The Five Phases of Acupuncture in the Classical Texts, 765 pp.

This book builds is based on original translations from the ancient Chinese Classics, including the medical classics (the Huangdineijing Suwen and Lingshu), the Confucian Classics (the Confucian Analects, the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, and the Works of Mencius), and the Daoist Classics (the Daodejing, Zhangzi, and the Huainanzi) concerning all relevant material on the Five Phases and Twelve Organs of acupuncture in early China. These translations are so unique because the Pinyin and Chinese characters accompany each line of text accompanied by detailed discussions of important terms extending down to the etymological level so that the reader, without having to know Chinese, can have an accurate understanding of the meaning these passages convey, especially in relation to the fundamentally important Five Phase terms. Many of these terms, especially those on the psycho-emotional level, have never been translated into English before. This protocol enables the reader to extend his or her understanding in the creative ways demanded of a clinical or creative situation while remaining fully rooted to the ancient perspective.

The Five Phases of acupuncture form the basis of all acupuncture traditions and are relevant today in providing the systematic context with which the Body/Mind/Spirit integration so necessary to any wholistic healing modality can take place. The Five Phase system of ancient China is a powerful approach to healing. It enables one to see patients in terms of an integrated whole and contributes to any understanding of healing that goes beyond symptomatic relief or even prevention by restoring and empowering humanity.  

In the Five Phase system, this Empowerment is based on the inter-relationship between the physical Organs and their associated Emotions, Spirits, and Virtues. The goal in this early approach to acupuncture was to use the Spirit of each Organ to transform its associated Emotion to its corresponding Virtue and then transform all of these Virtues to the higher Virtue of Dao. Only a very cursory explanation of these Spirits and Virtues has been defined in the English language prior to this current text.  And yet they are absolutely essential in understanding how to practice healing on this higher level. The Spirits include the Yi/Intention, the Zhi/Will, the Shen/Spirit, the Po/Instinct, and the Hun/Perspective. The Virtues include Xin/Accountability, Zhi/Wisdom, Li/Appropriateness, Yi/Righteousness, and Ren/Humanity.

To fully understand these terms and their application to clinical practice, detailed discussions are given as to their function and use in ancient as well as current times including ancient Five Phase temperament prototypes as well as the more modern integration with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  TCM provides the advantage of using Chinese Medicine with Herbs and Foods while the Five Phases provides a much more detailed psycho-physical profile.

A detailed examination of this entire system is explained in this book for teachers, students and practitioners as well as the interested layperson.
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"Unbelievable manuscript!!!!  This is a monumental contribution to East Asian medical literature based on detailed linguistic excavations of ancient Chinese texts and astute interpretations of the classical and contemporary world.  Dennis has unearthed a precious stratum of classical thought that is sure to have a major impact on the scholarship and practice of Asian medicine."  
-Ted Kaptchuk, author of "The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine"
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"There can be no doubt that in writing The Five Phases of Acupuncture, Dennis Willmont is fulfilling his Destiny and living his Dao. The book glows with the unmistakable light of a work inspired not only by intelligence, research, and clinical experience but also by transcendent purpose and spiritual devotion. This book is the real deal, a painstaking piece of scholarship, an original and authentic vision, and a joyous journey into the world of transformational healing. Like the treasured medical texts of China's ancient past, this book is a flower that will blossom perennially in the libraries of acupuncture students and practitioners for many years to come."
-Lorie Eve Dechar, author of "Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing"
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"This extensively researched text can serve as a valuable reference for all acupuncturists, irrespective of their style of practice.  The etymology of the characters is especially helpful in rooting the commentary in the rich symbolism of Daoist texts, enabling practitioners to grasp the wider context of seemingly simple words and sentences.  The text is interspersed with historical references, mythological stories, tables and diagrams, ensuring that practitioners will be able to endlessly find new gems of inspiration and illumination.  Dennis has admirably empowered practitioners to delve deeper into the wisdom of the classical world."
-Niki H. Bilton, M.Ac (UK), MBAcC (UK), L.Ac (MD); Academic Dean, Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Ontario, Canada
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"The obvious in-depth research, alone, is stunning.  I am truly impressed, especially by the elegance and comprehensiveness of the work, the detail, the quality of articulation, and the thoughtfulness of it.  I was struck by the thought that here is someone who really wants people to understand how to think about and use this art and science."
-Sherry Edwards, Research Assistant in Schizophrenia Research
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"I absolutely adored the reading. There is so much there. I will have a lot to go back to refer to, and study.  Your layout and organization is impeccable.  I loved all the tables and diagrams.  I am thoroughly fascinated by this work.  This book reflects your seriousness for scholarship and devotion to the continuation of the Classical Chinese traditions.  It is extremely important to not let those teachings die.  And yet you integrate that into 21st century life.  I just don't know how to congratulate you enough."
-Jan Danner, Operations Manager, 25-Year Tibetan and Zen Practitioner
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"It captivated me.  I liked the simplicity of the ancient texts and their explanation and how they wrapped around the complexity of Chinese Medicine.  This is a complex subject rendered into simple language that makes it accessible and comprehensible so I want to read more."
-Donna-Marie Nutile, B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Political Science, B.A. Chinese Language, Reiki Master, Director of Product Marketing, Director of Product Management
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"I liked the importance of how everything fits together in a deeper way; how the body affects the mind and the importance of diet on a higher and more complete level."
-Dan Crews
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"I found this book fascinating to read.  This book is surely an amazing thing not only for its sheer erudition, but also for the astonishing connections that Dennis has made among the many areas of acupuncture and philosophical study/history that he has explored.  These connections and interconnections are fascinating to read about and have lead to self-knowledge even on my elementary level.  It will certainly be a text of extreme importance and helpfulness for anyone who chooses to study or receive acupuncture as a healing art.  Dennis is a true Master."
-Carol Kilroy, Retired Educator
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