All of Dennis' acupuncture and Chinese philosophy books started out as one book called "Many Paths: One Center." When it became obvious that this material was too much for just one book, the project was broken down to smaller categories-hence the fifteen books. Nevertheless, all of these books have been developing together so they will fit together nicely like a Chinese puzzle. That's why it has taken so long between publications to date.
As this material comes together and workable drafts of all of these books are completed, the publication of any given book becomes more tangible. As the entire project gets nearer to being completed, less time is required to finish each book. Therefore in the near future, the publishing time between books will get shorter and shorter.
If you are sincerely interested in mastering this material don't get behind! If you haven't ordered any of the more recent books, now is the time to do so because the next one is right around the corner. In the meanwhile, familiarize yourself with the forthcoming titles so you know what the Big Picture is.
Also, if you want to be kept up to date about new publications even as they are being written, sign up to be on our mailing list now! Doing so will place you in the inner circle so you will be informed about this information before it is released to the general public.
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Yin-Yang and the Inner Phases: Psycho-Emotional Temperaments and Treatment in Acupuncture
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"The Inner Phases" builds on the systematization developed in "The Five Phases of Acupuncture in the Classical Texts" and extends these principles further into treatment approaches. In "The Classical Texts," from 35-50 different psycho-emotional categories for each of the Five Phases were documented from the classics, described in etymological detail, and explained in modern day language. In "The Inner Phases," Dennis shows how these attributes work together to define psycho-spiritual harmony and how this disharmony develops. Each of the Five Phases has the Five Phases within it to reveal an even much greater subtlety of expression. For example, Wood within Fire, Fire within Fire, Soil within Fire, Metal within Fire, and Water within Fire. Each of these subcategories show how the basic paradigm of the Five Phases develops into more subtle and more personal expressions that reveal any given person's temperament.
More importantly, these "Inner Phases" have direct application to acupuncture for treatment through the Command Points on the arms and legs. Not only do these points give direct access from diagnosis to treatment, this level of treatment also creates an immediate improvement on the radial pulse patterns used in acupuncture. This method also creates the all-important link between the body and the mind, which through this protocol can be done with precision.
Comprehensive acupuncture treatment consists of two different levels: the Root and the Branch. Root treatment is based upon the Five Phases and uses the Inner Phases to make adjustments to the person's fundamental imbalance. Often, these simple one to four needle treatments are enough to balance the pulse and create the desired change on the symptomatic, preventive, and fulfillment levels. Treating people with the Inner Phases is really a joy because it totally affirms the beauty and truth of the original acupuncture principles. Branch treatment involves an additional theoretical construct and a different choice of points and is used to supplement Root treatment. The topic of Branch Treatment will be discussed in another volume.
In this book, Dennis explores how these ideas were first presented in the Classics and then how they have been used and developed in Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, and European traditions. The idea is to grasp the principles used by all these great traditions and systematize them into an inclusive approach that honors and transcends these traditions and then frees the practitioner to relate more directly to the patient.
Part I of this book provides the translations of all material on the Five Phases from the Chinese Medical Classics (primarily the Suwen and Lingshu) in a systematic order beginning with the Direction as the fundamental starting point and continuing with a Yin-Yang division into Heaven, Earth, and Man that represents the cosmological, physiological, and psycho-emotional correspondence for each Phase. The translations are not presented in the random order in which they appear in the classics but in the strict Yin-Yang order described above. This order is more suitable for developing the material along the practical lines necessary for clinical practice. They also provide the basis for interpreting the Inner Phases (Phases within Phases) that is the foundation for healing on the Root Level. Commentaries are also provided for each of these sections so the translations can be thoroughly and more easily understood. This material is based upon the author’s initial work on the Five Phases, The Five Phases of Acupuncture in the Classical Texts, which presents this same material in a more comprehensive but less systematic way.
In addition, psycho-emotional material relating to the Emotions, Spirits, VIRTUE/EMPOWERMENTS, and the Officials of each Phase are presented in the same simple but complete and systematic fashion. Finally, all of the psycho-emotional material is organized according to the Yin and Yang imbalances of each Phase along with the overall challenges and solutions to lie each Phase presents. This material then becomes the foundation for Part II.
Part II takes the Yin, Yang, and Balance aspects of these translations and combines them so it is easy to see how these configurations might appear in both Excess and Deficient situations. In addition, the interplay of each configuration is further interpreted according to its interaction with the Official functions of the Solid and Hollow Organs of the primary Phase in question. To show how these interpretations fit classical understanding, the symbols of the pointnames for each configuration is also explained. These interpretations show that the different parts of acupuncture theory fit together easily whether or not the old masters were thinking in terms of the Inner Phases. Such a close fit demonstrates the applicability of Yin-Yang acupuncture principles in a way that transcends any particular tradition or whether it is classical or modern. In a final demonstration of how well these principles really do complement one another, the pointname symbols are compared and contrasted with modern TCM function to show how their commonality finds expression in different focuses that bring out the value of different types of diversity within the unified whole.
Part III analyzes each Inner Phase configuration in terms of the different kinds of One Needle, Two Needle, and Four Needle Techniques it can be used with in treatment. These techniques form the basis of Root Level Treatment. Psycho-emotional interpretations of each configuration are given followed by a detailed interpretation of various physiological treatments that use the particular Inner Phase point being discussed. These treatments come from rare and out of print Korean and pre-TCM sources and are remarkable for their sophistication and power. These interpretations go into considerable detail to explain the Five Phase connection, the energetics of all seventy-one meridians, the functions, and the relevant pointnames of each point used in the formula to reach an intelligent understanding of how these formulas are put together.
Furthermore, each formula is interpreted according to four hierarchies of point action: The Emperor Point, which targets the Root Level of treatment; the Minister Point, which reinforces the actions of the Emperor Point as well as takes all co-existing patterns or disease into consideration; the Assistant Point, which treats minor aspects of the disorder or enhances areas not fully covered by the Emperor or Minister; and the Messenger Point, which takes the formula into the area of the Body/Mind/Spirit that is most needed. These four hierarchies of points form the basis upon which Root and Branch treatment can be successfully built. This section is a tour de force of acupuncture energetics and elevates the current standard for building point formulas to a world class level.
Part IV goes over the different types of Four Needle Techniques for the Tonification, Dispersion, Heating, and Cooling of each Phase. Both psycho-emotional and physiological interpretations of how each of these treatments work are given. The physiological interpretation Korean Disease Categories and TCM Organ Patterns for both the Yin and Yang Organs associated with each Phase.
450 pages to date.
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