Classic of Difficulties: Difficult Questions in Medicine, Acupuncture, and Beyond

See Part 1 Here: https://youtu.be/WbDDJ8b7PmESee Part 2 Here: https://youtu.be/TY9TL5BVbeI

See Part 1 Here: https://youtu.be/WbDDJ8b7PmESee Part 3 Here Next Week: https://youtu.be/W5EOiw2LA6o

See the Second Part Here Next Week: https://youtu.be/TY9TL5BVbeI

Watch Part 1 Here: https://youtu.be/VcSkm3LDVw4COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:Erwin Schrödinger's "What is Life?" — https://amzn.to/3vyRi1yJ. Mark & Elizabeth J. Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition" — https://amzn.to/3MJtuOAAs the Boomer population of America ages, questions about death & dying have come to the forefront of our cultural experience. From books like Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal" to L.S. Dugdale's "The Lost Art of Dying" to Mark & Elizabeth Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition," people are trying to reclaim the sacred and die peacefully and beautifully, often in the safety of their own homes. Join Dr. James Mohebali, a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and an Orthodox Christian, as he speaks at the newly formed Holy Cross Orthodox Church Burial Society, the former parish of Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green and Frederica Mathewes-Green, in Baltimore, MD. He guides them through asking the deeper questions about death, dying, and end-of-life medical care, using the paradigm of Chinese Medicine, yin yang, the five elements, so that they can make their medical decisions with autonomy, and with rooting in their deep faith. On the way, Dr. James talks about the foundations of biomedicine in Charles Darwin, the survival of the fittest, evolution, and an alternative possibility in Erwin Schrodinger, the famous quantum physicist responsible for Schrodinger's cat, Other speakers include Fr. John Behr, former dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and John Heers, founder of First Things Foundation and host of "Why are We Talking About Rabbits?" podcast.

Watch Part 2 Here Next Week: https://youtu.be/dxz1fesg5MACOOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:Schrödinger's "What is Life?" — https://amzn.to/3vyRi1yJ. Mark & Elizabeth J. Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition" — https://amzn.to/3MJtuOAAs the Boomer population of America ages, questions about death and dying have come to the forefront of our cultural experience. From books like Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal" to L.S. Dugdale's "The Lost Art of Dying" to Mark & Elizabeth Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition," people are trying to reclaim the sacred and die peacefully and beautifully, often in the safety of their own homes. Join Dr. James Mohebali, a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and an Orthodox Christian, as he speaks at the newly formed Holy Cross Orthodox Church Burial Society, the former parish of Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green and Frederica Mathewes-Green, in Baltimore, MD. He guides them through asking the deeper questions about death, dying, and end-of-life medical care, using the paradigm of Chinese Medicine, yin yang, the five elements, so that they can make their medical decisions with autonomy, and with rooting in their deep faith. Other speakers include Fr. John Behr, former dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and John Heers, founder of First Things Foundation and host of "Why are We Talking About Rabbits?" podcast.

DR. JAMES' TOP 3 LIVER RECIPES:Liver Stir Fry with Chinese Chives — https://bit.ly/3KYCNsUChopped Liver (Dr. James' Wife's Favorite!) — https://bit.ly/36CYno4Liver Ragu — https://bit.ly/3u8L0Us

John Heers does international aid. John throws great parties. Both can help you heal from your trauma, depression, and isolation.

John Heers does international aid. John throws great parties. Both can help you heal from your trauma, depression, and isolation.

The drugs don't work...and people are searching for a solution. But are the vitamins and supplements just as bad as the drugs?

Get sick... Go to your doctor... Get some pills... You know the drill. But is there a better way?

Still have questions about sex? From guilt & shame, to childbirth, to horny ghosts, you'll find your answers here.Sex is one of the biggest topics in the modern age, and one of the most divisive. Join Dr. James Mohebali to take a Chinese medical perspective on sex, and see how a deep understanding of our bodies can reveal deep spiritual truths about the nature of people, and the nature of sex.

Sex: People like having it. But what if it's actually bad for you?Sex is one of the biggest topics in the modern age, and one of the most divisive. Join Dr. James Mohebali to take a Chinese medical perspective on sex, and see how a deep understanding of our bodies can reveal deep spiritual truths about the nature of people, and the nature of sex.

