My starting curriculum

I have three basic deficiencies with regards to my practice of medicine.

1. Herbal knowledge
2. Acupuncture knowledge
3. Cultivation / life balance
4. Bonus : Chinese language

I figure these deficiencies are likely to be lifelong. I guess it's not fair to call them deficiencies. Instead, I should call them areas of improvement. :)

Herbal knowledge

This is, in some ways, my area of greatest expertise. It's easy to teach about (at least to first and second year students) and I naturally find myself gravitating towards it. I like to fuse lots of different types of information in my understanding of herbs and formulae, from the most material (phytochemistry, botany) to the most esoteric (Shennong ben cao jing, plant spirit meditation).

The reality is, though, that I've not done any concerted, systematic study of herbs for some time. I've also lost some things to the ravages of time - my memory being what it is and all. I have a TON to learn and learning for me happens within the confines of structure. Rather, the best learning does.

Acupuncture knowledge

I shorted myself in my study of acupuncture, opting to focus on herbs. That was a fine choice, and probably reflects what will be a lifelong emphasis. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that I need to study acupuncture more - particularly insofar that it relates to the treatment of pain.

Many people in this country look to acupuncture first in terms of Chinese medicine. I need to honor that, not always spend my time trying to swim upstream. There's a ton I can do to advance my understanding.

Cultivation / life balance

Directly and indirectly being a student of optimal life balance is helpful to my patients. Directly, learning various techniques for relieving stress and living a best life can be passed on to my patients to help them in their journeys. Indirectly, the more balanced and happy I am, the more likely I am to give effective and inspired treatments.

I am currently enrolled at Maitripa College in a Masters of Divinity in Buddhist studies mostly to expand my skill and understanding in these realms. I hope to teach meditation classes to patients within the year.

I am also redoubling my efforts to implement GTD and a few other productivity methodologies I know and enjoy. I always know when I've slipped here, because life begins to feel quite out of control. When I devote myself to a clean implementation, things calm down a ton. Noted.

Chinese language

It is important for me to finally learn Chinese. I want to travel to China within the decade, and make that a frequent effort. I also want to translate the Shennong ben cao jing, if only for myself. There is also a ton of literature in a variety of realms that is only accessible right now in Chinese. I can't wait for translators forever, and I'm sick of being beholden to particular interpretations of the medicine. While all translation is interpretation (including my own) I need to have more direct access.

Learning Chinese will also be a huge confidence booster.

These are the realms I must address in my curricular construction.

Here's my first phase plan

I do not have time for study. So, I have to make time for it. I have to be fully dedicated to this and approach it like I would approach classes that I'm paying for at an institution. It has to be something I feel is non-negotiable. If I just try to shove this into my already full life, stress will be the result, which will defeat the purpose. Therefore, I need to create a schedule that will work given my current situation and devote myself to it entirely. Then, with time, I can expand it as my life shifts and changes.

Herbal knowledge

Phase 1 - Rememorization : 5 hours/week

My first goal will be to entirely memorize all formulas in the canon I utilize. I have most of them memorized, but not all. The goal, though, is not MERELY to memorize, but to use the memorization process as a springboard for finding my next goals.

I imagine myself working through a formula memorization by using flashcards, reading the relevant texts, doing research online, making the formula and taking it, and talking to my teachers. I will do one formula at a time and then move on.

If there are herbs that I do not know well within the formula, I will apply the same attention to them. I will build my databases as I go, and not feel in a rush to get to another one. Some formulas will demand a lot of attention, some of them only a little.

I will choose my formulas to study at random.

Acupuncture knowledge

Phase 1 - Rememorization : 2 hours/week

I will proceed with acupuncture in the same way as I do with herbs. However, since we don't do "formulas" with acupuncture, I will have to modify my approach somewhat. I will begin by studying points on the head and neck and proceed downward through the body. I will intuitively choose the right points to study. I will use all of my senses to explore, and do library research and online research to expand my understanding.

Cultivation : 6 hours/week

I have already essentially described my approach above. Maitripa study will be the backbone, along with consistent GTD implementation.  3 of the hours are specific to Maitripa (class + homework), but there will be more hours of reading and meditation practice that are already included in my calendar and have been for some time. The other 3 hours are for my weekly review and other checkins specific to GTD.

Chinese language : 2 hours/week

I've got access to a great Chinese language training program that is available on all my devices. I'm committing to two hours of engagement with that.