Formula Writing, Education and Qi

[Guest guest]

BBCarter wrote:

>>>On the topic of qi gong etc., don't misunderstand, I have

a spiritual path, discipline, etc, but I prefer to look at

chinese medicine as a medical system that does not

require any of that energy work.  I view all of that with

great suspicion and don't mind having nothing to do with

it<<<

 

Thank you for making this point. Personally, I do not equate energy work with spirituality, although many do. Qi is something that increases with, for example, proper food intake and decreases without it, and to me this is not spirit. Spirit is not dependent on food intake or the like. Although I believe everything is made of spirit, essentially, and informs all life, pure spirit is independent of the physical realm. I don't know what type of meditation was done at the Kototama school, but I doubt if it required anyone's spiritual beliefs to change, or at least I don't think spiritual meditation as such has a place in medical education.

 

Meditation is a generic term for repetitious activity which calms the mind, emotions and body. It need not have anything to do with spirituality. I believe meditation in the broad sense is necessary to maintain sanity, owing to the fact that, as Bob Flaws points out, liver depression qi yu follows from not being able to have everything one wants, and only insane people can't restrain themselves from going after everything they want. Daily meditation of some sort is necessary to drain off the liver qi yu concomitant with being a sane adult. Qi gong and such are excellent forms of this type of meditation and very effective in maintaining health and sanity.

 

Healthcare has long been associated with spirituality, but I believe this is mistaken. Any work which is honorable is just as necessary and "spiritual" as any other, and to me, medical work is just another honorable job to do. I do believe that trying to do Chinese medicine without practicing some sort of "energy work," be it qi gong, tai chi, yoga or what-have-you, is really missing the point of it all and is certainly not setting the right example for our patients and students. Although all these types of energy work can be taken to a so-called spiritual level, it is not necessary to do so to have the medical benefits. One can be a Mormon and practice yoga or qi gong without compromising any beliefs.

Joseph Garner