50. The Principles of Oriental Medicine ： Tranquility and Emptiness

In Oriental medicine， the highest level of mental and physical cultivation is called Tranquility and Emptiness (恬淡虛無). This concept is discussed in the first chapter of the Huangdi Neijing, “Discourse on the Highest Truth.”

“When one lets go of desires, attachments disappear, the mind becomes deeply calm and peaceful, and the body is filled with its original life energy. In this way, both body and mind are well-regulated within, and how could illness arise?” (恬淡虛無，真氣從之，精神內守，病安從來)

When desires disappear from the heart, the flow of Qi and Blood aligns with the flow of nature (順其自然). It is said that “When Qi and Blood flow freely, there is no pain; when they are blocked, there is pain” (通則不痛 不通則痛), explaining the cause of disease.

The material abundance brought by the advancement of scientific civilization has certainly brought great convenience to humanity. However, the desire and competition to enjoy even more material wealth have produced countless social maladies and have promoted a way of life that goes against the natural order. Hospitals grow in size day by day, and diagnostic tools are developed with ever more precision. Yet, ironically, disease prevalence continues to rise, and the quality of life worsens. It is not hard to realize that relying solely on medical examinations and prescriptions is not the ultimate solution.

It may be impossible to live completely without desire. However, even if only occasionally, if we can put aside our desires, avoid overstraining the body, and minimize the intake of processed food, our body will naturally align with the flow of nature and unleash a powerful ability to recover.

If something feels wrong, let go of your mental desires and your tasks, sit in the most comfortable posture, gently close your eyes, and focus only on your inhalation and exhalation. All living beings breathe. When your mind and body become entirely immersed in breathing, you enter the shared world of breath and finally feel at one with nature. That alone can maximize your life force and heal most discomforts.

Over the course of these 50 posts, I have tried to share my thoughts by integrating the concepts of Eastern and Western medicine, organized under three themes:
“Mind and Matter Are One,” “I Heal My Own Body,” and “Principles of Korean Medicine Treatment.”

Rather than relying entirely on medicine and doctors, I hope we can better understand and make full use of our innate healing abilities so that both our bodies and minds become healthier and happier. Thank you.

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