Yin and Yang types

[Guest guest]

I have recently been in Japan and am writing an article for a Sunday

Supplement – the theme of that article is Yin and Yang

constitutional types. Perhaps some of the concepts I have emphasized

in that article would be of interest here.

 

I had picked this time to go to Japan because I had been invited by

a friend of mine who is a photographer to attend an exhibition of

her work in Tokyo. She was to be honored with a special award. I

have known her for many years and she is a close personal friend of

my wife. This person is an amazing personality and is famous for her

exuberant personality. She had been a contemporary of Ansel Adams

and is in my opinion one of the greatest art photographers of the

last century. She is an intellectual of the highest order – being an

expert in the history of art and especially Oriental art - which

has been the major influence on her own work - yet she is known for

her down home unpretentious personality. She has never cared in any

way to emphasize her femininity. At this period of her life (she is

75) she always wears double knit pantsuits and tennis shoes -–

frequently topped off by a baseball cap. She is full of energy and

frequently her husband has trouble keeping up with her.

 

We met her in Tokyo and went to Kyoto together. She wanted an

introduction to some contacts I have there. We were invited to lunch

at the home of a famous photographer. This man is a highly acclaimed

artist and his work is owned by the Imperial Household as well as

exhibited in museums around the world. He lives in the traditional

manner of the artistic classes of Japan. His life is a work of art

in itself. His home and gardens create a mood of classic Japanese

elegance and serenity. His wife is one of the most elegant people I

have ever met. She is an authority in Tea Ceremony and has made

herself into a model of feminine beauty and refinement. Her

graciousness as a hostess created an atmosphere of formal relaxation

and conviviality, which we all immensely enjoyed. She has a

traditional home but reserves a special room for foreigners. Where

people who are unaccustomed to setting on the floor can be more

comfortable. This room was breathtaking in its elegant refinement

and subtle artfulness – it is done in a modern `Zen' feeling with

several of her husband's photographs on the wall and two beautiful

flower arrangements done by her. Lunch was also a work of art and

science since she has studied the Zen theories of health. She and

her husband are strict vegetarians who prepare food according to the

seasons. The food was equal to the great Temple chefs of the famous

Temples and Ryokan of Kyoto. The preperation of the food emphasizes

the simple tastes of foods and is prepared according to the most

correct theories of purity in food – she gets the food from local

organic farmers – and prepares it according to five element theory –

she is an expert in five element.

 

This lunch was a revelation for my wife and I – but it had put my

friend into a crisis of confidence. She told us on the way to the

Ryokan where we stayed ` I have never seen anyone as feminine as

that lady – I felt clumsy and unfeminine. My whole life I have tried

to be a `natural' person without any affect – yet in this lady I see

a person who has achieved complete femininity without any self

consciousness at all. I feel something like a doubt – I felt like a

bull in a china shop'. I laughed and told her `This is easy to

understand – the both of you are highly accomplished and deeply

realized individuals – the difference is she is a Yin constitutional

type and you are a Yang type – she is inside you are outside – she

refines herself – you `free' yourself – there is not one way to be a

woman there are many – just as there is not one way to be a man –

there are Yin men and Yang men – her husband is also a Yin type – I

am a Yin type millions of men are Yin and millions of women are

Yang – it is a different way of experiencing – a different way in

which the mind works – indeed the whole organism works differently

in the various constitutional types – this is obvious everywhere yet

many have never thought about it – many Yin men are self conscious

about being less than a `He man' – just as many women feel less than

feminine – this is because of cultural viewpoints – which evidence

does not support – of what constitutes a `Man' or `Woman' – yet we

all see around us these infinite variations in the way in which

our `Masculine' and `Feminine' natures manifest'. My friend's

husband leaned over and kissed her on the cheek saying `You've

always been more than enough `woman' for me' – we all laughed.

[Guest guest]

Vinod:

 

Thank you for sharing that interesting story, it

sounds like a wonderful experience.

 

I suppose that makes me a Yin man, in such light. More

than one Chinese fortune teller has told me that I

have a male exterior and the soul of a woman. My task

then seems to be to integrate the male and female

aspects.

 

Kind regards, Jack

 

--- Vinod Kumar <vinod3x3 wrote:

 

> I have recently been in Japan and am writing an

> article for a Sunday

> Supplement ?the theme of that article is Yin and

> Yang

> constitutional types. Perhaps some of the concepts I

> have emphasized

> in that article would be of interest here.

>

> I had picked this time to go to Japan because I had

> been invited by

> a friend of mine who is a photographer to attend an

> exhibition of

> her work in Tokyo. She was to be honored with a

> special award. I

> have known her for many years and she is a close

> personal friend of

> my wife. This person is an amazing personality and

> is famous for her

> exuberant personality. She had been a contemporary

> of Ansel Adams

> and is in my opinion one of the greatest art

> photographers of the

> last century. She is an intellectual of the highest

> order ?being an

> expert in the history of art and especially Oriental

> art - which

> has been the major influence on her own work - yet

> she is known for

> her down home unpretentious personality. She has

> never cared in any

> way to emphasize her femininity. At this period of

> her life (she is

> 75) she always wears double knit pantsuits and

> tennis shoes -?> frequently topped off by a baseball

cap. She is full

> of energy and

> frequently her husband has trouble keeping up with

> her.

