The Vital Substances

Revised 2020
 Daoist Sees the Three Treasures
• In long-established Chinese traditions, the "Three Treasures" are the
essential energies sustaining human life:
• Jing 精 "nutritive essence, essence; refined, perfected; extract; spirit, demon;
sperm, seed"
• Qi 氣 "vitality, energy, force; air, vapor; breath; spirit, vigor; attitude"
• Shen 神 "spirit; soul, mind; god, deity; supernatural being"
TCM view on the five Vital Substances
• Jing (Essence) 精
• Qi (Life Force) 氣
• Blood (Xue) 血
• Jin Ye (Body Fluids) 津液
• Shen (Spirit) 神
Jing (Essence) 精
 Jing (Essence) 精
• Jing is usually translated as Essence.
• 米 Rice (uncooked) not the same as 飯
• 青 Clear or refined

• Fig 3.3 pg 47
 Jing (Essence) 精
• Essence, which is also called "essential qi" or jing is considered to be the
underpinning of all aspects of organic life. Stored in the kidneys, it is the
material basis for all kinds of functional activities and is responsible for
human growth and development.
• In effect, kidney essence is what makes up our human vitality. The stored
essence is comprised of congenital jing and acquired jing.
 Pre-Heaven Jing (Essence)
Congenital Jing 先天之精
• Congenital Jing originates from the kidney itself and is made from the sexual
energies of the parents when they procreate. Thus, "congenital jing" forms the basis
for prenatal growth in the womb and nourishes the developing embryo and fetus.
• It also determines the constitution and characteristics a person will have
throughout their life. After birth, congenital jing is stored in the kidneys and is
nourished by acquired jing.
• It gradually becomes the material for our development and reproduction. Thus it
also sometimes referred to as "reproductive jing."
 Post-Heaven Jing (Essence)
Acquired Jing 後天之精
• Acquired Jing is often called the “Jing of the organs" because this Jing originates from
them. It is obtained from ingested foods and fluids through the action of the stomach and
spleen.
• The digested food and fluids are first transformed into nutrient substances in the stomach,
and then further transformed into nutrient essence by the spleen. This nutrient essence or
acquired Jing is mainly responsible for irrigating and nourishing the organs so they can
maintain their daily functions.
• Extra-acquired Jing that is not being used is stored in the kidneys and can be used for
nourishing the organs on demand. This process results in acquired Jing being repeatedly
replaced in the kidney; the extra Jing is stored, sent out as required, and then replaced by
new Jing.
• Because congenital jing forms the essence of us as humans it is needed initially to
produce acquired Jing. This is sometimes referred to as "congenital Jing creating
acquired Jing."
• At the same time, acquired Jing is needed to nourish and support the congenital
Jing, which is referred to as "acquired Jing providing congenital Jing".
• Often these two types of Jing are collectively referred to as "kidney essence"
since their functions and origins depend on one another and cannot exist
independently.
天癸 Tian Gui
 This word first appeared
• Tian Gui is the generative essence that renders men and women fertile.
• It is mentioned in the very first chapter of the Su Wen: “When a girl is 14
Tian Gui arrives, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is open , the Chong Mai
(Penetrating Vessel) is flourishing, menstruation starts and she can conceive”.
• For boys, “When a boy is 16, Kidney-Qi is strong, Tian Gui arrives, sperm is
discharged, Yin and Yang are in harmony and he can fertilize.”
 Tian Gui is in charge of sexual function
• Thus, Tian Gui is the essence that allows women to conceive and men to
fertilize: in women, it is the ova, in men, sperm.
• Tian Gui is a direct manifestation of Kidney-Jing. In men, loss of sperm
therefore implies a loss of Jing and therefore excessive (too frequent) sexual
activity may diminish Jing; in women, during sexual activity there is no
corresponding loss of Jing as they obviously do not lose ova during sexual
activity and therefore there is no corresponding loss of Jing.
 Is sex important
• While Chinese books always mention excessive sexual activity as a cause of
disease, they never mention insufficient sexual activity as a possible cause of
disease.
• This has not always been so as, during past dynasties, all explicitly said that
sexual activity is essential for the health of both men and women.
 Art of Intercourse
• The art of intercourse, is an ancient • 房中術又名房術、房中、房內、
Chinese Taoist spiritual way, it is 房室養生、黃赤之術或男女合氣
hoped that sex between men and 之術，是中國古代道教的一種修
women as to achieve longevity 行方式，它的目的是希望以男女
ultimately it means to be immortal. 間的性行為，作為達到延年益壽
Chinese medicine also absorb part ，最終得以成仙的手段。中醫學
of its content, the guiding principle 亦吸收了其部份的內容，成為保
of health, prenatal and eugenics. 健、胎教及優生的指導原則。
 Qi 氣 and Jing 精

