THE LIVING TAO : TIMELESS WISDOM FOR THE MODERN WORLD

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 53 - Basic Questions- On Principles of Needling for Fullness and Deficiency 刺志论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 53, explores the principles of acupuncture based on the concepts of fullness and deficiency in the body. Qi Bo, a renowned physician, explains that imbalances, such as having abundant energy yet feeling cold, or low energy with warmth, signify illness. These imbalances are linked to various factors including diet, exposure to weather, and internal conditions. The text details how to diagnose these conditions through pulse and other observations. Finally, it describes acupuncture techniques—opening or closing points with the left hand—for treating fullness and deficiency, respectively, to restore balance.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 54 - Basic Questions - The Principles of Needling 针解

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring the principles of acupuncture's Nine Needles. Qi Bo, explaining to the Yellow Emperor, details how these needles treat imbalances of yin and yang by addressing fullness and deficiency in the body. The techniques described involve precise needle insertion and manipulation, timed to align with the body's energy flow. Specific acupuncture points are identified, and the broader philosophical context links the practice to the cosmos, emphasizing the interconnectedness between human physiology and the natural world. Ultimately, the text aims to codify acupuncture techniques for future practitioners.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 55 - Basic Questions - On the Method of Long Needle Insertion 长刺节论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Chapter 55, details acupuncture techniques for various ailments. The text describes specific needle insertion methods for conditions affecting the head, abdomen, tendons, muscles, bones, and the overall energy flow (Qi). It emphasizes the importance of accurate needle placement to avoid damaging tissues while achieving therapeutic warmth. Different approaches are outlined based on the location and nature of the illness, such as treating cold and heat imbalances or addressing deep-seated pain. The chapter concludes with treatments for recurring illnesses and severe conditions like "great wind."

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 56 - Basic Questions - On the Divisions of the Skin 皮部论

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details the relationship between the skin and the body’s meridians. It describes twelve distinct skin regions, each connected to a specific meridian, explaining how illness begins in the skin and progresses through the network vessels and meridians to the internal organs. The text emphasizes the diagnostic importance of skin color and texture changes in relation to meridian imbalances and the resulting diseases. A dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo reveals a system of understanding illness based on the flow of energy through the body's channels. The condition of the skin provides essential clues to identifying and treating disease.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 57 - Basic Questions - On the Channels and Vessels 经络论

This Chapter is a dialogue from Chapter 57 of the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, focusing on the colors of channels and vessels in the body. The Yellow Emperor questions Qi Bo, a renowned physician, about the varying colors observed in these vessels. Qi Bo explains that the channels have consistent colors associated with specific organs (heart-red, lungs-white, etc.), while the vessels' colors change depending on the season and the presence of cold or heat. Yin vessels reflect their corresponding organ color, but yang vessels show variable hues reflecting the body's condition. The appearance of all five colors together signifies an imbalance of both cold and heat.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 58 - Basic Questions - On the Points of Qi气穴论

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Chapter 58, details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo concerning 365 qi points in the human body. These points, corresponding to the days of the year, are categorized by organ, function, and location, with specific points detailed for various ailments. The discussion also expands to encompass collateral vessels and convergence points, which are equally vital for regulating qi and preventing disease. Qi Bo emphasizes the importance of these points in maintaining health and treating illness through acupuncture. The Emperor ultimately enshrines this medical knowledge for safekeeping.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 59 - Basic Questions - On the Qi Centers 气府论

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine details the locations of acupuncture points along the body's twelve main meridians, including the Du and Ren meridians. The text meticulously lists the number and precise anatomical positions of these points for each meridian. Each meridian's point distribution is described, with a total of 365 points noted, reflecting the number of days in a year. The significance of this mapping relates to traditional Chinese medicine's understanding of Qi flow and energy balance within the human body. The text also includes details on key points associated with specific organ systems.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 60 - Basic Questions - On Hollow Points in the Bones 骨空论

This Chapter is an excerpt from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 60, "On Hollow Points in the Bones." It details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo concerning the treatment of ailments believed to originate from wind. The discussion covers various acupuncture points and moxibustion techniques to address pain, swelling, and other conditions related to the meridians and bone structure. Specific points on the Ren, Chong, and Du meridians are identified, along with their associated symptoms and treatments. The text also describes locations of "hollow points in the bones" and provides a step-by-step moxibustion procedure.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 61 – Basic Question – Discussion of Water and Heat Acupoints 水热穴论

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring the relationship between the kidneys, water, and disease within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It discusses the kidneys' role in water metabolism, explaining how imbalances lead to conditions like edema. The dialogue further details seasonal acupuncture principles, suggesting different treatment strategies based on the interplay of the five elements and the body's energetic flow. Finally, it describes specific acupoints used to address water and heat-related disorders.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 62 – Basic Question – Discussion of Adjusting the Meridians 调经论

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 62, focusing on acupuncture principles. The Emperor and Qibo discuss the concepts of excess and deficiency in the body’s five elements (spirit, qi, blood, form, and will), their causes, symptoms, and acupuncture treatments. They explore the origins of imbalances in the five organs and meridians, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing blood and qi flow. Detailed acupuncture techniques, including subtle needling and consideration of yin and yang, are described to restore balance and resolve illnesses. Finally, the relationship between the five organs, twelve meridians, and the application of acupuncture is explained.