0.Zou Shizhen to readers
1. This book is a part of the basic theory of Tradition Chinese medicine.
"Zou Shizhen's Popularization Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine" is a set of introductory textbooks written by Zou Shizhen to popularize Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This book covers the foundational theories of TCM. Future volumes will include TCM diagnostics, Chinese Materia Medica, and the TCM treatment of common diseases.
2. Restoring TCM Theory to the Human Body
The primary feature of Zou Shizhen's Popularization Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine is its approach to restoring TCM theory to the context of the human body. Rather than getting lost in terminology, it helps readers truly understand what the various terms in TCM theory refer to in real life. This way, when analyzing medical conditions, readers can genuinely comprehend what is happening in the body. For example, what do terms like yin and yang, qi and blood, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire actually refer to in reality? What do conditions such as yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, turbid yin invading upwards, yin-yang separation, qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and lung qi failing to disperse and descend actually signify in terms of physical changes? All these are clearly explained in Zou Shizhen's Popularization Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
3. Establishing a Rigorous Logical System for TCM Theory
The second significant feature of Zou Shizhen's Popularization Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine is its effort to organize TCM theory into a rigorous logical system. Any comprehensive academic system is inherently logical, and TCM is no exception. However, over thousands of years of transmission, the theoretical system of TCM has gradually become obscured, leaving behind a collection of fragmented conclusions and the clinical experiences of physicians from different eras. This situation has turned TCM into a form of empirical medicine, leading to inefficiencies in its transmission, increasing mystification, and marginalization. It has also contributed to the inconsistency in the TCM community and the proliferation of charlatans.
The TCM theoretical system organized by Zou Shizhen’s Popularization Textbook addresses these issues. With the exception of the axiom "Being born from nothingness“(is a phrase from the Dao De Jing, meaning 'existence originates from the intangible.' It emphasizes that in TCM theory, intangible and invisible factors (such as qi and yin-yang) are the roots of tangible and visible things.)" which cannot be proven, all other conclusions are products of logical reasoning. This gives TCM a rigorous logical framework similar to that of modern physics. Consequently, learning TCM is no longer about rote memorization of unrelated conclusions, and applying TCM to solve health problems is no longer about matching a current patient with a treatment experience from the past. This structured approach demystifies TCM, making it more accessible and systematic.
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an Excellent Mode of Thinking
In real life, there are often health problems that Western medicine cannot solve but are successfully addressed by TCM. Although many of these are individual cases, they at least indicate that TCM has insights into life that modern medicine has yet to recognize. How can TCM, developed by ancient people thousands of years ago, surpass modern medicine?
This is not due to some advanced technology brought by aliens but because the ancient Chinese had an epistemology and methodology completely different from modern science. Mastering this mode of thinking can bring new perspectives to various research fields. Zou Shizhen's Popularization Textbook of TCM introduces the epistemology and methodology of TCM, suggesting that TCM is an excellent mode of thinking. Even those who do not pursue a career in TCM can benefit greatly from learning this way of thinking in their respective fields.
5. Welcome to Point Out Errors
Restoring TCM theory to the human body and organizing it into a rigorous logical system is unprecedented. Over the past twenty years, the author has continually reflected and practiced, growing through constant self-criticism. When no further errors could be found, the author began writing, carefully crafting and repeatedly revising the text, which took nearly two years to complete. However, the author acknowledges that being unable to find personal errors does not necessarily mean perfection—it might just be a case of "not recognizing the true face of Mount Lu because one is in the midst of it." For any academic work to withstand the test of time, it must be free from blind worship and respect rational criticism.
Thus, the author, Zou Shizhen, sincerely welcomes all who wish to point out errors. Whether you are a TCM practitioner or from another field, whether you believe in TCM or not, whether you are a TCM master or a beginner, whether you like the author or not, you are welcome to critique the theories in this book. You can post your opinions on Sina Weibo and @ 中医纪元, send a private message to the Weibo account, or email 184185899@gq.com. If your suggestions are valuable, Zou Shizhen will publicly acknowledge them on Weibo and include them in future revisions of the book. The author will not disregard anyone's contribution or claim others' contributions as their own.
6. About Zou Shizhen's TCM Popularization Training
Modern people, from elementary school to high school, receive education in modern science. Apart from those who, after the college entrance examination, enter traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) schools to study TCM and Chinese herbal medicine, most people almost have no chance to come into contact with TCM knowledge. This subject has to be self-studied, but there are already some TCM training programs available in society. After the textbooks are widely reviewed and improved, Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training will also begin.
Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training has the following features:
Systematic Approach: Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training is not about teaching a few techniques for treating diseases in one or two days, but rather systematically introducing how TCM understands the human body, defines health, recognizes diseases, diagnoses patients, treats diseases, what Chinese medicine is, how Chinese medicine works on the human body, how common diseases form, what changes occur in the body, how to treat them, and so on. After such systematic training, you will have a clear understanding of TCM treatments for common diseases.
Understanding the Reasons: Often, TCM is taught by presenting conclusions without explanations or logical reasoning. Even when there is some reasoning, it is often crude and logically weak, making it difficult for even slightly rational modern people to accept, and making TCM challenging to learn. Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training will completely change this situation, ensuring that students understand both the facts and the reasons behind them. TCM principles will be explained not only by what the classics say but also why they say so. For instance, why are there five elements and not four or seven? When discussing common diseases, not only will the symptoms and treatment prescriptions be explained, but also how the disease develops, what changes occur in the body step by step, and how the treatment plan corrects these changes to restore health. After such training, you will be able to use rigorous logical thinking to analyze problems when faced with patients, and treating diseases will no longer rely on guesswork.
Accessibility: Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training uses simple language and real-life examples to express profound medical theories, making them understandable without a foundation in classical Chinese or medical knowledge. As long as you have a junior high school education and ordinary comprehension ability, you can understand and learn it. Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training is priced based on what most ordinary people can afford, so everyone can learn it. If you just want to understand the basic ideas and concepts of TCM, there will be free public lecture videos posted online. Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training will be offered in various formats, including online courses and face-to-face sessions, so that everyone can access the training.
Information about Zhou Shizhen's TCM popularization training will be posted on the TCM Era's Sina Weibo.
7. About Copyright
This textbook has been registered with the China Copyright Protection Center. We ask that everyone respect the author's original rights with a sense of self-respect and respect for others. If quoting, please cite the source. If any TCM training institutions wish to use this textbook, they may contact the author.
