| The differences between eastern and western | | | | of the light reflected back from the image, not |
| medicine are simple: the underlying assumptions, | | | | the light itself. TCM assumes that we can "know" |
| the methods of observation, and the technologies | | | | the light, we can "know" the energy of the |
| used to effect the desired result. | | | | processes. This assumption works in the matrix |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine is an intellectual | | | | of the whole intellectual construct. This kind of |
| construct giving shape and understanding of the | | | | "knowing"is based on acceptance rather than |
| universe based on observations made from a | | | | understanding. |
| framework of a different kind of "knowing” | | | | The underlying assumption for determining and |
| than we have developed with the modem | | | | regulating balance is put very (overly) simply: |
| scientific method. | | | | Each organ produces a qi, or energy, which |
| In the TCM view, perfection or goodness is | | | | supports or governs a function. The organ qi is |
| measured as balance. Imbalances cause | | | | transported along lines, or meridians,and can be |
| imperfection or disease. Disease can be remedied | | | | accessed through the surface of the skin at |
| by restoring balance. Diagnosis is a measure of | | | | "acupuncture" organ channel points. The various |
| balance/imbalance, and the sources of the | | | | organs' qi have qualities or "textures" which can |
| imbalances. Sources of imbalances causing disease | | | | be perceived, observed, (with training) and |
| are not simply organic in nature, but have roots in | | | | measured as being in excess or deficient. Each of |
| the Whole Being ...body, mind, spirit. Each of the | | | | the organs' balance is measured on both sides of |
| Whole Being's (body, mind, spirit) parts is | | | | the body, and these measurements, alongside |
| influenced by the whole environment. Each part of | | | | other “symptoms” are used to |
| this construct must be addressed in relieving | | | | determine the current condition, as well as the |
| disease. | | | | healing course of action. The organs' qi can be |
| The ORGANS of the body in TCM are not | | | | altered by "alchemy". The Five Elements Alchemy |
| understood the way modem science understands | | | | uses several processes and technologies to aid in |
| them. Instead of seeing each organ as a type of | | | | the restoration of balance of energy in the whole |
| tissue mass responsible for certain chemical | | | | organism. |
| processes, TCM seeks to know the process, and | | | | The processes of Alchemy seek to restore |
| the influences the processes have over the whole | | | | balance by: 1. Emptying or Decreasing, 2. Building |
| being. | | | | or Increasing, 3.Purifying or Cleansing, 4. Storing, |
| In modem science it is assumed that an observer | | | | and, 5. Fusion or Transformation. |
| cannot "see" the various forms of energy, only | | | | The technologies used to effect these processes |
| evidence that the energy is either present or has | | | | are: Acupuncture, Herbal Remedy, Massage, and |
| been present, or not. An example of this is a | | | | Qi Gong. Tai Chi, as practiced currently in the |
| simple photograph, which is a record of light | | | | main, is a form of Qi Gong which accomplishes all |
| energy. It is not the light We can see the record | | | | 5 of these processes when practiced regularly. |