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Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends,
This is a continuation from the thread ‘Differences between Original Chinese Medicine and Modern Chinese Medicine'.
I would like to share with you one of my latest and humble research on the subject, i.e what is ‘Original Traditional Chinese Medicine’, if we would like to compare it to the so-called watershed versions. Please note that I am not a master myself, I am only sincerely searching and trying to improve my understanding. Please do not hesitate to add your opinions even if they are contradictory to mine
The diversity of Traditional Chinese Medicine is expressed through the many schools and masters of the art, its unity in the same spiritual and natural roots
First of all, I think we should beware of the misconceptions induced by dualism thinking. For example, ‘original’ does not necessary mean ‘old’ or ‘ancestral’; on the other hand, ‘watershed’ does not necessary mean ‘recent’ or ‘modern’. In others words, some authentic and high level living doctors are still practising today, while some doctors who were giving treatment in the old, very old days could have been of a low standard. Such thinking would implement that there is no more skilled practitioner in any field today, because we live in a modern period (‘oh, it’s all watershed!’) compared to the past people (‘always original, right?’). Obviously, this is wrong. And insulting for all the modern living masters…
Let me make a rough analogy. As an art deeply rooted in spirituality and energy cultivation and understanding, Traditional Chinese Medicine share some common features with martial arts, especially Shaolin Kung Fu. It is no surprise that since the ages of time many advanced students and masters were (and are) proficient in TCM, whatever Shaolin schools they may have trained in. Famous masters from Shaolin Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, Chow Gar or Eagle Claw as well as many others lineages were (and are) famous for their knowledge and skills in treating people. Great Grandmaster Wong Fei Hung was most famous for running his ‘Po Chi Lam’ clinic. White Crane master Kwan Tak Yin was a famous herbalist. And what about Sifu! For those interested in Shaolin Kung Fu, we know that what is practiced today in every good (original) school is not exactly the same as what was practiced in the past. This is much more obvious if we compare today’s training with the 6th or 7th century training.
Sifu has superbly wrote in The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: Chapter 3 ‘Their achievements were cumulative, with each generation of masters adding new techniques and skills to a growing repertoire.‘, Chapter 6 ‘Today when you learn a Shaolin Kung Fu set (…) you inherit the crystallization of hundreds of years of Kung Fu development’.
The same thing has happened with Traditional Chinese Medicine. I would like to share an extract from a personal communication from world acclaimed Chinese Doctor Philippe Sionneau, who had the kindness to explain to me some difficult points about TCM. Originally written in French, the translation is mine, it may lack the original flavour, but the meaning is still there:
‘… First of all you must understand one fundamental thing : Chinese Medicine is not One ! If one studies the history of Chinese Medicine, one will find out that there are different trends, and what we know to this day is the aggregate from different contributions, from different periods, from different great masters. It is of the utmost importance to understand this, in order not to be caught in the common trap of thinking that there was a perfect Chinese Medicine at a one given time in the past, which has then slowly debased little by little, to the extent that the worst Chinese Medicine is the one practiced today. (…) Chinese Medicine today is somewhat different but it is difficult to affirm that it is less valuable than the oldest ‘approaches’, in every field…’
I find this inspiring. Let’s go further.
Many seekers of truth are willing to find about the authenticity of the art they are learning. So are some TCM students. Some are proudly proclaiming the greatness of their lineage, some are eager to claim that no more good TCM is practiced in China nowadays. Some are thinking we could never get back to the grandeur of the Nei Jing period. On the other hand, some are revering everything that comes from China, as long as the man in white coat is Asian. Everyone has the right to his opinion. But, for the sake of Traditional Chinese Medicine and humanity, it might be a good thing to calm down and try to make things (a little bit) clear.
TCM is a living art. It is a beautiful and wonderful living art. Its essence lies in the spiritual understanding of Nature, and its emanations Yin Yang. Its practice lies on the manipulation of Chi, or energy, in order to restore health. Why? Because disease occurs when Yin and Yang are not in harmony, i.e when energy levels (whatever be the cause) are not sufficient or disharmonious. As a living art, creation is a specific feature of it. Once the paradigm is understood and respected, one can explore its deepness and heights, i.e creating and refining techniques and concepts.
Restoring energy balance through the eternal laws of Yin and Yang is the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is the root.
Then, masters of the past and present have elaborated about the tools to restore harmony (i.e the weapons to fight the enemy) and the deepening of principles (i.e the tactics and strategies to achieve maximum results). These are the branches.
