Chinese Medicine and Gongfu in unity

In the histories of Chinese Medicine and Taiji/Qigong the two were always seen as a unity. The one is required to learn the other. This is because in general Self Experience is seen as the basis of Understanding Theory following the neo-Confucian statement that form precedes function.

The currently popular method of TCM as developed in 20th century discourse is considered bookish and artificial in that light. Although TCM has its merits, it is of course recognizably westernized in many points of its content and methodology. Due to the requirements of the professional field we include TCM studies and for practical understanding and academic value we hold on to the age old values of unified study of Taiji/Qigong and Medicine, linked through Neidan Internal Alchemy studies.

Short history of Gongfu, Chinese Medicine and Taiji/Qigong

Chinese Medicine and Taiji/Qigong are rare expressions of Chinese ancient cultural values in science and attitudes towards life, death, health and disease. Its origins can be traced back up to 5-6000 years, but it only became formalized into a cultural system from about 2500 years ago. Since that time Chinese medicine has been in continuous periods of development and decline, while Taiji/Qigong continued to diversify itself further and further eventually separating in two different grouped approaches to use of the body. In itself each has had a profound effect on the development of medicines too.

It was about 600 years ago that Zang Sanfeng clarified as a Daoist scholar and politician how from ancient times medicine, Taiji/Qigong and behaviour interrelate and can be put to practical use for the benefit of people.
Since the 19th century Chinese medicine has gradually succumbed to western scientific and legal influences. The result is a anti-historic practice which is neither Chinese nor western but a hybrid.

At the Oriental College we try to give a neutral overview of the historical developments and the implication it has for meaning, theory and practice. Our professional training splits western(ized) methodology from historical methodologies to help regain core values of Chinese medicine and Taiji/Qigong as to develop gongfu in both.

Having developed Gongfu means having developed excellence in ability. It is said that the combination of both methods of medicine and Taiji/Qigong study enhances ones learning abilities. As such our program fits in with the transmission lines of Wudang Xuanmen pai of which we are 14th, 15th and 16th generation representatives as cause for professionalism and excellence.

Short history of Wudang Daoist Culture of Yangshen Health science

Wudang Xuanmen pai is part of Zhengyi Daoism and is originating in the teachings of Zang Sanfeng, also the founding father of Taijiquan. Wudang yangsheng culture is a Neidan study where understanding of Taiji gongfu in practice allows one to develop superior skills in medicine and Taiji/Qigong.
The current head of the transmission of Xuanmen pai is You Xuande, who is a gongfu Taiji/Qigong, ceremonial and calligraphy master. The Oriental College program is overseen, developed and managed by You Li-Ou, who is one of his European disciples and who combines neidan, medicine and Taiji/Qigong practice in accordance with the teachings of You and Zang Sanfeng.
The core of Taiji studies follow the method of the Huangdi Neijing that states that by studying health cultivation (Yangsheng) one can come to understand disease, its causes and its recuperation.

Sanjiao wisdom for a modern Age

Wudang Daoism by the statements of Zang Sanfeng follows the Huangdi Neijing in confirming that study of Dao is studying health. It also says that every school of thought is but a teaching about Dao, and therefore it said that one’s study of medicine and health cultivation can never be completed.
In this time it means that scientific study reveals other ways of observing health which have their own value. Methods belonging to one school of thought should not be mixed though, as to not confuse the intent of each teaching by itself.

Short history of culture as cause for science

In the past cultures were separated from each other by distance and language. Now separation is more about language and behaviour. From this we can see that culture conditions the scientific values of every culture in the world. No two cultures can offer to mean or experience the same. It also means that the understanding of one culture of the other is but a criticism.
It also means that to understand Chinese medicine, people have to acquire core understanding of Chinese culture and what it means to offer to understand. For this neidan alchemical and self cultivation practice is the most important tool, since it reveals Chinese cosmology, but also visions about life, death, health disease and what is being expected from being human.

Application of past wisdom in future practice

By attempting to study Chinese Medicine and Taiji/Qigong as a (cultural and scientific) unity each student contributes to the diversity of future developments in all medicines. It also helps to find a continuous inspiration to come to deeper and deeper understanding as well as continuous improvement of skills.