I just started rereading the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine or the Neijing. This is one of the seminal works of Chinese medical philosophy. It's quite amazing and vast. I thought I might share some thoughts from the text as I go along. It is written as a discussing between the Yellow Emperor and some of his ministers. In the first chapter a question is posed: 'I've heard that in the days of old everyone lived one hundred years without showing the usual signs of aging. In our time, however, people age prematurely, living only fifty years. Is this due to a change in the environment, or is it because people have lost the correct way of life?' Qi Bo replied, 'In the past, people practiced the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of yin and yang, as represented by the transformation of the energies of the universe. Thus, they formulated practices such as Dao-in, an exercise combining stretching, massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow, and meditation to help maintain and harmonize themselves with the universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstessing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained wellbeing of body and mind; thus it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.' This is from the translation by Maoshing Ni.
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AuthorMonte Jackson, owner Acupuncture Center of Richmond Archives
March 2025
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