Jing

[Guest guest]

Jing (Ching) usually is translated as Essence. Another translation is " basic

substance " .

 

It's hard to explain to Westerners exactly what Jing is. The closest explanation

is that Jing has to do with conception and heredity. Prenatal Jing (Congenital

Essence) from the mother and father unite at conception. The Prenatal Jing and

the Original Qi from the parents dtermine the person's basic constitution.

Together, they're like master blueprints.

 

One of the best ways to explain constitution is to point out that there is a

difference between congenital health problems and acquired health problems. A

congenital problem is one that is present from birth. Examples include a

tendency to develop diabetes mellitus or Yang Deficiency. Some people are just

more inclined to be bothered by Heat than others are. Some are more inclined to

suffer from Yin Deficiency than others. Some people have hereditary enzyme

deficiences like like Galactosemia. These are all examples of constitution and

Jing.

 

Acquired weaknesses are those that come about because the person has a poor

diet, gets injured, doesn't get enough rest, etc.

 

Often health problems and imbalances are a combination of constitution and

lifestyle. For example a person with an inherited tendency to developing

diabetes mellitus who eats a lot of refined sugars is far more likely to develop

diabetes than someone with the same tendency who eats few refined sugars.

 

In the traditional TCM literature, Jing disorders are said to be impossible to

change. However, one often can reduce the tendency for a Jing problem to

manifest. In some cases one can treat the branch manifestations of a Jing

problem.

 

For example, there is a fascinating section in Wicke's first text about

Galactosemia. This is a hereditary disorder in which the infant lacks the genes

that code an enzyme called galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase. The baby

can't metabolize galactose, a sugar present in milk. As a result galactose

builds up in the body and a metabolic toxemia results. The treatment is to stop

giving the infant milk.

 

The ancient Chinese didn't know about galatose and enzymes. These weren't

identified until the science of biochemistry. But the ancient Chinese did know

about Jing and did know about TCM sydromes. Galactosemia is one of the

Western-defined medical conditions that can produce the TCM-pattern of " severe

Dampness Stagnation of the Middle Burner " which may have symptoms of fluid

accumulation and bloating in the abdomen, a tender and enlarged liver, frothy

urine, slippery and full pulse, and a thick and greasy, white tongue coating. In

TCM milk is classified as a very Damp substance and is known to create Phlegm,

and Phlegm blocks, can be one of the causes of Stagnation. Thus, part of the TCM

treatment is to eliminate milk from the diet of someone with severe Dampness

Stagnation of the Middle Burner. Substances like rice milk and ginger are

substituted for milk. The rice milk doesn't increase Dampness, and the ginger

gets the Qi moving. Both TCM and Western medicine came up with the same

treatment but via different lines of reasoning.

 

There is a Prenatal and a Postnatal Jing. The Postnatal Jing is formed

throughout life from food and air. There are herbs to improve Jing and its

retention. There are breathing exercises to improve Jing.

 

Sexual excess will deplete Jing. When Jing is depleted this can result in

sickenss, weakness, premature aging, and death.

 

Jing is concentrated in the Kidneys. The Seat of Jing is an energy center called

the Lower Tan T'ien, the Sea of Energy. This point is located about 2 or 3

fingers below the navel. This is the area of the Hara. There are exercises such

as Hara breathing which will increase and preserve Jing.

 

You can't really generalize about Jing disorders because they can have such a

broad range of branch manifestations. It's important to identify and treat the

branch manifestations. The one you're the most likely to see in literature is

Kidney Jing Deficiency. This one has the same symptoms as Kidney Qi Deficiency

(like weak and sore lower back, loose teeth, poor memory, easily frightened,

impotence or sterility, etc.) plus the symptoms of slow physical or mental

development, premature aging and senility, and brittle bones. The pattern of

Kidney Jing Deficiency is derived from the pattern of Kidney Qi Deficiency which

is turn is derived from the pattern of Qi Deficiency.

 

Kidney Jing Deficiency is a much more serious problem than Kidney Qi Deficiency.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Essence, vital essence. in the male, sperm.

 

--- Becky <bsalibrici wrote:

 

> What is Jing?

