Pacific Rim College Radio

Sandra Robertson, like another recent guest of the show (Deirdre Courtney, episode 49), was told by her mentor Lillian Bridges (episode 31) that she had the facial characteristics of a writer and thus should write. And so she did, submitting her first book proposal for her first book to Singing Dragon Press. They liked what they saw and today, Treating Children with Chinese Dietary Therapy is the product of Sandra’s determination to follow her ming, her destiny.

As Sandra and I take a stroll down memory lane (we were once classmates), we also discuss the tenets of nutrition. We raise issues such as the alarming normalization and rampant increase of food sensitivities and allergies, the nutritional intuition of children and why it should be trusted, and far too commonly encountered metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Sandra advocates eating locally and seasonally, and organically when possible, and demonstrates how doing otherwise can lead to nutritional imbalances. She is replete with practical advice on how to make good health more accessible through simple food choices according to principles of Chinese medicine, the bedrock of her new book, and we talk about how that book came to fruition. We also discuss her mentorship in face reading with Lillian Bridges and how that has impacted her practice and life. Stay tuned to the end of this episode for a special discount offer on our newest online course in Applied Facial Diagnosis with Lillian’s colleague and guest of this podcast, CT Holman (episode 25).

With Sandra's background as a TCM practitioner with certification in face reading, and her love for children and food, her nutritional recipe for a more vibrant life is something we can all benefit from.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sandra Robertson.

Episode Links:

NourishLifeMedicine.com 

Instagram: @nourish_life_medicine

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Applied Facial Diagnosis with CT Holman

Student Clinic at PRC

Johan Hausen has lived a life that, if I had access to multiple lifetimes, would be one of the iterations I would want to play out. Replete with martial arts, Shaolin temple life, inner alchemy, classical Chinese culture and language, book translating and publishing, and travel, his life path weaves threads of modernity with ancient history.

A crucial point in the journey for Johan came at the age of 13 with the emergence of his interest in martial arts, specifically Tae Kwon Do. After competing intensely for 8 years, during the course of which he reached a plateau, he decided to elevate his interest by exploring the “cradle of martial arts”, Shaolin Kungfu. From his home country of Germany and with no grasp of Chinese language, Johan travelled to the Shaolin Temple and eventually to the Wudang Mountains where he adopted temple life and immersed himself in culture, philosophy, and techniques including Tai Ji, Dao Yin, alchemy, swordsmanship, Feng Shui, study of the Yi Jing, and Daoist healing.

Now an acupuncturist in New Zealand, Johan annually returns to his Wudong Mountain hermitage, and he translates classical Chinese texts and publishes them under his own publishing house, Purple Cloud Press. Through the Purple Cloud Institute, he hopes to create a longevity centre in Australia that makes widely accessible time-honoured healing practices.

Johan’s journey thus far has been incredible, and so much more is yet to come.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Johan Hausen.

Episode Links:

Purple Cloud Press

Five Immortals Temple

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

My guest in this episode truly needs no introduction. Rosemary Gladstar’s impact in the world of herbal medicine cannot be overstated, and it would be potentially easier to create a list of who she has not inspired and what she has not catalyzed than to do the opposite. For the last half century, plant medicine has been the centre of her life, and she has been at or near the epicentre of the zeitgeist of the modern herbal movement.

This interview was a pure joy for me to partake in as Rosemary’s passion, compassion, and general zeal for life soar to emboldened heights. Now, as she settles into a new chapter of her life, she is drawing inward to find peace and healing and has empowered others to carry on her extraordinary herbal legacy.

We talk about her full-time herbal practice for a patient of one – her elderly mother – and the relationships Rosemary has forged with her ancestors and elders. She takes us to the genesis of so many remarkable events and projects that still thrive today, many decades later, and have likely influenced you or plant lovers you know. And we talk about her many herbal books and the creative writing project that may still be to come.

A gypsy by nature, Rosemary has travelled the globe in search of herbal connections and has taken hundreds of people with her to experience firsthand the wisdom of elders and nature. Many of these trips were in the belly of Gitano Brujo, the gipsy healer, a converted yellow school bus that for decades sallied from Western Canada to Mexico and all parts in between.

While listening to this episode, you will certainly laugh, likely reflect on your path, and possibly even shed a tear or two. And we will probably all feel deep gratitude to this remarkable woman and what she has done for us and the plants we love.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with the incomparable Rosemary Gladstar.

Episode Links:

The Science & Art of Herbalism

United Plant Savers

Learning Links:

School of Western Herbal Medicine at PRC

Online Herbal Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

My guest in this episode is a Chinese Medicine therapist and leading Israeli specialist who uses acupuncture for neurological rehabilitation. David Bomzon studied under Dr. Toshikatsu Yamamoto, the discoverer of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture. David is the founder of the Pnima Center, which is the largest community clinic in Israel for integrative Chinese Medicine, combining classical Chinese Medicine and Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture with Western Medicine.

