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Five cases of depleted yin

By Nghia Thanh Tran I remember reading a quote from Ante Babic in The Lantern. In writing about Traditional Chinese medicine has turned a big corner in the last practising TCM, he wrote: “I think, therefore I am wrong.”1 This is so true, and I believe century. Such was the turn that now we can barely see the road that serious TCM practitioners think behind. Personal experiences handed down through generations the same way about the importance of have been wiped out by ’s whirlwind cultural revolution, while intuition in TCM. Intuition is not scientific, new practitioners have only a very limited number of ancient it is not measurable, not tangible and can’t be taught. Practitioners require constant textbooks to resource. self-cultivation to achieve it, and long-term practice is part of that cultivation. The health problems of today reflect the n a positive note, Westerners are stressful way we live. We work longer hours Obecoming increasingly interested in and in more stressful occupations than TCM, and information is becoming in- previous generations, and our children creasingly available. The original method work even harder than we do. Excessive of transferring experience from master to work without adequate rest leads to yin disciple has been replaced by hundreds of depletion, and this, I believe, is one of the textbooks written in English. Unfortunate- main TCM patterns of the modern world. ly, these textbooks have all evolved from Therefore, I would like to share my the same few ancient works, and subse- experiences in treating cases of depleted yin. quently, as a student once remarked to me, These cases will demonstrate how one TCM “all TCM books are the same”. We continue pattern – yin deficiency – can manifest in a to see translations of the same classics, but variety of presentations. very few are based upon the experiences of present practitioners addressing the TCM Case 1: Muscle inflammation patterns of the current time. In my opinion, TCM is no different from A 33-year-old female was referred by any other Chinese art: simple in theory, yet an open-minded GP. The patient was a requiring extensive practical experience. registered nurse with three children, aged Perhaps this is why TCM was traditionally between four and 12 from two separate conveyed by master to apprentice. Perhaps marriages. Her build was petite, and she the current TCM curriculum should have a spoke with a gentle but firm voice. When larger practical component. she arrived at my clinic it was obvious that

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walking caused her pain. She presented with application to draw out excess heat in the a red, swollen and painful left lower leg that affected area. With acupuncture, I used was hot and tender. I noticed the heat was Quchi L.I.-11 and Xuehai SP-10 bilaterally more intense at several spots under which I to resolve toxic heat, Taixi KI-3 bilaterally could palpate hard subcutaneous nodules. to strengthen yin and Yanglingquan GB-34, This was the third time that this patient Jiexi ST-41, Neiting ST-44 on her left side to had developed this illness. The first time promote qi and blood circulation. was after giving birth four years earlier. I saw her nine days later. Her leg had The second was after she changed her gotten better within a few days, but then contraceptive pill one year ago. The current worsened. The nodules were less painful presentation began eight weeks ago after she and hot, but two new nodules appeared recovered from severe influenza. The first close to the knee below the Yanglingquan two occurrences were successfully treated GB-34 area. I noticed the skin on her leg by Western medicine. This time, however, had begun peeling and several red dots had multiple anti-inflammatory medications appeared randomly. I modified the herbal had failed. The pain had worsened and was formula to increase the dosage of the toxic so severe that it disturbed her sleep. heat clearing herbs and again used Quchi She complained of constant fatigue L.I.