An Excellent Introduction to the 5 Elements

books:


	• Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine Harriet Beinfield, Efrem Korngold Ballantine Books, 1992 - 448 pages average customer review:based on 23 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

An Excellent Introduction to the 5 Elements

As a student of Asian energy healing, I found this book to be the best single source of information about the Chinese 5 Elements and their value in understanding physical and emotional health.

The book treats the subject of Chinese medicine in enough detail and depth for the practitioner, yet is written in clear, non-technical language accessible to the general reader. Much of the writing is excellent and I found the treatment of the five personality types -- Earth, Fire, Metal, Wood and Water -- especially helpful.

The book includes detailed questionnaires that allow the reader to discover his or her own type, and to use that information to help manage stress and maintain better physical and emotional health.

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A good basic Introduction to TCM

For anyone looking for a basic, easy to understand introduction to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I can highly recommend this book. It focuses mainly of the five element theory of TCM, and it manages to explain a very complex concept in clear terms. It has nice self-test chapters to help the reader figure out their own predominant elements, and also offers good advice on simple herbal supplements and dietary advise based on the patterns.

However, it is very basic. If you are looking for more in-depth information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, or if you already have a basic understanding of the five elements, The Web that Has No Weaver is probably a better book to read, since it explains not only the five elements, but also the organ networks and their associated functions and spirits in much more depth.

I usually recommend Between Heaven and Earth to people who want to gain a basic understanding and introduction into the Chinese Taoist Philosophy that is the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I think it is a great introductory text, and will make subsequent, more complexly written books much easier to understand.

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pretty good book

Good beginning and ending. Kind of lost me in the middle. A bit touchy, feelie.

Written Review

I have known the author, Efrem Korngold, from the 60's. Efrem has always been involved in 'cutting edge' research and pragmatic applications regarding a wide spectrum of interests. Efrem's interest and commitment to health care comes out in his book, "Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine." As a result of reading his book, he and his wife have put the subject into terms that anyone can understand. Most important contribution however, is that the book gives the reader a "new" perspective on health care. By explaining the difference in models between Western medicine and Eastern medicine, Efrem and his wife are giving the reader invaluable information that they can now use in determining how they want to approach their own health care in the 21st century. Kudos to Efrem and his wife, Harriet Beinfield for a clear exposition of a topic that some might interpret as esoteric i.e. an alternative to western medicine.
Bart Ellis

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A Terrific Overview of Chinese Medicine

As a former massage therapist with a keen interest in holistic health and wellness, I found "Between Heaven and Earth" to be a fantastic overview of Chinese medicine theory. I don't believe the authors expected any of the readers to come away ready to practice acupuncture, but their treatment of the subject was both relatively easy to follow and quite thorough for such a broad subject. It was plenty to swallow for anyone who is seeking to know more about this area of healing that is rapidly making its way in to the mainstream of accepted channels of health and healing.

I particularly enjoyed the description of the 5 elements and discovering my own dominant element. It sure fit like a glove. It reminds me of the kind of analysis used by ayruvedic practitioners pertaining to dominant dosha types, yet it is a completely different paradigm.

The latter part of the book has descriptions of the organ meridian channels, complete with diagrams and acupuncture points for self-care. There is a section devoted to Chinese herbs, with descriptions of their uses and some recipes. The recipes, however, looked to me to be only for those avid devotees who have the time and patience to implement them.

This is an interesting book. I don't suggest the average reader will be able to "do it themselves" after reading it, but it makes the big picture clearer to anyone already working with a practitioner of Chinese medicine. Most people should be able to find a few points that are immediately usable, and walk away with a better understanding overall.

Moonstone Star White is the author of the spiritual growth title High Way from Hell: Using Emotion to Fan the Fire of Enlightment.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Two of the foremost American educators and healers in the Chinese medical profession demystify Chinese medicine's centuries-odl approach to health. Combining Eastern traditions with Western sensibilities in a unique blend that is relevant today, BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH opens the door to a vast storehouse of knowledge that bridges the gap between mind and body, theory and practice, professional and self-care, East and West.

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