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TCM Acupuncture Yin-Yang - Definition
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), acupuncture (ancient healing art using acupuncture needles) yin – yang (described below)
Yin - Yang – A background:
In ancient oriental philosophy, just like in western philosophy, there is a concept that at some level all of matter is connected. Be it quantum theory or the teachings of Socrates this philosophy is found in all cultures. This is the spiritual plain of oneness that is described in most mystical traditions. As this spiritual connectedness moves towards matter, the next step is “yin – yang” In Christian texts they say in John, “In the beginning was the light.” Even here we must realize that the opposite of light is dark. So in the beginning there were both light and dark, and they are from the same unified force. So “yin – yang” is a phrase that is related to the realization that the world, and universe for that matter is in balance. How they say in physics, “for every action there is an equal and opposite re-action” In yin-yang theory the statement might better be quoted as, “for every everything, there is an equal and opposite.” For example:
Light – Dark
Good – Bad
White – Black
Heavy – Light
Up – Down
Earth – Heaven
Man – Women
Yin – Yang takes this one step further. Allowing Room For Gray Area:
How many of us have come to the realization that life is not always white and black? Life has some gray areas. So here, it is said that within the light, is a seed of the dark. Within the dark, is a seed of light. Absolute dark has the potential to become light, and absolute light has the potential to become dark.
TCM Acupuncture Yin – Yang – Theory in action:
The use of Yin Yang theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine has seen many phases. From being the only theory to not being accepted at all. Now it is seen as one of the cornerstones of TCM theory. In TCM, health is a state of balance. If a patient is too “Yin” (cold, week, heavy), or too “Yang” (red, loud, excess) then we are placing our bodies in a state of imbalance. Acupuncture aimed at treating the Yin Yang Balance would try and make a cold heavy week person feel more strong, warm, and add a spring to their step. A red, loud, and excess person would look to have their blood pressure lowered, stress levels reduced, and the result would be a healthy, strong, and powerful individual that had patients, a strong emotional buffer while still allowing them to feel, and a relaxed flow through life.
TCM Yin Yang Theory is of course more complicated than basic Yin Yang theory as it is dealing specifically with the health of the human body, and the balances of the organ system. When I first studied Oriental Medicine, I must say that I was skeptical. I would ask, “can needles really make a person with high blood pressure relax and a cold feeble individual gain back a portion of their strength. Well, I have been amazed time and time again. A cure for all people, no. But a miraculous method of treating the human body that gets great results most of the time. Yes!
Posted by Mark at August 4, 2004 06:55 PM
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