Acupuncture as explained by the Classics
“The dao that can be spoken is not the eternal dao.”
Dao De Jing
A famous line from one of the Daoist classics epitomizing the idea that words are an imperfect way to communicate, and that truths are not easily pinned down. For this reason, much of the wisdom and lessons passed down from China are laden with analogies and the explanation of acupuncture is no different.
The watershed analogy of the human body
The most prominent analogy used by ancient practitioners to described acupuncture is of a system of rivers. Waterways that flow from wells and springs deep in the mountain, traverse streams and rivers, to finally join the deep waters of the ocean. These watersheds also include common features:
- intersections that can be used as overflow or drainage
- deep, slow moving eddies
- accumulating points such as ponds or lagoons
The watershed system of the body is made up of 6 circuits, or meridian pairs, that are given general descriptions based on volume and movement. This is important because it illuminates how these watersheds behave in health, act in dysfunction, and how they work in conjunction with their neighbors.
The acupuncturist’s job is the same as an ecologist; identify what and where obstructions, stagnations and depletions are occurring and alter the current. By regulating flow the watershed, or body, has an opportunity to heal and self-correct. Healthy rivers are clean or are cleaning themselves while unhealthy rivers are obstructed and are dirtying the water. Stagnant rivers become turbid and a vector for disease. Obstructed rivers back-up and bulge collecting sediment behind them and depletion or drought in front of them. Depleted rivers are dry and hot as there is less water to cool it. And the lack of volume will lead to an absence of movement causing stagnation. However, healthy rivers, nourish life. Appropriate flow of the river will clear toxins away and replenish with nourishing fluids. This action will slowly but surely transform the entire ecosystem.