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 learning the nuances in the process of treating patients day in and day out. The classroom, then clinic, serve as our training grounds now, and of course the delivery has to adapt.
I suppose I expected an elegance and symmetry that is not possible in the new delivery. I am adjusting to this, and am understanding that a standard is necessary. I get that, I do, and I think that the elegance will come for me. With practice. With finding my own style, my own focal point, in time.
There is no longer a Japanese school in New Mexico, and even if there was, we'd all have to eventually digest enough TCM to pass the nationals and state exams.
Yes, you have to have a basis for testing a student's/future practitioner's knowledge, so of course there must be a focal point for the study.
But as a puppy student trying to stuff as much TCM (and now other styles via our clinic supervisors' preferential foci) into my head as possible, some days are just plain difficult.
When, for example a prof throws out 8 Extras references and so far our exposure to that has been minimal (as in 'these are the 8 extra meridians'...w/no depth behind the references yet), and expects us to make connections that are impossible to make? It gets frustrating.
But this journey is intensely personal for me, and, honestly, I know we will work around the occasional 'Oh my God!' moments as long as we all keep breathing and remembering this is a long road, and one that looks and feels different for every single one of us.
Which gives a whole new meaning to being present, and staying grounded, doesn't it?
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 learning the nuances in the process of treating patients day in and day out. The classroom, then clinic, serve as our training grounds now, and of course the delivery has to adapt.
I suppose I expected an elegance and symmetry that is not possible in the new delivery. I am adjusting to this, and am understanding that a standard is necessary. I get that, I do, and I think that the elegance will come for me. With practice. With finding my own style, my own focal point, in time.
There is no longer a Japanese school in New Mexico, and even if there was, we'd all have to eventually digest enough TCM to pass the nationals and state exams.
Yes, you have to have a basis for testing a student's/future practitioner's knowledge, so of course there must be a focal point for the study.
But as a puppy student trying to stuff as much TCM (and now other styles via our clinic supervisors' preferential foci) into my head as possible, some days are just plain difficult.
When, for example a prof throws out 8 Extras references and so far our exposure to that has been minimal (as in 'these are the 8 extra meridians'...w/no depth behind the references yet), and expects us to make connections that are impossible to make? It gets frustrating.
But this journey is intensely personal for me, and, honestly, I know we will work around the occasional 'Oh my God!' moments as long as we all keep breathing and remembering this is a long road, and one that looks and feels different for every single one of us.
Which gives a whole new meaning to being present, and staying grounded, doesn't it?
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