Qi Jing
• The basis of all Taoist thinking is that • Jing can be lost in many ways, but most
Qi is part of everything in existence. notably through the loss of body fluids.
• Taoists may use practices to
• The erection and ejaculation also stimulate/increase and conserve their bodily
depend on the descending of fluids to great extents.
Heart-Qi. To perform these functions, • The fluid believed to contain the most Jing
Heart-Qi descends to communicate is semen. Therefore, Taoists believe in
with Kidney-Qi. decreasing the frequency of, or totally
avoiding, ejaculation in order to conserve
life essence.
 Erection
• A normal sexual desire, arousal, erection and orgasm therefore relies on
three main factors:

• The ascending of Kidney-Water and descending of Heart-Fire

• The communication between Kidneys and Heart
• The connection between Du and Ren Mai (Governing Vessel and
Conception Vessel).
Qi (Life Force) 氣
 炁=氣
• 音同“氣”，是中國哲學、道教和中醫學中常見的概念，人的第一個靈體
所需要的能量，不同於氣。“炁”乃先天之炁，代表無極，“氣”乃後天之
氣。
 The basic concept of Qi
• The classic Chinese philosophy believes that
the primary state of the universe is qi, the
constant movement of which produces all
the things in the universe, including life.
• Thus people in ancient China thought that
the accumulation of qi would produce life
while the dispersion of qi would put an end
to life.
 The physiological functions of Qi
氣的功能
1. Propelling function 推動作用
2. Warming function 溫煦作用
3. Protecting function 防御作用
4. Fixating/Holding function 固攝作用
5. Qi-transforming function 氣化作用
 Propelling function

• Qi is the motivation of the physiological functions of all

the viscera and organs in the body.
• The propelling function of qi can stimulate and maintain
the physiological functions of the viscera and other
organs. That is why qi is called the root of life.
• Qi in different viscera and organs functions differently.
 Examples in Organs
• Kidney-qi promotes the development of the body and reproduction,
transform water and receive
• Heart-qi promotes blood circulation
• Lung-qi governs respiration and regulates water passage;
• Spleen-qi promotes digestion and absorption of food and commands blood;
• Liver-qi regulates various functions by smoothing the activity of qi
 Warming function

• Qi warms the body and is the source of heat energy in the body.
• It is very important in maintaining normal body temperature and
ensuring the physiological functions of all the viscera and organs.
• Since qi can warm the body, it is similar to yang in nature.
• So the kind of qi that warms the body is called "yang-qi";.
• All the five zang-organs have yang-qi respectively.
 Examples in Organs
• Heart-yang warms and dredges blood vessels to promote blood circulation;
• Lung-yang warms and nourishes skin and muscular interstices, preventing
exogenous pathogenic factors from invading the body;
• Spleen-yang warms and transforms food and water, promoting digestion and
absorption;
• Liver-yang steams and fumigates qi, promoting qi transformation in the five
Zang-organs and the six Fu-organs;
• Kidney-yang warms life-gate, stimulates reproduction and transforms water
 Protecting function
• Qi can protect the body, resisting the invasion of various pathogenic factors
and preventing disease.
• As to pathogenic factors, the kind of qi that protects the body is called
“Defensive Qi”; or “Zheng qi”正氣. Zheng qi functions to protect the
whole body against the invasion of pathogenic factors and, after the invasion
of pathogenic factors into the body or onset of disease, to fight against the
pathogenic factors to promote healing of disease.
• If the protecting function of qi is weakened, it mainly leads to decline of
body resistance and susceptibility of the body to invasion of pathogenic
factors.
 Fixating/Holding function
• Fixation/Holding of qi means that qi can astringe and control liquid
substances, such as blood, body fluid and sperm, to prevent them from
losing.
• To be specific, qi fixating/holds blood means that qi keeps blood to flow
inside the vessels and prevent it from flowing out of the vessels. eg. Spleen
Qi holds the Blood in the blood vessels and fluids in the proper space.
Kidney Qi and Bladder Qi hold urine. Lung Qi holds sweat.
 Qi-transforming function

