Traditional Acupuncture, a sub-system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is deeply rooted in Five Element Theory (Wu Xing, Five Phases). It’s aim is to help people restore their balance at all levels (body, mind, soul) and grow and mature. For that purpose Traditional Acupuncture relies mainly on using the meridians’ elements points (ancient points).
Acupuncture points can be understood as an energy pattern. It is possible to activate them not only through needles or finger pressure, but also through meditation, opening our minds to their metaphorical imagery.
The eight trigrams are the basis of the I Ching. They are composed of three solid (Yang) or broken (Yin) lines. Two trigrams form a hexagram, one image of I Ching. The colored trigrams link to the respective chapters in the I Ching Course where they are explained in detail.
Te. Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: inner strength, inner voice that reconnects man with his own inner being, helping him to walk the right path (Dao). Further names for virtue in the classical interpretations: te, inner qualities, spirit, character.
Chinese philosopher, 226 to 249. Wáng Bì is one of the most important commentators on Laozi’s Daodejing and the I Ching, although he died at the early age of 23.
Wáng Bì considered himself a Confucian. With his interpretation of the Daodejing during the turbulent years of the Three Kingdoms, he wanted to contribute to the restoration of order and create a Daoism that would fit in with the ideas of Confucianism.
Besides that of Dao, the concept of Wu Wei is central to Daoism and can be roughly translated as non-intervention. Jpwever, this does not mean apathy, but rather an attitude characterized by creative receptivity, attention and openness towards the environment. Only when we are aware of a situation in all its complexity and intricacy can we, from a state of inner calm, act spontaneously and in harmony with the whole. This then happens easily and effortlessly, without will, and is quite different from the usually rather fruitless, intellectually shaped actionism that our culture so readily rewards.
I wrote an extensive article on the subject of Wu Wei, non-intervention. Read more: Wu Wei. An Approximation.
Yang was initially symbolized by the warmer, southern side of the mountain, a sunny bank, later the mountain as a whole. Subsequently Yang represented everything including light and bright day, summer and sun. Also dryness, air (wind) and fire were assigned to Yang, as well as increasingly warm days of spring, the warmer season’s flourishing and revival of nature, all that is active, creative, invigorating, expanding, shiny, external. Yang corresponds to the hard and masculine. Yang manifests itself in odd numbers and is represented by a solid line, for example | or also
For the I Ching various divination methods exist. When, for example, divination is done with yarrow stalks, fifty dried stalks are selected from a bundle and taken in the left hand. Then one yarrow stalk is put away. The remaining 49 yarrow stalks are divided into two piles and, taking four yarrow stalks from each pile, are counted according to a complicated system until the result is either 2 or 3. This process is repeated three times and the sum is added up. The values 6 and 8 represent a broken line (yin) and 7 and 9 a solid line (yang). This process is repeated six times until the hexagram is complete. The values 6 and 9 are regarded as changing lines, i.e. they change into their respective opposite: 6 (Yin) becomes 7 (Yang), 9 (Yang) becomes 8 (Yin). This transforms the original hexagram into another of the 64 hexagrams. In this context the material – yarrow stalks – certainly also has symbolic significance: The stalk of the yarrow is hard on the outside, but hollow and soft on the inside, thus symbolizing the opposites of yin and yang. Yarrow itself is a remedy that unfolds partly opposite effects in the human body, depending on which effect is required for healing, which in turn refers to its balancing effect on the relation of Yin and Yang.
Yin originally referred to the colder north side of a mountain, the shaded river bank or the darker, cooler south side of a valley. Later on Yin was associated with the idea of days with cool weather and overcast skies, with shadows and all that is dark, cool and humid, with water and earth, night and winter. Yin qualities correspond to winter, the passive, hidden, astringent, dull, interior. Yin is associated with the soft and feminine. Within the I Ching Yin is represented by even numbers and a dashed line such as | ¦ or als
Yin und Yang are central concepts of Chinese philosophy, especially Daoism, which applies this dualism to everything. According to Daoism Yin and Yang are fundamental aspects of reality, simultaneouly interdependent and complementary to each other, rhythmically alternating during the course of life.
Zero-point field is the name of a popular scientific theory that provides an explanation for the interaction between mind and matter (such as p. ex. psyche and body) and their constant and immanent change. The zero-point field is described as a subtle field of unconscious matter that pervades the entire creation. It constitutes the substrate of our material world with a natural tendency of entropy and chaos. The zero-point field corresponds to our unconscious mind, a non-defined substrate of thoughts and ideas. Both elements together, unconscious mind and unconscious matter, form the probabilistic state of all possibilities.
If we organize our own, living consciousness and make it coherent, we can act upon the zero-point field that surrounds us. Health and healing (holy!) are fields worth pursuing these ideas further.
Modern Interpretation: Ability to make decisions; determination, enthusiasm, courage; precision; flexibility, strength
Zhen represents our ability to make decisions, our determination, enthusiasm, courage, and precision; but also flexibility and strength belong to Zhen. If we look at nature, then Zhen‘s pattern of movement is that of a bud in its protective sleeve, just beginning to break open: a sudden, decisive and courageous move.
True Scripture of Southern Florescence. A work partly attributed to Master Zhuang, a Chinese philosopher and poet. Together with Daodejing it is considered the main work of Daoism.