-11 and Xuehai SP-10 for clearing heat requiring an afternoon nap. She also and Taixi KI-3 to strengthen yin. I gave complained of a dry throat and a bitter taste her a different cream, which I call “trauma each morning. She was on the contraceptive cream”2 for external application to resolve qi pill but still her period was heavy and very and blood stagnation and promote healing. painful. Her bowel movements were not She came back three days later. Her leg regular, often being constipated for many looked a lot better, less swollen and hot. days. Her appetite was normal and she felt The pain was reduced and there were a slight fever on occasion. no new lumps. She told me that she had I explained that her leg pain was a stopped taking analgesic medication, and manifestation of an imbalance in her body. came back to see me early because she I find fuller explanations help my patients thought the acupuncture was helping. I feel more comfortable, increasing their gave the same acupuncture treatment with trust in TCM. an addition of guasha and cupping along On examination, her pulse felt like a fine the Bladder meridian of her back. thread at cun, guan and chi, but could only I continued seeing her every three days be felt at a deep level that vanished with for the next three visits. Her leg got better minimal pressure. Her tongue was pale and after every treatment until the third time n Nghia Thanh Tran learnt slightly red at the edges without coating. when she complained of myalgia and fever. Chinese medicine in Vietnam, Her eyes appeared tired with several small Her pulse was faster and appeared more where he lived and trained red capillaries in her sclera. I could feel superficial. Several new nodules appeared daily with a monk, and her forehead was warmer than normal as closer to the knee. I removed Pu Gong Ying became familiar with herbal I examined her eyes; her breath had no (Taraxaci Herba) and Zi Hua Di Ding (Violae formulas and acupuncture odour. Herba), and added Lian Qiao (Forsythiae methods. He also learnt the The history and examination was Fructus) and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Taoist treatment methods and consistent with an empty heat condition Radix) to deal with the exterior wind-heat. way of living. He continued his resulting from yin deficiency. I prescribed a I repeated the same acupuncture treatment. Chinese medicine apprentice- herbal formula based on the classic Liu Wei Four days later her leg was almost ship in Saigon with another Di Huang Wan (Six Flavours Rehmannia normal. I could only locate the nodules by practitioner, and practised Pill). I added Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Flos), palpation; they were small and hard but for several years until South Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba) and Zi Hua painless. I suggested she continue using Vietnam was taken over in Di Ding (Violae Herba) to resolve toxic the trauma cream, and prescribed Liu Wei 1975. Tran later completed heat, and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) and Ju Di Huang Wan (Six Flavours Rehmannia formal studies at the Academy Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos) to calm the Liver. Pill) for oral intake. I reminded her that this of Traditional Chinese She took the herbs three times a day for 10 would be a long process. Medicine and now practises in days. I also prescribed Da Huang (Rhubarb Six weeks after her initial visit her Melbourne. Root and Rhizome) cream for external condition was eliminated.

