Acupuncture therapy

Author: Gao Shuzhong / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: As the saying goes, "Health is one; everything else is zero." People generally desire life and abhor death. With the development of society and the improvement of living standards, people have become increasingly concerned with health preservation and well-being. It can be said that health is the ultimate truth. Being able to live a few more years or decades in good health and happiness is the greatest success and happiness in life. When I first began studying traditional Chinese medicine, I had two main questions: one was how to learn it well, and the other was how to live a long life. Regarding the first question, my answer is to thoroughly study the classics and engage in extensive clinical practice, which will be elaborated later. Here, I will primarily discuss my views on the second question.
In my youth, influenced by martial arts movies and novels, I had taken it for granted that Tai Chi masters who practiced internal energy must also live as long as Zhang Sanfeng. However, when I eagerly looked up their ages, I discovered that many Tai Chi or Qigong masters did not live long lives, with many only reaching their 50s or 60s. I believe that "Qi" is objectively real, but following the natural way, regulating Qi for health preservation is beneficial. However, if it is used for martial arts or treating injuries and illnesses, it can lead to mental restlessness and disharmony of Qi, and it will inevitably deplete Qi and harm the body. This is the meaning behind the saying, "A true master does not reveal himself; if he does, he is not a true master."
Many emperors throughout history did not live long lives because of excessive indulgence, exhausting their essence and dispersing their true nature, not knowing how to preserve their vitality, which damaged the kidney meridian's fundamental energy. Those who overeat and drink excessively often do not live long lives, such as sumo wrestlers, who rarely live to old age. This is because their diet is irregular, drinking wine as if it were water and indulging in reckless habits, damaging their spleen and stomach. People who stay up late often do not live long lives because they "do not govern their spirits at the proper times, seek only to gratify their desires, oppose the joy of life, and have no regular routine," harming the five internal organs.
As the saying goes, "Life lies in movement." However, athletes, who are generally in excellent physical condition, often end up burdened with injuries and rarely live long lives. This is because of "excessive exertion," meaning that illness arises from overuse. There are also many people who exercise every day but die young, because they only train the muscles, tendons, and bones, neglecting the five internal organs.
Traditional Chinese medicine places great emphasis on health preservation and well-being. For example, the chapter "On the Naturalness of the Ancients" in the Suwen is dedicated to this topic. Summarizing the key points of this chapter, the ten-word formula for health preservation is: protect essence, regulate the spirit, follow Qi, maintain rhythm, and avoid external pathogens. This means:
- Avoiding external pathogens ("Avoiding pathogenic winds and noxious influences at the proper times");
- Maintaining a regular lifestyle ("Moderate eating and drinking, regular routines for rest and activity, and avoiding excessive exertion");
- Internally regulating essence, Qi, and spirit ("Passion cannot weary the eyes, nor can the mind," "Tranquility and emptiness of mind allow true Qi to follow, and the spirit to remain internally guarded—how can illness arise? Therefore, when the mind is leisurely and desires are few, the heart is at peace and fear is absent, the body is not exhausted by labor, Qi flows smoothly, and each follows their own inclinations, achieving their aspirations").
I have summarized the long-life experiences of many historical longevity champions, which varied. For example, some elders abstained from alcohol entirely, while others consumed moderate amounts daily. However, two experiences were common:
1. Broad-mindedness and a joyful, serene state of mind;
2. A highly regular lifestyle, such as in eating, drinking, and rest.
This aligns with the views in the Neijing. From an internal and external perspective, the key to health preservation lies in internal tranquility and external movement—the mind remaining calm yet active, and the body moving without excess.
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