The Wisdom of the Cosmos

An Introduction to Neijing Nature-Based Medicine and the Patterns of Nature’s Design

Explore the profound teachings of the Huangdi Neijing, which reveal precious insights into cosmology and humanity’s relationship with nature.

This is a complete, standalone and inspired introduction to Neijing Nature-Based Medicine. It’s also the first semester of the full mentorship for those who wish to continue.

Over one semester, you will study with Dr. Edward Neal: the cosmology, early Chinese history, and language that anchor this medicine, through recorded lectures, live Sunday sessions, and discussion with learners worldwide. It’s a true beginning for practitioners testing the path, and for scholars and serious students drawn to the depth of the Huangdi Neijing.

This standalone, single-semester course is designed for individuals:

  • Seeking to deepen their connection to the natural world through the study of its inner patterns
  • Interested in early Chinese history and philosophy
  • Wishing to delve into traditional descriptions of cosmology and nature
  • Interested in exploring the original writings and principles of Chinese medicine

At the end of the course, participants are eligible to apply for the 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship to continue their studies, if desired.

a dark night sky with a silhouette of mountains in the distance, with an arch of starry constellations

Register for Wisdom of the Cosmos

Gain access to the first 10 lectures from the current cohort through the Early Start program beginning July 1. This allows you to settle into the material before the live Online Lecture Series begins August 8, 2026.

What You’ll Learn

Participate in the Online Lecture Series as a fully enrolled student in the first semester of our 2-year postgraduate mentorship program.

This course includes:

  • Study Topic #1 Introduction to the Neijing and the practice of Nature-Based Medicine
  • Study Topic #2 Introduction to the History of Early China and the Chinese Language (Guest faculty: Deborah Woolf)
  • Study Topic #3 Introduction to Classical Text Archeology (CTA)
  • Study Topic #4 The History of the Neijing Text
  • Study Topic #5 Introduction to Neijing Space-Time Theory
  • Study Topic #6 Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part A
  • Study Topic #7 Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part B
  • Study Topic #8 Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens and the patterns of the Natural World: Part A
  • Study Topic #9 Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens and the patterns of the Natural World: Part B
  • Study Topic #10 Nature’s Weaving Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns
  • Study Topic #1 Introduction to the Neijing and the practice of Nature-Based Medicine
  • Study Topic #2 Introduction to the History of Early China and the Chinese Language (Guest faculty: Deborah Woolf)
  • Study Topic #3 Introduction to Classical Text Archeology (CTA)
  • Study Topic #4 The History of the Neijing Text
  • Study Topic #5 Introduction to Neijing Space-Time Theory
  • Study Topic #6 Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part A
  • Study Topic #7 Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part B
  • Study Topic #8 Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens and the patterns of the Natural World: Part A
  • Study Topic #9 Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens and the patterns of the Natural World: Part B
  • Study Topic #10 Nature’s Weaving Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns

No proficiency in Chinese or previous medical training is required for this course.

Read more about the Curriculum and Schedule on the Full Program course page →

How It Works

Sample Lectures from the Course

Study Topic #12
Architecture of the Human Body (excerpt)

Study Topic #13
Rivers and Watersheds (excerpt)

Study Topic #14
Suwen Chapter 1 Text Reading (excerpt)

Study Topic #25
Seeing with the Artist’s Eye (excerpt)

Course Content

  • Introduction to the Neijing and the practice of Nature-Based Medicine
  • Introduction to the History of Early China and the Chinese Language
  • Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship
  • The History of the Neijing Text
  • Introduction to Neijing Space-Time Theory
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part B
  • Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns

Read more about the Curriculum and Schedule on the Foundations Level I program course page.

Tuition Cost

Autumn 2026 | Begins August 8, 2026

Course Includes

  • 6 month course (online and live sessions)
  • Weekly live & recorded lectures
  • Live Sunday teaching & review sessions
  • Weekly calligraphy & text reading classes
  • Interactive discussion forum
  • Guided reflection exercises

  • Eligibility to apply for the 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Program and continue your studies, if desired

  • CE credit available through NCCAOM & California Acupuncture Board (except Auditing level)

  • 6 month course (online and live sessions)

  • Weekly live & recorded lectures
  • Live Sunday teaching & review sessions
  • Weekly calligraphy & text reading classes

  • Interactive discussion forum

  • Guided reflection exercises

  • Eligibility to apply for the 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Program and continue your studies, if desired

  • PDA credit approved through NCCAOM (CEU credit is currently pending for California Acupuncture Board) – except Auditing level

Reduced Rate Tuition

Reduced-rate tuition options are available for individuals living in countries with lower per capita income or for those in need of financial assistance. For more information, please contact us at info@neijingstudies.com.

This course is for you if:

  • You wish to learn more about the Huangdi Neijing text, early Chinese medicine, or Neijing Nature-Based Medicine.
  • You wish to explore the original theories and writings of the Chinese medical classics.
  • You wish to better understand the governing patterns of nature and the cosmos.
  • You wish to re-establish a deeper connection with the natural world around you.
  • You wish to begin retelling your human story based on the deeper patterns of the cosmos.

No healthcare background or proficiency in Chinese is needed—just a sincere desire to learn and explore.

Website dashboard of the Canvas online learning platform with course cards and options for taking the course.

This course is ideal for practitioners, students, and non-medical individuals who wish to immerse themselves in the classical writings and philosophy of Chinese medicine, and who seek to reestablish a deeper connection with the cosmos and the natural world.

Accreditation & Certification

Earn Continuing Education Credit

The Apricot Grove’s Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: Wisdom of the Cosmos course (1st Semester Option) is approved by:

  • NCCAOM® for approximately 40 hours of distance learning PDA’s
  • California Acupuncture Board for 10 credits of distance learning CEU’s. California requires that students attend the Live lecture in order to be approved.

Credits are awarded with eligibility based on full class participation and a minimum 75% score on weekly quizzes.

NOTE: Continuing education credit is not available for the Auditing level registration.

NCCAOM
California Acupuncture Board

Note About Professional Licensure

While non-medical practitioners may take our classes, individuals must hold a valid medical license or be enrolled in a related training program that meets the requirements of their jurisdiction in order to practice professionally with acupuncture needles in a medical setting. Our postgraduate training programs do not confer these licenses.

Register for Fall 2026

Join an engaged global community of individuals committed  to reconnecting healthcare with the natural world. Whether this course is your first step or a standalone experience, it offers a powerful foundation for deeper learning—and transformation.

A green and burgundy Northern Lights shines about a dark sky filled with stars over a set of dark shadowed mountains.

Register for Fall 2026

Join an engaged global community of individuals committed  to reconnecting healthcare with the natural world. Whether this course is your first step or a standalone experience, it offers a powerful foundation for deeper learning—and transformation.

A green and burgundy Northern Lights shines about a dark sky filled with stars over a set of dark shadowed mountains.
A green and burgundy Northern Lights shines about a dark sky filled with stars over a set of dark shadowed mountains.

Compare to the Full Program

Explore the full 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Training in Neijing Nature-Based Medicine to better determine which is the best fit for you.

Testimonials

What Students Are Saying

Don’t take our word for it


This course gave me back the wish of studying Chinese medicine for the rest of my life. I was looking for something like this years before I knew this course’s existence.

Luciano S.
Acupuncture Practitioners

Get in touch!

Still Have Questions About the Course?

Please reach out to us! Either send an email to info@neijingstudies.com or send a message through the website.

Check out our extensive FAQ page to find answers to common questions.

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