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Case 2: Menopausal symptoms every day, and introducing more yin foods Jing Fang in in her diet such as soy products. This woman, 51, had first seen me three I used gua sha and cupping along the modern practice years previously with a wind-cold headache. Bladder meridian on her back, acupuncture Coming from a Greek family she was short at Taixi KI-3, and prescribed two weeks of By Michael Max in stature and full of energy, a vibrant and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, happy person. I often sat and listened to her Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill), Walk into any reasonably sized life stories for 20 minutes each time we met. which consists of bookstore in China and you will This time was no exception. She almost (Six Flavours Rehmannia Pill) plus Huang find shelves full of the experi- forgot the reason she came to see me. Bai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhi Mu ence of Chinese medicine doc- She reported that her period did not (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). tors. Case studies are the bones and blood of furthering one’s come last month. This was unusual as her She returned to the clinic two weeks later skill as a doctor. We all gain a period was as regular as clockwork. She with a smile. She told me that she enrolled foundation, a skeletal structure had also experienced some hot flushes in a Tai Chi class and really enjoyed it, had from our textbooks and first and night sweating. One problem that started to eat more tofu and drink soy milk. years in medical school. But it is bothered her most was a lack of sleep; All her symptoms were better, from hot the actual application, the use either she found it difficult to fall asleep or flushes to mood swings. She was especially and practice of medicine, that was wide awake at a very early hour. She happy to have her sleep back, and most of allows us to distill meaning from was also concerned about her libido, which all her libido back to normal. our experience. Here in the West we have was low, with vaginal dryness and painful plenty of books rich in theory intercourse. She worried that it could affect Case 3: Chronic psoriasis and heavy with fundamentals; her marriage. Additionally, she had recently we all need a foundation from developed a short temper and her moods This patient was a 76-year-old retired which to work. changed rapidly, which was unlike her. widow, who used to work as a medical But to really understand how She still had her usual vibrant voice, but receptionist for a surgeon. She came to the medicine unfolds in the clinic, under her bright smiling face I could see clinic with a very sceptical mind. “A very how to engage the conversa- tion between patient and a tiredness due to sleepless nights. Her close friend of mine said that you can help practitioner, connect the dots tongue was short with slight teeth marks me”, she said reservedly. She showed me between symptom and treat- on the edge, no coating and slightly dry. her palms and wrists, which were almost ment, and navigate between Her pulses were full and slightly tight at the fully covered with raised red patches. She knowing and discovering, it is guan and cun position, and the cun pulse did not show me, but I noticed, the rashes within the case study literature disappeared at the deep level. on her neck despite her high collared shirt where we really see medicine I explained to her that she had a depleted covering most of them. She informed me come alive. yin condition: “When yin drops drown to that she had some trouble in life seven years This book seeks to bring into focus the use of the classic a certain level it will lose its function to previously which started the psoriasis. I formulas of the Shang Han Lun control yang, which then flares up causing discovered later that her husband died at and Jin Gui Yao Lue in modern hot flushes every so often.” that time. I spent 45 minutes explaining practice. “Why do some people get hot flushes to her how TCM unerstands her case. This is an invitation to contrib- and some don’t?” she asked. I ran through “These rashes come from an imbalance of ute to a diamond-faceted look a quick course in for her. the internal situation. Applying external at the clinical application of the “Kidney energy is the one that keep us medication can only relieve them for a classic formulas, an opportunity living. It gradually depletes as we get older. while. It will come back if we do not treat to contribute a more multi- dimensional view of those for- If we live a balanced life, then both the yin the internal,” I said. mulas in modern clinical use. and yang parts of the Kidney will deplete She did not want acupuncture, as she As well, it is an opportunity to evenly and menopausal symptoms do not did not believe it would help. I focused add to the discussion that has exist. When we over work and do not spend on getting her trust by explaining what been going on for 1800 years enough time resting, then yin depletes more she could do to help herself. We had a about how to help our patients than yang, which results in your condition”. discussion about diet and lifestyle. I gave with these often simple but She was a very practical person so she did her recipes on how to cook cabbage soup effective formulas. not stop there as most of my patients do. to cool down the blood, and also explained If you would like to submit a case study for review and She continued, “How do we fix it, Tran?” how some nuts, chocolate, alcohol and inclusion, please write to me at I suggested she should consider changing spicy foods could generate internal heat [email protected]. her lifestyle, such as learning Tai Chi or and contribute to her problem. I will send you a submission yoga, having a 15-minute compulsory rest Finally I got to feel her pulse. As expected package with further details.