• Qi-transformation means changes caused by the movement of qi, which is the essential cause of
the conception, development, growth and decline of life.
• Qi (Yang in Nature) is essential for the transformation of food and fluids (Yin in nature) into clear
(Yang) and turbid (yin) parts.
• Through food and respiration the body absorbs nutrients from the external world and transforms
them into essence, qi, blood and body fluid which are essential to the body. eg. Spleen Qi
transforms food into Food Qi. Stomach Qi rots and ripen food.
• Also, inter-promotion among the refined substances (essence, qi, blood and body fluid etc.) is the
process of automatic regulation, improvement and balance of life.
• And waste substance and turbid qi are excreted out of the body in the process of life.
 The Movement of Qi 氣的運動 (氣機)

• 升 ascending
• 降 descending
• 出 exiting
• 入 entering
• 浮 floating
• 沉 sinking
• 聚 accumualting
• 散 dispersing
 Vital Food and
Air
Substance Water

Spleen &
Kidney Lung
Stomach

Yuan Qi Food Qi Air Qi

原氣 (元氣) 水穀精氣 空氣

Zhong Qi
宗氣

Zhen Qi
真氣
Blood 血 Lungs ->
Heart Ying Qi Wei Qi
營氣 衛氣
 Gu Qi (Food Qi) 水穀精氣
• Gu Qi (Food Qi) is the first stage in the transformation of food. Food is first
"Rotted and Ripened" by the stomach and then sent to the Spleen to make Gu Qi
(Food Qi), still in unusable form.
• Gu Qi (F00d Qi)is sent from the Middle Burner (housing the Spleen and Stomach)
to the Upper Burner (housing the Lungs and Heart), where it combines with air to
form Zong Qi(Gathering Qi).
• Part of the Gu Qi from the Middle Burner is also sent to the Lungs, then passes to
the Heart, with the help of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and Kidney Qi, it is transformed
into Blood.
 Original Qi (Yuan Qi) 原氣=元氣
• Yuan Qi(Original Qi) is said to be Essence that has been transformed into
Qi, or Jing in motion.
• Yuan Qi has it's root in the Kidneys and spread throughout the body by the
San Jiao (Triple Burner).
• It is the foundation of all the Yin and Yang energies of the body.
• Yuan Qi (Original Qi), like Prenatal Jing (Essence), is hereditary, fixed in
quantity, but rely on the nourishment by Postnatal Jing Essence).
 Original Qi (Yuan Qi) Functions
• It is the dynamic force that motivates the functional activity of the internal organs, and is
the foundation of vitality.
• It circulates all over the body in the channels, relying on the transporting system of the San
Jiao (Triple Burner).
• It is the basis of Kidney Qi, and dwells between the two Kidneys, at the Gate of Vitality
(Ming Men).
• It facilitates the transformation of Qi. Yuan Qi is the spark of change, transforming Zong
Qi into Zhen Qi.
• Yuan Qi participates in the production of blood by facilitating the transformation of Gu
Qi into Blood.
 Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) 宗氣
• The Spleen sends Gu Qi up to the Lungs, where (with the help of Yuan Qi
and Kidney Qi) it combines with air and transforms into Zong Qi.
 Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) Functions
• Nourishes the Heart and Lungs and forms the basis for the involuntary functions of
heartbeat and respiration.
• Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) assists the Lungs in controlling Qi and respiration and the heart's
function of governing the Blood and Blood Vessels. If Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) is weak,
the extremities, especially the hands, will be weak or cold.
• Gathers in the throat and influences speech (which is under control of the Heart) and the
strength of voice (under control of Lungs). Strength of Zong Qi can be determined from
the health of Heart, Lungs, and from circulation and voice. Weak Zong Qi: Weak voice,
weak circulation to hands.
• Zong Qi and Yuan Qi mutually assist each other. Zong Qi flows downward to aid the
Kidneys. Yuan Qi flows upward to aid in respiration (and the formation of Zong Qi).
 Zhen Qi (True Qi)真氣
• Also called "Normal" Qi. Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) is transformed into Zhen
