East Asian medicine is a nature based medicine. And nature… nature is weird, and mysterious. And as much as we like to come up with “Laws of Nature” they are more like approximations. Useful for sure. But you’re asking for trouble if you confuse the map with the territory. And with nature, the territory is always changing. How do you keep your senses open and unencumbered with habit and belief? How do you stay present to what your patient might need in this particular moment? How do you wisely use knowledge in such a way that it doesn’t become dogma?
In this conversation with Edward Neal we discuss understanding nature’s patterns through East Asian medicine, the impact of technology on human consciousness, and how the Nei Jing helps us to map our way through nature and healing.
Listen into this discussion of nature based medicine, technology, consciousness and the importance of illuminative beauty and Shen based living.
Neijing Nature–Based Medicine Basic Technique: Surface Mapping
Surface mapping is an easy beginning-level technique that everyone can use to enhance the diagnostic information they obtain during the clinical encounter. It is based on a basic concept from the Neijing that most disorders which originate deeper in the body express specific signs on the surface where they can be more easily identified.
Edward Neal, MD, MSOM
Edward Neal, MD, MSOM, is trained in both Western and Chinese medicine. He has been involved in the study and teaching of Chinese medicine for over thirty years. As part of his work, he has consulted with the World Health Organization on matters related to traditional East Asian medicine and has served as a visiting scholar at the University of San Diego Medical School.
He currently serves as the medical director for the Apricot Grove Project and is the founder and director of the School of Neijing Nature-Based Medicine. These organizations study traditional forms of medical knowledge to discover innovative solutions to current global challenges.
Further information regarding these projects and training opportunities can be found at www.neijingstudies.com.
Lean more about Ed’s work on the Nei Jing Studies website, or visit the Apricot Grove on Facebook
