This space is dedicated to the deeper side of Chinese Medicine. To sharing the insights we each gather on a day to day and week to week basis. The magic is there if we just open up and look for it. I'll follow this post with the most inspiring words I've come across about TCM.
In Gratitude,
Kai.
The challenge of TCM system is that it loses it's simplicity and relationship to nature the more we memorize. We move from the center of the wheel off into the rim where we spin out of control in details. Everything can be followed simply by reducing it to yin/yang. An even more powerful approach is to focus on that which is beyond yin/yang. It had to start somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the source of yin/yang?
How do we maintain connection with it while studying specific details?
What is qi and it's relationship to thought?
.....it's releationship to intention?
"When inserting a needle, one should act as if he is holding the tail of a Tiger"
Namaste Brothers :)
I resonate with what you say and yet I know there is a way of moving from the details to the core. If you read the addendum to "The Web That Has No Weaver" the author writes about the magic of chinese medicine. How his teacher in Macao, would know the diagnosis of the patient just by taking the call for the appointment. He heard it in the voice, felt it in the way the patient negotiated the appointment time. So in some sense the enter idea of Gong Fu, Work turning into merit is alive. You memorize the basics over and over again until it becomes second nature.
ReplyDeleteHowever the right teachers are so helpful. Today listening to Alex Tiberi lecturing on Ding Li. The power of focus. He said that it is the essential aspect of spirituality in Chinese Medicine. Ding Li is the alignment of the Zhi, Yi and Shen. It exists only when the internal dialogue is quiet. The will in the kidney connects with spirit in the heart and the Yi is what unites them. He mentioned that this is the Chong Mai...it connects the Zhi to the Shen.
That simple insight gives me the desire to read about the chong again. To practice qigong and feel the alignment of all three.
Lets see what we can dig up on this matter.
Lets see how we can develop our Ding Li.
Can we use our ding li while studying?
"Only when the internal dialogue is quiet."
ReplyDeleteWe can use our Ding Li while studying although this is another aspect of the challenge that I refer to earlier. It is almost as if we have to divide ourselves to study, burn in certain axioms and lose our own connection to the truth that underlies the medicine.
Perhaps we can develop a "whole body" study method? Generally speaking, we focus our attention on thoughts, concepts, images. Whether it be herbs, symptoms, ect...for the purpose of memorizing. But how much attention or Qi do we REALLY need to memorize? Perhaps interjecting small Qi Gong sessions while studying will help to bring attention back into the energy field of the body and foster this connection. Ding Li.
The ability to withdraw attention or Qi from the forms of the mind. Qi Gong accomplishes this by using the will. The will's only purpose is to decide what to focus attention on. When we use our will to focus attention on space or Qi, we think less, and begin to foster this alignment you speak of.
I am going to practice studying, while focusing my attention on the field of Qi that permeates my body...yknow, just to see what happens. Studying could become a form of Qi Gong.
Interesting thread...
"Only when the internal dialogue is quiet."
Love it bro.
ReplyDeleteYes...studying with awareness of the Qi...
Reminds me of something Eckart Tolle would say.
Thanks for keeping this going. Kyle will join us soon.