tech06 The Theory &
Practice of Source Acupuncture
The Sixth Scroll -
Anatomy of the Shen and the Jing
The
Essence of the Three Treasures
Summarized from
the Second Scroll - "The Three Treasures"
Jing, Qi, and Shen are the Three Inner Treasures.
Shen is our conscious spiritual connection maintained in the midst of life.
Jing is our spiritual potential or destiny.
Qi is our dynamic kinetic potential.
Jing and Shen interact to produce Qi.
A
Simplified Anatomy
of
the Shen and the Jing
This Scroll examines certain specific correlations between the physical body, the energetic channel system, and the locations & access points of the Shen, the Jing, and their product, the Qi.
Multiple reference sources (see below) point to the "Seat of Consciousness," the Shen, being located high in the thorax, midway between the sternum and the vertebral column, in the general area of the uppermost "petal" of the heart chakra, at the level of the Ren-19 acupoint.
In like manner, these multiple reference sources also point to the "One-Point," the Tan-tien, "the place from which qi emanates and to which it returns and is thus [named] the "Sea of Qi," being located in the Hara (belly), midway between the anterior abdominal wall and the sacrum, at the level of the Ren-6 acupoint.
Similarly, multiple references also describe a central channel running axially through the center of the body, entering from above the head and descending between the feet to the earth, and this channel links the two energetic centers cited above.
This Scroll deals exclusively with the central channel and its four contact points (Tao, Shen, Hara, and Earth), with reference to their product, Qi.
Thus, for our purpose in getting to the heart of the matter, we will be setting aside the more extensive Oriental medical meridian system, as well as the Indian Ayurvedic chakra system, although we will make reference to them for anatomic precision.
This is very basic, very simple, energetic anatomy. It consists of one central channel, two acupoints (Ren-19 and Ren-6), and two universal principles (Tao and Earth). We will see that this basic anatomy forms an energetic core that gives rise to the meridian system, the chakras, and the dense physical body.
When dealing with Shen (Heart) and Jing (Kidney), many practitioners would simply use Ren-4 and Ren-17. After all, these are major points that are commonly taught and are known to affect the Heart and the Kidney.
However, the points herein described :
Chest-Zigong (Ren 19). The "Purple Palace" and
Qihai (Ren 6). The "Sea of Qi"
have been found in literature and by experience to be the actual, direct, access points to the central channel junctions.
.
Spirit
Consciousness
Soul
Mind..
Tibetan Medical Concepts place the "Seat of the Soul" centrally in the body, 1.5 t'sun below the sternal notch.
Similarly, Indian Ayurvedic Medicine allows for a sub-chakra, located in the superior vault of the heart chakra, wherein the most sacred images and processes of consciousness are stored.
Chakra means, "wheel." A Chakra is a rotating, electro- magnetic, energy center located within the human body. There are seven major chakras (crown, brow, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral plexus, and base/root) vertically linked by a triadic (3 conduits) central channel system. Chakras are also referred to a "Lotuses," due to their flower-like appearance.
A Sub-Chakra is a smaller energy center contained within a larger, major chakra. It may also simply refer to a single "petal" of a lotus; the various petals each have a different energetic function within the chakra. We will see that the "Seat of Consciousness" (Shen) is located in the area of the uppermost petal of the Anahata (Heart) Chakra, but in a deeper dimension.
The 12 petals of the Anahata (Heart) Chakra
Along the same line, Chinese Medical Philosophy states that at the beginning of daylight, the Shen moves out of its inner resting place in the Heart [exiting through twelve orifices], rises up to the "Garden Office" in the head [directly behind the eyes], and activates the external eyes so that it (the Shen, the Consciousness) is able to interact directly with the three-dimensional world. At night time, it returns through the twelve orifices to rest in the Heart.
The access point providing a direct connection to this "Seat of Consciousness" is:
Ren 19 is located "On the midline of the sternum, level with the 2nd intercostal space." It is punctured horizontally 0.3-0.5 inch.
- - - (Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture, 1st ed., 1980).CV-19 - The abode of the heart, soverign among viscera, is thus, by analogy, called the Purple Palace.
- - - (Grasping the Wind, 1989).
.
Essence
Destiny
Will to Live
Spiritual Potential.
Japanese Medical Philosophy assigns the name Hara (belly) to an anatomical area that encircles the umbilicus, the lower position of which is attributed to the Kidney.
Oriental Martial Arts Concepts place the "One Point" centrally in the body, about an inch and a half below the navel.
The "One-point" or "Tan-den" of the Japanese Martial Arts is synonymous with the "Tan-Tien" of Chinese Medicine and Taoist Meditation. Practitioners of Tai Chi, Aikido, Kendo, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, etc., must all learn to control their energy and their movements from this point. This is also the center-of-gravity of the human physical body, the place where all muscular activity is centered and controlled.
The belt worn in Japanese Martial Arts is ideally tied in such a manner that the knot rests directly over the One-point.
Along similar lines, Chinese Medical Philosophy states that at the beginning of daylight, the Jing moves out of its inner resting place in the Kidney and activates the external ears where it is able to interact directly with the three-dimensional world. At nighttime, it returns to rest in the Kidney.
The access point providing a direct connection to this "Sea of Qi" is:
Ren 6 is located "On the midline of the abdomen, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus." It is punctured perpendicularly 0.8-1.2 inches.
- - - (Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture, 1st ed., 1980).CV-6 - This area serves as a reservoir of qi for the whole of the body. It is the place from which qi emanates and to which it returns and is thus [named] the Sea of Qi.
- - - (Grasping the Wind, 1989).Ren 6 is contraindicated during pregnancy.
.
Dynamic Kinetic Potential
The Ability to "Get up and Go!"
"Breath.".
Oriental Medicine indicates that Jing and Shen interact to produce Qi.
Chinese Medical Philosophy states that at the beginning of daylight, the Qi moves out of its inner resting place in the "Middle" and activates the mouth where it is able to interact directly with the three-dimensional world. At nighttime, it returns to rest in the "Middle".
The term "Middle" refers to the Middle Burner - The Spleen/Stomach dynamic.
The influential point providing direct access to the "Middle" is
Zhongwan (Ren 12). The "Middle Cavity" or "Central Duct"
Ren 12 is located "On the midline, 4 cun above the umbilicus." It is punctured perpendicularly 1.0-1.5 inches.
- - - (Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture, 1st ed., 1980).Co-12 - The "Middle Cavity" requires that "caution must be exercised to avoid an excessively deep insertion."
- - - (Acupuncture - A Comprehensive Text, Shanghai College, 1981).CV-12 - Zhong-guan means the "Central Duct."
- - - (Grasping the Wind, 1989).
The next Scroll examines the concept of the "Central Duct" in greater detail.
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