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An update on from my experience with many psoriasis She continued seeing me every two patients, it was very deep and fine in all weeks for five months. I kept the same herb farming positions. She told me she used 20ml acupuncture treatment and modified the of aloe vera on her skin every day. Her herbal medication, removing Fang Feng By Brian May appetite, bowel movements and sleep were (Saposhnikoviae Radix) if the itch was all normal. relieved or Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos) if The collaboration between the City Judging from her age and petite build, there were no heat symptoms. I alternated of Whittlesea, RMIT and farmers I had no doubt that this was a case of He Shou Wu (Polygoni multiplori Radix continues to research the produc- deficiency, even though her condition preparata) and Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis tion of Chinese herbs in Victoria. Some 20 different herbs are being looked so excessive. “This is a difficult case” Radix) as a blood tonic. The psoriasis was grown on three farms and some I said to myself. The difficulty was not how completely cured after six months. have produced harvests the excess to treat her condition but how to build She came back and saw me three years of which we have been selling to her trust. TCM does not work the same as later for knee pain. Her psoriasis had never practitioners. Western medicine, where a treatment is a reappeared. Some of these are available for treatment regardless of whether the patient sale to practitioners (see table). Others require more growth time. believes it or not. In TCM the treatment Case 4: Alopecia We believe the quality of these does not end when the patient walks out herbs is well above the imported of the clinic. Rather it is just the beginning, This patient was a girl, six years old, one of product. We have tested the herbs requiring the patient to adhere to dietary identical twins in a set of triplets, the result using HPLC and/or GCMS and advice, and in some cases lifestyle changes. of IVF. She walked into the clinic holding compared the local produce with I told her my family story growing up in her mum’s hand and appearing hesitant. samples from the herb market. We found that our herbs had higher a TCM tradition with Western education. Her mum explained that she had several concentrations of phytochemicals. From a very young age I was told that bald patches on her head: one big patch at They are also fresher and contain certain food could cause excess heat the back and three small patches on the top. less low-grade material such as internally. She seemed very interested in life The hair had suddenly fallen out in clumps stems and dead leaf. For example, from a different culture as she told me of several months ago. They had been to the comparing our Yi Mu Cao with the her interest in Aboriginal arts. From that Western doctor but the hair did not grow imported product, we include leaf, moment I knew I had her trust, and thus back and new patches kept appearing. The tops and soft stem but no woody stem. There is very little phyto- believed that I could fix her condition. I next step would be steroid injections into chemical in the woody stem, so this did not want to use anything too extreme the scalp to promote hair growth, which is part is not much use in a formula in her first visit. A herbal drink did pop quite a trauma for a little girl. but it weighs a lot. So the imported into my mind, which my Dad often made She appeared quite small for her age. I product may appear cheaper but us drink any time we ate too much mango, talked to her as she sat on her mum’s knees you are not getting the same thing. nuts or curry. It was a simple drink of three about school and her favourite friend. She Another factor in quality is the drying method. If the plant is dried common herbs: Sheng Di 9g (Rehmanniae seemed like a happy confident young girl in the sun, the overall quality is Radix), Xia Ku Cao 6g (Prunellae Spica) who loved school and enjoyed the company 3 damaged by the sunlight. Drying in and Gan Cao 3g (Glycyrrhizae Radix). She of her friends. I noticed her hair wasn’t the shade allows the best preserva- promised that she would drink the herbs shining, but rather had a dull texture. After tion of the herb so the overall qual- and try some cabbage soup. a few more questions I got a smile from ity is better. Also, our herbs are not I saw her two weeks later with a smile on her, so I took an opportunity to look at her sprayed with agricultural chemicals or fumigated for preservation. her face, as her condition had improved a hands and feel her pulse. There was no dark little. This time she confessed that she had blue vein on her index finger. Her pulse was Huo Xiang Available (dried) not slept well in the seven years since her slightly fast with a touch of wiriness. Her husband died and had to rely on drugs to mum informed me that her appetite had Yi Mu Cao Available (dried) sleep. She was happy to try acupuncture been poor. On examination of her bald Qing Hao Available (dried) this time. I used the standard four-point patches I noticed her scalp was slightly dry. Jing Jie Available (dried) combination to clear blood-heat: Quchi L.I.- The bald patch at the back of the head was Yu Xing Cao Available (dried) 11 and Xuehai SP-10 bilaterally. I prescribed the biggest of the four, about the size of a Xian He Cao On request (dried) a herbal formula based on Liu Wei Di Huang 50-cent piece. I noticed a new patch further Bian Xu On request (dried) Wan (Six Flavours Rehmannia Pill) with to the back about to form. the addition of Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), I explained to her mum about yin and Now in the field are Jie Geng, Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos), He Shou Wu yang. In her case the Kidney yin was weak Dan Shen, Shan Yao and Gou Qi Zi. (Polygoni multiplori Radix preparata) and so it could not nourish the hair properly. Details: [email protected] Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). It also influenced the Liver and the Spleen