>

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Qi Men Dun Jia / Chinese Divination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

ADP = Chi

ATP = Jing

ATP AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY

 

*Table of Contents*

 

*The Nature of

ATP*<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#The

Nature of ATP>* |* *How to Make

ATP*<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#How

to

Make ATP>* | **Learning

Objectives*<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#Le\

arning

Objectives>* |

**Links*<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#Links\

>

*The Nature of ATP |* Back to

Top<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#Table

of

Contents>

 

Adenosine triphosphate

(ATP)<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossA.html#adeno\

sine

triphosphate (ATP)>, the energy currency or coin of the cell, transfers

energy from chemical bonds to

endergonic<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossE.html#\

endergonic>(energy

absorbing) reactions within the cell. Structurally, ATP consists of

the

adenine<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossA.html#ade\

nine>

nucleotide<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossN.html#\

nucleotides>(

ribose<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossR.html#ribo\

se>sugar,

adenine base, and phosphate group, PO

4-2) plus two other phosphate groups.

 

A 2-D stick view of the structure of ATP. The above drawing of ATP is from

EcoCyc at

http://hapuna.ai.sri.com:1555/new-image?type=COMPOUND-IN-PATHWAY & object=ATP

 

A cartoon and space-filling view of ATP. Image from Purves et al., *Life:

The Science of Biology*, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates

(www.sinauer.com<http://www.sinauer.com/>)

and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com <http://www.whfreeman.com/>), used with

permission.

 

Energy is stored in the covalent

bonds<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.html#coval\

ent

bond> between phosphates, with the greatest amount of energy (approximately

7 kcal/mole) in the bond between the second and third phosphate groups. This

covalent bond is known as a pyrophosphate bond.

 

We can write the chemical reaction for the formation of ATP as:

 

a) in chemicalese: ADP + Pi + energy ----> ATP

 

b) in English: Adenosine diphosphate + inorganic Phosphate + energy produces

Adenosine Triphosphate

 

The chemical formula for the expenditure/release of ATP energy can be

written as:

 

a) in chemicalese: ATP ----> ADP + energy + Pi

 

b) in English Adenosine Triphosphate produces Adenosine diphosphate + energy

+ inorganic Phosphate

 

An analogy between ATP and rechargeable batteries is appropriate. The

batteries are used, giving up their potential energy until it has all been

converted into kinetic energy and heat/unusable energy. Recharged batteries

(into which energy has been put) can be used *only* after the input of

additional energy. Thus, ATP is the higher energy form (the recharged

battery) while ADP is the lower energy form (the used battery). When the

terminal (third) phosphate is cut loose, ATP becomes ADP (Adenosine

diphosphate<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossA.html\

#adenosine

diphosphate (ADP)>; di= two), and the stored energy is released for some

biological process to utilize. The input of additional energy (plus a

phosphate group) " recharges " ADP into ATP (as in my analogy the spent

batteries are recharged by the input of additional energy).

How to Make ATP *|* Back to

Top<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookATP.html#Table

of

Contents>

 

Two processes convert ADP into ATP: 1) substrate-level phosphorylation; and

2)

chemiosmosis<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.htm\

l#chemiosmosis>.

Substrate-level phosphorylation occurs in the

cytoplasm<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.html#c\

ytoplasm>when

an

enzyme<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossE.html#enzy\

mes>attaches

a third phosphate to the ADP (both ADP and the phosphates are the

substrates on which the enzyme acts).

 

Enzymes and the formation of NADH and ATP. Images from Purves et al., *Life:

The Science of Biology*, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates

(www.sinauer.com<http://www.sinauer.com/>)

and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com <http://www.whfreeman.com/>), used with

permission.

 

Chemiosmosis involves more than the single enzyme of substrate-level

phosphorylation. Enzymes in chemiosmotic synthesis are arranged in an electron

transport

chain<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossE.html#elect\

ron

transport> that is embedded in a membrane. In eukaryotes this membrane is in

either the

chloroplast<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.html\

#chloroplasts>or

mitochondrion<http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossM.ht\

ml#mitochondria>.

