What is CF?
Is this the causative factor described by the late JR Worsley, the father of the Classical Five Element acupuncture, as practiced in the West. Is this the central focus described by Dr. Gary Dolovich and likewise described by many other leading Five Element practitioners in an attempt to eliminate a causal link with CF? In any case, what does this mean for us as practitioners and why is it so important in this medicine? How can we detect this elusive CF anyway? Why is it so slippery to diagnose?
First, regardless of how you cut it, the causative factor (CF) is the central diagnosis made by the traditional acupuncturist. As far as I understand, J. R. Worsley used this concept to describe the initial imbalance that occurs in a person — most likely, occurs in early childhood. This primary imbalance is sometimes described as our first break with the original nature on the path to becoming individuals. The causative factor can be caused by any unbalanced response to a specific desired or unwanted stimulus. We can respond to affection by “pulling together” with joy, and then react with a complete lack of joy when the attachment is removed. Anger can occur through contact with an unwanted stimulus. In the same way, inappropriate fear, sympathy, or grief may be present. JR Worsley taught that CF is the cause of patient imbalance, no matter how far from this initial reaction, we are, and JR strongly advocated the treatment of only the patient's CF.
Other practitioners interpret CF more freely. Gary Dolovich likes to use the CF abbreviation to describe what he calls the Central Focus. In his line of thinking, the Causative Factor comes too close to that which implies that this initial imbalance causes all our imbalances and diseases - the concept is too linear and Western in thought to be accepted as "ancient Chinese wisdom." In this line of thinking, CF is still the central diagnosis of the disease, but is determined somewhat differently. For Dolovich, CF is determined by looking at a set of seemingly unrelated observations and symptoms to see what their common factor is - not so much what caused them. Then we use this CF as a basis for treatment. In any case, Worsley and Dolovic both are in favor of handling CF to bring all people into balance. However, Dolovic found an exception to this guide.
CF is important for traditional practitioners of acupuncture, because besides our diagnosis, it provides a hub around which much more treatment is concentrated. CF can be seen as not just an imbalance, but also a goal, a challenge and a “reason”, we must work in this life. Acting in accordance with this inner purpose, the five practitioners consider "the fulfillment of our destiny." Like the central theme of the novel, our life also has a central theme that can invite us to see the special manifestation of the divinity present in each of us. This is a recurring theme in which we will constantly return to the nature of our life. Our particular destiny cannot be known, for it is as unknowable as the Universe itself, but knowing the central theme of our life, we can use the divine within us to help us translate us from patterns of disharmony into harmony. Knowing about our patient, we can relate to this patient in such a way that we can talk to him in the most direct way.
Turning to CF, we are heading directly to the essence of this person, and not to the periphery. This is similar to the final scene in Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, where Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star, flying into its depth and destroying its core. Now, of course, we are not trying to “destroy” anyone in the treatment room, but we will try to see an analogy as a metaphor for moving to the source of imbalance. Of course, with all its firepower, the Jedi fleet could slowly break away from the Death Star and could weaken the enemy to disable the Death Star. Similarly, an acupuncturist can treat a patient at many different points and see the benefits due to the internal connectivity of the energy pathways that flow through human bodies, but by going to the core of imbalance (CF treatment), the acupuncturist can expect the most effective treatments. Luke influenced change through the most direct and powerful way and instantly saved the galaxy from an evil empire. Proper CF diagnosis and patient treatment on this CF is similar to detecting the well-hidden core of the Death Star and direct destruction. Jedi whole movie wondered where to find and how to pull out the core of the Death Star. Why is it so difficult to find such a basic imbalance for both the Jedi and the acupuncturists? How do we diagnose CF and what makes it so difficult?
How to easily diagnose sounds. First we look at the four points of observation. Now I’ll call them CSOE: the color that comes from the patient, the sound quality of the patient’s voice, the smell of the patient and the least appropriate emotion they represent. Any aspect of CSOE can show the influence of more than one of the five elements, but must have one element that dominates what we are seeing. From these basic properties of CSOE, we can make a diagnosis as long as the dominant element that manifests itself is the same for three of the four properties of CSOE. It sounds simple, but in fact quite difficult for novice practitioners for several reasons.
Firstly, all these observations of CSOE are quite subtle. Color, for example, is not an obvious skin color, but is better described as the color of the skin's gloss. The smell is not an obvious body odor or the smell created by perfumes and fragrances, but in fact the smell brings sweat, shampoos and fabric softeners. In order to observe these minority realities in a patient, the practitioner must improve his observation capabilities far beyond what he is accredited to observe. It takes time and practice.
Another complication in the diagnosis of CF is that what we observe about the basic properties is constantly in flow. The colors that express themselves dance and shift, and the sounds in the voice are numerous and influenced by the culture and the situation. All observations of CSOE are so complex. It takes experience to know what is least acceptable.
Just as a Jedi trains all her life, before she is ready to accept the Empire, you need to practice well, as well as the practitioner, before she is particularly effective in observing and influencing the Empire inside. It is interesting to note that the training of the Jedi is very similar to the training and practice of a good practitioner of traditional acupuncture. In addition to the knowledge and skills necessary to be a competent healer or Jedi warrior, there must also be an internal practice that cultivates morality, concentration, and wisdom. It is this internal practice that encourages an acupuncturist to perceive the subtleties of CSOE and, therefore, treat CF ... and hopefully will be around to see how the patient destroys the evil in his own personal empire and lives to fulfill his destiny!
