9. The Mind Changes Matter : Quantum Medicine

There is a Korean proverb: “Even in a tiger’s den, you’ll survive if you keep your wits about you.” Here, the term “jeong-shin (精神)” refers to “Jing-Qi-Shen (精气神)”—a holistic concept encompassing body, energy, and mind.

Another common phrase, “Don’t let go of your ‘jeong-shin’,” echoes a core idea from string theory—the modern physics model suggesting that the universe is not built from particles, but from something even more fundamental: vibrating strings. In short, the immaterial gives rise to the material.

Traditional Eastern Medicine is fundamentally rooted in Jing-Qi-Shen, using this framework for both diagnosis and treatment. In recent decades, Western medicine has attempted to transcend its limitations by exploring a new paradigm called Quantum Medicine. This approach integrates Biomedicine (which addresses the body), Energy Medicine (which works with the body’s energetic fields), and Mind Medicine (which addresses consciousness). Together, this is often referred to as Whole-Person Medicine or Integrative Medicine.

This aligns remarkably well with the principles of Eastern Medicine, which also views the human being as a unity of body, energy, and spirit. While conventional medicine tends to be reductionist, doctor-centered, and focused solely on the material body, both Eastern Medicine and Quantum Medicine are integrative, patient-centered, and inclusive of non-material dimensions like Jing-Qi-Shen.

Since Hippocrates, who advised physicians to “consider the soul of the patient” and “treat the person, not the disease,” modern medicine has largely developed through a materialist lens. However, in the 21st century, even Western science is rediscovering and accepting the holistic concepts rooted in Eastern traditions.

In this ninth installment, we conclude the series exploring how mind influences matter. The core question remains:
“Are the body and soul separate? Does the soul vanish with the body?”
There’s still no definitive answer regarding what happens after death. However, what science does affirm is this: while we are alive, the mind exists beyond the body, and the immaterial mind has real influence over the physical world. And more importantly, we can experience this for ourselves.

From the next post onward, I will begin sharing insights from Traditional Eastern Medicine, particularly those that align with the idea:
“I am the one who heals my own body.”

Dr. Jin-man Kim, director of Peace Oriental Clinic