Qi (True Qi) with the help of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Zhen Qi is the final
stage in the transformation and refinement of Qi. It is the Qi that circulates
in the channels and nourishes the organs.
 Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) 營氣
• Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) nourishes the internal organs and the whole body. It
is closely related to Blood, and flows with Blood in the vessels as well in the
channels.
• It is the Qi that is activated by insertion of an acupuncture needle.
• Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) spends two hours in each channel, moving through all
twelve channels in a twenty four hour period. During these periods, the
specific organs are nourished and maintained by the Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi).
 Wei Qi (Protective Qi)
衛氣
• Wei Qi (Protective Qi) is more Yang
than Nutritive Qi. Fast moving,
"slippery" and easily motivated.
• Primarily on the Exterior (skin and
muscles). Travels both inside and outside
the channels. Flows primarily in the
superficial layers of the body, especially
in the Tendino-Muscular meridians.
 Wei Qi (Protective Qi) Functions
• To protect the body from attack by exogenous (coming from outside) pathogenic
influences e.g., Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness.
• To warm, moisten and aid in nourishing skin and muscles.
• To adjust opening and closing of pores (thus regulating sweating and regulating the
body temperature).
• Wei Qi is controlled by the Lungs, which regulates its circulation to the skin. Lungs
also disseminate fluids to moisten the skin and muscles. These fluids mix with Wei
Qi. (Perspiration function depends on the Lungs ability to circulate Wei Qi and
fluids to the exterior).
Blood (Xue) 血
 The Origin of Blood
• Food Qi produced by the Spleen is sent upward to Lungs, and Lungs push it
to the Heart, where it is transformed into Blood. The transformation requires
the assistance of the Original Qi stored in the Kidneys.
• Kidney Essence produces Marrow: this generates the bone marrow, which
contributes to making Blood.
 Jing
Food and Water
(Essence of Life)

Spleen Liver Kidney

Food Essence Bones

Lung Marrow

Blood

Heart
Production of Blood
 Blood (Xue) 血
• Blood is inseparable from Qi
• Qi moves Blood; Blood is the mother of Qi
• Qi gives life and movement to Blood, but Blood nourishes the Organs that produce Qi.
• Moistens body tissues, ensures that they do not dry out. Blood is part of Yin, fluid-like
and moistening .
• Supports the Shen. The Shen is said to live in the Blood Vessels, which are part of the
Heart. The Blood nourishes and supports the Shen, giving it a foundation.
• Where Blood is deficient, the Shen can become uneasy, with symptoms of vague
anxiety, slight irritability, unease and inability to fall asleep.
 Relationship of Blood with the Internal Organs

Heart:
Spleen
• The Heart governs the Blood. The
Blood Vessels (tissue associated with • Spleen produces Food Qi, which is the
the Heart and part of the whole system basis for the formation of Blood.
of the Heart in TCM) are where it • Spleen Qi keeps the Blood in the
circulates.
Vessels so that it does not extravasate
• The Blood is made in the Heart, via the (Spleen holds Blood).
Heart Fire (Yang). Blood on the other
hand, cools the Fire and prevents it
from flaring up.
 Liver
• When person is active, Blood flows to the muscles and tendons (governed by the
Liver). When person lies down, Blood flows back to Liver.
• Liver Blood moistens the eyes, ensuring good eyesight and also moistens the sinews,
promoting flexibility of joints.
• Liver Blood supplies the uterus with Blood, together with the Penetrating Vessel
(Chong Mai - one of the eight Extraordinary or Ancestral Vessels), with which it is
closely related. Therefore Liver Blood is very important for regular and healthy
menstruation.
Jing (Essence) is indirectly transformed into Blood, and Blood nourishes and replenishes Jing.
Kidney Jing controls reproductive function and influences Blood. (Kidney Jing creates Liver Blood).