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which resulted in lost appetite. The then yin will injured. If we stay in bed after imbalance was congenital and possibly midday then yang will also be injured. In the result of being a triplet. I reassured her his situation, he wasn’t only awake past that young children often respond to TCM midnight, but also was working, which treatment very well. depleted his yin, leading to migraines and I prescribed Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six headaches. I suggested to him not to drink Flavours Rehmannia) herbal formula alcohol or eat too much spicy foods, as they plus Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Ju Hua would increase his problem. (Chrysanthemi Flos) to calm the Liver, and I prescribed Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six He Shou Wu (Polygoni multiplori Radix Flavours Rehmannia Pill) plus Gou Qi Zi preparata) to increase the hair nourishing (Lycii Fructus) and Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi function. Flos) to calm the Liver. I needled Fengchi I saw her every two weeks. Her hair GB-20 and Taichong LIV-3 bilaterally to continued to grow back slowly without any subdue Liver wind, Taixi KID-3 bilaterally new patches appearing. Her appetite came to nourish yin, and Sizhukong SJ-23 on the back within two weeks. I prescribed the left side for the pain behind the eye. same herbs for the next two months. He returned a month later, reporting that After two and a half months her hair grew the migraine had diminished about an back fully and looked shiny and vibrant. I hour after the last visit and had not come saw her six months later after she asked back until today. He confessed that it was her mum to bring her to see me because due to extra work he had to do the night she had a cold. Her hair was still full and before. This time the migraine was not as shining. severe as that of a month ago: he rated it as three out of five. I prescribed the same Case 5: Chronic migraine herbal formula and acupuncture treatment. I saw him again a year later. He had no This man, 30, an electrician, came to see recurrence but wanted some herbs because me after a series of migraines, which could he was about to start a nightshift. It was last up to six weeks at a time. This had been such a pleasure to find a patient that happening on and off for 12 years. He had used TCM the way it should be used – as tried many different drugs but the condition preventative medicine. had not improved. His episodes were often triggered by long working hours, from Author’s notes Endnotes which he could not wind down, especially 1. Ante Babic (2008), The when he worked nightshifts. Every so often, In all five cases, the signs and symptoms Lantern, Vol. 5 No. 2, p. 44. though, he had a good break, which could presented themselves as a known TCM 2. Trauma cream consists of last up to 18 months without a headache. pattern, yin deficiency, and were clear Dang Gui (Angelicae sinensis He was right in the middle of a migraine enough to base a treatment on. Radix), Ru Xiang (Olibanum), episode on his first visit. The pain was The herbal usages and acupuncture Mo Yao (Myrrhae), Tao Ren extremely intense behind his left eye. He treatments in my case studies are simple. (Persicae Semen), Hong Hua said it started at 1 am that night. Noise and I do not think we need to complicate (Carthami Flos), Yan Hu Suo light did not bother him much. His pulses TCM treatment to make it more effective. (Corydalis Rhizoma), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix rubra), Mu Dan were weak and slightly wiry. His tongue Herb dosages are standard as in classical Pi (Moutan Cortex). was pale with teeth marks around the edges. formulas. All herbs were prescribed as 3. Put three herbs in a pot with I explained to him his condition was the granules unless referred to as herbal drinks. four litres of water and soak for result of an imbalance of yin and yang. Yang It should go without saying that in these half an hour then boil it for 15 is active, raising and working while yin is cases I am treating the patient, not the minutes. Pour the water into a passive, sinking and resting. When we live condition, be it “muscle inflammation”, separate container to keep. Add according to nature, as in settling down and “menopause”, “psoriasis”, “alopecia” or two more litres of water and boil going to sleep when the sun sets, and getting “migraine”. These cases are all on a back­ again for 15 minutes. Pour the water into the container mixing up when the sun rises, then yin and yang ground of depleted yin, and by treating with the previous lot and discard stay balanced. When we balance our work that basic imbalance, whatever “condition” the herbs. Keep the water in the and rest our yin and yang are balanced. If they may have can be at least improved and fridge and drink four to five we stay awake and active past midnight sometimes, as we have seen, cured. glasses a day.

