Delli, you write very eloquently. I am interested in learning more about the relational method. What you and Eric wrote about formulas and single herbs really resonates with me. The composition of classical formulas is like an art form. I agree that the approach that many schools have is so academically focused. My herb teacher really knows her stuff. The amount of knowledge she has is astounding. However, she promotes rote memorization as the way to “know” herbs. This is fine for cramming for exams, but everything I learn slowly slips away. Initially, it was herbs that I was most excited about. But after having my ego and confidence battered by exams and such, I’m not as enthusiastic. I want to get back to that place where I found herbs to be “soooooo cool”. Haha.

Anyway in short, I too want to get to the essence and soul of herbs. I’m excited.

Looking forward to you posts Eric!

I think it is very important to develop relations with herbs in order to understand them on a deeper level. Really, the way you describe getting to know the herbs on this level of Being is the exact same way we should get to know our patients. It really isn’t all that different from my perspective. Then again, I resonate with plants as people, so maybe that isn’t true for others, but I suspect it is so.

If we understand the soul archetype of the plant through deeply engaging with the herbs, you will understand them in a more complete, holistic way, and also will not ever forget them. No need to spend hours upon hours memorizing, the information will always be inside of you.

I was very fortunate to learn about how to interact and engage with theses Beings from the very first Western herbalist I studied with over ten years ago now. I will never forget the importance of what she taught me. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in Chinese medicine school that we were not really taught to learn about ther herbs in this way. We did have one class that worked on developing these skills a bit, but it wasn’t in herbs or formulas class with the Chinese herbs. Chinese medicine schools give a more academic/textbook approach to learning herbs, but leaves out the crucial underlying essence/nature of studying herbs that I consider to be primary. It is a bit more difficult to do on our own since, being a Westerner, I can’t just go out into nature and find most of these herbs growing to study their characteristics and environment and so forth and meditate with the living plant. It is a bit more challenging for me to learn Chinese herbs in this way, so I feel I have a much better grasp on Western herbs in that sense.

Having said that, Chinese herbal classifications and Chinese herbal formula knowledge is far more developed and complicated because the ancient sages were able to learn the herbs on this deepest, archetypal soul level. Thus, they were able to create tightly woven formulas that were composed so eloquently and with complete mastery. Unfortunately, we are just left the results of this process and are able to get information out of books, and so most people think that is enough since it seems to be what we need to know to use in clinical practice. A true herbalist is one who knows herbs on the deeper level, while those who just memorize information are not really what I consider herbalists, but more just trained to be clinicians who are educated in the practical application of herbs.

Does that make sense ?

In schools’ defense, they are trying to transmit a huge amount of material in a very, very short time. Human beings never learned in this factory way until quite recently and I contend that it does not do well at all. The most one can say for it is ‘speedy’ but if left at that level can lead to mediocrity.

Thanks for your offering of a more sane continuing education. I’m in!

Allyndreth

I first learned about Western herbs in the ’80′s, from someone who calls them “our green allies” and also relates to them with their individual personalities.

I’m very much looking forward to your explorations here, and *very excited* about the online course.
( Living here at the contra-lateral point of the country, I don’t have the same access that the Portland crowd has. )

Could you adopt the same approach to standard formulas?