"Qi and Blood": The Essence of Life and the Key to Health
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a saying: "There is no disease under heaven." This doesn’t mean diseases don’t exist; rather, it suggests that instead of fixating on "disease" as a label, we should focus on the essence of life— "qi and blood." In the *Huangdi Neijing: Suwen - Zhizhen Yao Dalun* (*Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor: Basic Questions - Great Treatise on the Essential Truth*), it is written: "Those who grasp the 'essence' can sum it up in one sentence; those who don’t scatter endlessly." The point is clear: to solve problems, we must seize the root. In TCM, qi and blood are that root.
What Are Qi and Blood?
In a narrow sense, qi and blood are the fundamental substances that form the human body and sustain life. Broadly speaking, anything that nourishes our body and mind—sunlight, air, food, emotions, even a kind word—can be called qi and blood. It’s not just the energy flowing within us; it’s the bridge connecting us to the external world, nature, and the universe.
Qi and blood are everywhere in life. For instance, basking in the sun warms your body and fills your heart with joy—that’s the qi and blood from sunlight. Sipping a cup of tea that suits you, feeling refreshed and slightly sweaty—that’s the qi and blood from tea. After a long day’s work, enjoying a delicious meal and feeling content—that’s the qi and blood from food. Receiving care from friends, praise from a boss, or the satisfaction of helping others—these emotional boosts are also qi and blood. When we open our hearts and connect with the world, everything in the universe that we can draw upon becomes our qi and blood, an endless source of vitality.
When Qi and Blood Stagnate, All Diseases Arise
The *Huangdi Neijing: Suwen - Ju Tong Lun* (*Basic Questions - Treatise on Pain*) states: "All diseases stem from qi." When emotions shift, qi and blood follow. Anger drives qi upward, joy relaxes it, sadness depletes it, fear sinks it. Cold contracts qi, heat disperses it, shock scatters it, exhaustion consumes it, and overthinking knots it. For example, if someone startles you, your body trembles—that’s qi and blood momentarily disrupted. Encouragement lifts your spirits, while criticism shifts you into a different state; the speed and rhythm of qi and blood change accordingly. Exhilaration, despair, excitement, frustration—each state alters qi and blood uniquely.
Relationships also affect qi and blood. A warm word can feel like springtime, while harsh words wound like winter’s chill. When an entrepreneur faces setbacks, a mentor’s advice—"Keep working hard; your future is bright!"—acts like a surge of warmth, invigorating qi and blood. A friend saying, "I’ve got your back!" adds even more strength. Harmonious relationships are a form of social energy, making qi and blood flourish.
Regulating Qi and Blood Starts with the Mind
In TCM, healing begins with "regulating the spirit" (tiao shen). Why? Because "qi and blood follow the spirit." When the mind is calm, qi and blood flow smoothly. The *Huangdi Neijing: Suwen - Zhen Jie Pian* (*Basic Questions - Explanation of Acupuncture*) says: "Control the spirit, and qi will move easily." If you’re tense, even sunlight won’t fully benefit you; but if you’re relaxed, qi and blood exchange freely with the outside world, amplifying the sun’s effect. Bloodletting therapy illustrates this too: it punctures a localized high-pressure zone, restoring circulation—like opening a window to let air flow.
After regulating the spirit comes regulating qi and the body. If we focus only on the body, qi and blood are like a finite cup of water, eventually running dry. But by linking the body to the natural universe, qi and blood become a living stream, inexhaustible. Healing isn’t just about physical adjustments; it’s about helping patients reconnect with the broader world, drawing qi and blood from the cosmos.
Let Go of "Disease" and Embrace Vitality
TCM acknowledges diseases but approaches them differently from Western medicine. Western medicine targets the cause, seeking to eliminate or destroy the illness. TCM focuses on the person’s vitality, adjusting qi and blood to restore balance. There’s no absolute health or absolute disease—most of us oscillate between the two.
Instead of being led astray by symptoms, focus on the reserves and flow of qi and blood. Headaches, heartaches, insomnia—these are just signs of qi and blood in disarray or blockage. The body can be divided simply into the head, torso, and limbs. If these areas achieve a state of "joy, warmth, fullness, softness, and resilience," qi and blood are well-regulated, and symptoms naturally fade.
Disease is a reminder that we’ve strayed from balance. Let go of fear and seek the support of "righteous qi" (zheng qi)—nature’s sunlight and air, society’s love and encouragement—and transformation begins. Rather than getting lost in a maze of complex symptoms, anchor yourself in the present and find peace.
Live in the Moment, and Qi and Blood Will Suffice
"Qi and blood follow the spirit," "stay centered and use the center," "live in the moment"—these are pearls of TCM wisdom. Healing doesn’t rely on doctors, drugs, or needles alone; it’s about awakening the body’s inherent "spirit" and self-healing power. Once you grasp the principle of qi and blood, health becomes simple: keep body and mind open, align with nature, and embrace the present.
The essence of disease isn’t just bacteria or viruses—it’s the chaos of qi and blood. Nourish and unblock them, and what inflammation, pain, or tumor can persist? TCM’s highest aim is to help you realize "there is no disease under heaven"—not the absence of illness, but transcending its concept, living with vitality and joy.
This translation preserves the core ideas of the rewritten Chinese version, such as the broad and narrow definitions of qi and blood, the primacy of regulating the spirit, and the connection to nature, while presenting them in clear, natural English. Let me know if you’d like further adjustments!
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