...Refer to: Tsuei JJ: Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. West J Med 128:551-557, Jun 1978 Special Article Eastern and Western Approaches to Medicine JULIA J. TSUEI, MD, Honolulu An objective comparison of Eastern and Western approaches to medicine is necessary to further evaluate the validity of Oriental medical techniques such as acupuncture. The development of medicine in Western nations follows the way of hypothetical deduction and the Eastern approach uses the inductive method. The Western approach clearly divides the health from the disease, yet the Eastern approach considers health as a balanced state versus disease as an unbalanced state. The Western approach tends to change the environment and the Eastern way is to prefer to adapt to the environment. There are numerous difficulties in comparing these two approaches. The same terminology may apply to entirely different facts, the teaching and learning methods are quite different, and the evaluation of the treatment is almost not comparable. In order to help understand the Eastern approach better, an understanding is needed of the basic Chinese concepts: the concept of a small universe living in a large universe; the duality concept of yin and yang; the concept of anatomy; the concept of physiology in Chinese medicine-the state of equilibrium expressed by the five elements; the concept of pathophysiology expressed by the external and internal insults; the concept of maintaining and promoting health expressed...
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...NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CULTURE Native American Indian medicine historically was viewed with “superstition and thought” and “inferior to sophisticated medicinal practices of the early colonists’ (Portman, pg. 454) Many early colonists were treated with Native-American treatments and survived showing that such treatments were “successful in the context” (Portman, pg. 454) of the time period. Native-American healing practices are viewed as scared and are between the person seeking treatment and the healer. “There is a belief that the person being healed does not necessarily need to know all of the details of how the medicine man is healing them. The person “accepts that the medicine will work” Native-Americans “do not question things as much” and “accept that the healer or medicine man is going to heal them. The person does not need to know the details of why the healing occurs” (Portman, pg. 455) Native American healing traditions is defined as “to restore an individual to a healthy state using traditional medicines, such as healing and purification ceremonies, teas, herbs, special foods, and special activities such as therapeutic sings, prayers, chants, dancing and sand painting” (Portman, pg. 255) Native-American healing practices are directly related to four constructs: 1. Spirituality – Creator, Mother Earth, Great Father 2. Community – Tribe, Family 3. Environment – Daily life, nature, balance 4. Self – Inner passions, thoughts and values Spirituality...
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...Chuang Tzu Chuang Tzu took the Taoist position of Lao Tzu and developed it further. Chuang argued that our life is limited and the amount of things available to learn is unlimited. To use the limited to pursue the unlimited is simply foolish He had a unique skeptical philosophy that treated him as an individualist Chuang Tzu is also a complete anarchist. He believed that the world “does not need governing; in fact it should not be governed.” He also proclaimed that good order results spontaneously when things are let alone. Our future or the next part of our path (Tao) is affected by a set of natural forces.Chuang Tzu Main Message - Connect with the Wisdom of the Natural World: This writing suggests that we align ourselves with the rhythms of the natural world, honoring “the way” of the elements. Difference between Lao Tzu He believed in life as dynamic and ever changing, His understanding of virtue of Tao individualized in the nature of things is much more developed Greater emphasis on the individual in nature and the human place within nature. Chuang Tzu believed that life is transitory and that the pursuit of wealth and personal aggrandizement were wrong and distracted the individual from seeing and understanding the world. He did not reject language like Lao Tzu. He believed that being natural did not mean that he had to reject language. He believed that language was a natural noise. Unlike Lao tzu, he spends little if any time exploring...
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...Associate Level Material Appendix A Meditation Worksheet Directions: Locate two resources on the Internet that explain meditation techniques. • Enter the name of each website into the matrix, then copy and paste the web address. • After reviewing the website, provide a brief summary for each source. • Below your summary, list two interesting facts you learned from each site. • Try the techniques you located in your Internet search. Provide a brief description of what happened in your experience. When you are finished filling out the matrix, answer the two questions below. Information Website 1 Website 2 Website name and address (URL): Meditation 101: Techniques, Benefits and Beginner’s How To. http://life.gaiam.com/article/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-beginner-s-how How to Meditate Deeply: A Beginners Step-by-Step Guide http://www.quietmindsystem.com/how-to-meditate-deeply-a-beginners-step-by-step-guide/ Summary of the resource: The website states that meditation is an approach to training the mind. Since meditation is the process of clearing the mind. The article talks about different types of meditation techniques. There are instructions for beginners to try meditation for 2 to 3 minutes. The article tells you how long you should meditate for and gives step by step instructions on how to meditate. Two interesting facts: In Buddhist philosophy, the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from attachment of things...
