Acupuncture
and Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Philosophy of the Dao
Dao is often described as "the path" or "the
way of life" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture,
just as its counterpart in ancient India, Ayurveda. The laws of the Dao
advocate moderation, living in harmony with nature and striving for balance. Ancient
Chinese believed that moderation in all areas of life is essential to a long and fruitful
life. We are "fueled" by three treasures: Qi or Chi (pronounced chee), Shen, and
Jing. Chi is energy or vital substance, Shen is the spirit, and Jing is
our essence. Qi is both the life force (or vital substance) and the organizing principle
flowing through all things and establishing their interconnectedness. Chinese believe that
every living thing (both human and non-human) has qi. In the body, qi is found in the
heart and lungs in circulating blood and oxygen. Shen is the treasure
that gives brightness to life and is responsible for consciousness and mental abilities.
Sometimes it is compared to soul. Within the individual shen is manifested in personality,
thought, sensory perception, and the awareness of self. Jing is
responsible for growth, development and reproduction. Jing represents a person's potential
for development. (comparable to western concept of genetical inheritance). Chinese
believed that everyone is born with a finite amount of Jing. As we go through life, we
lose or consume our Jing little by little. Once we lose Jing, it cannot be replaced. It is
gone for ever. We lose Jing if we live a wrong or careless living. But Jing can be
preserved if we live in moderation. Acupuncture can reduce the loss of Jing.
Role of Acupuncturist in Traditional
Chinese Medicine
According to the philosophy of Dao, the role of the
acupuncturist is to restore your health and enable you to live a little closer to the Dao,
thus preserving your Jing and living to a ripe old age. A number of factors can contribute
to the depletion of Jing. Living a life of excess, drinking too much, excessive emotional
reactions, working too hard, inappropriate sexual behavior, etc. all were believed to
result in the depletion of Jing. Balance in all things was considered the key to good
health and long life.
In order to increase their understanding of the Dao, the
Chinese developed two concepts that together form the basis of Chinese thought: yin and
yang and the more detailed system of the five elements.
Next Topic: Yin and Yang
