tech05 The Theory & Practice of Source Acupuncture

 The Fifth Scroll -
More Viewpoints of Shen

Shen and the Medical Tradition

The Ancient Chinese medical tradition considered Shen to be the vital component of life and consciousness in the human body. The ancient Chinese religious and philosophical traditions considered Shen to be advanced consciousness or transcendental intelligence.

The contemporary Chinese medical tradition ("Traditional Chinese Medicine" or TCM) offers methods for diagnosing and treating major Shen disturbances without actually defining Shen, and without explaining the full-range etiology of Shen problems.

Shen is currently interpreted as "Consciousness" or "Spirit." Our basic acupuncture texts tell us that the Shen can be seen in the eyes and that it can be seen in three states:

"Having Shen" - is defined as bright eyes, distinct speech, and coherent response to inquiry. This normal spirit is a sign of healthy consciousness, with perhaps a minor health problem.

"Losing Shen" - is defined as dull eyes, hesitant speech, and incoherent response to questioning. This damaged spirit is a sign that the consciousness is impaired, and a serious health problem is present.

"False Shen" - is defined as a sudden change from dull eyes to bright eyes, and from hesitant speech to rapidly flowing speech, accompanied by a bright malar flush. This is an ominous sign that the patient is about to die or about to take a rapid turn for the worse.

Little additional information is available on Shen in TCM training programs.

 

Shen and the Material World

Chinese scrolls used the term Shen in reference to certain forces in their role of managing the three-dimensional material world. This implies that Shen is the controlling force behind the physical world.

There are different classifications of Shen. These include:

• The consciousness that resides in the Heart,

• The spirits of natural objects such as hills, streams, and plant life,

• The souls of ancestors, and

• The Tao.

These several meanings act to reinforce a view that proclaims a relationship between all things and their origin. This is a concept that rested at the center of ancient Chinese thought and was considered important in Chinese medicine in the earliest times.

Humans occupy a central position in-between Heaven and Earth. This does not imply that spirit and matter are meant to be divided, but rather that they can be divided, or can not be divided, depending entirely upon the perception of each person’s viewpoint.

How one perceives this viewpoint is what determines the various situations and disorders of Shen that are discussed and treated in the Chinese medical tradition.

 

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