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...A Trail Of Thoughts For You To look Up. | B A Y O We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That's a clear prescription for disaster. -- Carl Sagan Lumbini in Nepal. Bodhgaya (North India) Bodhicitta bodhisattvas anicca, Crepuscular Rays, Phosphenes “Think of and look at your work as though it were done by your enemy. If you look at it to admire it, you are lost” — Samuel Butler “COUNTRY” – EMPIRE OF THE SUN The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist Astrocytes... Stella matutina, (Morning star) Teenage wasteland Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours Stevie Wonder You Sexy Thing Hot Chocolate Superfly Curtis Mayfield Pulsars, Before a spirit can be summoned it must teach the shaman its song Amazonian Colombia One More Chance – THE Notorious Big Do for love – 2pac “Who you are is a decision you make by yourself, based on the cards you were dealt” ‘Greed stops human intelligence evolving into wisdom; human intelligence without wisdom becomes destructive. It can destroy every aspect of nature.’ Obsolete MuteMath flow is a state of effortless attention. Autotelic http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1xVtPX/www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%252C28804%252C2085389_2085358_2085373%252C00.html Acid jazz knowledge about the future state is limited by the precision...
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...Comparisons and Contrast of Jainism and Daoism Both Jainism and Daoism (Taoism) have ancient roots going back a few thousand years. Statues and yogic seals found in the Indus Valley show that Jainism was practiced by civilizations as far back as around 2500 BCE, while Daoism appears to have originated around 2000 years ago. Although Jainism is older by about 4500 years both have continued to have to be practiced by numerous followers seeking a level of enlightenment. Although having over 6 million followers little has been known about Jainism outside of India. This may be due in part to there being no written scriptures in regards to this religion for a large part of its history. Rather the teachers of Jain would orally spread their knowledge whilst wandering the land. While Jainism was more or less “contained” in India, Daoism teachings are widespread throughout the world. Unlike Jainism, Daoism is a philosophical teaching and not a religion. This may help explain why so many people around the world choose to follow it as an escape from the “industrial rat race.” Yet when compared side to side, it is easier to understand how one would choose to follow Daoism over Jainism. To say that Jainism is strict is an understatement. To follow Jainism successfully one would have to adhere to teachings such as the teachings of Mahivira, the man credited with giving Jainism the form that is practiced today. These teachings include the three jewels: Right belief, Right knowledge,...
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...Scientific Premium Company - USA The Deadly Secrets of Dim Mak Vital Point Striking Introduction: Dim Mak is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the fighting world. Legends tell stories of the fabled “Death Touch”. Some have even said that a Chinese Tong member killed Bruce Lee with a delayed “Death Touch”. Of course a lot of what is taught about Dim Mak is conjecture at best. What we want to do with this additional report on Dim Mak, is try and add some additional information for you on how to approach these techniques to add into your martial arts curriculum. Scientific Premium Company- USA makes the claim that the information described here are for information purposes only and we accept no responsibility for you using these concepts to hurt, maim or intentionally or unintentionally end a life. It is with this that we suggest you get a qualified instructor to teach you in your area. The pressure and Dim Mak points that we are going to be discussing absolutely work and work very well. It is our belief that you can learn how to use Dim Mak striking methods without harming anyone if you are careful. It will be your sole responsibility to use this information with the utmost care and sensitivity. DO NOT TAKE THESE TECHNIQUES, CONCEPTS AND METHODS AND START STRIKING PEOPLE! Only use these points for the purpose of self- preservation or for healing. Why Teach These Deadly Concepts? One of the main reasons we have made this information available is so that you can...