According to the chemiosmosis hypothesis proposed by Peter Mitchell in 1961,

a special ATP-synthesizing enzyme is also located in the membranes. Mitchell

would later win the Nobel Prize for his work.

 

 

On 11/21/05, Jack Sweeney <mojavecowboy wrote:

>

> Essence, vital essence. in the male, sperm.

>

> --- Becky <bsalibrici wrote:

>

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> >

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> > one click.

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> > removed]

> >

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> >

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[Guest guest]

>

> ADP = Chi

> ATP = Jing

> ATP AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY

>

I would like to disagree with Domingo's analysis above. I am not

exactly sure how he is making the analogies he has made - and what

it has to do specifically with Jing. In my understanding - ADP and

ATP are both Yang (active-producing) aspects of energy production -

they are both related to Qi - in fact many equate ATP with Qi but in

reality all of the Yang pathways that are energy producing (anabolic

and catabolic) are what constitutes Qi. There are many forms of

energy - performing multitudes of tasks in different cells - these

constitute the many enzymatic metabolic pathways that produce

energy - the production of energy and the energy itself is Qi a Yang

function - being performed on the cells and other structures - which

are the Yin - the substance of ourselves.

 

One thing that should be understood is that Qi is a Yang function

but is not the same thing as the Yang. Jing is a symbol of of the

relationship between the Yin and Yang forces in the body - the inert

substances of our being - Yin - and the activating forces - Yang.

 

I am writing a longer article on Jing and will try to post it

tomorrow if time allows.

[Guest guest]

In traditional understanding the Primordial Qi is the essence of our

personal nature - what in modern times is called 'genetics' - the

source and primary symbol of this are the Kidneys - this can

actually be verafied as the Kidney functions are one of the first

functions to develop in the embryo - and the further development of

all else is absolutely dependent on the Kidneys. As was said the

symbol of being in many eastern systems is the Essence - this in

some Medical schools is related to the sexual system - in Ayurveda -

essensce is synomomous with semen (Shukara)- in TCM this Senescence

is Jing - which is slightly different from the Ayurveda

understanding as TCM calls all of the clear fluids of the body Jing.

 

The proper care and conservation of all of the Jing fluids (sexual

fluids, saliva, tears, sweat, etc. is the secret of life. Ayurveda

has a very elegant concept called 'Rasayana' this has several

meanings but the essential idea is recovery from disease and

unnatural aging - it is often translated as 'recovery of youth' - it

is actually a Sanskrit word meaning 'purification of the Rasa' - in

this sense Rasa means plasma or Lymph - the meaning of this idea is

quite profound and the truth of it has only been realized by a small

percentage.

 

We are born with a pure body (the purist most of us will achieve)

and over time we become 'polluted'- the Rasa becomes 'unclean' - so

the ancient experimenters postulated that it is easy to recover our

health - clean our Rasa - remove the toxins, the excesses, acids,

etc. and the body will start functioning properly. This is the

system followed by Yogis of all cultures – this is the path of

purification – my Father has followed this vision of life since he

was a boy. I myself follow a modern version of this system.

 

The Ancients considered the condition of the clear fluids and the

blood to be symbols of health and disease as they reflect the

general condition of the Organs. If the Organs do not function

properly then the Jing will reflect this. In fact in the Ayurveda

system the Shukara is the essence of the production of all the other

tissues – the health of all of the tissues are perfectly reflected

in the sexual secretions – if we think of this we can see a very

profound understanding by people who did not know about `Genetics' –

they clearly could see that the health and vitality of the sexual

fluids is reflective of our personal health and the health and

vitality of the `Primordial Qi' of our children.

 

There is a science of healing the RASA – therefore recovering

general health. The Chinese called this essence Jing and it is not

just reflective of general physiology but it also perfectly reflects

the `Yin' and " Yang' functions in our body. The Jing like everything

else has it's Yin aspect and it's Yang aspect – together these are

called `Kidney Jing' – this is not the same as `Qi' – although of

course all of the Yin

And Yang functions are dependent on the Qi for their functioning.

