The Art of Longevity and Well-being

The Art of Longevity and Well-being is a bilingual translation of Dong-Eui-Soo-Se-Bo-Won (동의수세보원) by Jema Lee (이제마), focusing on its foundational theory section. This distills the millennia-old human insights ofEastern Confucianism into a distinctive biopsychosocial framework. To fully appreciate the clinical section on the personalized use of acupuncture and herbal medicine, readers are encouraged to first understand this theoretical foundation.

Despite the enduring influence of Lee Jema’s writings, few historical records remain. Over the past century, profound sociocultural changes have led to widespread misunderstandings of his intellectual and medical legacy. Drawing on more than three decades of research and teaching—from his doctoral dissertation to international lectures—the author has refined this translation through extensive clinical and academic engagement with Sasang typology.

This volume serves simultaneously as a textbook, a research foundation, and a bibliographic reference in traditional Korean medicine, Korean studies, and integrative medicine.

First, it presents Lee Jema’s original text alongside contemporary Korean and English translations, allowing readers, clinicians, and scholars around the world to engage with his ideas without prior specialization.

Second, it features six chapters from the foundational theory section of Dong-Eui-Soo-Se-Bo-Won together with one related chapter from the Huangdi Neijing. Through these, the author offers an unprecedented biopsychosocial interpretation of Lee’s theory of unconscious temperament, supported by rigorous medical and psychological scholarship.

Third, the book illuminates the deep correspondence between Lee Jema’s Sasang theory and Robert Cloninger’s Biopsychosocial model, revealing their striking complementarity and synchronicity across a century—bridging Eastern and Western perspectives on human nature.

Interestingly, the foreword of this book was written by C. Robert Cloninger, M.D., a world-renowned psychiatrist known for his Biopsychosocial Model and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). In his foreword, Dr. Cloninger highlights the philosophical and scientific significance of connecting Jema Lee’s holistic view of humanity with the Western biopsychological perspective.

Ultimately, The Art of Longevity and Well-being provides profound insights into Korea’s traditional understanding of the mind, body, and health, and stands as an essential resource for readers exploring Korean culture (Hallyu), philosophy, and integrative medicine. 

Amazon Books, CALMTREE