Women's physiology is more dependent on Blood than that of men.

State of Liver Blood is very important regarding menstruation.
e.g., if Liver Blood deficient, this can cause amenorrhea or scanty menstruation.
e.g., if Liver Blood is stagnant, this can cause dysmenorrhea.
Relationship of Blood with the Internal Organs

Lungs Kidneys
• Assist Spleen in sending Food • Original Qi (stored in Kidneys) is
Qi to the Heart to form Blood. needed to transform Food Qi
into Blood.
• Control the channels and
Blood Vessels by filling the • Kidney stores Jing (Essence),
which produces Marrow. Marrow
Blood Vessels with Qi to assist generates bone marrow, which
the Heart's pushing action. contributes to the formation of
Blood.
 Relationship of Qi & Blood
• Blood and Qi have a very close relationship. Blood is said to be is a denser form of Qi,
and more Yin in nature. 氣為陽，是動力；血為陰，是物質基礎。
• Qi and Blood are inseparable, and the Ying form of Qi actually circulates with the
Blood in the Vessels. While Blood engenders Qi, Qi is said to command or move the
Blood. 氣為血帥， 血為氣母。(陰陽互根)
Example
• Heavy Blood loss: signs of Qi deficiency, such as weakness, sweating, breathlessness,
and fatigue.
• Prolonged and heavy sweating injures or depletes the Qi: pale face, numbness,
palpitations, and dizziness.
Jin Ye (Body Fluids) 津液
 Jin Ye (Body Fluids) 津液
• The word “Jin” means anything liquid or fluid. 津
• The word “Ye” means fluids of living organisms. 液
• Jin Ye = Organic Fluids
 “Jin” 津
• These fluids are clear, light, thin and watery, and circulate in the exterior of
the body (skin and muscles) with the Wei Qi (Protective Qi). Under control
of the Lungs, which disseminate them to the skin and of the Upper Burner,
which controls their transformation and movement.
Functions:
• To moisten and partly to nourish skin and muscles. (exuded as sweat, but
also manifests as tears, saliva.
• To form a compound of Blood (thin out the Blood and prevent its stasis)
 Saliva
• Golden Fluid jin ye 金 液
• Golden Elixir jin yi 金 酏
• Jade Dew yu lu 玉 露
• Jade Fluid yu ye 玉 液
• Jade Juice yu zhi 玉 汁 The tongue (known as the “red dragon”) is
• Jade Beverage yu yin 玉 飲 sometimes used to further stimulate the
• Divine Juice ling zhi 靈 汁 production of saliva, as is the action of clicking
the teeth.
• Heavenly Dew tian lu 天 露
 “Ye” 液
• These are the more turbid, dense, and heavy fluids, and they circulate in the
interior of the body with the Ying (Nutritive) Qi. Move relatively slowly.
• Under control of (transformed by) Spleen and Kidneys, moved and excreted
by Middle and Lower Burner.
Functions:
• To moisten the joints, spine, brain, bone marrow.
• Lubricate the "orifices of the sense organs" i.e. eyes, ears, nose and mouth
 Origin of Jin Ye (Body Fluids)
• Body Fluids originate from food and drink.
They enter the body via the Stomach, which is said to be the origin of fluids.
• The Fluids are transformed and separated into "pure" and "impure" (turbid)
parts several times. Intricate series of purification processes. Pure body fluids
are raised upward to the Lungs for distribution to the exterior. Impure fluids
flow downward, finally excreted via the bladder.