The interaction between the Yin and Yang is what creates the local

Qi functions (energy production).

This understanding is one of the oldest philosophical

understandings – described by every culture in history – the

interaction between the positive and negative charges in the

primordial essence is what creates the phenomenal world. Lao Tsu

said of this " The Tao being full of itself becomes the two, and the

two the three, and the three the ten thousand " . This means there is

the `One' and this `One' has within it the potential for the duad

(Yin and Yang) and the Yin and Yang as they interact create all of

the infinite phenomenon. In physiology this is reflected by the

Kidney Yin and Yang – the Jing.

 

Our weakest point is the loss of `substance' and the functions it

represents (this is Yin). Loss of yin is our main problem in life

and represents many disease processes including ordinary aging. The

most difficult challenge we face is recovery of the Jing Yin. This

is why the loss of Jing fluids (Yin) is considered so harmful and

the preservation, protection, and building of the Jing to be

essential to health and it's recovery. When reading TCM texts one

often sees reference to Kidney yin and it's importance. What this

means is that with out the proper substance (Yin) then it does not

matter how many `energy' producing substances we may take – if the

cells are not prepared to function at this higher level it simply

produces stress. This is why so many are being exhausted by the

modern life style – they do not have sufficient Yin to sustain the

energy necessary for their lifestyle – they are over extended. If

the kidney Yin is good and strong then we can perform extraordinary

feats – because this Yin will allow the full functioning of the

energy production functions of the body – Qi – and through this the

Kidney Yang functions.

 

Last week in Kyoto a great man told me - paraphrasing – `The best

chance we have for success in life is not Qi – as many think – it is

the development of the Yin and the Shen that will give maximum

success – after all Qi fails everyone in the end – as in aging and

dying yin drains away and we die – so best focus on the Yin and Shen

instead of the Qi'

This is a big subject and is the focus of my personal life now – the

study of the Yin and the Shen. If anyone is interested I will try to

post something on Shen development as opposed to Qi development.

This is very important because this understanding incorporates

several important concepts including Physiological types – there are

Yin types and Yang types and each has its own biological metabolism

and personality tendencies. Many `Yin' types are trying to be `Yang'

types and visa versa – this causes many problems and explains many

cases – `knotty' cases.

 

More later.

 

 

..

 

Chinese Traditional Medicine , Becky <bsalibrici> wrote:

>

> What is Jing?

[Guest guest]

Domingo Pichardo <domingo4tao@g...> wrote:

>

> ADP = Chi

> ATP = Jing

> ATP AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY

 

Domingo, I'm not sure Eastern theory extrapolates

to Western science that easily in this unless you're

suggesting that the ablity to produce jing is based

only on a genetic inheritance from the mother.

 

ATP is produced in one's mitochondria which

we only inherit from our mothers.

 

The mitochondria in sperm is in the tail which

usually gets snapped off when the sperm penetrates

the egg.

 

The DNA of the mitochondria is different from the

rest of the DNA in the cell that we share from both parents.

 

There have been documented cases of people

inheriting their father's mitochrodria. I have no

idea how often that happens but I'm led to believe its quite rare.

 

Penel

[Guest guest]

<big snip>

> This is a big subject and is the focus of my personal life now – the

> study of the Yin and the Shen. If anyone is interested I will try to

> post something on Shen development as opposed to Qi development.

 

Please do.

I'm under the impression that discussion of Shen is not something

currently encouraged in TCM schools in the People's Republic of China.

 

I'm curious to know how you think the lack of discussion on this

subject affects current TCM practices in China.

 

Penel

[Guest guest]

" Vinod Kumar " <vinod3x3 wrote "

 

> Last week in Kyoto a great man told me - paraphrasing –`The best

> chance we have for success in life is not Qi–as many think–it is

> the development of the Yin and the Shen that will give maximum

> success–after all Qi fails everyone in the end – as in aging and

> dying yin drains away and we die – so best focus on the Yin and

> Shen instead of the Qi'

> This is a big subject and is the focus of my personal life now –

> the study of the Yin and the Shen. If anyone is interested I

> will try to

> post something on Shen development as opposed to Qi development.

