386 Nei Jing Acupuncture, Encountering the Empty Spaces • David White

Ever think about how much of what we do as healers is more about what we don’t do? Sometimes, it’s in the subtle pauses, the empty spaces, where the real magic happens. What if the art of doing less is actually the key to unlocking profound change in the body?

In this conversation with David White we immerse ourselves into the world of Nei Jing acupuncture. With decades of experience and a passion for classical Chinese texts, David has honed a unique approach to acupuncture, one that’s rooted in precision, intention, and an unshakeable respect for the unseen forces at play in the body.

Listen into this discussion as we explore acupuncture as a tool of communication, the hidden power of empty spaces, the art of needling with precise intention, and why sometimes the most effective treatments are the simplest. Along with how the Nei Jing can guide us, both practically and philosophically.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• David’s early interest in martial arts and how it led to acupuncture
• Studying the Nei Jing and why it captivated him for decades
• The concept of “levels” in needling and its importance in precise treatment
• Balancing modern and classical approaches in acupuncture
• How intention and precision are key in effective needling
• Observing and assessing the body’s channels through palpation and pulses
• The role of empty spaces and unseen mechanisms in acupuncture
• The philosophy of working with “emptiness” and non-coercive healing
• Why acupuncture is both an art and a communication tool
• Influences of Confucian and Taoist philosophy on medical practice
• Viewing the Nei Jing as a pragmatic medical guide, not a self-help text
• The significance of seasonal patterns in diagnosing and treating patients

Realization not innovation: first cultivate what has been in order to nourish and manifest what is yet to come.​​

David White, L.Ac

I was 14 when I was drawn into the world of classical Chinese medicine, having already been infatuated with martial arts and philosophy. By age 17, after finishing high school, I immediately enrolled in the four year program at the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, followed by a stint in the P.R.C at the Anhui University of TCM, and its associated hospital.

Later I engaged in masters and PhD research back in Australia, became a senior lecturer in acupuncture at SITCM, all while operating a full time clinic. In 2004 I was fortunate enough to be invited to study under the renowned Dr. David Tai here in Sydney, spending many years in his clinic and working through various nuances of the Neijing. 

In 2012 I founded the Institute of Neijing Research (INR) in order to teach and engage with the medicine and culture of the Neijing, with a distinct focus on clarifying its clinical principles.

Links and Resources

Visit David on his Institute of Nei Jing Research Website, Instagram feed, Facebook page and Clinic website. 

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