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...Differences and similarities between traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine Chinese traditional medicine has been practiced for around 5,000 years. Western medicine (at least the modern kind that is not based on shamans) is considerably younger, but since its inception, there has been a debate about the relative effectiveness of Western versus Chinese medicine (which in the U.S. is usually referred to as Oriental medicine). Chinese medicine is based on natural plants and herbs for the most part, and is keyed on establishing the vital energy of the body or Qi (pronounced 'chi'), as compared to western medicine which focuses on control or elimination of symptoms. From a philosophical viewpoint the two schools are poles apart. The differences begin with their main philosophies of health. Chinese medicine, as previously stated, thinks of Qi as life and that life and medicine are one. Western medicine believes that humans can control nature, and has its focus on external causes of maladies. In Chinese medicine, health is a state of well-being where the body is in balance with and adaptive to the environment. Western doctors consider health to be the absence of disease, pain or defect. To the Chinese practitioner, disease is caused by an imbalance of the vital force of the body and stems from multiple causes, while westerners think of it as a difect of tissue or structure of the organism with a single cause. Symptoms, in the Asian view are messages from the body about...
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...Chapter 1 Title: Pranic Healing and Meditation, its effectiveness against stress and anxiety for University of Makati second year nursing students. Background of the Study Pranic healing is a type of complementary medicine or therapy that uses energy or prana to harmonize or transform the body’s energy processes. Prana is a Sanskrit word that means life-force. This life-force or energy helps the body to maintain homeostasis and a state of good health. In some other complementary medicines like acupuncture, this energy is called as Chi. It is also called as Ruach in Hebrew. It is said that pranic healing is a simple yet powerful and effective system of no-touch energy healing. It is based on the fundamental principles that the body is a self-repairing living entity that possesses the ability to heal itself and that the healing process is accelerated by increasing this life force that readily available from the sun, air, and ground to address physical and emotional imbalances. Master Choa Kok Sui, the founder of pranic healing, says “Life Energy or prana is all around us. It is persuasive; we are actually in an ocean of Life Energy. Based on the principle, a healer can draw Pranic Energy or Life Energy from the surroundings. But above all of these, how do we measure stress? One way is the Perceived Stress Scale. This instrument is a measure of the degree which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. Items were designed to tap how unpredictable, uncontrollable...
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...As to what actions need to be taken to combat terrorism? For starters, we need to take homeland security as a serious matter. The debates around illegals are distracting us from border and port security matters. We need to better manage the funds in rebuilding Iraq because every (billion) dollar saved can be spent on local security and intelligence efforts. Terrorism must be fought both abroad and at home. Next, we must stop fostering terrorism in the world. We may call them insurgents or terrorists, but we need to be mindful that those same people are hailed as heroes, freedom-fighters, and liberators by many in the Middle East and beyond. Every time a stray bomb blows up women and children, every time a soldier murders an innocent villiager, more freedom-fighters/terrorists are created. To rebuild Iraq, we must put the Iraqi-people-building before nation-building. Finally, we must put freedom ahead of any single idealogy, both domestic and abroad. This means that we must implement security measures without taking away individuals' due process under law, we must not allow any government agency to run amok and terrorize our own citizens. Our mission for freedom must be clear to both our soldiers and people of other nations so it does not appear as if we are fighting for oil and profit. Our mission for freedom must be so pure and true so others are willing to fight alongside with us and not against us. The Buddha and the Terrorist Seaman, Donna. The Booklist 102. 22 ...
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...Aquarian Publications P.O. BOX 681 Palm Springs, California 92263 © 2002 Eloise Helm All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. First Edition Illustrations by C.J. Correnti / C2 Media Group, Inc. © 2002 C2 Media Group, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data ISBN 0-9639204-7-2 Introduction lthough Feng has been practiced in the Eastern hemisphere for thousands of years, it is relatively new to western civilization. Feng Shui may seem mysterious and foreign to our western culture, but it is actually a very sensible collection of ideas and actions. Once you understand its principles, you will be able to produce harmony, comfort and balance in almost any situation or environment. 26 Secrets has been put together to simplify Feng Shui so that everyone can understand and work with its principles to balance their lives and make way for more money, love, health and happiness. Some of these tips will help bring these things to you, while others will make it easier to hold on to money, romance and health once they’re in your hands. When you energize the various parts of your home, your life will improve and you will start to attract more abundance and happiness. Begin to think of balance in all things. For example, you must activate your career and benefactor sections...