> This is very important because this understanding incorporates

> several important concepts including Physiological types – there

> are Yin types and Yang types and each has its own biological

> metabolism and personality tendencies. Many `Yin' types are

> trying to be `Yang'

> types and visa versa – this causes many problems and explains many

cases – `knotty' cases.

>

> More later.

 

Yes, Vinod, I'd be interested in reading what you've learned about

Shen development. I find your posts very informative. Thank you.

 

sue

 

 

 

 

Start your day with - Make it your home page!

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , Becky <bsalibrici> wrote:

>

> What is Jing?

>

Jing (aka Essence) is one of the most difficult TCM concepts to

explain. Qi (pronounced " chee " ) is roughly though inadequately

translated as " energy " . Since Westerners understand the concept of

energy, it's easy for them to immediately have some idea of what is

meant by " Qi " . However there is no one term that immediately will

give insights into what Jing is. Yes, it's translated as " Essence " ,

but how many Westerners regularly use the word " essence " in their

thinking or conversations? The word " energy " gets used a lot. Not to

mention the word " essence " has 3 basic possible meanings in English

(the real nature of a thing, something that exists, and a

constituent of something (like the volatile part of a perfume). IMO,

the word " essential " offers better insight for Westerners into what

Jing is than the word " essence " . Something that basic to or

inherent, something that is indispensable or necessary, and/or

idiopathic (peculiar to an individual).

 

Complicating things is that there are different contexts for Jing,

and each have different meanings. Oddly enough, it's often easier

for Westerners to start to get a handle on what Jing is when it's

examined from that approach than when one looks for one word that

will sum up what it is.

 

First, there is the " Pre-Heaven Jing " . " Pre-Heaven " means " before

birth " . " Conception is a blending of the sexual energies of man and

woman to form what the ancient Chinese called the 'Pre-Heaven

Essence' of the newly conceived human being. " (Giovanni Maciocia,

The Foundations of Chinese Mediine, p. 38.) Think " DNA "

and " heredity " , and you'll start to have a handle on part of what is

meant by Jing. However, it would be a mistake to limit Pre-Heaven

Jing just to thinking " heredity " even though that's a big part of

it. Maciocia goes on to say, " This Essence nourishes the embryo and

fetus during pregnancy and is also dependent on nourishment derived

from the mother's Kidneys. The Pre-Heaven Essence is the only kind

of essence present in the fetus, as it does not have independent

physiological activity. " (p. 38.) In addition to there being a

template aspect to Pre-Heaven Jing, there also is a nourishing

aspect.

 

Most believe that Pre-Heaven Essence is set at conception though it

can be influenced through breathing exercises, Qi Gong exercise, and

living a balanced life. It's quality can be influenced though its

quantity cannot be. (Some Taoists believe it's possible to increase

the quantity though this is extremely difficult.) It is recommended

in TCM that one not have intercourse when one is tired or drunk as

this will adversely affect the Pre-Heaven Jing of any child which

might be conceived.

 

" Post-Heaven Jing " (after the birth) is the Jing which is " refined

and extracted from food and fluids by the Stomach and Spleen after

birth. " (p. 38.) " The 'Golden Mirror of Medical Collection'

says: 'The Pre-Heaven Essence originates from the parents, the Post-

Heaven Essence originates from food'. " (p. 38.)

 

Maciocia says that there are a " complex of essences refined and

extracted from food " . (p. 38.) " Post-Heaven Jing " is " a general term

to indicate the essences produced by the Stomach and Spleen after

birjth, as opposed to the Pre-Heaven Essence which is formed before

birth. " (p. 39.) The important thing to remember about Post-Heaven

Jing is that if the Stomach and Spleen are messed up, eventually the

person is going to become Jing Deficient AND the Kidneys are going

to be affected adversely.

 

The third context is Kidney Jing. Kidney Jing is dependent on both

the Pre-Heaven Jing and the Post-Heaven Jing. It derives from both.

If the Pre-Heaven Jing is insufficient, something is going to be

wrong with the Kidney Jing. If the Spleen and Stomach are weak and

imbalanced, they aren't going to be able to supply the Kidneys with

proper or enough Post-Heaven Jing, and something is going to be

wrong with the Kidney Jing.