>

> We met her in Tokyo and went to Kyoto together. She

> wanted an

> introduction to some contacts I have there. We were

> invited to lunch

> at the home of a famous photographer. This man is a

> highly acclaimed

> artist and his work is owned by the Imperial

> Household as well as

> exhibited in museums around the world. He lives in

> the traditional

> manner of the artistic classes of Japan. His life is

> a work of art

> in itself. His home and gardens create a mood of

> classic Japanese

> elegance and serenity. His wife is one of the most

> elegant people I

> have ever met. She is an authority in Tea Ceremony

> and has made

> herself into a model of feminine beauty and

> refinement. Her

> graciousness as a hostess created an atmosphere of

> formal relaxation

> and conviviality, which we all immensely enjoyed.

> She has a

> traditional home but reserves a special room for

> foreigners. Where

> people who are unaccustomed to setting on the floor

> can be more

> comfortable. This room was breathtaking in its

> elegant refinement

> and subtle artfulness ?it is done in a modern `Zen'

> feeling with

> several of her husband's photographs on the wall and

> two beautiful

> flower arrangements done by her. Lunch was also a

> work of art and

> science since she has studied the Zen theories of

> health. She and

> her husband are strict vegetarians who prepare food

> according to the

> seasons. The food was equal to the great Temple

> chefs of the famous

> Temples and Ryokan of Kyoto. The preperation of the

> food emphasizes

> the simple tastes of foods and is prepared according

> to the most

> correct theories of purity in food ?she gets the

> food from local

> organic farmers ?and prepares it according to five

> element theory ?

> she is an expert in five element.

>

> This lunch was a revelation for my wife and I ?but

> it had put my

> friend into a crisis of confidence. She told us on

> the way to the

> Ryokan where we stayed ` I have never seen anyone as

> feminine as

> that lady ?I felt clumsy and unfeminine. My whole

> life I have tried

> to be a `natural' person without any affect ?yet in

> this lady I see

> a person who has achieved complete femininity

> without any self

> consciousness at all. I feel something like a doubt

> ?I felt like a

> bull in a china shop'. I laughed and told her `This

> is easy to

> understand ?the both of you are highly accomplished

> and deeply

> realized individuals ?the difference is she is a

> Yin constitutional

> type and you are a Yang type ?she is inside you are

> outside ?she

> refines herself ?you `free' yourself ?there is not

> one way to be a

> woman there are many ?just as there is not one way

> to be a man ?

> there are Yin men and Yang men ?her husband is also

> a Yin type ?I

> am a Yin type millions of men are Yin and millions

> of women are

> Yang ?it is a different way of experiencing ?a

> different way in

> which the mind works ?indeed the whole organism

> works differently

> in the various constitutional types ?this is

> obvious everywhere yet

> many have never thought about it ?many Yin men are

> self conscious

> about being less than a `He man' ?just as many

> women feel less than

> feminine ?this is because of cultural viewpoints ?>

which evidence

> does not support ?of what constitutes a `Man' or

> `Woman' ?yet we

> all see around us these infinite variations in the

> way in which

> our `Masculine' and `Feminine' natures manifest'. My

> friend's

> husband leaned over and kissed her on the cheek

> saying `You've

> always been more than enough `woman' for me' ?we

> all laughed.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

> I suppose that makes me a Yin man, in such light. More

> than one Chinese fortune teller has told me that I

> have a male exterior and the soul of a woman. My task

> then seems to be to integrate the male and female

> aspects.

 

This is everyones task.

I told at one time that one should be able to see another's

constitution and their pathologies. Constitution will be revealed in

the body type and the mind set. I can tell the constituional type of

an individual by looking at their photograph or hearing their voice

on the phone. Most of us here are Yin types since the pursuit of

intellectual and spiritual activities is mainly a Yin activity.

Those who 'serve' or have 'other' orientation are basically Yin in

nature.

True Yang types are 'goal' oriented.

 

The constitutional types have been written on extensively by many

writers - Leon hammer - Lonny Jarrett - etc. One book on oriental

physiogonomy that I like because it is written by a great intuitive

healer (Yin type)is Ohashi's 'Reading the Body'. The face shows

clearly if the individual has Yin or Yang dominance.

 

Naturally we are all a personal balance of Yin and Yang - but this

balance is absolutely personal and is different for everyone

although the many subtypes will also fall into catagories. This has

nothing to do with sexual orientation since homosexuals can be

either Yin or Yang types - just as heterosexuals are Yin or Yang

according to their constitutions.

