Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hello Everyone, I just found this group on and decided to join. I was introduced to TCM just 3 months ago and yet I have an incredible urge to study it and become a practitioner, even though it means a complete change of my life. I am looking for some guidance -- how do I know I am making the right decision? Is there a way to find out for sure? I mean, in my heart I know I am doing the right thing, but what if this is only a temporary feeling? How do I know? I was thinking of volunteering at a TCM clinic or acupuncturist's office to see how it feels to work with patients -- is this ever done by future students (not current students on clinical internships)? I will greatly appreciate any other information and guidance. Thank you! Thank you for reading my post. Sincerely, Vanessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi Vanessa, You may want to start by reading some of the general books out there on acupuncture/TCM to see if the information and approach still hold any interest for you. Also, have you received acupuncture before? If not, do. It is a good way to connect with the medicine. As for opportunities to volunteer at a clinic, that would depend upon where you are and if anyone is interested. I haven't heard of non-student internships, but that doesn't mean you can't make one happen. Seems that contacting the acupuncturists in your area and letting them know what you wish to do would be a good start. As for books, there are a few that are often read before embarking upon the study. "The Web That Has No Weaver" by Ted Kaptchuk .... very detailed and a bit dry for the casual reader but still a good book. "Between Heaven and Earth - A Guide to " by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold.... A good book that is easier on the lay reader, it leans more toward the five element approach, whereas the "Web" is more eight principle. I find that when I recommend these books, folks report back they preferred "Between". "Voices of Qi" by Alex Holland. This is a good introductory book (very short, therefore less of a labor ... intended for patients and such who wish to have a little deeper understanding of the medicine without a lot of work). However, it doesn't go nearly as deeply into the medicine as the above mentioned books. Hope this helps. Good luck with your exploration. Maya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi Vanessa, Me again. After sending off my response, it occurred to me to make another comment. When you feel drawn to the medicine, it is a very good indicator. Just as it is important to listen to your heart, it is also important to gauge the reality of the circumstances and see if your desire still holds up. I suggest contacting some schools for course catalogs so you can see not only the work involved (prereqs, time and type of coursework) but also the expense. It is quite an undertaking and not a cheap one, at that. It can be very rewarding work, but it is good to make informed decisions. Good luck and be well Maya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 If you feel it in your heart then its the right thing to do. Its your logical mind that demands proof. im studying TCM now, have been for 4 years and my logical brain still demands to know, am i doing the right thing! --- musicaleyes9 <musicaleyes9 wrote: > Hello Everyone, > I just found this group on and decided to join. > I was introduced to TCM just 3 months ago and yet I have an > incredible urge to study it and become a practitioner, even though it > means a complete change of my life. > I am looking for some guidance -- how do I know I am making the right > decision? Is there a way to find out for sure? I mean, in my heart I > know I am doing the right thing, but what if this is only a temporary > feeling? How do I know? > I was thinking of volunteering at a TCM clinic or acupuncturists > office to see how it feels to work with patients -- is this ever done > by future students (not current students on clinical internships)? > I will greatly appreciate any other information and guidance. Thank > you! > Thank you for reading my post. > Sincerely, > Vanessa > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi Maya, Thank you so much for your reply. I have already read all three books you have recommended and I am getting acupuncture as well. In fact, getting acupuncture is what drew me to TCM in the first place. I have read several books and have accumulated several as well. I loved Kaptchuk's " The Web.. " , more so than " Between... " though still very informative. Read " Voices of Qi " almost as soon as I became interested. I have already researched TCM colleges and schools in my area and I am planning to visit them all (about 6) on their Open House dates. I guess my question is not one that can be answered by anyone but me. I want to know internally whether I am doing the right thing. But I love reading about TCM and I love being able to help people when they are not well. I feel empowered when I can help people feel better! Vanessa Chinese Medicine , YinTangSong@a... wrote: > Hi Vanessa, > > Me again. After sending off my response, it occurred to me to make > another comment. > > When you feel drawn to the medicine, it is a very good indicator. Just as it > is important to listen to your heart, it is also important to gauge the > reality of the circumstances and see if your desire still holds up. I suggest > contacting some schools for course catalogs so you can see not only the work > involved (prereqs, time and type of coursework) but also the expense. It is quite > an undertaking and not a cheap one, at that. It can be very rewarding work, > but it is good to make informed decisions. > > Good luck and be well > Maya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi Vanessa, The advice I always give those considering Oriental Medicine as a vocation is that if their main desire is to help people - they could not make a better choice. A well trained practitioner of Oriental Medicine can help a wider variety of maladies than any other medical approach and in a safe manner to boot. If, on the other hand, one's main goal is finding a secure career in the health care field, you would probably be better off looking into Physical or even Respiratory Therapy. Both these have solid job markets and good job security while becoming an Acupuncturist/OMD involves more financial uncertainty. It sounds to me though as if you have been bitten with the bug and are drawn to the beautiful philosophy that underlies Oriental Medicine. Good luck whatever you chose! Sincerely, Matt Bauer - glokayakuzdra Chinese Medicine Tuesday, July 22, 2003 12:45 PM [Chinese Medicine] Re: New Member...with questions Hi Maya,Thank you so much for your reply. I have already read all three books you have recommended and I am getting acupuncture as well. In fact, getting acupuncture is what drew me to TCM in the first place. I have read several books and have accumulated several as well. I loved Kaptchuk's "The Web..", more so than "Between..." though still very informative. Read "Voices of Qi" almost as soon as I became interested. I have already researched TCM colleges and schools in my area and I am planning to visit them all (about 6) on their Open House dates.I guess my question is not one that can be answered by anyone but me. I want to know internally whether I am doing the right thing. But I love reading about TCM and I love being able to help people when they are not well. I feel empowered when I can help people feel better!VanessaChinese Medicine , YinTangSong@a... wrote:> Hi Vanessa, > > Me again. After sending off my response, it occurred to me to make > another comment.> > When you feel drawn to the medicine, it is a very good indicator. Just as it > is important to listen to your heart, it is also important to gauge the > reality of the circumstances and see if your desire still holds up. I suggest > contacting some schools for course catalogs so you can see not only the work > involved (prereqs, time and type of coursework) but also the expense. It is quite > an undertaking and not a cheap one, at that. It can be very rewarding work, > but it is good to make informed decisions. > > Good luck and be well> Maya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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