The concept of the key energies yin yang and jing, qi and shen (translated as essence, vitality, spirit or heart-mind) formed the basis of Chinese culture.<\/span><\/p>\n All areas are related to the path of heaven and earth (yin and yang). To live in the Tao (nature) is to live in harmony with the energies of heaven (yang) and earth (yin).<\/span><\/p>\n The ancients were aware of the energetic side of existence and their lives were focused on cultivating and conserving energy. A very old analogy, used since time immemorial, explains these concepts using the image of a candle. Jing<\/b><\/p>\n Jing is commonly translated as the essence of the body and is considered to be the original energetic substance that is gradually depleted throughout life until we grow old and eventually die. It is considered the root of our vitality, the foundation of human life, the substance that forms blood and all bodily fluids and influences our health. All this is standard knowledge for anyone who has been studying Chinese medicine or internal arts for some time. The second aspect is the yang jing – the life force contained in the essence. The second treasure, <\/span>Qi<\/b><\/p>\n Qi translates as energy, and Taoists have always focused on cultivating and developing this enigmatic substance. All movements and transformations in the universe and in the human body occur through qi. As we eat, breathe air, the body undergoes continuous transformation processes to provide functional energy for the body’s daily needs.<\/span><\/p>\n Chinese medicine has a well-developed model that describes this process of energy production in the body. The third treasure, <\/span>Shen<\/b><\/p>\n Shen translates as spirit, heart-spirit. Shen is the energy of our mental, creative and spiritual existence. <\/span><\/p>\n It is responsible for all mental activity, thinking, cognition, all thought processes that have to do with logic, intelligence, memory and ingenuity. <\/span><\/p>\n Like Jing and Qi, Shen has two aspects. Modern life, which is characterized by chronic frenetic activity and stress, as well as chronic illness, is not conducive to the cultivation of Shen. <\/span><\/p>\n Shen likes peace and quiet. The ancient Taoists pointed out a way to merge with Shen – and this can be done by “sitting still and doing nothing”, following the Tao or the natural order of things without interfering in the course of things (wu wei). <\/span><\/p>\n To do this, jing, qi and shen must be purified, harmonized and strengthened.
\nAncient Taoists believed that man exists inseparably between heaven and earth and that there is a mutual relationship between these three (heaven, earth, man). <\/span><\/p>\n
\nFor them, health was based on three basic substances, energies, known as the Three Treasures: Jing, Qi and Shen (essence, vital energy and spirit, mind-heart). <\/span><\/p>\n
\nJing is the wax and wick of the candle, the extremely condensed energy that becomes material.
\nQi is the flame, compared to the energetic activity of the candle, which through burning (life) makes the candle burn.
\nShen is the light\/radiation that emanates from a burning candle. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nJing is compared to the roots of a tree. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nTaoists strive to preserve the Jing in order to reach the heights of longevity.
\nWhen a practitioner learns to consolidate the Jing, they can build a solid foundation for health and powerful inner development.
\nThe consolidation of the Jing is favored by calmness.
\nIf, on the other hand, a person squanders their Jing by living an uncontrolled life, without any notion of restraint and moderation, the proverbial oil in the lamp will quickly burn out and health problems, exhaustion and rapid ageing are to be expected. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nWith each of the three treasures, jing, qi, shen, we can distinguish two parts – one is the tangible, concrete aspect of the respective treasure and the other is the aspect of consciousness.
\nSo, according to Chinese medicine, one aspect of the jing is the yin jing – the part that creates physical matter, the potential for all physical production in the body: bone marrow, blood, fluids and cell reproduction.
\nHow well we take care of our physical health slows down the burning of the yin jing aspect. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe spark of potential energy contained in the yin jing.
\nThe yin jing aspect can be sustained by the food and drink we consume, but the yang jing aspect is much more intangible, it comes from within us and is considered irreplaceable. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nQi is the invisible life force, the vital force behind all of life’s transformative processes. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nLife depends on qi.
\nHealth depends on the state of Qi.
\nA deficiency or stagnation of Qi leads to an imbalance in the body and therefore to dysfunction and disease in the internal organ systems.
\nA harmonious, even, healthy and strong flow of Qi in our body can be achieved through breathing work, cultivation of the mind and Qigong exercises – both static and dynamic. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe healthier our internal organs are, the better we metabolize Qi from various sources and the better the body functions and the healthier we are.
\nWe can say that the yang aspect of qi is emotions and the yin aspect of qi is sensations. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nShen is really the basis of our existence.
\nThe ancients claimed that it appears right after conception and leaves the body after death.
\nThey believed that each person has their own Shen, which is one with the global Shen.
\nShen can be compared to a divine order that descends to earth and inhabits the physical body.
\nIf, as the Taoists say, the meeting point of heaven and earth is the human being, then the energy of the earth is the source of Jing and Qi and the energy of heaven is the source of Shen. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe eternal and primordial aspect – “Spirit of the Tao” – is the original source of all consciousness.
\nIt is eternal, indestructible and immortal.
\nHowever, as soon as we arrive in the world, our social conditioning and the constant desires and distractions that life brings make it inactive, and so it disappears from our consciousness and its place is taken by the temporal, worldly mind.
\nThe original spirit loses its legitimate influence over our body’s energy. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nHe likes a calm heart\/mind (Xin).
\nHe likes good quality blood and Jing, the vital essences that anchor him in the body and prevent him from floating back to heaven. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nIn the process, the human mind, which is likened to a dirty mirror, is gradually cleansed of accumulated emotional, mental and physical distortions and impurities so that the original spirit of the Tao can shine through again and reflect the world as it really is. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>