Lotus Elementals

One of the incredibly cool things about Oriental Medicine is the number of ways there are to address any given malady/condition/issue. One of the incredibly confusing and occasionally frustrating things about Oriental Medicine is the number of ways there are to address any given malady/condition/issue. There is TCM. There is 8 Extras. There are balancing methods. There is Japanese style. There is Five Elements. Just to name a few. We're taught, in order to eventually pass the national (and state) exams, TCM. TCM is a relatively new construct, one that was created less than 100 years ago and now characterizes the education in our country for a medicine that has spanned over 3,000 years. 3,000.  The linear organization that allows for the medicine to be taught didactically, in a classroom setting, is structurally apparent in every aspect of the curriculum. Historically, this medicine was about apprenticing oneself to a master and following for years and years and l

There's a hush that comes over the school during this week, a hush caused by students collectively gathering their wits, reviewing until they're punch drunk, and then regurgitating, often onto paper, their knowledge of the myriad subjects we're expected to master. Honestly, I think the silence is simply due to all of us conserving what little energy we have and focusing that on writing down answers and not wanting to waste any effort on speaking even a little. It's intense, and we're in the midst. The cool thing? By this time next week we'll all feel lighter (mostly because we dumped volumes of information, which must certainly weigh something , out of our heads). And we'll all be in dire need of a brief respite from the intensity of our program. I am taking a break clinic, which means no break, but a lovely transition from observing to treating, with a supervisor whose manner and approach resonate nicely with my own. Ok, now back to the books.

Midterms are over. At last. This set spanned almost three weeks, and seemed to require inordinate amounts of study to prepare for and get through. I'm thinking that part of the intensity stemmed from other classes continuing to require the normal amount of focus, quiz prep, etc., during the midterm process. But we have a few days off now, and in spite of the fact that I can always study more, always prepare for upcoming clinic shifts, always try to reinforce energetics or review location or diagnosis, I am looping myself out for a few days. To breathe. To recover. To prepare for the final 6 weeks which are certain to require at least as much energy and attention as the 9 that have preceded them. Namaste, ya'll. Enjoy your 4th of July! -Stevie

Life offers up opportunities, some of which we forgo for many reasons, and some we examine and contemplate and consider, and occasionally, we seize. For me the opportunity is studying Oriental Medicine. My life has blessed me in many ways, and I count the journey of becoming a practitioner of Oriental Medicine among the most profound. Anyone who is familiar with Oriental Medicine and what it entails and represents will understand this implicitly. Anyone who is new to the subject will, over time, should they choose to accompany me on this journey...understand at some point how this directional shift represents for me a way to develop my passion for nurturing and healing in a discipline that spans over three millennia. And that resonates on a deep philosophical level for me, which is key to mustering the energy and stamina required to pursue a goal of this magnitude. Why now? Why this? When I entered college in the early '80's I intended to go to medical school to eventu