THE LIVING TAO : TIMELESS WISDOM FOR THE MODERN WORLD

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 13 - Basic Questions- On Shifting the Spirit and Transforming Qi 移精变气论

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine discusses ancient and modern medical practices. Ancient healers focused on spiritual harmony and qi manipulation to treat illness, while modern practitioners relied more on pharmaceuticals and invasive procedures. The text highlights the importance of observing a patient's pulse and complexion to understand their condition and advocates for a holistic approach that considers seasonal rhythms and the patient's mental state. Harmony and alignment with natural cycles are presented as crucial for successful treatment. Ultimately, the text emphasizes the significance of a unified approach that respects the patient's inner balance.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 14 - Basic Questions - On Decoctions, Grains, and Fermented Brews 汤液醪醴论

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine discusses ancient Chinese medicine. Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, questions Qibo, a renowned physician, about the preparation and use of herbal remedies derived from the five grains. Their conversation explores the efficacy of these remedies in different eras, emphasizing the importance of harmony between heaven and earth in their preparation and the crucial role of spiritual well-being in healing. The discussion also highlights the importance of early intervention and balancing the body's energies for successful treatment. Finally, a specific severe illness and its treatment is described, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 15 - Basic Questions - The Essentials of the Jade Tablet 玉版论要

This Chapter is an excerpt from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 15, detailing diagnostic and treatment principles based on observing a patient's complexion and pulse. Qibo, responding to the Yellow Emperor's inquiry, explains the interplay between "Measure of Disease" (assessing illness severity) and "Unusual Patterns" (addressing rare ailments), emphasizing the importance of understanding yin and yang balance. The text describes diagnostic methods focusing on the location and depth of coloration changes, pulse characteristics, and how these relate to prognosis and treatment using various remedies. Ultimately, the chapter stresses the significance of precise observation and the dynamic interplay of opposing forces in achieving healing.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 16 - Basic Questions - Essential Teachings on Diagnosis 诊要经终论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Chapter 16, explores diagnostic principles in traditional Chinese medicine. Qibo, responding to the Yellow Emperor's inquiries, details the seasonal flow of human energy (qi) through the body's organs and the appropriate acupuncture techniques for each season. The text further explains the dangers of improper needling, emphasizing the crucial avoidance of vital organs. Finally, it describes the terminal symptoms associated with imbalances in the twelve meridians, offering insights into end-of-life signs within this medical framework.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 17 - Basic Questions - Essential Subtleties in Pulse Diagnosis 脉要精微论

This Chapter is an excerpt from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 17 on pulse diagnosis. The dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qibo explores the principles of pulse diagnosis, linking pulse characteristics to the state of the five organs, six bowels, and the body's overall balance of yin and yang. Detailed descriptions of pulse qualities and their corresponding symptoms are provided, along with seasonal influences on the pulse and dream interpretations. Ultimately, the text aims to teach the reader how to use pulse diagnosis to assess health, diagnose illness, and predict prognosis.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 18 - Basic Questions - Discussion on the Vital Signs of a Healthy Person 平人气象论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 18, explains how to assess a person's health by examining their pulse. The text details the characteristics of a healthy pulse and how variations in pulse rate, rhythm, and quality correlate with different illnesses and imbalances in the body's organs. Specific pulse patterns are linked to the seasons and elemental forces, offering insights into the nature and severity of ailments. The text emphasizes the importance of the stomach's qi as fundamental to overall health, and explains how an understanding of pulse diagnostics can aid in diagnosis and treatment. Finally, it describes how certain pulse characteristics can predict the likelihood of a successful recovery.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 19 - Basic Questions - Discourse on the True Viscera and the Vital Mechanisms 玉机真藏论

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring traditional Chinese medicine's pulse diagnosis. Huangdi and Qibo discuss how pulse qualities vary across seasons, reflecting the health of specific organs (liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen). They detail how imbalances—excess or deficiency—manifest in symptoms and potentially fatal consequences if untreated. The discussion also covers the transmission of illness between organs and the importance of aligning with the natural order for health. Finally, it explains how the appearance of the "true viscera" in the pulse signifies imminent death.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 20 - Basic Questions - Discussion on the Three Divisions and Nine Indicators 三部九候论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 20, details a diagnostic system called the Three Divisions and Nine Indicators. This system uses pulse diagnosis at specific body points to assess the balance of qi and determine the severity and location of illness, distinguishing between life and death. The dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qibo explains the three divisions (Upper, Middle, Lower) and how each contains three indicators representing Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. The text further clarifies the interpretation of pulse characteristics, emphasizing the importance of observing imbalances and the timing of death based on these indicators. Finally, it offers treatment strategies based on the location and nature of the detected imbalances.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 21 - Basic Questions - Discussion on the Divergence of Meridians 经脉别论

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring the relationship between pulse diagnosis and a patient's physical and emotional state. Qibo, a renowned physician, explains how various internal organs manifest in the pulse, linking emotional states like fear and anger to specific organ imbalances. The discussion covers how different meridian pulses reflect the body's overall balance or deficiency in yin and yang energies, offering insights into diagnosis and treatment approaches using pulse analysis and acupressure points. The text also describes the flow of energy throughout the body and its connection to the seasons and organs. Finally, Qibo provides detailed interpretations of the characteristics of different meridian pulses.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 22 - Basic Questions - Discussion on the Regulations of the Organ Energies According to Seasonal Timing 藏气法时论

This Chapter is an excerpt from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, a foundational text of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It focuses on the relationship between the five internal organs (liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney), the five elements, and the four seasons. The text details how each organ's energy is associated with a specific season and how imbalances can be understood and treated based on this seasonal correspondence. Specific dietary recommendations and meridian therapies are outlined to restore balance. The text also explores the progression of disease based on seasonal influence and the appropriate timing of treatment.