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SHEN -
SPIRIT MIND EMOTIONS
The predominant
model of the mind and/or spirit is mostly derived from the Five Element
school of thought. The five aspects of the mind are Wood - Hun, Fire - Shen,
Earth - Yi, Metal - Po, Water - Zhi. Collectively these comprise the Shen.
This term includes the Fire Element Shen. Below are a very simplified
definition of each aspect.
- SHEN
That which makes humans more than an object in motion.
- Shen -
Mind
Waking consciousness, waking thought, the Shen resides in the Heart
- Hun -
Ethereal soul
Somewhat like western notion of spirit, resides in the Liver.
- Po -
Corporeal soul
Soul of the body, provides physiology, resides in
the Lungs
- Yi -
Intellect
Scholarly memory, resides in the Spleen
- Zhi -
Will
Urge to exist, urge to do, willpower, resides in
the Kidneys.
Notice that the
five aspects are distributed throughout the body. There is no distinction
between mind and body; they’re one entity. The ethereal affects the
substantial and the substantial affects the ethereal. They’re both Qi which
is manifesting as one person.
It‘s interesting
to note that this is contrary to the new-age notion that everything,
especially illness, stems from the mind. If everything stemmed from the mind
then Moving Liver Qi or Tonifying Kidney Yang would have no effect. The
temptation to understand Oriental Medicine by fitting it into western models
is strong. But reconciling eastern and western medicines is a vast ocean
that is almost entirely uncharted.
THEORY
|
Yin & Yang Pt 1
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Yin & Yang Pt 2
|
5 Elements
Qi
Anatomy-Physiology
| Functions
of Qi |
Organ Functions
Shen: Spirit & Mind
|
Pathology Types
|
Healing
Hierarchy |
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