Neidan EN [DE]

Neidan (Internal Alchemy) has gained increasing attention in the recent years. Rooted in earlier Daoist internal cultivation systems, Neidan developed into a very sophisticated meditation system integrating also many Buddhist and Neo Confucian notions.
It became along with Chan the most practiced cultivation practice among the literati. In that way it influenced also many of the late imperial scholar physicians and had a profound influence on Chinese Medicine.
Good examples are ideas developed around the Ming Men by physicians like Zhao Xianke and Zhang Jiebin or ideas on the Qi Jing Ba Mai (Extraordinary Vessels) by Li Shizhen. Physicians like Li Shizhen argued that physicians needed to take in account ideas developed in Neidan with regards to the Ba Mai.
Neidan is therefore relevant from many angles.
First it explains us how some important ideas have developed in medicine, it helps us also better understanding these topics.
Next it can benefit one’s health and clarity of spirit
It can be also very useful in clinical practice, it can help us to be more aware during the diagnosis and during needling for example. As already is explained in the early classics like the Ling Shu, the art of needling is a delicate process which desires the right state of awareness.

This day will have the following set up:

Morning :
Introduction in to some historical aspects of Neidan.
Main ideas/ concepts in Neidan
Explanation of the difference between Neidan and other arts like Qi Gong
Examples how Neidan influenced medical thinking in late imperial China
Introduction to some very basic practices

Midday :
Further elaboration on some of the important ideas in Medicine derived from Neidan
Further introduction and instructions on some basic practices
How we can incorporate some of these elements in clinical practice, like during needling

The lecture and workshop may be given in German or in English, depending on the participants.