tech03 The Theory & Practice of Source Acupuncture

 The Tertiary Scroll -
Viewpoints of Shen

Shen/Spirit in the Early Medical Classics

Understanding the Relation between Shen and healing was very important in acupuncture, and was clearly described in the ancient Chinese medical classics.

Chapter 8 of the Ling-Shu states "First, it is necessary for the acupuncturist to be concerned with the root in Shen."

This has been loosely translated as ... "Treat the Spirit first !"

Chapter Thirty of the Ling-Shu describes the development of a fetus as the coming together of two Shen to create form: "The two Shen [common and primary consciousness] contact each other and unite to become form and the fetus is created."

The "two Shen" are the Common consciousness and the Primary consciousness.

Shen has various definitions, such as soul, consciousness, a spirit, a god, a divine thing, supernatural consciousness, or simply mind.

Whether Shen is developed by meditation, by supernal intelligence, or by fate - whoever attains to the full awareness of Shen is said to become an enlightened participant in the life process, where previously he or she was merely an observer.

The meaning of Shen describes the active relationship people make with their circumstances. Seen in this light, there is little difference between deities, or ancestral spirits, or even the spirits of animate and inanimate beings or things.

The history of Chinese philosophy indicates that early thoughts on Shen were perceived only by the Emperor and the Royal Court. Later, this conception was attributed to the common man as well, in which each person was believed to have his or her own personal injunction to be who he or she was.

In early times, Shen was conceptualized as the spirits, gods, or divinities under the control of the Shaman-King. During the middle period, the Emperor assumed the role of the Shaman. Later this ability was found to be in each individual and Shen took on the character of "soul."

In a Han dynasty text, it was described that in (even) earlier times mankind did not mingle with the Shen. However, in that ancient time, the shamans Shi and Wu, due to their skill and capabilities, performed religious duties by overseeing the ceremonies so that the Shen/Spirits would communicate with them. Since the shamans maintained the world of the spirit and the world of the mundane in separate realms, the spirits sent beneficial energies down to the people, and there were no calamities or disasters.

In 2600 BC, this distinction between worlds was thrown into disorder and mankind and the Shen/Spirits became intermingled. Each separate clan started to indiscriminately conduct the religious ceremonies that formerly were under the influence of the shamans. This lack of respect prompted the spirits to disturb the order of man, and calamities and disasters arose.

One Emperor appointed an Administrator of the Affairs of Heaven (in order to determine the proper place of spirits) and an Administrator of the affairs of Earth (in order to determine the proper place of men). This is what is meant when we hear the term, "Breaking the intercourse between Heaven and Earth." (More on this in the next scroll).

Another reason that spirits did not mix with humans was due to the fact that there were many humans without moral or ethical restraint. Only the Shamans possessed the required qualities of being even-tempered, courteous, genuine, and honest.

 

Shen and the Philosophical Traditions

The religious and philosophical schools of Chinese thought give us more information than the medical tradition because they actually correlate psychological and emotional conditions with the Shen’s spiritual and cosmic origin.

Neo-Confucians identified Shen with various divine qualities, among which was the belief that Shen was a spirit or god.

This philosophical viewpoint provides the means for acupuncture strategy to be more accurate and more effective because Shen is the source of all transformation within the bodymind. A clearer Shen produces a better healing.

 

Go to the Next Scroll

© 2003 - Academic Services International
All Rights Reserved

Metalrabbit Web Design