Elvin Meadows has been a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine since he first read a book “Acupuncture without Needles” when he was sixteen and realized he could sense the acupuncture points. Since then he has broadened his studies to include Jin Shin Jyutsu, Sufi healing practices, and schooling in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Cheyenne: Can you tell us a little bit about Traditional Chinese Medicine? What is its focal reference?
Elvin: First, let’s understand that in Traditional Chinese Medicine “TCM” we refer to points and meridians. Meridians are the energy pathways through the body, points are specific areas along the meridians that are strong energy stimulates, and major points, what we refer to as the Big Ten Acupuncture Points, are even stronger in terms of stimulating energy flow.
Cheyenne: Many of our readers have been trained in healing energy modalities that reference the chakras. What some Western practitioners call the computer centers of the body. Does Traditional Chinese Medicine deal with chakras?
Elvin: TCM does not include chakras, although there will be some similarities such as the crown of the head. Interestingly there has been a scientific study that did discover a meridian, about one cell thick, that was analog to fiber optic cable.
Cheyenne: You have been studying various spiritual and healing modalities for many years. Please tell us about some of the different systems you’ve learned.
Elvin: It is important to stress that although there are many different spiritual and healing systems, all are effective. Some may conflict intellectually, but only because they are working on different planes.
Cheyenne: That is similar to astrology which has many different approaches to interpreting the same basic information. For instance most people learn that Aries is the starting point of the zodiac, but some systems use Leo as the starting point. I’ve learned both and think of the different systems as residing on a spiral of perspective levels.
Elvin: Exactly. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a number of subsystems that can stand alone as a healing modality. The main thing to avoid is mixing systems, taking a little from this one and then combining with another. It dilutes the integrity and overall effectiveness.
Cheyenne: How do you incorporate your knowledge of astrology and TCM to affect healing?
Elvin: Well, my Sun is at 26 degrees Libra, and Libra corresponds to the Urinary/Bladder channel which has 67 points. The signs of the zodiac are always 30 degrees, however the channels contain different amounts of points. To find out how to strengthen my source Sun, I do a mathematical calculation that includes 26 degrees out of thirty, and x out of 67 in this case. That gives me an answer of UB58 as the point to press to strengthen my source Sun.
Cheyenne: What if someone had a Leo Sun, what would be the point to strengthen?
Elvin: Leo corresponds to the pericardium, so that will be the focus to strengthen the source Sun.
Cheyenne: What do you recommend for those who are not mathematically inclined, and who have not spent years studying Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Elvin: Jin Shin Jyutsu employs a very simple method of holding your fingers to bring you into balance. This is a self-healing system that can be done anywhere, in the classroom, watching TV, wherever.
Cheyenne: Jin Shin Jyutsu is the art of harmonizing the life energy in the body. Much like Reiki, which has thousands of practitioners and thus is a good comparison for many of our readers, Jin Shin Jyutsu uses only minimal pressure with the hands and fingertips redirecting or unblocking flows of energy along pathways.
Cheyenne: We have barely opened the door to the richness of the healing capabilities of Traditional Chinese Medicine. You have been exploring many of those paths for several years in school and in workshops and with mentors, Elvin. Which path do you think has the most to offer you at the moment?
Elvin: The Sufis have a healing tradition that is all encompassing because it also emphasizes the spiritual. Back in the 50’s or 60’s Mao brought together 12 acupuncturists and herbalists in China to develop a non-spiritual standardised practicum to teach Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is very effective with little damage except perhaps too much energy flowing through the system, but I prefer the holistic approach of including the spiritual.
Cheyenne: Many thanks Elvin for an introductory look at a variety of healing techniques. I’m looking forward to our future conversations as you continue your studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other healing modalities.
To our readers: more of this conversation with Elvin Meadows is published in the on-line magazine 2bAware.
Thanks also to the Association for Meridian and Energy Therapies for the use of the hand chart.
Conversations With Healers 