论易学史研究在易佛关系问题上的两个疏忽——兼谈太虚大师的易学思想

易学是中国学术史上的一大显学。学界对于易学史的研究已取得了相当的成就,但这一成就背后却还留存着一个遗憾．那就是我们的易学史研究疏忽了易佛关系这一大课题,这包括两个方面(一)我们没有研究在佛教传入中国的前期,为什么佛教在与儒学和道学相沟通的同时却不与易学相沟通;(二)我们没有重视宋明以后存在的大规模的易佛沟通现象。本文以素描的方式勾画出了一幅被学者们忽略了的易佛关系图,有理有据地对疏忽易佛关系的研究状态提出了警策,并以太虚大师的易学思想为例,说明了易佛关系是不应该被疏忽的。     

朱丹溪运用卦象理论治疗鼓胀病探析

朱丹溪所著《鼓胀论》把《易经》卦象理论与《内经》脏象、气血津液学说相结合并创造性地提出了人体中“阴升阳降”的阴阳气化论与“鼓胀病病机、治法重在脾脏”两大理论。他的这一宝贵的治疗鼓胀病的医学理论与临床经验,至今仍有十分重要的临床价值,值得继承发扬。     

甲骨文"下上若"祈祷占辞与天地相交观念

殷墟甲骨占辞中屡次出现“下上若,授我佑”祈祷套语,其“下上”应非指某具体的自然神或祖先,而是将充满百神百祇之“天地”当作祈祷对象。不过商王祈祷“下上若”的重点不在笼括祭祀上下所有的神祇,而在祈求天地交互,以上下共同授佑,来保障王事的成功。从字体的书写来看,早期的“下上”写法明显构成互相交接闭合的图案,若换次序作“上下”。则明显可见上下互相分隔的图案,这其中有着重要的象形意义之差别。在中国先民核心的传统中,《周易·泰卦》的结构正好用下上般的逆序来表达天地交通。除此之外,传说殷人的易法《归藏》,其卦序也为坤乾或可谓“下上”。甲骨文所用的“下上若,授我佑”祈祷套语之意义就是商王祈求获得“泰”之状态,因而刻辞中采用下者在上而上者在下的排位。     

The beneficial effect of Tai Chi on self‐concept in adolescents

Previous research has documented the beneficial effect of Tai Chi, but most of the studies focused on elders and patients with specific health conditions. The aim of the study was to test whether Tai Chi can help to improve self‐concept in adolescents with a longitudinal study. The sample comprised 160 students from a Chinese middle school; half of students formed the experimental group and the rest formed the control group. A 1‐year Tai Chi intervention was delivered in 60‐minute sessions, five times a week. Both groups were instructed to complete the measure of self‐concept at the beginning and end of the intervention. Statistical analysis shows the significant reduction of good behaviour, intellectual and school status, popularity and anxiety in the experimental group compared with the control group. The results suggest that the Tai Chi intervention could improve self‐concept in adolescents.     

Living in the mo(ve)ment: An ethnographic exploration of hospice patients’ experiences of participating in Tai Chi

PurposeTai Chi is increasingly being used as a complimentary therapy in hospice care to help patients self-manage multiple and complex health needs. However, currently there is limited understanding of Tai Chi from patients’ perspective, including what participation in this mindfulness based movement (MBM) exercise means to their experiences of living with an advanced, incurable disease. The purpose of this study was to explore outpatients’ lived experiences of hospice-based Tai Chi in relation to mindfulness.Methods19 participants (15 females; 4 males, aged between 50 and 91 years old) with a range of advanced, incurable diseases (cancer, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension) who attended day therapy at a local hospice took part in Tai Chi sessions. Using a focused ethnographic approach, multi-methods including 17 semi-structured interviews (averaging 40 min), participant observations (equating to 200 h spent in the day therapy unit), and informal conversations were used to collect data over a 6 month period. Data was analysed using a thematic framework approach.ResultsFour main themes were constructed that demonstrated participants’ lived experiences of mindfulness during participation in hospice-based Tai Chi sessions. Main themes included: (1) mind-body respite; (2) being present with others; (3) tranquil and therapeutic atmosphere and; (4) physical limitations.ConclusionTai Chi may be an important therapeutic strategy for helping patients with advanced, incurable disease experience mindfulness. The findings of this study support the use of MBM exercises such as Tai Chi as a non-pharmacological adjunct to conventional treatments within palliative care settings.