Daoyi | Daoist Medicine

Chinese Medicine, Daoism, & Qigong

Daoist cosmology defines Chinese Medicine.

Chinese Medicine derives its roots from, and remains deeply embedded in the cosmology of Daoism (Daoism vs. Taoism). 

One of the world’s oldest religious traditions, Daoism has a rich history, spanning thousands of years, and has significantly influenced the practice of Chinese Medicine—from foundational understanding to complex theory and advancements in medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as we know it today comes out of the practice of Daoist Medicine, or Daoyi (道医).

TCM currently taught in schools, however, has largely been denuded of its spiritual, esoteric, and profound energetic foundation.

In the practice of Daoist Medicine, all levels of being are equally considered: Jing 精 (physical), Qi 气  (emotional), and Shen 神 (spiritual/ mental). Which could be simplified as working within the spectrum of tangible form through concepts of formless nature. Special emphasis is placed on the formless body, particularly when the Daoyi practitioner is treating patients.

Daoist Medicine places significance on what can be understood in Western thought as the psycho-somatic causes of disease.

This perspective emphasizes that changing one’s thoughts, and thus one’s behavioral patterns, will have a meaningful impact on their relative state of health or illness.  Or more simply, by changing the patterns that initially led to the creation of a disease state, the illness may be resolved.

Qigong & Daoism

To practice Daoist Medicine, a great deal of attention is placed on the Daoist doctor’s personal training and cultivation (Qigong 气功 and Neidan 内丹).

It is through the practitioner’s deep personal cultivation that they are able to grasp the root of disease and truly assist the patient.

The practice of cultivating personal health and vitality now falls under the conceptual umbrella of Qigong. But it originated from the Daoist practices collectively referred to as Yǎng Shēng 养生: the process of cultivating and maintaining personal health.

This was partially accomplished through exercises called Dǎo Yǐns 导引 (to lead/guide), comprised of postures, breath, and intention designed to propagate internal health and prevent illness.

Archaic Dǎo Yǐns 导引 copied movements observed in animals and in nature at large. As understanding of human anatomy and physiology evolved, more sophisticated practices emerged.

With the evolution of both form and function, practices developed that combined an understanding of Wàigōng 外功 (external skill) and Nèigōng 内功 (internal skill).

Collectively these practices (now called Qigong) are part of the basis of Nèidān 内丹, or “internal alchemical” training.

Nèidān 内丹 is a guarded esoteric art that dedicated to cultivating and preserving life.

The actual origination dates of these practices are often debated. Records within the cannon of Daoist Medicine and Cultivation Practices do provide confirmation of a history spanning thousands of years.

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