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In Shu [today’s Sichuan] Zhuge Liang advised his son [by letter]:5

The practice of a cultivated man is to refine the self by quietude, and develop virtue by frugality.

Without serenity, there is no way to get far. Without detachment, there is no way to clarify the will;

If you wish to learn, you must be serene; to become accomplished, you must study.

Without study, you will not broaden your abilities; without strength of will, you will not attain knowledge.

If you are arrogant and lazy, you will not achieve excellence. If you are impetuous and impulsive, you cannot govern your nature.

The years run off with the hours, aspirations flee with the years. Eventually one ages and collapses. What good will it do to lament over poverty?

Nan Huai-Chin discusses Zhuge Liang’s Letter to my Son

Excerpted from the book Chan yu Shengming de Renshi the period of the Warring States. Portrayed (Understanding Chan and Life)1 – a transcription of a series of as one of the prominent and colourful characters in San Guo Yan Yi (Romance of lectures delivered at Taihu Great Learning Centre in 2006. the Three Kingdoms)3 Zhuge is the ideal of Confucian statesmanship. Yet, at the same time, he is spoken of quite seriously as a Translated by Steven Clavey Daoist Celestial who chose to return to the world of men to assist the re-ordering of a chaotic world.4 aster Nan Huai-Chin is a very in- Mfluential author of books in Chinese Nan Huai-Chin introduces the discussion and English. While most of his works re- main in Chinese, several excellent ones have If you want to learn refinement, been translated into English, notably by J.C. Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism or Zen Cleary. Mastern Nan is unusual in being are all equally valuable. Remember, if you thoroughly versed in the schools of Vajray- can return to normal life after this half hour ana Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism and and maintain the spirit and energy we had Chan Buddhism, and thus able to express here, then you are truly talking learning and realisations in a wide variety of ways, not refinement. encumbered by sectarian limitations.2 Zhuge Liang was a famous strategist at the [The first lines of Confucius’ Da Xue – end of the Han dynasty, as China entered The Highest Order of Cultivation – say:]

46 Vol 7–2 nurturing life

“The Way of self-cultivation, at its highest just to learn this jing: internal calm. level, is a three-fold path: Without detachment, there is no way to it lies in causing the light of one’s inner clarify the will; without serenity, there is moral force to shine forth, no way to get far. in bringing the people to a state of This encapsulates the learning of renewal, Confucius, Buddha and the Dao. Many of you have gained and in coming to rest in the fullest If you wish to learn, you must be serene. attainment of the good. To seek for learning requires the practice your PhDs, or studied “Only when one comes to understand of settled quiet, the study of serenity. overseas and returned, but this point of rest can one reach a state of Zhuge Liang admonished his son: To your state of mind is not even‘ a little bit calm, and unwavering stability. become accomplished, you must study. ’ Having reached this unwavering Whatever you choose to do in life, whether thus your knowledge is not state, one can then enjoy an unruffled it is business, or government, or anything, great... quietude; one will only have ability if one has searched having attained this state of quietude, out knowledge. His letter, his essay, is very one can then achieve an inner calm; simple; although the knowledge Zhuge once one has achieved this inner calm, Liang had gathered over his life was so vast, one is then in a position to exercise one’s all we have left of it after two thousand capacity to deliberate clearly. years are the two memorials to the young “And it is the capacity of deliberation that emperor and this letter. provides the basis for all moral attainment. Everyone forgets, because his letter is so “Just as all existing things have, by brief, and while he was so knowledgeable, definition, both a fundamental core and he was so occupied dealing with affairs of peripheral aspects – their ‘roots’ and state, that when he wrote this letter he could ‘branches’ – so too, all human affairs have only write several simple clear sentences. their endings as well as their beginnings. But in those sentences there is a great deal To grasp fully the grounds for the proper of learning. If you wish to learn, you must sequential ordering of things, from first to be serene, to become accomplished, you must last, is a precondition for coming closer to study. Your innate talents depend on study the Way.”6 to bring them out from within. Without study, you will not broaden your The first step in this Great Learning is abilities. to teach sons, younger brothers and later You need to have a grasp of every type of generations that they should learn the skill learning, be it religion, philosophy, science, of stopping in quietude. commerce, economics, finance, sociology or education, otherwise your talents will not Zhuge Liang’s famous letter reach their full expression. Without strength of will, you will not This is the reason that I have, for a number attain knowledge. of decades, brought up Zhuge Liang’s Jie In the search for knowledge, the first Zi Shu. Zhuge Liang is not a Daoist, he is requirement is learning to be settled and completely a Confucian. The essence of his quiet. Many of you have gained your PhDs, life of study and learning is in that letter or studied overseas and returned, but your to his son. As always, he himself was still state of mind is not even a little bit calm, at the front, leading the troops, and all of and thus your knowledge is not great. I am his instruction for his [seven-year-old] son talking to you young people—who actually is contained in one letter. How many times are now over middle-age—all of you great have I discussed this over the past decades! professors, renowned doctors, all of you are Who among you can completely recite the my old students, and I am scolding you. letter from memory? I am invariably polite to outsiders. But The practice of a cultivated man is to now I am reproaching you among my old refine the self by quietude students: pay attention to the line that says and develop virtue by frugality. if you are arrogant and lazy, you will not Seeking for quietude is the refinement of achieve excellence. Several decades now you self. Our present practice of meditation is have been slothful, not exerting yourselves,