In this episode, we look at the three lineages of scalp acupuncture and the history of the Yamamoto lineage that he teaches and practices. We discuss the physiological mechanism of scalp acupuncture and how David uses it to treat an array of neurological conditions, often in conjunction with body acupuncture and exercise.

David is the author of Clinical Handbook of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, and we explore the writing of this book and the unique gift he had of working alongside his father to bring the book, published by Singing Dragon, to fruition. It was a challenging and immensely rewarding experience that brings to practitioners new depth of understanding of the clinical application of scalp acupuncture.

As an authority on Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, David lectures around the world and has presented at Pacific Rim College and hopefully will do so again soon. This interview can be enjoyed as an introduction to scalp acupuncture and a deeper dive for those already experienced.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with David Bomzon.

Episode Links:

Pnima Center

Clinical Handbook of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture by David Bomzon

David Bomzon at YouTube

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

Dr. Kevin Hu has been a faculty member at Pacific Rim College since 2007. After earning his PhD in medicine from a highly respected TCM university in China, Kevin moved to Canada to continue pursuing his passion of Chinese Medicine.

He draws deep inspiration from the classics of Chinese Medicine, especially from the Shang Han Lun, Jing Gui Yao Lue, and the Huang Di Nei Jing, the latter which he likens to the literary works of Shakespeare. We discuss how these texts have influenced not only him but also the modern practice of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

We also discuss the origins of Chinese Medicine, from ancient stone needles to a robust pharmacopoeia of herbs, and the culture of Chinese Medicine in China. Lastly, we explore Dr. Hu’s passion to better understand cardiovascular disease and what the ancient practices have to offer in the treatment of people suffering from it.

The thousands of students and patients of Dr. Hu will likely enjoy this intimate discussion of this humble man’s passion and career.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Kevin Hu.

Episode Links:

BayVan Clinic

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

My guest in this episode taught himself how to read Classical Chinese via textbooks and online tools and forums so he could read ancient philosophical texts in their original language. Daniel G. Reid’s translations include The Heshang Gong Commentary on Lao Zi’s Dao De Jing and The Thread of Dao: Unraveling Early Daoist Oral Traditions.

In this episode we look at his methodology and motivations for translating texts and the life wisdom he is extracting from them. This includes early Daoist (Taoists) roots, the concept of the true or authentic person, and the power of virtue. We also take a peek at Dan’s meditation practice and the symmetry that he has found between music and Daoism.

Dan is a Registered Massage Therapist and a practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and other Chinese modalities. His training in massage therapy and Chinese Medicine comes from the Jin Shou (Golden Hand) lineage of Tui Na. He also studies and practices Qigong, internal martial arts, and is a multi-instrumentalist and poet.

If you are interested in early Daoist traditions, follow along in this conversation as Dan helps us pick up the thread of Dao.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Daniel G. Reid.

Episode Links:

https://www.facebook.com/HoShangKung/

The Thread of Dao by Daniel G. Reid

The Heshang Gong Commentary by Daniel G. Reid

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

The world of Sabine Wilms is filled with benevolent sages, ancient scripts, magical herbs, and goats, and it is my absolute pleasure to bring you into this world during this episode. Like the sages that she translates, Sabine is a rare being that radiates light, love, and generosity. Try not to be enchanted by her enthusiasm for life and her mission and you will likely fall short.

For the Chinese Medicine enthusiast, for the first 24 or so minutes of this conversation, we geek out on some esoteric Classic texts that Sabine has translated, including a little-known medieval text. For those without a Chinese Medicine background, you might want to gloss over this intro section, but the remainder of the episode is a must listen for anyone.

Sabine and I plunge deep into Taoist practices and philosophies around concepts such as virtue and family reverence. We also look at a branch of Chinese healing that does not involve needles or herbs or nutrition but instead only verbal, heart-centred communication. This part of Chinese Medicine is largely inspired by the teachings and work of Wang Fengyi, and a few years ago, an immersive retreat into the teachings of Wang Fengyi forever changed Sabine’s life. We also pick up some threads of conversation that I had with Heiner Fruehauf on the value of blaming no one and instead always taking personal accountability.

Before wrapping up we circle back around to Sabine’s translations and the publishing company that she founded, Happy Goat Productions. Through these publications she has helped preserve and give new life to many texts and teachings that perhaps would have never made it to the English-speaking reader.

This conversation with Sabine Wilms was so much fun to record, and I have no doubt that you will find ample appreciation for her work and her way of being.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sabine Wilms.

