The Art Of Chinese Medicine: There is an art to all that we do, even to Nei Jing which is one of the most important classics of Taoism— The Art Of Chinese Medicine Through Natural Ways To Longevity & Health!
First, “Art Of Chinese Medicine” gives a wholistic picture of human life. It does not separate external changes – geographic, climatic, and season, for instance – from internal changes such as emotions and our responses to them. It told how our way of life and our environment affect our health. Without going into fine detail, the Nei Jing articulates a treasure of ancient knowledge concerning the natural way to health, implying that all phenomena of the world stimulate, tonify, subdue, or depress one’s natural life force. This wholistic life philosophy of the ancient developed ones represent the basic tenets of the Integral Way—a life lived in harmony with the universal law.
The impact of the Nei Jing on subsequent Chinese discoveries and inventions is far reaching. Its material is not confined merely to Chinese medicine, though there is no higher authority than this, it also discussed all facets of human life that affect birth, growth, reproductions, and death.
Nei Jing offers much practical advice on how to maintain balance by revealing the inner workings of the universal law. The environment, the way of life and the spirit all contribute to the quality of human existence. The essence of the Nei Jing can be summed up in the following passage: “Health and well-being can be achieved only by remaining centered in spirit, guarding against the squandering of energy, promoting the constant flow of qi and blood, maintaining harmonious balance of yin and yang, adapting to the changing seasonal and yearly macrocosmic influences, and nourishing one’s self preventively. This is the way to a long and happy life”
Specifically in the section of the Art Of Chinese Medicine, the question posed was, “How are teas and wine made from the five grains (wheat, corn, rice, rye, beans)?
The response from the Master teacher was, “Teas and wines were all originally made form grains, mainly rice, and its talks were used as fuel in cooking trains. The teas were drunk or left to ferment into wine. This is how the process began. The grains, such as rice and barley, absorbed the essence from the qi of heaven and earth, and were also benefited by the harmonious manifestations of the four seasons. When they were produced in this perfect environment, they were neither too hot nor too cold. They were harvested in the autumn for the best quality. This is how wine and teas and food used to be made or prepared.
In very ancient times, people made these herbal wines and extracts for disease prevention purposes. However, because they lived in accord with nature and followed the universal law, they were strong. Knew the secrets of health preservation, and rarely got sick. So they rarely had to use them. They were made and used as a backup but were rarely necessary.
“In the middle ages, people lost the natural way. They no longer knew the correct way to live. Exterior pathogens invaded the body more easily, although people were still relatively strong. People then took herbs wines and cured their diseases. However, modern patients who utilize only herb wines will not be able to get well. The reason is that nowadays people absolutely disregard the principles of healthful living. Their bodies are weaker, and illnesses comes more easily and are more complete. Now many different techniques must be utilized to treat the inside and the outside. These techniques include herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, and so forth. You now must also use poison to treat properly, because illnesses have become so compounded.
After the Master spoke about all the treatment modalities, the question asked was, “Why is the body still weak, the qi and blood are still deficient, and the patient does not recover?”
The Art of Medicine in medicine is to completely heal a person, however, acupuncture, herbs, and these other modalities are only one aspect of the treatment. You must also come into synchrony with the patient in many other ways. For example, when patients lack the confidence to conquer illness, they allow their 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 and qi and shen/spirit. Of course, then, even with all these other modalities, the disease will not be cured.”
One must keep in mind, when an illness begins, it is on a superficial level and is not complicated. The exterior pathogen will first invade from the skin level. At this stage, it is easy to cure. But illnesses today are all regarded as severe, progressing all the way to the terminal stage.
Now the question to the Master was, “Why is it that physicians who know the theories and principles of treatment, even physicians who are relatives of the patient, who hear their patients’ voices and see their colors each day, why is it that these doctors do not discover illness before it occurs and treat it before it has a chance to manifest?”
The wise old Master answered: “This tells us about the level of competence of today’s physicians. A good healer cannot depend on skill alone. S/He must also have the correct attitude, sincerity, compassion, and a sense of responsibility. The patient must also be aware of this or her body in order to recognize signs and symptoms and imbalances. That patient can then seek remedies at the earliest possible moment. When doctor and patient are in a state of harmony, the illness will not linger or become terminal.”
It is important to remember that natural therapies and preventive approaches are ever as effective and even more pertinent in today’s drug-oriented medical client. It offers a heartfelt and viable approach in the perception and treatment of illness. Especially in the battle against chronic, degenerative, infectious, and deficient medical conditions. Chinese medicine is promising as an effective alternative. The Nei Jing’s philosophy will help guide society in the pursuit of a higher quality of life. The framework of Nei Jing offered, modern science technology, and medicine can integrate with the natural principles of traditional Chinese medicine. This is the Integral Way. And this integration will, in the not-so-distant future, result in a more healthy, balanced, and harmonious existence for all people. This important book shows us that from the microcosm of human life we may learn the vast and profound realities of the macrocosm; thus equaling to the “The Art Of Chinese Medicine”.
