Editorial: Vision
It falls to me to write the editorial this time around, as I move away from the role of chair of the Acu. editorial team after a wonderful few years working on our treasured publication.
I know that everyone who has been involved over the years – editors, writers, readers – deeply values this magazine: the way it connects us as professionals and as humans, the fact that for 30 years this BAcC publication has genuinely been the voice of the membership, and how in a world of endless information it offers a sanctuary of trusted, varied and relevant content.
The writers in our latest Acu. invite us to reflect on the meaning of vison, as it relates to future, present and past.
Rev Deb Connor explores the role of the visionary – in practice, in learning, in leadership. She asks us to contemplate how we see things – and how we look to the future to ensure acupuncture flourishes in the wider world.
In contrast Josh Barrow focuses on an idea of vision in the present moment, describing how he uses haiku composition to create new perspectives. The ability to reframe our patients’ stories using the lenses of Chinese medicine is one of an acupuncturist’s vision super-powers – creating clarity, simplicity and a chance for patients to align with their path, their dao.
James Woodward has contributed a discussion of the jie – channel sinews and binding areas – through which we can examine the overlapping meanings within the related character images jie 結 ‘knot’, jing 經 ‘channel’ and jiewei 結為 ‘relationship’. His reflections illustrate how this deeply visual way of presenting meaning is at the historical foundation of our understanding in Chinese medicine.
Peter Mole and Michelle Venter both take a look at the clinical picture – Peter contemplating on the rise of anxiety in our patients and Michelle presenting a detailed analysis of the role acupuncturists play in early detection of disease, based on data collected at The Acupuncture Academy.
There are several other one-off articles for you to enjoy – plus a Just Ten Questions? treat from member Qing Zhang, and typically sagacious insights from Peter Firebrace’s Just My Point and Sandra Hill’s Chinese Lesson.
And of course, we also have something to watch and get the qi moving, as Duncan McGechie shares a Black Dragon qigong video.
We hope you enjoy this collection of material – and as ever we thank everyone who contributes their articles, videos, images, poems, recipes, news and opinions.
Lastly, remember that any of the unlocked articles can be shared on social channels – so if you like what you read here, please send it out for your patients and future patients to discover.