Circulation is more complicated than you thought! Between the Heart and the Pericardium, Chinese medicine has a lot to say about blood.Running an empire can be a complex task! In Chinese medicine, the functions of the heart are divided between two separate organs, the Heart and the Pericardium. But, as with all of the organs in Chinese medicine, the functioning of the body is a springboard for a deeper discussion into mental health, spirituality, and more. Join Dr. James Mohebali as we look at trauma, PTSD, Game of Thrones, Varys, the emperor & the eunuch, and of course sex, drugs, and rock & roll, in order to understand the deeper meaning of the Heart organ, so that we understand what it really means when we have a broken heart. Touching on blood stasis, stillbirth, complex and chronic illnesses, birth trauma, the contributions of John Shen and Leon Hammer, Freudian views of children, and the difference between agape love and eros love, this episode tries to get to the heart of the issue.

Take a practical and surprisingly philosophical look at how to go Earthing, and what's behind our decisions about footwear.Earthing/Grounding is a new, effective method devised by Clint Ober, written about in "Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!" Influenced by Arthur Firstenburg and "The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life," Clint found a simple solution, both inexpensive and freely available to everyone—get your feet in the dirt! But is being barefoot the best way to do it? Or is traditional footwear, like leather moccasins, a better option? What about the new, specially devised earthing sandals, like EarthRunners? Join Dr. James Mohebali as we take a look at the options, based on his own experience with the different methods, and based on a philosophical and historical perspective. On the way, we examine barefoot walking and barefoot running, zero-rise footwear, how structural health might affect chronic disease like Alzheimer's, Ancient Greeks, the New Testament, slavery, Qigong, man's relationship to nature, the perils of concrete and modern materials, the benefit of natural materials like leather, and the esoteric Chinese medical anatomy of the foot.Like what you're hearing?

Earthing is a new, effective method of maintaining and improving health...But how does it work? And what if the theory is wrong?Earthing/Grounding is a new, effective method devised by Clint Ober, written about in "Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!" Influenced by Arthur Firstenburg and "The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life," Clint found a simple solution, both inexpensive and freely available to everyone—get your feet in the dirt! The results are great—but does the theory check out? And if electron transfer isn't an adequate explanation, then what does that mean for us? Join Dr. James Mohebali as we take a philosophical and historical look at the theories behind Earthing, in order to understand how our own biases can influence our decision as to what makes a good theory. Along the way, we take a look at Faraday, Maxwell, Thomson, the electron; World War II, Dr. Yoshio Manaka, Ion Pumping Cords, Japanese acupuncture; empiricism, new methods of treatment, like black tourmaline, Q-link, and shungite; and how our current theories might not be enough to understand the world around us.Like what you're hearing?

Like what you're hearing?

Electromagnetic fields—THEY'RE EVERYWHERE! What do they mean for your health? How can we use Chinese Medicine to understand them?Electromagnetic fields are a major health concern in the 20th and 21st century. Never before experienced by mankind, the dense electromagnetic haze has become the defining feature of the modern age. How can we use an ancient medicine to understand this modern problem? What can you do about EMF sensitivity? What are some acupuncture treatments that can help? Join Dr. James Mohebali as we try to find answers to these important questions. On the way, we look at Euclid's geometry, deductive vs. inductive reasoning, modern integrative medicine, yin and yang, the six stages, acupuncture channel theory, stress, the brain, New York City vs. the Deep South, the Budwig diet, and more.Like what you're hearing?

Vegan? Carnivore? Who's right and who's wrong? Is meat evil? Or is it necessary for your health?Join Dr. James Mohebali as we take a deep dive into the positives and the negatives of a plant-based diet, and the possible spiritual consequences from meat consumption.Like what you're hearing?

We all want to be the best at what we do. But how do we get there? We look at some of the best to learn their secrets.Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts—like shaolin kung fu, ba gua zhang, xing yi chuan—are all known for their sages and their masters. Many of us dream of being able to study with someone who is truly a master. Unfortunately, traditional apprenticeship has been on the decline during the 20th and 21st centuries. What can we learn by looking at great masters in music, medicine, cuisine, and more? How can we understand more about ourselves, our trades, and our arts by looking at them?Like what you're hearing?

There's more to food than just calories and macros. Figure out how to pick the best diet for you, and how to get ahead of the next big thing.There are a lot of factors that go into understanding the perfect diet! From social to geographical, economic to cultural, join Dr. James Mohebali as he explores some of these considerations, and helps you understand how to sift through all the contradictory information that's out there about diet. On the way, we take a look at why Italians love tomatoes, how to deal with damp, muggy climates, and whether or not Mexicans are immune to hot chili peppers. Using Feng Shui, terroir, and cultural archeology, we look at some popular diets, like the ketogenic diet, and try to understand what role they can play in healing our chronic diseases and proactively maintaining our health.Like what you're hearing?

