Three Treasures' of Jing, Chi and Shen in the process of healing the body, mind and spirit.