The Creation Pattern and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The importance of cycles and momentum in our physical, spiritual, and mental health is illustrated in five-element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When we place five-element side by side with the Creation Pattern as recorded in the book of Genesis, we discover five points of a cycle that repeat themselves over and over again according to the patterns of natural law. When this cycle is understood, we can use it as a template to guide us in our personal development in all three areas of health - physical, mental, and spiritual.

1. “How long can rolling waters remain impure?” D&C 121:33 How Cycles and Momentum play a role in spiritual and physical health

2. How long can rolling water remain impure? The self-cleaning mechanism of water purifying itself through movement has been recognized for a long time. This is a natural law.  For water to purify itself several natural processes work together to filter, dilute, oxygenate and cleanse the water while flowing downhill through river beds and various plant materials.

3. What do spiritual momentum, lift, and cycles all have in common? ​ All three principles have been taught by President Russell M. Nelson in the last few of years.

4. Teachings of President Nelson ​ ​ “Living the doctrine of Christ can produce the most powerful virtuous cycle, creating spiritual momentum in our lives.” October 2022 “Overcome the World and Find Rest” ​ ​ ​ “When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle.” October 2019 " The Second Great Commandment “ A Powerful Virtuous Cycle ”

5. Consider the connections . . .  Rolling waters . . . spiritual momentum . . . . cycles .  . .  Lift The ancient Chinese believed these same principles. They determined that all things, without exception, are (or should be) in a constant state of motion.  Modern day understanding of the laws of the universe solidify this view.  

6. The Circulation Pattern Chinese aphorism: “There is only one cause of disease: congestion. There is only one cure: circulation.

7. The ancient Chinese were masterful at observing nature and developing metaphors and patterns to explain the nature of all phenomena . 

8.  TCM regards the human body and the nature of our surroundings as an ecosystem.  All of creation has one universal source and exists in an interconnected system.  All things are in constant motion, interacting in a dynamic and energetic way.   TCM practitioners seek to discover if root imbalances are creating dysfunction in the cycle and then implement a plan to restore balance and harmony in order to resolve the symptoms.  The whole person is evaluated in TCM and balance is achieved by optimizing the interaction of: Yin and Yang Five phases of energy transport Qi, blood, and body fluids Mental, physical, and spiritual health

9. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Yin/Yang Motif 5 Element Theory Powerful health system with a holistic approach

10. Defining Terms "Constitution" In Chinese medicine, Our "constitution" refers to our  innate self-regulatory mechanism. This is found in the balance of Qi and the free flow of the five elements. In homeopathy this is called the “vital force”. In scripture, the word “constitution” means “the state of being” which includes the divinely created composition comprising both physical and spiritual dimensions.  Websters 1828 Dictionary:   The particular frame or temperament of the human body is called its constitution. We speak of a robust or feeble constitution. The frame or temper of mind, affections or passions.

11. Natural Law: Five movements of natural transformation The expression of life is found in these five movements

12. 5 phases applied to the daily cycle

13. 5 phases applied to the seasons

14. The ancient Chinese put these five phases of movement into their 5-element theory

15. 5 phases applied to the elements (Generation Cycle) Wood generates fire Fire burns and turns to ash to become earth Earth generates a variety of metals Metal sweats – the condensation generates water Water is required for the growth of wood

16. 5 phases applied to the elements – ( Control Cycle) Control cycle : Generating cycle Water can be used to control fire Fire can be used to soften and shape metal Metal can be formed into a tool to work with wood Wood can be used to protect the earth from erosion Earth can be used to build dams to control water

17. Layers upon layers of meaning Within this simple 5 element model, the ancient Chinese found layers and layers of application that can be applied to physical, emotional, and spiritual health

18. For example: these two illustrations show that winter and water are in the same location – therefore winter is connected to the water element. In a similar manner, fire is connected to the summer element. We could go through each element and find the same type of connection. When used as a graphic organizer, we will find layers upon layers of meaning within the elements of this cycle. We find these layers by remembering the location of each element in the cycle.