Epistemology is more than a four letter word! How does the WAY we seek truth influence how we see our bodies, and our health?In an age where science is constantly overturning what we thought we knew about the body, and new theories come out every day trying to explain new phenomena, one theory remains unchallenged. Since 1628, when Harvey published his seminal text on the circulation of blood, we have believed more or less the same thing about the heart. But what if the heart isn't a pump at all? And what if it's time that we update Harvey's ideas? In this installment, Dr. James Mohebali goes to the "heart" of the issue, and examines how our underlying beliefs about what it means to be human can color our understanding of the medicine we use. We take a stroll through epistemology, and see how the seemingly simple question of "how do we know what we know" can completely upend our relationship with our own bodies and with one another. Touching on quantum physics, imaginary plants, Chinese family altars, our relationship to scripture and our ancestors, reiki, biofield therapy, and more, we discover that there's a LOT more at stake in the "heart" question than just what a particular muscle is doing inside your chest.Like what you're hearing?

Three simple laws will change the way you think about food, whether you're keto, vegan, plant-based, carnivore, paleo, or anything in between.There's a lot of conflicting information out there about what you should be eating. Never before has there been so much knowledge so readily available to so many different people about food. And never before have we had such tremendous accessibility to a seemingly endless variety of foods. But, on the other hand, never before have we seen so much chronic disease, and so much agricultural and chemical manipulation of food. Changing your diet can change your health and your life; but how do we know which changes to make? Starting with the three basic laws that any diet needs to abide by in order to be healthy, Dr. James Mohebali takes us through some very practical, simple steps that you can start using TODAY to change your diet and change your life.Like what you're hearing?

It's been 400 years of thinking the heart is a pump — isn't it time for a change? Let's look at the evidence, the history, and the way forward.In an age where science is constantly overturning what we thought we knew about the body, and new theories come out every day trying to explain new phenomena, one theory remains unchallenged. Since 1628, when Harvey published his seminal text on the circulation of blood, we have believed more or less the same thing about the heart. But what if the heart isn't a pump at all? And what if it's time that we update Harvey's ideas? In order to move forward, Dr. James Mohebali tries to lead us through the evidence, and see what the shortcomings of our current understanding are. On the way, we critically examine the practice of empiricism & the idea of conspiracy theories, and discover the implications of and problems associated with holding on tight to our current beliefs. Between Galen, Harvey, Descartes, McDonalds hamburgers, and a father's responsibility to his family, the search for truth leads us to some difficult and deep questions, and hopefully a few answers.Like what you're hearing?

In the final episode of this three-part series, Dr. James takes you on a tour through the acupuncture channels. We talk about the primary channels, the extraordinary vessels, and some of the classical channels that have been glossed over in the annals of time. We ask - what is an acupuncture channel anyways? On the way, Plato's theory of recollection comes up, as well as Daoist meditation and shamanic dancing, and we ask ourselves about the special connection that babies have with their moms, and what that relationship could mean about God.Babies - they're cute. But why are they so bad at doing everything? Join Dr. James Mohebali, new dad and doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as we take a deeply philosophical and unexpectedly practical look at what's the deal with our favorite tiny humans. And, of course, try to ask some questions about their digestion. Like what you're hearing?

In episode two of this three-part series, we talk about the foundations of Chinese medicine. Doing a deep dive into yin and yang, and five element/five phase theory, we run into some deep questions about medical ideas and their relationship to society at large. Charles Darwin makes a reprise, and, spoiler alert, Nazi Germany shows up on the scene.Babies - they're cute. But why are they so bad at doing everything? Join Dr. James Mohebali, new dad and doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as we take a deeply philosophical and unexpectedly practical look at what's the deal with our favorite tiny humans. And, of course, try to ask some questions about their digestion.Like what you're hearing?

Babies - they're cute. But why are they so bad at doing everything? Join Dr. James Mohebali, new dad and doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as we take a deeply philosophical and unexpectedly practical look at what's the deal with our favorite tiny humans. And, of course, try to ask some questions about their digestion.In episode one of this three-part series, we talk Western medicine vs Chinese medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) vs. Classical Chinese medicine, and, of course, Charles Darwin, Human evolution, and baby giraffes.Like what you're hearing?

"Classic of Difficulties: Difficult Questions in Medicine, Acupuncture, and Beyond" is a new podcast and YouTube channel by Dr. James Mohebali, doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.We try to ask difficult questions from both a philosophical and a practical perspective about medicine, health, alternative medicine, and everything in between. We hope to deepen the conversation about medicine, taking it beyond the questions of "what's good" and "what's bad," instead trying to figure out what philosophies and assumptions underlie our approaches to medicine, so that we can begin to understand what's really at stake when we think about our health and wellness.New full episodes uploaded every other Monday morning. Clips and samples from current and upcoming videos uploaded twice a week on YouTube.Like what you're hearing?