 Relationship with the Internal Organs
(Zang Fu)
Stomach Spleen
• The origin of fluids. Fluids first enter • Very important in relation to
the Stomach where they are physiology and pathology of Body
transformed and separated into pure Fluids. Controls the direction of flow
of Fluids: pure parts upward and
and impure. Pure part goes to Spleen,
impure parts downward at all stages
impure part goes to Small Intestine of the transformation process. The
and further separation. Stomach said Spleen is treated in any kind of
to be "source" of body fluids. disorder of the Body Fluids.
 Lungs
• Control dispersion of pure part of Body Fluids (coming from Spleen) to the
space under the skin.
• Send part of fluids down to the Kidneys & Bladder.
• Said to "regulate the Water Passages".
 Kidneys
Kidney Yang controls many stages of the transformation of fluids:
• Provides heat for Spleen to transform Body Fluids.
• Assists Small Intestine in its function to separate pure and impure Body
Fluids.
• Provides Qi to Bladder for its function of Qi transformation.
• Assists Triple Burner (San Jiao) transformation and excretion of fluids.
 San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Assists transformation, transportation and excretion of fluids at all stages.
• Upper Burner: is compared to a "mist“. Lungs disperse fluids to the space under
the skin.
• Middle Burner: is compared to a "muddy pool" or "foam". Stomach churns
fluids and directs impure part to Small Intestine and pure part to Spleen.
• Lower Burner: compared to a "drainage ditch" or "swamp". Small Intestine
separates pure from impure, Bladder and Kidneys transform, separate and excrete
fluids.
 Relationship between Qi and the Jin Ye
• Qi transforms and transports fluids, • Qi is also dependant on Fluids, and
otherwise fluids accumulate. a loss of Fluids can result in a
deficiency of Qi
• Qi holds the body fluids in, as it
does with the blood. When the Qi Examples:
is deficient, fluids can leak out. • Excessive sweating causes a loss of
Examples: Defensive (Wei) Qi along with the
Fluids.
• Lung Qi Deficiency causing
Spontaneous Sweating • Excessive vomiting depletes Qi.
Relationship between Blood and the Jin Ye
Mutual nourishment
• Body Fluids constantly replenish Blood and "thin it out" so that it does not
coagulate. "If Body Fluids are harmonized they turn red and are transformed
into Blood."
• Blood also nourishes Body Fluids: both are Yin. Hence loss of Fluids, e.g. in
excessive perspiration, can cause Deficient Blood. Conversely, chronic blood
loss can cause loss of Fluids and dryness.
Shen (Spirit) 神
 What is Shen (Spirit) 神
• The word "Shen" can be translated in many different ways such as "mind",
"spirit", "consciousness", "vitality", "expression", "soul", "energy", "god",
"God", "psychic", "numinous“ etc…
• The Chinese character for "Shen" is
composed of two parts, one on the
left, the other on the right. Often
when a character is composed of
two parts.
 ORIGIN OF 礻(示) SHÌ ㄕˋ
OFFERINGS TO GOD
1 示 Shì Show
2 禮 lǐ Ceremony
3 社 shè Society
4 祀 sì Worship
5 視 shì As the
6 祈 qí Pray
7 祖 zǔ Ancestor
shé
8 神 God
n
9 祝 zhù Wish
10 祠 cí Temple
xián
11 祥 Cheung
g
 ORIGIN OF 申 shēn ㄕㄣ

