THE LIVING TAO : TIMELESS WISDOM FOR THE MODERN WORLD

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 61 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Five Prohibitions 五禁

This Chapter is a dialogue from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 61, "The Spiritual Pivot – The Five Prohibitions." The Yellow Emperor questions Qi Bo about acupuncture contraindications, outlining five prohibitions (days to avoid needling specific body parts), five depletions (conditions where draining techniques are forbidden), five oppositions (disagreements between symptoms and pulse), and nine appropriations (understanding needle types). The exchange details specific circumstances where acupuncture should be avoided to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. The text provides a foundational understanding of ancient Chinese medical practices and cautions concerning acupuncture.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 62 - The Spiritual Pivot – Movement in the Vessels 动输

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo concerning the continuous movement of specific meridians—Lung, Kidney, and Stomach—within the body's energy system. Qi Bo explains this constant flow using the concepts of yin and yang, the rising and falling of qi, and the interconnectedness of meridians. The discussion emphasizes the importance of balanced energy flow for health, highlighting how disruptions can lead to illness and how the body naturally restores equilibrium. The text uses the analogy of a continuous ring to describe the cyclical nature of qi movement. Finally, the text highlights key points such as the Stomach's role as the "sea" of the organs and the importance of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel).

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 63 - The Spiritual Pivot – Discourse on the Five Flavors 五味论

This Chapter is a dialogue from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 63, "Discourse on the Five Flavors." The Yellow Emperor questions Shao Yu about the effects of consuming excessive amounts of the five basic tastes (sour, salty, pungent, bitter, sweet) on the body. Shao Yu explains the physiological pathways each flavor follows, and how an excess leads to specific ailments. The explanation details how each flavor interacts with various organs and energies (qi), causing imbalances. The dialogue explores traditional Chinese medicine principles regarding the relationship between taste, organ function, and overall health.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 64 - The Spiritual Pivot – Discourse on Yin-Yang and the Twenty-Five Types of People 阴阳二十五人

This Chapter, from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, details a system of classifying individuals into twenty-five types based on the interplay of five elemental phases (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and yin-yang principles. Each type is characterized by specific physical features, temperaments, and seasonal vulnerabilities. The text explains how to identify these types through observation and how this knowledge informs treatment by balancing blood and qi. It emphasizes the secrecy and importance of this ancient medical knowledge, passed down through generations of masters. Finally, the text connects physical characteristics to the flow of qi and blood, emphasizing the importance of understanding these connections for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 65 - The Spiritual Pivot – Five Tones and Five Flavors 五音五味

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine explores the intricate relationships between five tones, five flavors, and their connections to organs, meridians, and elements within Traditional Chinese Medicine. It details specific meridian correspondences for each tone and further examines the physiological reasons behind facial hair growth in men and women, linking it to the balance of blood and qi within the Chong and Ren meridians. The text also elucidates the typical qi and blood distribution across the different meridian categories. Finally, the dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo highlights the profound interconnectedness of the body and the natural world.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 66 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Origins of Illness 百病始生

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 66, exploring the cyclical interplay of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and their connection to Yin-Yang principles. The discussion examines how these principles govern time, influence human emotions and health, and manifest in both celestial and earthly phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these cycles for both societal governance and individual well-being, suggesting a harmonious balance between Heaven and Earth is attainable through knowledge of these cycles. The text concludes by summarizing the cyclical relationships between the five elements and three Yin and three Yang, with specific years assigned to each.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 67 - The Spiritual Pivot – Methods of Needling 行针

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring different patient responses to acupuncture. Qi Bo, a master, explains that varied reactions—such as immediate qi flow, delayed response, or reverse qi flow—stem from imbalances of yin and yang in the patient's constitution. He attributes successful needling to a balanced state, while adverse reactions result from the practitioner's technique, not inherent patient imbalances. The discussion focuses on how a practitioner can diagnose and treat patients based on their unique energetic constitutions. The text provides a framework for understanding the principles behind acupuncture treatment and the importance of practitioner skill.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 68 - The Spiritual Pivot – Obstruction Above and Below 上隔

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine discusses a condition involving intestinal parasites causing lower abdominal obstruction. Qi Bo, a physician, explains that emotional imbalance, dietary indiscretions, and temperature extremes lead to cold fluids accumulating in the intestines, chilling the parasites and causing them to obstruct the flow of qi. Treatment involves acupuncture, carefully targeting the abscess, followed by heat therapy to weaken the pathogenic qi and promote drainage. Dietary and lifestyle restrictions are also recommended to support healing. The dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo details both the cause and the treatment for this ailment.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 69 - The Spiritual Pivot – Silent Suffering 忧患无言

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine explores the physiological causes of sudden voice loss. The text details the anatomical structures involved in speech production, including the throat, epiglottis, and tongue, and their roles in the flow of qi. It then proposes a diagnosis of cold qi obstructing the epiglottis as the cause of this ailment and recommends acupuncture treatment targeting specific meridians to resolve the blockage and restore voice.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 70 - The Spiritual Pivot – Cold and Heat 寒热

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo concerning the diagnosis and treatment of scrofula, a swelling in the neck and armpits. Qi Bo attributes the condition to toxic qi, explaining its origin in the zang-organs and its manifestation as swellings. He describes a treatment method involving acupuncture to eliminate the toxic qi and alleviate alternating sensations of cold and heat. Finally, Qi Bo provides a prognostic method based on observing the patient's eye blood vessels to predict the time until death.