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...RUNNING HEAD: CHINESE MEDICAL CULTURE Chinese Medical Culture April 13, 2012 Carrington College Chinese Medical Culture Culture is defined as the thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious or social groups. There are millions of different cultures in the world, which are socially transmitted knowledge, behavioral patterns, values, beliefs, norms, and lifestyles of a particular group that guides their view of the world and decision-making (Fundamentals of Nursing ch.9). Just about every culture has their own way of assessing pain, giving medications, and treating procedures that may not be the same as the health care system in the United States but still is the same goal; which is to better the patient. The Chinese medical culture has there own specific and unique values, beliefs, and practices. Within the Chinese culture, values are strongly influenced by the Yin/Yang which are general opposing forces. Yin is said to be a female with cold negative energy and Yang is said to be a male with hot positive energy. Imbalance from these two forces is said to result in sickness. It is also said that hot and cold food resemble the Yin/Yang, are a necessity to maintain a proper balance of health. The Chinese also highly value the five elements wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Their belief is that the all of the five elements are in relation with each other and if one element is out of balance then...
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...Tong Zhang Pre-Modern East Asian History China: Introduction Written records of Chinese civilization date back to 1200 BCE. Naturally many parts of China have become worldwide attractions due to historical richness. The Dynasties of China covered in this chapter will be: Shang (1600 – 1050 BCE), Zhou (1046 – 256 BCE), Warring States Period (475 – 221 BCE), Qin (221 – 206 BCE) Han (206 BCE – 220 CE). Henan Museum, Zheng Zhou Yellow River Valley (Shang) Today, Zheng Zhou is the provincial capital of the Henan Province and is a fast growing city that is one of the centers of technology and politics in China. Lying on the southern bank of the Yellow River (Huang He) Zheng Zhou is home to many beautiful pagodas, Shaolin Temples, and amazing sceneries. Though a bustling megacity today, Zheng Zhou has been an integral part of since the Shang Dynasty of China starting in 1600 BCE. During the Bronze Age, the huge country we call China today had hardly developed. At the time, people understood very little so the base of Chinese culture known as Di (or god) was created. Di gave the Shang people a sense of predictability and understanding of the world. For example, they used Di to predict whether a harvest was to be good or bad. The Shang people communicated with Di through Oracle Bones and Pyromancy. Ritual specialists would use fire to strike a special oracle bone. The grains in the bone would crack in a certain direction and the Shang people would take that as a sign...
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...China in Africa Christopher Ransom On October 24, 2013, Professor Deborah Brautigam, from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, spoke on China’s impact in Africa. She began by discussing China’s thirst for resources in the area and how it was evident from her very first visit to Liberia in 1983. Professor Brautigam has written two books on the subject: Chinese aid and African Development and The Dragon’s Gift, so she seems to be a very reliable source of information. Initially one would think that the involvement is very big with twenty-five big dams built by Chinese funding, but a closer look shows that only five of the twenty-five were actually relevant operations of the Chinese. With that said, she did say that the engagement with Africa does present a very difficult situation with the tree and ivory demand of China. The high demand of both these goods makes for a very unhealthy and dangerous situation to the environment of Africa. Professor Brautigam then spoke on the partnership of China and Sudan and the deadliness of this. China is the largest supplier of guns to Africa. It goes without saying that this is not a good thing and results in a very dangerous atmosphere. Even with all of the downsides to the partnership of China and Africa Professor Brautigam did want to strip away all of the myths of the relationship. To begin she discussed how long they have been there, which has been since about the 1950s and has really ramped...
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...China China remained very isolated, so its ability to learn was limited. This intellectual heritage stressed the basic harmony of nature: Every feature is balanced by an opposite, every yin by a yang. According to this philosophy, an individual should find a way, called Dao, to relate to this harmony. Patterns in Classical China China has maintained the clearest links to its classical past. Already a pattern was set in motion that lasted until the early part of the 20th century. Dynasties would start rule, develop strong political institutions, and encourage an active economy. But afterwards, the dynasty would grow weaker and tax revenues declined, while social divisions increased in the larger society. As one dynasty went down, another emerged and repeated the pattern. * Three dynasties covered the centuries of classical China: Zhou, Qin, and Han. Zhou The Zhou dynasty lasted from 1029 to 258 b.c.e. The dynasty only until about 700 b.c.e. flourished. They replaced the Shang rulers. It was then declined by political infrastructure and frequent invasions by nomadic people from border regions. * Government was not very powerful. * Rulers didn’t have the means to control their territories directly. * In exchange for land, supporters were supposed to provide the government with troops and tax revenues. * Extended territory by taking over the Yangtze river valley. (Middle Kingdom) * Wheat grew in the North and rice in the Southpopulation growth...
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