Archive for the ‘Chinese Medicine’ Category
Imagery and Alchemy in Chinese Medicine Part 3
There are many ways you can apply this idea, it is up to your own imagination. Always describe your findings in terms of TCM so that the client gains an immediate image of their condition. I find that when I tell my clients my diagnosis in terms of TCM [ie Dampness, Heat, Water not supporting Wood, etc] they immediately get an image they can relate to, rather than trying to keep to more Western medical terms. Remembering that Mind leads Qi, many people have negative feelings and therefore images around Western medical terminology, so helping them to move right away from these creates a shift in their perception of their condition and, therefore, a potential shift in the condition itself.
How often have you treated someone with a variety of [apparently unrelated] symptoms, only to point out to them that they are all connected because they all related either to one organ/meridian network or to one climatic state? How relieved was that person when you gave them the ‘picture’ in TCM terms? I imagine they were very relieved, because this is what I see every day.
Imagery and Alchemy in Chinese Medicine Part 2
And alchemy?
As I mentioned earlier, we are all modern day alchemists even without employing guided imagery. However, when we do make use of the mind we take that healing to another level. Carl Jung regarded mental imagery as a “creative process of the psyche to be employed for attaining greater individual, interpersonal and spiritual integration”. In other words, an alchemical process.
Dr Deepak Chopra in “Ageless Body, Timeless Mind” tells us that it is the mind and it’s beleifs that cause cells to age. Change your mind around thinking about age or illness and you can change, because mind directs Qi, Qi controls body. Again, an alchemical process.
Imagery and Alchemy in Chinese Medicine Part 1
My interests in metaphysics in my own practice of traditional Chinese medicine [TCM] has lead to investigating and studying other ways of accessing and activating Qi. Initially, I did this through modern “new age” techniques as well as traditional Western metaphysics. However, I discovered that there in my own backyard of Chinese medicine were the tools for applying the principles of metaphysics and a wealth of knowledge regarding the use of guided imagery and alchemy in healing and spiritual development. This then led to looking more deeply into these traditions.
The following are some of these findings together with guidelines for incorporating such methods into your own practise of TCM, to enhance the healing process and to empower the individuals you work with to take an active part in their own healing.
Qi Controls the Body ~ Mind Controls the Qi
Your Biography Becomes Your Biology
If you are wondering what science would make of such an idea I suggest you look up a lecture given by brain scientist, Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, you will find it listed on the website of TED Talks [http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229]. Jill had a stroke on the left side of her brain, and instantly experienced the vastness of possibilities available to us when we are able to shift our focus from our often over-loaded, rational, box-world left hemisphere and move into our irrational, creative and expansive right hemisphere.
What is Qi?
The Nature of Qi
Qi is the body’s vital life force; it is the formless aspect of life which disappears at death. Often referred to simply as energy, Qi is really much more than our understanding of energy. It can also be perceived of as Light.
The concept of Qi is fundamental to Chinese medical thinking. In fact , ordinary members of Chinese society know and understand the idea of Qi. There is, however, no English word, phrase or even idea that can adequately capture it’s meaning. Although we use vital life force or energy to gain an impression of the Chinese perspective, it still does not fully convey the concept as the character for Qi would to a Chinese person [particularly one educated in classical Chinese]. The character is made of two parts: one part is the character for rice and the other, reflects the notion of steam rising from cooked rice; this combination gives the imagery of something light, etheric and potent coming from nourishing food.