Episode Links:

Imperial Tutor

Books by Sabine Wilms at Happy Goat Productions

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

It is the rare individual whose spirit shines with luminous brilliance. My guest is one of these unique, connected beings and her energy lights up this podcast. Deirdre Courtney’s relationship to spirit is integral to her existence and the healing process that she crafts for her patients.

Deirdre’s journey as a practitioner began with a passion for food and cooking. She soon learned that she could help people recover from many conditions, including addictions, through nutrition alone, and that led her to study traditional Chinese food therapy. Eventually she earned a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and today has a thriving practice in south Dublin specializing in face reading and cosmetic acupuncture.

Deirdre has always sensed subtle energies that others seem oblivious to, and through cultivation of her awareness, she is able to read the health of spirit within her patients using their eyes as portals. This enables her to impact them well beyond the physical into the psychospiritual realms.

Spirit is not all we talk about in this episode. We discuss her cosmetic acupuncture strategies, including addressing emotional trauma that is carved into the face like a map. She takes us through the process of writing her book, Nourishing Life the Yang Sheng Way. And we look at the culture of Chinese medicine and the conflict of “sacred” in Ireland.

Deirdre has been working with renowned face reader Lillian Bridges (episode 31) for more than 20 years and is the Educational Director of the Lotus Institute in Seattle.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Deirdre Courtney.

Episode Links:

Deirdrecourtney.com

Nourishing Life the Yang Sheng Way by Deirdre Courtney

Lotus Institute

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

Stuart Alve Olson found an interest in Chinese philosophy as a teenager. In his late 20s, he began his formal training in ancient Eastern practices that continues today, more than 40 years later. His deep education in Taoism and Buddhism have helped give him fodder to author nearly 40 books and to teach students around the world.

As you will soon hear, Stuart is a gifted storyteller, and this episode is full of ancient parables, teachings from his mentor, lessons from people he has encountered, and humorous anecdotes. We begin with an account of his multi-year bowing pilgrimage that crossed many US states, was replete with personal insights, and provided sagely advice from the most unexpected people and places.

We explore the concept of inner alchemy through the lens of Taoist and Buddhist parables, discuss Stuart’s books, and delve into his lessons from life. We also chat about his relationship and mentorship with Master T.T. Liang, with whom he studied with for much of his adult life until his master’s death. This discussion includes a look at the concepts of longevity and immortality from an ancient Chinese lens.

Stuart is the founder and director of the Sanctuary of Tao, where he offers his virtual mentor program on inner alchemy. He is also co-founder of Valley Spirit Arts, a publishing company where you can find Stuart’s books, including the gem Actions and Retributions.

To me Stuart brings to mind an image of a happy sage or monk. His sense of humour, candor, and wisdom all helped to make a very enjoyable and special conversation from which I hope you benefit as much as I have. Humbleness is something he experienced on his bowing pilgrimage, and all these years later, he continues to exhibit it in his actions and way of being.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Stuart Alve Olson.

Episode Links:

Sanctuary of Tao

Valley Spirit Arts : Books by Stuart Alve Olson

Learning Links:

School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at PRC

Online Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC

If you are not yet familiar with the work of Guido Masé, hopefully this interview will serve as a worthy introduction to this man’s genius and contribution to the world of herbalism. For two hours non-stop, Guido eloquently delivers plant lore and science, useful insights into myriad systems and processes, and priceless life wisdom.

The world of herbal medicine was inculcated in Guido by plant and mushroom foraging treks with his father and family during his formative years in the Italian Alps. Eventually settling in Vermont, he was inspired by renowned herbalists such as Rosemary Gladstar and 7Song. Today Guido is the chief herbalist at Urban Moonshine, which specializes in liquid herbal extracts with a focus on digestive bitters, herbal tonics, and everyday health remedies. Through the Urban Moonshine Herb School, he provides online herbal education. Guido is also author of The Wild Medicine Solution, an incredible book filled with folklore, science, recipes, and practical uses of bitter, aromatic, and tonic herbs.

Just like the swift runner that Guido is, he covers so much ground in this episode, including his observations with running and homeodynamics; folklore, mythology, and fairy tales related to herbal medicine; integrative health in Africa and Maasai medicine; cultural influences; writing; bitters, tonics, and aromatics; and consciousness.

Guido is a deeply engaging speaker with a profound passion for plants and biology in general, and he effortlessly weaves tales of science and myth into a profoundly nourishing and educational conversation. It was my absolute honour to sit in his presence for this worthy discussion, and it brings me great pleasure to be able to offer it to you.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Guido Masé.

Episode Links:

Guido’s Blog

The Wild Medicine Solution by Guido Masé

Traditional Medicinals

Twitter

Learning Links:

School of Western Herbal Medicine at PRC

Online Herbal Medicine courses at PRCOnline

Student Clinic at PRC