The literal translation of “Shendao” is “Spirit Path.” Dao means “way” as in path, and Shen is usually translated as “spirit.” In Chinese, however, Shen also means “heart.” The heart is said to house the spirit, and the blood that is pushed by the heart carries the spirit (or consciousness) throughout the body.
As such, Shen is not simply the individual consciousness, but ultimately consciousness itself. It exists not just in humans but in all life. Wang Ju Yin, co-author of Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine, refers to Shen as the intelligence of existence, or the inherent wisdom in the world.
Shendao speaks to walking through the world in a manner that connects with the intelligence of existence, honoring through life and practice, a harmony with what is.
ANCIENT MEDICINE MODERN AILMENTS
The persistence and longevity of Oriental Medicine speaks to its effectiveness as a modality of healing. Otherwise, it most likely would not have survived the centuries, much less the advent of modern Western medicine. Much of the recent acceptance of Oriental Medicine speaks to the fact that it “works.” Though its theories may be foreign and strange, patients do get results, and their chronic “untreatable” conditions often improve and resolve.
Oriental Medicine can treat the following disorders:
Gastrointestinal: food allergies, peptic ulcers, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia, and gastritis.
Urogenital: stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunctions.
Gynecological: irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation; infertility; and premenstrual syndrome.
Emotional and psychological: depression, anxiety, and addictive disorders such as alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.
Eye, ear, nose, and throat: rhinitis, sinusitis, ear pain and infections, difficulty swallowing, and esophagitis.
Supportive therapy for other chronic and debilitating disorders.