Philosophy of Chinese Medicine
The All Important "Qi"
There can be no discussion of Chinese Medicine without the theory of Qi. This invisible energy or life force permeates the world. In fact the practice of acupuncture is mainly concerned about this force. Whenever there is a blockage of energy or Qi anywhere in the body, there is the possibility of pain or disease. It may seem so simplistic to say that it is all about balancing this "stuff" of which we cannot touch and see.
Quantum Physics and Chinese Medicine: We are all Interconnected
Yet life cannot exist without this "energy". If for a moment we would be without this life force, this cosmic energy, this Prana that sustains us, then there would be no life and no point. Therefore Chinese Medicine has made it its single focus. And what could be a more encompassing and profound study of this sea of energy that we are all bathed in? As quantum physics theorists talk about the unifying field, where everything interacts and no one thing is in isolation, then it becomes more obvious how seriously we have all neglected the obvious. As a member of the family, of the community, of the country, of the world and ultimately of the universe, how can we not help but to influence others with our energy? Every small or big change in individual energies will impact the greater. The individual creates the world and the world creates the individual. No one can really point a finger and say it is because of these reasons that current problems exist. Instead, it is time to examine what is happening to our own bodies, our individual universes that hold the key to our own as well as the world's health. There is no separation. As Chinese medicine likes to point out, we are the microcosm in the macrocosm.
Balancing Our Own Individual Universes
So how to balance our individual universes? It is not that difficult really. In fact it may be so simple that it does not occur to us. The degree of sickness or health is simply a matter of how much or how little energy is flowing throughout the body. How long it has been in its particular state will determine the extent of physical manifestations. It may be a disease with a name, chronic unexplainable pains and aches or longstanding emotional turmoil.
The Yin and Yang of it All
Chinese Medicine, dating back thousands of years, has been documenting and recording the intricate working of energy imbalance in the body. There is always the ebb and flow of all living and non-living things. This medicine scrutinizes it and realizes its implications inside the human body and sets up an intricate system, calling it the Yin and Yang. Looking to nature and its rhythms and seeing that we are still a part of nature and susceptible to its laws, no matter how technologically brilliant we have become. Perhaps the need is even greater because of these advancements. Advancements are good and necessary of course, yet again, it needs to work within the laws of nature, as we are all beginning to realize as the Green movement is underway.
It's Time to Save Ourselves and Not Just the Environment
However, instead of just looking at saving the environment, why not start saving ourselves in how we have been unknowingly mismanaging our own energies and therefore the body energies in the organs and systems cannot help but reflect this, according to natural law, energy or Qi is really the only true resource we each have by the end of the day. And how much we have and how it is being utilized in our own bodies determines our health and happiness.
Therefore the philosophy of Chinese Medicine is about harmony, unity and peace within our individual worlds. It is about preventing further disruptions by certain signs and symptoms that indicate an already challenged situation that has not yet taken serious physical form.
It's About Freedom
However, it is not just about getting rid of those irritating or frightening symptoms for its own sake. Those concerns are understandably why many people look to this gentle yet very effective medicine. But the real core of Chinese Medicine is to be free of obstructions, whatever form it has taken. And as one becomes more aligned energetically inside, then there is the freedom to allow the natural expansion of our real selves, unencumbered less and less by our own fears and limitations. And when that begins to happen, the outer universe becomes less intimidating. Defensive postures can be dropped, spasms can unwind and a greater openness allows the surrounding life force to enter the body. As the physical body begins to relax and heal, then the mental and spiritual levels begin to expand into greater awareness. Greater understanding is the result. Hence, the individual goes out and creates the new world just by living his or her life well.