Returning to Dr Ni’s case from a couple days ago, remember it was about a woman who was born in an “earth excessive year,” who became ill right after the giant earthquake in the ocean that caused the tsunami. The Chinese system of medicine places the patient within a cosmic system. We all know we exist within the universe. No big stretch there…but then we read Dr. Ni’s case. Whoa, that is indeed a stretch. At least from the point of view of the western medicine we are familiar with it is.
Some would argue the good doctor is off her rocker. Maybe, but this is a cured case she is presenting, I have watched her work. I know some of her patients. I know her reputation. I have no doubt of its truth. I also think that her reasoning makes sense and in fact led to the cure of this patient.
Dr. Ni has an intimate understanding of the Chinese five element theory, and she takes this theory to an astonishing level of complexity. The real problem for an acupuncturist, as I see it, is being able to work five element theory in a fluid and perceptive way. Not easy, and cookbooks are not much help. Take home message: when you seek care from acupuncturists, be aware of how they are thinking. What are they attuned to? Are they treating you with a “recipe” or are they using five element theory to find the deep source of your imbalance?
Imagine, though, if we took this cosmic point of view seriously. In addition to watching planetary phenomena, we would probably be calculating the effects of the latest solar flare, the position of the planets, and such. In effect, we would become astrologers. Interesting, because the system of Ayurveda, from ancient India, goes straight to astrology as a major source of its knowledge. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll write on that some other time.
