Characters of Healing, Images of Life Series -

The Stuff of Life

A Written/Visual Introduction to the Fundamental Substances of TCM

The Three Treasures

Joseph Carter, L. Ac.

2011 Joseph Carter

www.AcupressureInstitute.com

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Yin/Yang

Yin/Yang

Images: Left side of each Image is

Fu: Mound (often man-made), Abundant growth.

(Archaic Image shows a terraced mound with growing trees.)

Yin:

Being Present, Cloud. Shady Side of the Mountain

(Modern abbreviated form, shows Mound/Moon)

Yang:

Sun Rising over Horizon, with Spreading Rays of Light. Sunny Side of the Mountain

(Modern abbreviated form, shows Mound/Sun)

2011 Joseph Carter

www.AcupressureInstitute.com

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

The Three Treasures

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Jing

Qi

Shen

One of the core concepts from the Taoist roots of Asian Medicine is the idea of The Three Treasures. One is born with these three gifts of life, treasures that represent our inheritance of a body, our energy, and our mental-emotional spirit. The Treasures enliven ones conception and birth, while also supporting the growth, development, and flowering of our life and personality throughout our years. Cultivation of these Treasures via enlightened practice of meditation, and energetic techniques (such as Qi Gong, Tai Qi, Yoga etc.) leads to physical health, vibrant energy and a positive mental-emotional attitude.

The Three Treasures

Jing: Essence
Left: Right: Mi- Rice

Made of 2 images-

Further, Qing is itself is comprised of two imagesUpper: Lower:

Qing- Blue/Green, the Verdant Color of Life.

Sheng -A plant growing from the earth. Dan- Cinnabar (red, in an alchemists crucible)
Made of 2 images-

Qi: Energy
Upper: Lower:

Qi -Vapor, Air, Oxygen. Qi of the Sky Mi- Rice, and by extension = Food. Qi of the Earth Made of 2 imagesShen - A sign post, a piece of cloth tacked to a post

Shen: Spirit
Right:

Left : Shi - Influences from the Sky (from the heavens)

We Are All Born with Three Treasures, Wasting them is the Norm of an Overly Materialistic Culture. Cultivation of the Three IS the Art of Living Life Well. Gifts from Our Lineage & from Spirit.

2011 Joseph Carter

www.AcupressureInstitute.com

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Jing Essence

Jing - Essence

ImagesLeft: Right:

Mi - pictograph o f grains of uncooked rice Qing - blue/green, the verdant color of Life
Qing itself is composed of two imagesUpper: Lower:

Sheng -a plant growing from the earth Di . Dan - cinnabar (red, in an alchemists crucible)

Interpretation: The generative force of life stored in the seed and the life

sustaining energies released as the seed sprouts and unfolds into life. Jing has
been described as the most material form of Shen (Spirit) and Qi (Energy). Imagine newly sprouted rice seedlings, the rush of life the seedlings are, and the potential of life (and future generations) they represent. In the context of human fertility, Jing is the seed energy in sperm and ovum. In modern terms we could say

Jing is the DNA and its unfolding potential into life and the generation of life. Generative & Regenerative.

It is crucial to realize that Jing transmits and sustains life, that Jing is both

is a Source of Regeneration.
2011 Joseph Carter www.AcupressureInstitute.com

The Source of Generation

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Qi (Chi) Energy

Qi (Chi) - Energy

ImagesUpper:

Qi- A pictograph of curling clouds rising.

Qi of Tian (Sky/Heaven)

Heavenly Qi. Vapor, Air, Steam, Oxygen.

Lower:

Mi- grains of rice, and by extension- food. Earthly Qi. Alternate images - A field
of cooked rice, implying more motion and expansion than uncooked rice. Qi of Di (Earth) growing 4 different crops, an expanded grain

Interpertation Energy, Life Force (in motion). The interplay of the energies of Heaven and Earth creates/is Qi, the movement of Life. This Qi moves through/is all the functions of Life, from the essentials of digestion and elimination, all the way through great art, great music, and great compassion. 2011 Joseph Carter www.AcupressureInstitute.com

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Shen Spirit

Shen - Spirit

Images Left : influences from above, to show, to proclaim, to divine (as in divination). Right: Interpretation Shen state, express, explain. Shi is the abbreviated or combining form of Shi ,

us, show and are our Spirit.

The energies of the sky/heaven moving through us, expressing through The radical form of Shi, One can view , shows energies descending from the sky

above (sky above is represented by the two upper lines.) signpost with a sign attached.

Shen as two hands girding or holding a body, or as a

Together these images speak of influences from above embodied in and

through life. This Spirit is most directly noticed by the radiance, or lack of radiance in lifes movements and changes. Usage

religious overtones, but rather as an indicator of a persons overall engagement conversely not be too dispirited by the ups and downs of lifes challenges.

In the realm of Asian Medicine Shen is considered broadly, not with

with life. Someone with good Shen can partake of a spirited conversation, and In Acu-Points work (Acupressure/Acupuncture) there are eight (8) points

whose traditional name includes the character Shen. Four of the more important of these are Shen Men (Spirit Gate, Heart 7), Shen Tang (Spirit Temple, Bladder 39 {B 44}), Shen Dao (Spirit Path, Du 11), and Shen Feng (Spirit Seal, Kidney 23).

We are Spirits in the material world. . . - Sting 2011 Joseph Carter www.AcupressureInstitute.com

Characters of Healing, Images of Life

Introduction to the Stuff of Life, the Fundamental Substances of TCM

Xue Blood

Xue - Blood
Images Upper: A mark, representing something of substance. The mark can also indicate light reflecting and shining off of a substance, and so in this case, the substance has a light or a luminescence to it. Lower:

Min- Pictograph of a serving vessel. The ancestral, seal

, shows an ornate vessel, not a day-to-

script form of the character,

day serving bowl or saucer, but rather a special ceremonial vessel. These dedicated to the cherished ancestors of ones lineage. is the Ancient Seal Script form of Xue.

sorts of vessels were used especially for sacrifices of fine foods and wine

Interpretation Along with Jing (Essence), Qi (Energy) and Shen (Spirit), Blood is one of the Fundamental Substances of Chinese Medicine. Blood contains the nutritional essence of what has been eaten, the Qi of the Earth, and the vitality of what has been inhaled, the Qi of the Sky. Blood connects us with all of animal life, and especially with the life and Blood of our ancestors. Our Blood is filled with the Essence and Spirit of present this point of view our Blood is clearly a remarkable, life sustaining, and spiritually potent substance. life, and comes to us via the Essence and Spirit of our familial past. From

Who has fully realized that history is not contained in thick books but lives in our very blood?
- Carl Jung

2011 Joseph Carter

www.AcupressureInstitute.com