Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses the heavens, geography, and human affairs, representing the essence of Chinese traditional culture. Mastering TCM means grasping the quintessence of this culture. The reason why Chinese people can be called Chinese is that they inherit thousands of years of traditional culture. If one knows nothing about it, can they still call themselves Chinese? Therefore, TCM is something every Chinese person should cherish.
What is the essence of Chinese traditional culture? Few truly understand it in modern times; it is essentially the theory of Qi (气) dynamics. It tells us that although everything in nature appears rich and diverse, they are fundamentally composed of the same substance (Qi) and governed by the same principles (Yin-Yang and the Five Elements). Once we understand these principles, we can connect everything and guide our actions in life.
TCM is built upon a correct understanding of the theory of Qi dynamics. Qi refers to the unified substance that exists in a continuous state in space, explained through the orderly (Yin) and disorderly (Yang) transformations of this substance. The principles of Yin-Yang reveal the laws of system development, while the Five Elements elucidate the laws of material movement within a system. The human body, as a material system, also follows these laws. Our ancestors established the theoretical system of TCM under the guidance of these principles.
Modern people generally do not understand the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, not because it is unscientific, but because they interpret it from a Western scientific perspective. In this view, Yin and Yang become two fundamentally different entities, and the Five Elements become five distinct materials. This misunderstanding leads to the loss of the scientific system contained within the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories. In fact, the Yin-Yang theory is based on the unity of Qi, where Yin represents the orderly state of Qi, and Yang represents its disorderly state. The principle of the transformation between the orderly and disorderly states of this unified substance explains the regularity of the emergence, development, growth, decline, and extinction of material systems. Similarly, the Five Elements theory is also based on the unity of Qi; the Five Elements are not five different substances but five different forms of movement of the same substance (Qi), universally present in every material system in nature. It is their mutual promotion and restriction that create the overall dynamic balance and maintain the order of the system.
Understanding this principle has significant implications for guiding our lives, as whether it is the vast cosmic galaxies, celestial bodies, or the smaller molecules and atoms, or the intermediate biological entities and human societies, they all exist as material systems that follow this systemic law. As long as we grasp this principle, we can connect everything.
Let us first examine how the theory of Qi dynamics understands the universe! According to this theory, the true universe is a naturally self-generating system, as the unified substance in continuous space exists in a constant state of orderly and disorderly transformation. Matter is indestructible; it only aggregates and disperses. Energy is also indestructible; it flows through changes in the tension of continuous matter in space. Everything we observe is merely a temporarily ordered structure organized by unified matter, while the seemingly empty space is the disordered state of unified matter.
Using this perspective to examine cosmology in Western science reveals many absurdities! For example, the Big Bang theory describes our universe, which we rely on for existence, as merely a subsystem of infinite cosmic space, yet it is portrayed as the entirety of the universe, hypothesizing that matter and energy arise from nothing and are constantly heading towards extinction. It even denies the most basic principles of the indestructibility of matter and energy. Can such a theory be correct? Similarly, the solar core explosion theory describes the solar system as a sacrificial entity that continuously emits light and heat while sacrificing its own mass, when in reality, the solar system survives by obtaining energy from the galactic space. In the real space, continuous asymmetric motion of matter occurs, and information in such space is constantly deformed, yet Western science completely ignores this deformation, treating the deformed information as truth, leading to many absurdities like “seeing a bent chopstick in water!”
Using this perspective to examine particle physics in Western science also reveals absurdities! Everything returns to unity; all fundamental particles are merely different manifestations of the unified substance, differing only due to their initial production environments. Yet Western science continues to explore the most basic particles, which do not exist at all, wasting vast amounts of human, material, and financial resources on a non-existent entity—truly a great joke! The misunderstandings extend to the scientific understanding of light, which is actually the movement of energy packets transmitted through the orderly and disorderly periodic transformations of the unified substance in continuous space. However, science denies the continuous matter in space, viewing light as linear motion like a bullet. The scientific understanding of electricity is also incorrect; electrons are not stable particles but energy packets transmitted through the orderly and disorderly periodic transformations of continuous matter. Science treats them as particles and views electric current as the directional movement of electrons, when in fact, electric current relies on the movement of energy packets through a continuous medium, not linear movement of particles.
Using this perspective to examine biology in Western science reveals even more absurdities! Life is the inherent nature of matter; everything is formed from the same flow of life. Yet Western science assumes that the material basis is lifeless, creating the problem of life’s origin from nothing, which remains unresolved. Life is a natural product that develops to a certain stage, yet Western science treats the emergence of life as a miracle of nature. Humans are beings that conform to natural laws, yet Western science has overturned the natural laws that determine humanity, placing humans above nature.
Using this perspective to examine Western medicine reveals even more absurdities! What are the causes of diseases? According to the Yin-Yang theory, the whole determines the part; the external causes of diseases arise from the intensified conflict between humans and nature, while the internal causes stem from imbalances leading to the loss of overall management. The fundamental treatment is to restore overall management, allowing diseased cells to correct their ways under the control of overall forces. But Western medicine? Its understanding of disease causes is flawed; it not only ignores the relationship between humans and nature but also overlooks the relationship between the whole and the part, reducing the causes of diseases to mere local cellular changes. In reality, cellular changes are not the cause of diseases but the result. Confusing the result with the cause leads to fundamental errors in Western medical methodology. Isn’t it true? Sacrificing overall management to eliminate local cellular changes not only treats the symptoms but often does more harm than good, exacerbating diseases.
Using this perspective to examine modern management reveals a disability! Every type of material system has a universal mode of connection. In social systems, this manifests as competition between individuals and the orderly transfer of production materials among them. This is the universal mode of connection for enterprises. To achieve orderly management, balance is key, as only through balance can information be accurately transmitted, and management can be orderly. However, contemporary management completely ignores this universal mode of connection and fails to emphasize overall balance, directly leading to low productivity levels.
Using this perspective to examine the study of national systems reveals even more absurdities! As a material system, a nation must adhere to systemic laws. Yet, looking at all material systems in nature, which one allows two centers to compete endlessly? The ruling party moves forward while the opposition party hinders progress, yet such a system is hailed as mainstream worldwide! From the perspective of systemic laws, a one-party system and public ownership are the most perfect, with the human body serving as a perfect example. The heart represents the party, blood represents public production materials, and the brain represents administration. More importantly, it creates a balanced system of mutual promotion and restriction, which is the most perfect model of national governance.
Now you understand! TCM is not just a medical science guiding human health; it is a comprehensive study that connects everything. The essence of Chinese traditional culture, mastering it not only helps us understand the world around us but also guides our lives. Isn’t such a study of TCM worth a lifetime of love?
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