DYNAMICS OF ELEMENTSOFNATIONAL CONSCIOUSNES ONTHE EXAMPLEOF ALCHEMICAL ASPECTS IN TAOISM

Abstract

The article examines the influence of alchemical aspects in Taoist medicine on the national consciousness of China during its historical development and in the modern context. The main focus of the article is directed towards exploring the stages of evolution of alchemical concepts in Chinese medicine, investigating moments of significant qualitative changes and transformations of key research objects, as well as studying the vectors of development of medical culture in China as a whole. In the early stages of alchemical practice in China, alchemists based their teachings on philosophical foundations, which manifested in the rapid development of alchemical medicine. The result was new medicines, treatment methods, and tools. Discussions unfolded, and institutions created were associated with alchemical medical practice. The intersection of external and internal alchemy in practices such as Taoist massage and psychotherapy, where religious and magical elements correlate with physical procedures, is noted. For this stage, it is important to define the specificity of Taoism, which became the environment where medical culture in China actively developed through alchemy. A particular emphasis is placed on the interaction of alchemical aspects with political power, specifically the support and utilization of Taoist medical ideas by the Communist Party. It is noted that this contributed to the survival and popularization of Taoist medicine in China, and Taoist concepts found their reflection in the ideology of communism, allowing them not only to survive but also to firmly establish themselves in the mass consciousness of the Chinese citizens. In contemporary society, the medical culture of China is closely linked to everyday life. In particular, the general attitude towards health, expressed in preventive measures and the use of traditional medicine, is emphasized. Taoist concepts, such as the connection of emotions with health, continue to play a key role in the culture of treatment and health maintenance among the population. In conclusion, the article reveals the multifaceted contribution of alchemical aspects of Taoist medicine to the formation of China's national consciousness, their evolution throughout history, and their significant role in the modern medical landscape of China.