I believe we should not mistake the branches for the root.
The incessant perfection of this system (due to the constant work of dedicated practitioners through centuries) implies that good TCM is not necessary ancient TCM.
Also, the specialisation of different masters implies that even if there is one map, the roads to achieve the results may differ. Like Shaolin evolved and developed in many branches, TCM did. Of course, this does not imply the over specialization because a Chinese doctor has an holistic approach of diseases.
There are many overlapping factors, but for the convenience of this post I might arbitrary write that specialization in Traditional Chinese Medicine covers 3 main areas:
1. Emphasizing a specific approach, then developing new strategies and treatments (but always following the original concepts). For example during the Yuan dynasty the foundation of the Stimulating Earth School (Bu Tu Pai) by the great master Li Dong Yuan (1180-1252), who has been inspired by a new approach: concentring on the internal origin of diseases –especially the weakening of the Spleen and Stomach-. Li Dong Yuan’s principles (stimulating the Spleen’s Qi and Yang) can be found in his masterpiece ‘Pi Wei Lun’ (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach). Needless to say, that school is standing on the laws of Yin and Yang and all the same rules shared by the Classics.
2. Specializing in tools, i.e studying and working more precisely on one of the specific ‘weapon’ available, for example herbal therapy, or acupuncture, or Chi Kung. Many good Chinese doctors are skilful in all those areas, but have specialized in one of them (i.e are more skilful in that area).
3. Specializing in specific areas of treatment, for example Dit Da (injuries from falls and hits), or gynaecology, or degenerative diseases.
Chinese Medicine has been evolving from its conception till now. Evolving throughout centuries, each generation of masters adding their own discoveries and ameliorations. For example, some masterpieces have been written in order to correct errors and clear difficult points of the Nei Jing. Those works have been written many centuries after the Inner Classic (Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing 259, Lei Jing 1624, Yi Zong Jin Jian 1742…). In our modern days, some important works have been done in China; some of these works are about confronting the information found in the Classics to real live clinical experience.
As a TCM student, I should stay humble in front of such dedication and such amount of knowledge. Diversification helps remembering the unique origin of Chinese Medicine yet its numerous schools; it is like standing in front of a awe-inspiring and beautiful 2000 years old tree, whose trunk gave birth to numerous branches. Those branches blossoming in superb flowers. Each flower, each branch comes from the same trunk, whose root is Earth, and roof Heaven.
The current practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in modern China
Some faculties are still preserving the essence of the art. Some are not. Some teachers are skilful, some are not. Some doctors are offering true TCM treatments, based on an holistic approach of the patient (and defining a unique treatment for each patient), some are only giving ‘package treatment’, i.e symptomatic use of points and pre-defined herbal concoctions.
It may be against preconceived ideas, but it is interesting to note that pulse diagnosis is thoroughly taught in China today (not in every faculties though), but difficult to learn outside of China, simply because few people outside China have been taught that skill. What is practiced in China today may or may not be Traditional Chinese Medicine, depending on numerous factors (especially the teacher of course). Like in our western countries what you may learn when you practice Shaolin Kung Fu, may or may not be the essence of the art.
I think, from my own experience (which is limited), that being extreme in such a subject may be wrong: idealizing all the mainland Chinese teachings may reveal some disappointments; on the other hand, refusing to find out if real teachings are still available in China may lead to regrets.
Spiritual and philosophical background as a tenet of Chinese Medicine
In my opinion, this point is of the extreme importance. I will try to elaborate about this in another post. Please don’t wait for my next post to share your thoughts and experiences!
The fundamentals of Chinese Medicine practice: what is relevant to an authentic paradigm
Many schools, many masters, many approaches, but some common features. Those common features are the ones making the difference between Original Chinese Medicine and the watershed versions. To give some examples:
1. Concepts of Yin and Yang, theories of Chi circulation
2. Use of traditional diagnosis (4 steps/8 rules), importance of pulse diagnosis.
3. Use of different needles manipulating techniques, in order to ‘catch’ and manipulate the energy (thus, to work efficiently on it).
4. Importance of the spiritual enhancement of the patient in the treatment (relationship between the doctor and the patient).
5. Harmonization of each treatment.
Hmm… Enough for today. I take a deep breath and will start my pen again, soon.
Thanks for reading. Please share your opinions!
