Not Lost in Translation
“Zenme yang!?” (“How’s it going?”) – Shifu asks to one of his students who has come to seek help with his health.
This student from Italy continuously speaks about surges and overflowing energy within his body, visions that he sees, and the effects of them that manifest as pain in the body, sensitivity to the sun, along with frustration and rage from lack of control or understanding of what’s happening to him. It is the stain of the same matter many students have had who have come here before, the possible “influence from external energy field” type of issue. Along with this issue the Italian student’s level of English is very low. 2 sets of translation from the help of fellow students – Italian to English and English to Chinese – would take place around the fireside so Shifu could manage to get his messages and instructions across. Shifu asks “What’s wrong?”, the student replies “my head.” Shifu looking down, adjusting the wood in the fire pit replies “I know.” Then he goes on to explain the body must sweat, the mind must stop, that through sweat the body is cleaned, through fatigue the racing mind slows.
Another student arrives by the fireside who has been doing acupuncture for 15 years. Shifu instructs him to use his skills to help the Italian student’s current issue, the goal being to reduce the heart meridian energy. Shifu then asks to know what methods the acupuncturist would use. “Shen men, shao hai” – he replies, which are the obvious meridian points to use in this reduction method. “Hai you shenme?” – meaning: what else? Shifu asks. The student replies: turning the needle method, 9 times. “No! Use 6, 6 is yin” Shifu exclaims. “Hai you shenme?”
“Insertion methods like so”, nervously showing Shifu with his hands as he understands Shifu is examining his proficiency in his field. After replying to “hai you shenme?” for about another 3, 4 basic methods and running out of responses, Shifu begins to show him the hidden and/or somewhat unorthodox ways from a Daoist medicine perspective. Shifu says “what about the breathing methods using your qi on the needle? What about talismans, and incantations, using the energy of the sun on the needle, fire or ice, using your intention, and the ‘negotiation’ that takes place before and after (referring to something left unsaid)? These foundations are not commonly taught or understood. The formless ways of the Daoist are not easily found, yet they are deeply rooted in Chinese medicine and Chinese culture.”
The acupuncturist of 15 years listened openly, seeming to appreciate to get this glimpse into deeper meanings behind his field of study, here on the mountain, returning to a place that is a true source for this type of learning. And although the bridge of this communication through translation may not be direct, these points are clear.
