What does it take to actually master Chinese medicine? For me, language has become a key. I have been working through the book Classical Chinese Medical Texts by Richard Goodman. Before, I had thought that knowing a few Chinese characters and being able to talk about them in English was good enough. Now, I am seeing how much I was missing by not having direct access to the Chinese texts.

I had always wanted to continue the tradition of the scholar-physician, but wondered how we in the West could do this. I have always felt that language is a huge part of the scholar-physician tradition. Goodman's textbook seems to give those of us who are interested in continuing that tradition a tool to finally do so.

What do you think it takes to master Chinese medicine? Has anyone else been working with the book?