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

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

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Prescription drugs are the most common way that people treat, prevent, and manage disease. But are they bad for you? What about all those "natural" vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutraceuticals? Are they bad for you too? Join Dr. James Mohebali as we take a look at some of the issues that surround the prescribing and consumption of pharmaceuticals, and the issues that Big Pharma (and Whole Foods!) doesn't want you to know about.

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"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.

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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.

🔔 Subscribe for more 🔔
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJzqmnRkGkUJF8HQYZ8gifw?sub_confirmation=1

"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.

Like what you're hearing? 💪Support our channel! 💪
Can't find a clean shirt? BUY A NEW ONE — 👕Classic of Difficulties Merch 👕

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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.

🔔 Subscribe for more 🔔
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJzqmnRkGkUJF8HQYZ8gifw?sub_confirmation=1

"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.

Like what you're hearing? 💪Support our channel! 💪
Can't find a clean shirt? BUY A NEW ONE — 👕Classic of Difficulties Merch 👕

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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.

🔔 Subscribe for more 🔔
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJzqmnRkGkUJF8HQYZ8gifw?sub_confirmation=1

"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.

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
"Heart Shock" by Ross Rosen

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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.

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Shoes & Shoecare
Moose Hide Double Sole Moccasins from Moccasins Canada
Moccasins Canada US website
Mink oil for leather care
Saddle soap for leather care
Earthrunners Earthing sandals

Books
"Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!" by Clint Ober
"The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life" by Arthur Firstenburg

Other
Chinese herbal foot patch for detox and insomnia

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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.

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
"Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!" by Clint Ober
"The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life" by Arthur Firstenburg

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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In this live talk given at the First Things Foundation 2021 Summit, Dr. James Mohebali talks to an audience of First Things Fieldworkers, who spend two years overseas, fully immersed in the culture and lives of the people they're trying to help. He leads us through the deeper meaning behind the acupuncture channels, and how the channels can help us understand the difficulties of being in unfamiliar circumstances, and process of personal transformation. The Chinese body clock guides our journey, and, ultimately, we find out that crisis and trauma might be a good thing.

COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
First Things Foundation — www.first-things.org
Views expressed in this video are the views of Dr. James Mohebali and "Classic of Difficulties." They do not purport to express the views or perspectives of First Things Foundation, or any of its members

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Music Credit:
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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.

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Dr. James's second interview on WAWTAR — https://youtu.be/h4l6LW-P-gw

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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.

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

ZUO YUE ZI/SITTING THE MONTH BOOKS
"The Postpartum Recovery Plan: How to Adapt the Ancient Practice of Zuo Yue Zi to Your Patients" by Dr. Lia Andrews — This is an excellent book, with lots of very tasty recipes. The book is very detailed, and geared at practitioners—but the recipes are accessible for anyone. My #1 book for organ meat recipes (mostly liver and kidney).
"Zuo Yue Zi: An American Mother's Guide to Chinese Postpartum Recovery" by Guang Ming Whitley — A very nice little book written from one mother to another. It gives a great overall sense of the practice of Zuo Yue Zi, and has great images detailing helpful, gentle postpartum exercises.
"Sitting Moon: A Guide to Natural Rejuvenation after Pregnancy" by Dr. Daoshing Ni and Jessica Chen — A great book that is written by very knowledgable two practitioners of Chinese medicine, but geared towards patients and laypeople with no knowledge of Chinese medical theory. The most comprehensive introduction available for laypeople. Good recipes too!
"The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother" by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Melisa Belger — A very stylish and modern approach to traditional postpartum recovery. It has great information about different traditional cultures and their practices. A beautiful book with lots of useful information. Aimed at and written for the modern woman.

ULTRA NOURISHING SOUP RECIPES
Silkie Chicken Soup Recipe
An Herbal Pill Version of Silkie Chicken, to fit into your hectic life
Pork Foot and Peanut Soup Recipe
Herbs for a Postpartum Recovery Soup

"Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings" — The source of the story of Zahhak, the snake-shouldered king. This 10th century epic poem details the history, genealogy, and mythology of the Persian people.

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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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?

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COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Joe Hollis' YouTube Channel (Mountain Gardens) — https://www.youtube.com/user/mountaingardens
Joe Hollis' Website (Mountain Gardens) — https://www.mountaingardensherbs.com/

Thor Sigstedt's Ranch Website — https://www.adventuretrailsranch.com/

Davie504's YouTube channel
Some of my favorites from Davie504's bass solos — https://youtu.be/wuO6GM5XDjc?t=285
https://youtu.be/09hWCkA2mNg

Fuchsia Dunlop's "Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking"
Fuchsia Dunlop's "The Food of Sichuan"
Fuchsia Dunlop's "Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook: Recipes from Hunan Province"
Fuchsia Dunlop's "Land of Fish and Rice: Recipes from the Culinary Heart of China"

Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's "Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking"

Najmieh Batmanglij's "Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies"
Najmieh Batmanglij's "Cooking in Iran: Regional Recipes & Kitchen Secrets"
Najmieh Batmanglij's "Joon: Persian Cooking Made Simple"

Li Dong Yuan's "Treatise on the Spleen & Stomach" (Source text for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)

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Music Credit:
"Let Yourself Be Huge" - Cloudkicker (under Creative Commons License)

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