Maxime.
This is a continuation from the thread ‘Differences between Original Chinese Medicine and Modern Chinese Medicine'.
I would like to share with you one of my latest and humble research on the subject, i.e what is ‘Original Traditional Chinese Medicine’, if we would like to compare it to the so-called watershed versions. Please note that I am not a master myself, I am only sincerely searching and trying to improve my understanding. Please do not hesitate to add your opinions even if they are contradictory to mine
The diversity of Traditional Chinese Medicine is expressed through the many schools and masters of the art, its unity in the same spiritual and natural roots
First of all, I think we should beware of the misconceptions induced by dualism thinking. For example, ‘original’ does not necessary mean ‘old’ or ‘ancestral’; on the other hand, ‘watershed’ does not necessary mean ‘recent’ or ‘modern’. In others words, some authentic and high level living doctors are still practising today, while some doctors who were giving treatment in the old, very old days could have been of a low standard. Such thinking would implement that there is no more skilled practitioner in any field today, because we live in a modern period (‘oh, it’s all watershed!’) compared to the past people (‘always original, right?’). Obviously, this is wrong. And insulting for all the modern living masters…
Let me make a rough analogy. As an art deeply rooted in spirituality and energy cultivation and understanding, Traditional Chinese Medicine share some common features with martial arts, especially Shaolin Kung Fu. It is no surprise that since the ages of time many advanced students and masters were (and are) proficient in TCM, whatever Shaolin schools they may have trained in. Famous masters from Shaolin Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, Chow Gar or Eagle Claw as well as many others lineages were (and are) famous for their knowledge and skills in treating people. Great Grandmaster Wong Fei Hung was most famous for running his ‘Po Chi Lam’ clinic. White Crane master Kwan Tak Yin was a famous herbalist. And what about Sifu! For those interested in Shaolin Kung Fu, we know that what is practiced today in every good (original) school is not exactly the same as what was practiced in the past. This is much more obvious if we compare today’s training with the 6th or 7th century training.
Sifu has superbly wrote in The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: Chapter 3 ‘Their achievements were cumulative, with each generation of masters adding new techniques and skills to a growing repertoire.‘, Chapter 6 ‘Today when you learn a Shaolin Kung Fu set (…) you inherit the crystallization of hundreds of years of Kung Fu development’.
The same thing has happened with Traditional Chinese Medicine. I would like to share an extract from a personal communication from world acclaimed Chinese Doctor Philippe Sionneau, who had the kindness to explain to me some difficult points about TCM. Originally written in French, the translation is mine, it may lack the original flavour, but the meaning is still there:
‘… First of all you must understand one fundamental thing : Chinese Medicine is not One ! If one studies the history of Chinese Medicine, one will find out that there are different trends, and what we know to this day is the aggregate from different contributions, from different periods, from different great masters. It is of the utmost importance to understand this, in order not to be caught in the common trap of thinking that there was a perfect Chinese Medicine at a one given time in the past, which has then slowly debased little by little, to the extent that the worst Chinese Medicine is the one practiced today. (…) Chinese Medicine today is somewhat different but it is difficult to affirm that it is less valuable than the oldest ‘approaches’, in every field…’
I find this inspiring. Let’s go further.
Many seekers of truth are willing to find about the authenticity of the art they are learning. So are some TCM students. Some are proudly proclaiming the greatness of their lineage, some are eager to claim that no more good TCM is practiced in China nowadays. Some are thinking we could never get back to the grandeur of the Nei Jing period. On the other hand, some are revering everything that comes from China, as long as the man in white coat is Asian. Everyone has the right to his opinion. But, for the sake of Traditional Chinese Medicine and humanity, it might be a good thing to calm down and try to make things (a little bit) clear.
TCM is a living art. It is a beautiful and wonderful living art. Its essence lies in the spiritual understanding of Nature, and its emanations Yin Yang. Its practice lies on the manipulation of Chi, or energy, in order to restore health. Why? Because disease occurs when Yin and Yang are not in harmony, i.e when energy levels (whatever be the cause) are not sufficient or disharmonious. As a living art, creation is a specific feature of it. Once the paradigm is understood and respected, one can explore its deepness and heights, i.e creating and refining techniques and concepts.
Restoring energy balance through the eternal laws of Yin and Yang is the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is the root.
Then, masters of the past and present have elaborated about the tools to restore harmony (i.e the weapons to fight the enemy) and the deepening of principles (i.e the tactics and strategies to achieve maximum results). These are the branches.
