THE LIVING TAO : TIMELESS WISDOM FOR THE MODERN WORLD

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 51 - The Spiritual Pivot – Back Shu Points 背俞

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details the location and application of Back Shu points (背俞), acupuncture points along the spine corresponding to the five zang organs. The text describes their precise vertebral locations and recommends moxibustion, not acupuncture, for treatment, differentiating between methods to disperse or tonify qi based on its excess or deficiency. Precise application involves pressing the points to verify their location and efficacy. The instructions emphasize allowing the moxa to extinguish naturally for tonification and blowing it out quickly for dispersion.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 52 - The Spiritual Pivot – Defensive Qi 卫气

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details the principles of Qi (vital energy) in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It distinguishes between Wei Qi (defensive Qi) and Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), explaining their flow through meridians. The text further describes the locations and connections of the twelve primary meridians, diagnosing imbalances (deficiency and excess) based on their symptoms, and recommending treatment methods focusing on Qi intersections to alleviate various ailments. Finally, it addresses diagnosing the location and type of Qi imbalance to determine appropriate treatment.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 53 - The Spiritual Pivot – Discussion on Pain 论痛

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Shao Yu concerning individual variations in pain tolerance and susceptibility to poisons. Shao Yu explains that physical characteristics, such as bone strength, skin thickness, and the warmth of the body, influence a person's response to treatments like acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as their resilience to toxins. The discussion highlights the connection between physical constitution and healing outcomes, indicating that those with robust builds and warmer bodies generally heal faster and withstand pain and poisons better than those with frail constitutions. The text underscores the importance of understanding individual differences in medical treatment and prognosis.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 54 - The Spiritual Pivot – Heavenly Years 天年

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 54, "Heavenly Years." The Yellow Emperor questions Qi Bo about the origins of life, the nature of the spirit, and the factors influencing lifespan. Qi Bo explains that a harmonious balance of vital energies and organ function is crucial for longevity, detailing the physiological changes associated with aging. He contrasts this balanced state with the conditions leading to premature death, emphasizing the importance of strong foundational energies and unimpeded pathways. The discussion ultimately explores the relationship between physical and spiritual well-being in determining the length of human life.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 55 - The Spiritual Pivot – Reversal and Conformity 逆顺

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 55, "The Spiritual Pivot – Reversal and Conformity." The conversation between the Yellow Emperor and Bo Gao explores the principles of acupuncture, emphasizing the importance of timing. Bo Gao explains that effective needling depends on understanding the interplay of qi, the pulse, and the disease's progression. He stresses the ideal scenario is treating illness before symptoms manifest, while cautioning against treatment during peak illness or when the pulse and disease contradict each other. The superior practitioner anticipates and prevents disease, rather than reacting to its full development.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 56 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Five Flavors 五味

This Chapter is a dialogue from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring the relationship between five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty) and the five internal organs (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys). It details how different foods, categorized by flavor, influence organ health, suggesting specific foods for treatment and those to avoid based on the affected organ. The text establishes correspondences between flavors, colors, and food types (grains, fruits, meats, vegetables). The importance of balanced consumption to maintain Qi, or vital energy, is also emphasized.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 57 - The Spiritual Pivot – Water Swelling 水胀

This Chapter is an excerpt from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 57, "The Spiritual Pivot – Water Swelling." It details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo, exploring different types of abdominal swelling, including water swelling, skin swelling, drum-like swelling, intestinal swelling, and hard masses. Qi Bo describes the characteristics and diagnostic signs of each condition, differentiating them based on visual appearance, palpation, and other symptoms. The discussion also touches upon the treatment of certain swellings using acupuncture, emphasizing the importance of draining obstructed blood vessels and restoring meridian balance. The text provides a detailed medical description from ancient Chinese medicine.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 58 - The Spiritual Pivot – Thief Wind 贼风

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 58, explores the causes of illness. Internal imbalances, such as accumulated dampness or unresolved trauma, are highlighted as key factors, even in the absence of external pathogenic factors like wind. Emotional distress and irregular lifestyle choices are also implicated in disease onset. The text further discusses the role of pre-existing conditions that might not be immediately apparent, possibly manifesting as illnesses seemingly caused by spirits or ghosts. Finally, it touches upon the effectiveness of ancient shamanic practices, suggesting that understanding the root cause of illness was crucial for successful treatment.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 59 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Disruption of Defensive Qi 卫气失常

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 59 of the Spiritual Pivot section. The conversation between the Yellow Emperor and Bo Gao focuses on diagnosing and treating imbalances of defensive qi (卫气), a vital energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They discuss various symptoms, acupuncture points for treatment, and methods for differentiating diseases affecting different bodily tissues (skin, flesh, qi, blood, sinews, and bones). Finally, the discussion extends to classifying body types (fat, oily, fleshy) based on physical characteristics and correlating these types with qi and blood levels to guide treatment. The text emphasizes a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment tailored to individual patient characteristics.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 60- The Spiritual Pivot – Jade Inscription 玉版

This dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine explores the principles of acupuncture. Qi Bo, a renowned physician, cautions the Yellow Emperor against the misuse of acupuncture, emphasizing its limitations and potential dangers. They discuss the importance of preventative care, the critical timing of intervention, and the severe consequences of improper needle placement. The text details specific signs indicating successful or unsuccessful treatment, highlighting the profound interconnectedness of the body's energy pathways with the natural world. Ultimately, it stresses the responsibility of practitioners to understand these intricate relationships before attempting treatment.