• to state, the ninth of the twelve Earth Branches

• to extend
• It is the root word for 電 and 神
 Shen (Spirit) in Chinese Medicine
• Shen lives in the Heart, where it retires to sleep during the night. If the Shen
is disturbed, there may be insomnia.
• Shen is specifically said to live in the Blood Vessels (part of the system of the
Heart) and to be nourished by the Blood.
• In TCM pathology, therefore, deficient Blood may fail to nourish the Shen.
Alternatively, Heat (of various Organs) may disturb the Shen.
 State of Shen
• State of the Shen is said to be visible in the eyes.
• Healthy Shen produces bright, shining eyes, with vitality.
• Disturbed Shen produces dull eyes, which seem to have a curtain in front of
them - as if no one were behind them. Often seen in those with long-term
emotional problems or after serious shock (even a shock that occurred a long
time ago.)
 The Five Shen
• The Five Shen are the spirits associated with each of the body’s five yin
organ-systems (Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Liver and Lungs).
• Each of these spirits has a connection not only with a yin organ and its
associated element, but also with the energy of a planet and a direction.
• To “wake up” the Shen of the organs is similar to “calling in the spirits” for a
shamanic ritual.
 神 Shen: Emperor of the Heart
• 心藏神：《類經·臟象類》“意志思慮之類皆神也”，“神炁(氣)為德，如光明爽朗
，聰慧靈通之類皆是也。”“是以心正則萬神俱正，心邪則萬神俱邪”。
• Shen – the spirit of the Heart – is the Emperor, with aspects of its power – like
Ministers – residing as the spirits of the other organs. When these secondary spirits
function as faithful emissaries of the Heart’s Shen, communication between our
organs is balanced and harmonious, resulting in a happy well-functioning “Body
Politic.”
• Clear, sparkling, responsive eyes are one indication of healthy Shen – of awareness
that is vibrant, fluid and intelligent.
 魄 Po: The Corporeal Soul of the Lungs

• 肺藏魄：《內經·臟象類》：“魄之為用，能動能作，痛癢由之而覺也”.《素問·六
節(臟)髒象論》“肺者，炁之本，魄之處也”。《靈樞·本神》“並精而出入者謂之
魄”,“肺，喜樂無極則傷魄，魄傷則狂”.“肺藏炁(氣) ，炁舍魄”。
• The Po or corporeal soul is associated with the Lungs, and is the aspect of
consciousness that dissolves with the elements of the body at the time of death.
• The Po belongs to the metal element, the direction west, and the planet Venus.
• Since the Po exists only within the context of a single lifetime, it tends to be
associated with our immediate or more dense desires – as opposed to the Hun,
which expresses more long-range commitments.
魂 Hun: The Ethereal Soul of the Liver
• 肝藏魂：魂，《靈樞·本神》“隨神往來者謂之魄”；“肝藏血，血舍魂”。《類經·臟象類
“魂之為言，如夢寐恍惚，變幻遊行之境，皆是也”. 《類經·臟象類》“魄對魂而言，則
魂為陽而魄為陰”。
• The Hun or ethereal soul is associated with the Liver System, and is the aspect of
consciousness that continues to exist - in more subtle realms - even after the death of the
body.
• The Hun is associated with the wood element, its direction is east, and its planetary energy
is that of Jupiter.
• As our spiritual practice deepens, more and more of the Po – or physical – aspects of
consciousness are transmuted or used as support for the Hun – or more subtle – aspects.
As this process unfolds, we are, within our very bodies, manifesting “Heaven on Earth.”
 意 Yi: Intellect of the Spleen
• 脾藏意：《靈樞·本神》“心有所憶謂之意”。“脾藏營，營含意”。《類經·臟象類》
“謂一念之生，心有所向而未定者，曰意”。
• The spirit of the Spleen System is Yi, or intellect. Yi is associated with the earth
element, its direction is center, and its planetary energy is Saturn.
• Yi includes our capacity to use our conceptual mind to exercise discernment and to
form intentions.
• An unbalanced Yi can manifest as discursiveness or unconscious internal chatter: a
kind of over-thinking or “pensiveness” that damages the Spleen. A healthy Yi
manifests as spirit-infused intelligence and understanding.
 志 Zhi: The Kidney’s Will to Act
• 腎藏志：《靈樞·本神》“意之所存謂之志”.“腎藏精，精舍志”。《類經·髒
象類》“意已決而卓有所立者，曰志”.
• Zhi is associated with the element water, and it carries the energy of the
direction north and the planet Mercury.
• Zhi is the minister in charge of the intention and effort required to
accomplish things. This includes the effort and perseverance needed to
succeed in our spiritual practice.