 

Kidney Jing " is stored in the Kidneys, but having a fluid nature it

also cirulates all over the body, particularly in the 8

Extraordinary Vessels (see page 355). " (p. 39.)

 

Kidney Jing has 4 main functions: 1. " Growth, reproduction, and

development " , 2. the " Basis of Kidney Qi " , 3. the production of

Marrow, and 4. the basic of constitutional strength. (pp. 39-40.)

 

Number 1 is that template aspect of Jing again. Unlike Qi which has

short cycles of a year, a day (circadian cycles), or less than a

day, Jing cycles are long. 7 years for females, and 8 years for

males. It governs when teeth are formed, sexual maturity, and aging.

 

The Kidney Jing as the basis of Kidney Qi has a very practical

aspect when it comes to treating Kidney Qi Deficiency. (TCM

students, this probably will be not only on a written test but on a

practical test.)

 

" There is a close interaction among the various aspects of Kidney

energy, i.e. Kidney-Essence, Kidney-Yin, Kidney-Yang, Kidney-Qi. "

(p. 40.) They influence each other.

 

Kidney Qi is NOT provided by the Spleen, the Kidneys produce Kidney

Qi from an interplay of the different aspects of Kidney energy. The

Spleen doesn't ship Qi to the Kidneys, the Kidneys make Kidney Qi.

 

Jing is Yin in nature (when compared to Qi which is Yang in nature

when compared to Jing). The analogy that Maciocia uses is to think

of the Kidneys as a cauldron. The fire under that cauldron is the

Kidney Yang (and the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men). The water in that

cauldron is Kidney Yin and Kidney Jing (which is Yin in nature). The

steam rising from the heated water in the cauldron is Kidney Qi. The

Kidney Yang heats Kidney Yin and Kidney Jing, and produces Kidney

Qi. All of the components of Kidney energy work together. They all

have to be up to par in order for Kidney Qi to be produced.

 

Here's where this gets very practical when it comes to treatment. Qi

tonic herbs alone may not be enough to resolve Kidney Qi Deficiency.

They may help in that they can help the Spleen and Stomach in their

role of producing Post-Heaven Jing which along with Pre-Heaven Jing

forms Kidney Jing (which is Yin in nature). But any Kidney Yin and

Kidney Yang Deficiency also have to be treated if the Kidneys are to

produce enough Kidney Qi.

 

" The Essence produces Marrow " . (p. 40.) Maciocia leads off by

pointing out that TCM Marrow " does not correspond to bone marrow " .

(p. 40.) The Kidney Jing produces Marrow, and this, " in turn,

produces bone marrow, and fills the spinal cord and the brain. " (p.

40.) If Kidney Essence is Deficient, this will impact Marrow which

in turn will impact bone marrow and the brain and spinal cord. This

is an example of Jing in its nourishing aspect. " Thus, if the Kidney-

Essence is weak, the brain may lack nourishment and the person may

lack concentraiton and memory and suffer from dizziness and a

feeling of emptiness of the head. " (p. 40.)

 

" The Essence as the basis of contitutional strength " . (p. 40.) Even

though the Defensive Qi plays the major role in protection against

exterior evils, Kidney Essence also plays a role. " The 'Simple

Questions' in chapter 4 says: 'If the Essence is properly stored

(i.e. not dissipated0, no exterior febrile disease will be

contracted in the Spring ... if the Essence is not stored in Winter,

exterior febrile diseases will be contracted in the Spring'. " (p.

40.)

 

Jing, Qi, and Shen (Spirit/Mind) are called the " Three

Treasures " . " Essence, Qi and Mind also represent three different

states of condensation of Qi, the Essence being the coarsest and

densest, Qi being more rarefied, and the Mind being the most subtle

and immaterial. Acording to , Essence and Qi are

the essential foundation of the Mind. If Essence and Qi are healthy

and flourishing, the Mind will be happy and this will lead to a

healthy and happly life. If Essence and Qi are both depleted, then

the Mind necessarily will suffer. " (p. 41.)