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too much empty talk, too many banquets, always be for the students to memorise too much bragging. Lazy, disrespectful, this letter. It expresses the aim and goal haughty and full of yourselves: you achieve of Confucian and Daoist education in a little and think it is fantastic: arrogant and Chinese culture. I can still recite it perfectly If you want to achieve lazy, you will not achieve excellence. for you now, all of you who call me Teacher, great things, there is a This letter I have memorised since my but who among you, men, women, young teens, and have used all my life. When I was or old, can do it? certain method to be at the military college for officers, everyone I never imagined that the whole class followed, you can’t just was strictly required to memorise this letter would come up with a great big “zero”! flippantly‘ play around and ’ before being allowed to lead troops. If you I have mentioned this many times in my think you’re clever. regard every word as gold, it has great books, you know. Go, and memorise it! power. If you are impetuous and impulsive, you cannot govern your nature. What is impetuous? Lack of patience, Endnotes looking for the easy way all the time, you 1. Nan Huai-Qin, 2009, Chan yu Shengming hear something and automatically assume de Renshi Chujiang (禅与生命的认知初 you understand, taking risks, flighty and 讲,Understanding Chan and Life, first lectures). rash, not at all stable and peaceful, and Beijing: Dongfang Publishing. A transcription utterly unrefined. Zhuge Liang warned his of a series of lectures delivered at Taihu Hall of son to take care not to be this way. Great Learning in 2006. Impulsiveness likewise prevents an 2. This ability is greatly welcomed in a world ordering of your nature, and will make you where sectarian differences are emphasised. unable to learn how to clear your mind and Over 20 million of his books have been sold in a perceive your essence. The refinement of the variety of languages. Nan, like Liu Yi-Ming and mind cannot be accomplished by craft, or many Daoist and Buddhist authors, strongly rashly; if you want to achieve great things, emphasises the idea that “The Three Religions there is a certain method to be followed, you are One”, referring to Daoism, Confucianism can’t just flippantly play around and think and Buddhism. you’re clever. The word impulsive in Chinese 3. A book well worth reading. One of my has a foot radical, implying jumpiness or Malaysian Chinese classmates at language flightiness. school in Taiwan was there only because his What he is saying to his son are crucial father insisted that he learn Chinese so that he aspects of education and cultivation. could read this book before going into business. 4. Lin Tung-Chi. 1947. “The Chinese Mind: its The years run off with the hours. Time flies, Taoist Substratum.” Journal of the History of and we age; time is like a wild horse, hard Ideas. Vol. 8:3, pp. 259-272. Also T. Cleary points to catch and hard to hold. Aspirations flee out many instances of Zhuge’s direct quotes from the Dao De Jing and other Daoist works, with the years. All of the hopes and dreams and concludes: “as this testament shows, there of our lives, our intentions, our will, all age is a strong undercurrent of Taoist thought in with us; we get old and lose our courage. Zhuge Liang’s attitudes toward life and work.” Eventually one ages and collapses. He directs (Mastering the Art of War: Way of the General). his son to study well, because he will be old Thus when Master Nan declares that Zhuge before he knows it, like a dried up leaf soon Liang is not a Daoist, he is thoroughly a to fall. What good will it do to lament over Confucian, he is simply emphasising a certain poverty? Once you are old, looking back in point of view important for the context of his regret, it is too late, there is no road left to lecture. travel. 5. Translation of the following lines of Zhuge There is a Tang poem that has the line Liang’s letter to his son is based upon that of youth and strength not exerted lead to old age Thomas Cleary in his Mastering the Art of War. spent in vain sorrow. This is based on the 6. Translation from Andrew Plaks, 2003, Ta same concept. When I taught in university, Hsueh and Chung Yung (The Highest Order the central military college, the very first of Cultivation and the Practice of the Mean), assignment for the very first class would Penguin Classics, London.

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