19. The five elements represent a continuous cycle of birth (spring), explosion of growth (summer), productivity (late summer), final harvest  (autumn) and slow down and death (winter) , rejuvenation and rebirth (spring).   Spring Summer Late Summer Autumn Winter

20. Cycles in the Human Body – Example of Innate Intelligence 

21. Human Life Cycles – Innate Intelligence  “With information added to the process, we see that there is an intelligence running things. It’s not a matter of energy acting on matter to create behavior, but of intelligence in the form of information running all the systems and creating behavior.” Candice Pert: American neuroscientist who discovered the opiate receptor in the brain, 1945-2013 “The coordinated physiological processes which maintain most of the steady states in the organism are so complex and so peculiar to living things – involving, as they may, the brain and nerves, the heart, lungs, kidneys, and spleen, all working cooperatively – that I have suggested a special designation for these states, homeostasis.” Walter Bradford Cannon, physiologist who identified the fight-or-flight response and the concept of homeostasis, (1871-1945)

22. Circulation within the Five Elements of TCM applied to the Vital Organs and Bowels

23. 5 Vital Organs Lungs Spleen/Pancreas Kidneys Heart Liver

24. The Bowels (Hollow organs for storage) Large Intestine Stomach

25. Yin The 5 Elements applied to the 5 Vital Organs of the Body Yang

26. Small Intestine Stomach Large Intestine Urinary bladder Gall bladder The Five Vital Organs are paired with the Five Bowels in TCM The pericardium, the protective covering of heart and is paired with the San Jiao or Triple Burner. Triple Warmer or San Jiao. Pericardium is paired with the San Jiao

27. The Upper Burner relates to the Heart, Lungs, in the thorax and relates to heaven. The Middle Burner relates to the Spleen, Liver, and Digesting function and belongs to human The Lower Burner relates to the abdomen, Kidneys, and Bladder and belongs to Earth Irrigation official who builds waterways in conjunction with the kidneys, spleen, and lungs.

28. Qi, Essence, and Shen are terms the ancient Chinese gave to an energetic force they observed in the body.  The Candle metaphor helps us understand the different between these terms.

29. Candle Metaphor The Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine Shen:    The glowing light that radiates from the candle. This depends on the quality of the materials used in the wax and the wick. Qi (chi):  The energetic living activity of the candle. Eventually it will burn itself out, but it can be made to burn longer if the right wax materials are added as it burns. Essence (Jing): The wax and the wick: Made up of spiritual and physical elements before the flame came into existence. Qi Essence (Jing) Shen

30. Candle Metaphor Compared to the Scriptures Shen:   (Countenance ) The glowing light that radiates from the candle. This can be related to our countenance.   "The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single to the glory of God, the whole body shall be full of light."  (JST Matthew 6:22) Qi (chi):  The energetic living activity of the candle.  This can be related to movement, momentum,  and  cellular energy impacted by genetics and life choices.   Obedience to eternal law adds fuel to the flame. Essence (Jing): This can be related to our intelligence.  The wax and the wick of the candle.  Made up of spiritual and physical elements before the flame came into existence. Qi Essence (Jing)  Shen

31. What is the heart? In TCM: The heart includes the interaction of the 5 Vital organs and 5 bowel structures “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7) Bowels of charity (D&C 121:45) Bowels of compassion (D&C 121:3) Bowels of mercy (Alma 7:12) “the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins” (Psalms 7:9)

32. How does 5 element theory correlate to the Creation Pattern? Day 1:  Organization of matter;  Light divided from darkness Day 2: Firmament to divide waters below heavens from waters above heavens Day 3:  Water separated from dry land.  Seeds for all types of vegetation planted Day 4:  Lights in the heaven – sun, moon, stars Day 5:  The earth brings forth animal life, fish, fowl, and all creeping things

33. Day 6: Man is organized; breath of life, The cycle begins again. Metal Water Wood Fire Earth The Creation Pattern and 5-element theory

34. Day 6: Man is organized; breath of life, The cycle begins again. Metal Water Wood Fire Earth The Creation Pattern expands and enhances five-element theory because it includes the Creator. The Creation of the earth and the creation of our souls could not happen without the divine power of an all-knowing Creator. Consider the impact of including the Lord’s doctrine and commandments in this pattern.

35. If we can keep ourselves wholly dedicated to the Lord as we follow and promote this cycle, we will gain in spiritual momentum. The grace of God and the power of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ will provide the lift that brings us closer to God, to add light and truth to our hearts. This happens step-by-step, line upon line. See D&C 94: 2,6 for further pondering