The Light Within
Cultivating Clarity by Integrating the Ancient Art of Chinese Medical Psychology and Modern Science
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This course explores Shén Míng (神明), the brilliance of consciousness in Chinese medical psychology, and its relevance to modern mental health. Learn how the heart hosts Shén Míng, the five spirits (Shén 神, Hún 魂, Pò 魄, Yì 意, Zhì 志) shape emotional balance, and how ethical living and self-cultivation foster clarity. Discover the vital role of gut health, nutrition, and practices like Qigong and mindfulness in cultivating mental clarity and resilience. Drawing from Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist teachings, this course offers actionable insights for practitioners and individuals seeking holistic well-being, emotional stability, and a deeper connection to self and others.
Dive into the interplay between ancient wisdom and cutting-edge neuroscience as we uncover how sensory perceptions, emotions, and the brain’s default mode network shape mental clarity and emotional stability. Through the lens of Shén Míng, we will explore the transformative power of practices like journaling, meditation, and intentional habit-building to enhance neuroplasticity and create lasting positive change. This course bridges the gap between the spiritual and scientific, providing tools to navigate life’s complexities with a centered and illuminated mind.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a seasoned practitioner, or someone eager to deepen your understanding of the mind-body connection, The Light Within equips you with actionable strategies grounded in both ancient Chinese psychology and modern science. By integrating these perspectives, you’ll not only foster greater mental clarity and emotional balance but also help others achieve holistic well-being. Join us to unlock the secrets of cultivating brilliance within and become a guiding light for yourself and your community.
Your Instructor
David Lloyd, R.Ac, R.TCMP, is the author of several books on natural health & Taoism. David has been involved with Taoism and traditional martial arts for over 25 years; he has also maintained a busy Chinese medicine practice for over 15 years. He has been a member of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture since 2003. David also helped regulate Chinese medicine in his home province of Ontario, Canada.
David’s experiences with Taoism & Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) came about in a likely way in North America. He began learning of Chinese philosophy and health practices through martial arts training. Before the modernization of many Asian countries martial art teachers were like scholar-warriors, they often functioned as town doctors as well as martial artists. Historically, you are hard-pressed to find a famous T.C.M. Doctor who wasn't a martial artist or vice versa. David started training when he was 12 years old, and at the time he only wanted to learn how to defend himself. However, he quickly learned that a true martial way had little to do with fighting. It’s difficult to explain what his early training was like because as much as his teacher was like a Mr. Miyagi of sorts, he was also a true slave driver. A lot of sweat and physical effort went into the way David understands T.C.M. Before he knew what he was into David was holding very difficult stances, doing unique push-ups, and finding inner calm with breathing techniques.
With no schools for T.C.M. and an incredibly low level of media exposure, David had dreams of one-day helping people as a T.C.M. Doctor. He had met masters of the martial arts that were also Doctors, they appeared to go hand in hand. So, David plunged into the Toronto Chinatown in order to learn to speak Chinese languages, deal with herb shop owners and other martial artists. Since then his passion for medicine has taken him across the country interning with some of the best T.C.M. Doctors in Canada & China. In late 2006 David was invited to be a peer-reviewer for Oxford University Press at their journal eCAM. Oxford eCAM is a medical journal for evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (eCAM). His invitation was to review material associated with Nitric Oxide.
David also helped regulate T.C.M. in his home province of Ontario. After working for over ten years, as of April 2013, Acupuncture and TCM have been officially regulated as a health profession in Ontario through the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.
David also served on the board of scientific directors at Infinitus International. Infinitus is one of the largest Chinese herbal medicine distributors in the world. Infinitus also has a research laboratory at Cambridge University in England. David has lectured in Hong Kong and China on the integration of classical Chinese medicine with biochemistry.
Professional Memberships
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
Registered Acupuncturist - 2013 - Present
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner - 2013 - Present
Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
Member - 2003 - 2013
National Qigong Association
Member 2018 - Present