I believe we should not mistake the branches for the root.
The incessant perfection of this system (due to the constant work of dedicated practitioners through centuries) implies that good TCM is not necessary ancient TCM.
Also, the specialisation of different masters implies that even if there is one map, the roads to achieve the results may differ. Like Shaolin evolved and developed in many branches, TCM did. Of course, this does not imply the over specialization because a Chinese doctor has an holistic approach of diseases.
There are many overlapping factors, but for the convenience of this post I might arbitrary write that specialization in Traditional Chinese Medicine covers 3 main areas:
1. Emphasizing a specific approach, then developing new strategies and treatments (but always following the original concepts). For example during the Yuan dynasty the foundation of the Stimulating Earth School (Bu Tu Pai) by the great master Li Dong Yuan (1180-1252), who has been inspired by a new approach: concentring on the internal origin of diseases –especially the weakening of the Spleen and Stomach-. Li Dong Yuan’s principles (stimulating the Spleen’s Qi and Yang) can be found in his masterpiece ‘Pi Wei Lun’ (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach). Needless to say, that school is standing on the laws of Yin and Yang and all the same rules shared by the Classics.
2. Specializing in tools, i.e studying and working more precisely on one of the specific ‘weapon’ available, for example herbal therapy, or acupuncture, or Chi Kung. Many good Chinese doctors are skilful in all those areas, but have specialized in one of them (i.e are more skilful in that area).
3. Specializing in specific areas of treatment, for example Dit Da (injuries from falls and hits), or gynaecology, or degenerative diseases.
Chinese Medicine has been evolving from its conception till now. Evolving throughout centuries, each generation of masters adding their own discoveries and ameliorations. For example, some masterpieces have been written in order to correct errors and clear difficult points of the Nei Jing. Those works have been written many centuries after the Inner Classic (Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing 259, Lei Jing 1624, Yi Zong Jin Jian 1742…). In our modern days, some important works have been done in China; some of these works are about confronting the information found in the Classics to real live clinical experience.
As a TCM student, I should stay humble in front of such dedication and such amount of knowledge. Diversification helps remembering the unique origin of Chinese Medicine yet its numerous schools; it is like standing in front of a awe-inspiring and beautiful 2000 years old tree, whose trunk gave birth to numerous branches. Those branches blossoming in superb flowers. Each flower, each branch comes from the same trunk, whose root is Earth, and roof Heaven.
The current practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in modern China
Some faculties are still preserving the essence of the art. Some are not. Some teachers are skilful, some are not. Some doctors are offering true TCM treatments, based on an holistic approach of the patient (and defining a unique treatment for each patient), some are only giving ‘package treatment’, i.e symptomatic use of points and pre-defined herbal concoctions.
It may be against preconceived ideas, but it is interesting to note that pulse diagnosis is thoroughly taught in China today (not in every faculties though), but difficult to learn outside of China, simply because few people outside China have been taught that skill. What is practiced in China today may or may not be Traditional Chinese Medicine, depending on numerous factors (especially the teacher of course). Like in our western countries what you may learn when you practice Shaolin Kung Fu, may or may not be the essence of the art.
I think, from my own experience (which is limited), that being extreme in such a subject may be wrong: idealizing all the mainland Chinese teachings may reveal some disappointments; on the other hand, refusing to find out if real teachings are still available in China may lead to regrets.
Spiritual and philosophical background as a tenet of Chinese Medicine
In my opinion, this point is of the extreme importance. I will try to elaborate about this in another post. Please don’t wait for my next post to share your thoughts and experiences!
The fundamentals of Chinese Medicine practice: what is relevant to an authentic paradigm
Many schools, many masters, many approaches, but some common features. Those common features are the ones making the difference between Original Chinese Medicine and the watershed versions. To give some examples:
1. Concepts of Yin and Yang, theories of Chi circulation
2. Use of traditional diagnosis (4 steps/8 rules), importance of pulse diagnosis.
3. Use of different needles manipulating techniques, in order to ‘catch’ and manipulate the energy (thus, to work efficiently on it).
4. Importance of the spiritual enhancement of the patient in the treatment (relationship between the doctor and the patient).
5. Harmonization of each treatment.
Hmm… Enough for today. I take a deep breath and will start my pen again, soon.
Thanks for reading. Please share your opinions!
Maxime.
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