Classic Acupuncture vs TCM (Part 1)
Classic Acupuncture vs/ TCM: History and a Curious French Connection
Most acupuncturists nowadays have been trained according to TCM principles, which stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine. But what if this type of acupuncture was traditional only in name? The difference between TCM and Classic (or authentic / truly traditional) is an important one, as it has a direct consequence on the efficacy of treatment.
1/ The historical making of the rift
Today's approach of TCM was developed about 300 years ago by Cheng Zhong Ling (a.k.a. Cheng Guo-Peng). This medical theory is based on the Eight Principles, which studies the Tsang/Fou (Zang/Fu) or organ syndromes and combines acupuncture and pharmacopeia or Chinese herbs. TCM is therefore a relatively new discipline. On the other hand, Classic Acupuncture remains true to the ancient taoist tradition, based on the Yin/Yang and Five Elements theory, which dates back 2,400 years.
Between the nineteenth and mid-twentieth century, under the growing influence of the western colon, several Asian countries embarked on a race for what was then perceived as progress, sacrificing their own ancient traditions to the "scientific" approach. China was was no exception. In 1911, the Qing dynasty collapsed and Sun Yat Sen took power but his government was unstable. Foreign powers took advantage of the situation to cheat China of its cultural heritage and further weakened its sovereignty. The overwhelming presence and influence of the English, French and Americans served to push further Western cultural concepts, especially those pertaining to medicine. In the early 1900's, those Western ideas were embraced as a mean to “modernize” the country.
Subsequently, both the Chiang Kaishek and Mao Zedong governments rejected traditional medical education for the benefit of Western modern medicine. However, under financial and political pressure Mao was forced to reintroduce traditional Chinese Medicine despite his initial rejection of all ancient traditions. Unfortunately, by that time, most of the taoist acupuncturists had already fallen victim to the generalised persecution of intellectuals. It is estimated that more than 60,000 classical acupuncturists died in the camps. Only a few survived who were either already outside of the Chinese Communist Republic influence or managed to escape there. The version of acupuncture that was reintroduced was that of Cheng Zhong Ling. The communist regime also made sure that the re-introduced version of Chinese medicine would be stripped of old ancient philosophical significance. This cleaned-out version is what is now practiced in TCM acupuncture.
2/ The other French connection
Between, the 1930's and 1970's, following an already old French tradition of interest towards oriental medical practice, a few scholars such as George Soulié de Morant, J.A. Lavier or Nguyen Van Nghi visited and studied with the most famous masters, where they had been able to keep the knowledge alive. They were initiated and retrieved the classical texts, which they either translated themselves or had translated by eminent sinologists.
It is important to note that these French scholars and practitioners were directly initiated by the Great Masters. We need to insist on this term, because in order to understand the classical texts, such initiation is indispensable. These writing were never designed to transmit knowledge but to remind the already initiated practitioner of the key concepts. Thus the traditional teachings were preserved in France.
Nowadays, many sincere researchers, who unfortunately have not been initiated, attempt to interpret the texts as best as they can but inevitably make mistakes in their interpretation because they lack the keys of understanding, which, until were always transmitted from master to student. (1)
This historical account serves to inform the huge therapeutic difference between modern TCM and Classic Acupuncture.
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