 

Jack - if you read David Twicken's books you will find the rules for

determining constituional type from the chart. The basic rule has to

do with the balance of the Yin/Yang in the Four Pillars - Branch and

Stem. I must caution though to be careful to analyse all of the

Branches and Stems and find the balance of the various rulers. One

will find that a vast majority of people are a complex mixture of

Yin and Yang in different areas of their lives. It is not common to

find an individual who has a trully dominant Yin or Yang nature most

of us are mixed types. In medicine the ability to understand these

balances gives us great insight into the personal gifts and

challenges of any given person. Understanding the constitutional

condition of the organs will give us insight into the prognosis of

the case and the correct approach to solving problems. When we have

constitutional weak points or strong points in organ function the

challenge to resolving issues become clear. Our weak organs are of

course vulnerable to disease - but so are our dominant organs as we

might have a tendency to over work those naturally strong organs.

Having a nice balance in the organ functions (even if the Primordial

Qi is weak) will give us maximum opportunity for success in life.

 

Several great commentators in Ayurveda say that these balances are

functions that we all fulfill in society. An optimally functioning

individual is one who has balanced their many conflicting energies

into a personal perfection - this perfection will be different for

all. Carl Jung called this Individuation - spiritual teachers have

called it Self/Realization. A good book on these issues in Ayurveda

is Robert Svoboda's 'Prakriti'.

[Guest guest]

Beautiful story!

 

Vinod Kumar <vinod3x3 wrote: I have recently been in Japan and am

writing an article for a Sunday

Supplement – the theme of that article is Yin and Yang

constitutional types. Perhaps some of the concepts I have emphasized

in that article would be of interest here.

 

I had picked this time to go to Japan because I had been invited by

a friend of mine who is a photographer to attend an exhibition of

her work in Tokyo. She was to be honored with a special award. I

have known her for many years and she is a close personal friend of

my wife. This person is an amazing personality and is famous for her

exuberant personality. She had been a contemporary of Ansel Adams

and is in my opinion one of the greatest art photographers of the

last century. She is an intellectual of the highest order – being an

expert in the history of art and especially Oriental art - which

has been the major influence on her own work - yet she is known for

her down home unpretentious personality. She has never cared in any

way to emphasize her femininity. At this period of her life (she is

75) she always wears double knit pantsuits and tennis shoes -–

frequently topped off by a baseball cap. She is full of energy and

frequently her husband has trouble keeping up with her.

 

We met her in Tokyo and went to Kyoto together. She wanted an

introduction to some contacts I have there. We were invited to lunch

at the home of a famous photographer. This man is a highly acclaimed

artist and his work is owned by the Imperial Household as well as

exhibited in museums around the world. He lives in the traditional

manner of the artistic classes of Japan. His life is a work of art

in itself. His home and gardens create a mood of classic Japanese

elegance and serenity. His wife is one of the most elegant people I

have ever met. She is an authority in Tea Ceremony and has made

herself into a model of feminine beauty and refinement. Her

graciousness as a hostess created an atmosphere of formal relaxation

and conviviality, which we all immensely enjoyed. She has a

traditional home but reserves a special room for foreigners. Where

people who are unaccustomed to setting on the floor can be more

comfortable. This room was breathtaking in its elegant refinement

and subtle artfulness – it is done in a modern `Zen' feeling with

several of her husband's photographs on the wall and two beautiful

flower arrangements done by her. Lunch was also a work of art and

science since she has studied the Zen theories of health. She and

her husband are strict vegetarians who prepare food according to the

seasons. The food was equal to the great Temple chefs of the famous

Temples and Ryokan of Kyoto. The preperation of the food emphasizes

the simple tastes of foods and is prepared according to the most

correct theories of purity in food – she gets the food from local

organic farmers – and prepares it according to five element theory –

she is an expert in five element.

 

This lunch was a revelation for my wife and I – but it had put my

friend into a crisis of confidence. She told us on the way to the

Ryokan where we stayed ` I have never seen anyone as feminine as

that lady – I felt clumsy and unfeminine. My whole life I have tried

to be a `natural' person without any affect – yet in this lady I see

a person who has achieved complete femininity without any self

consciousness at all. I feel something like a doubt – I felt like a

bull in a china shop'. I laughed and told her `This is easy to

understand – the both of you are highly accomplished and deeply

realized individuals – the difference is she is a Yin constitutional

type and you are a Yang type – she is inside you are outside – she

refines herself – you `free' yourself – there is not one way to be a

woman there are many – just as there is not one way to be a man –

there are Yin men and Yang men – her husband is also a Yin type – I

am a Yin type millions of men are Yin and millions of women are

Yang – it is a different way of experiencing – a different way in

which the mind works – indeed the whole organism works differently

in the various constitutional types – this is obvious everywhere yet

many have never thought about it – many Yin men are self conscious

about being less than a `He man' – just as many women feel less than

feminine – this is because of cultural viewpoints – which evidence

does not support – of what constitutes a `Man' or `Woman' – yet we

all see around us these infinite variations in the way in which

our `Masculine' and `Feminine' natures manifest'. My friend's

husband leaned over and kissed her on the cheek saying `You've

always been more than enough `woman' for me' – we all laughed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Most of us here are Yin types since the pursuit of

> intellectual and spiritual activities is mainly a Yin activity.

> Those who 'serve' or have 'other' orientation are basically Yin in

> nature.

> True Yang types are 'goal' oriented.

>

 

This is a paragraph from a previous posting. My wife thinks I should

expand on the above paragraph so as to avoid misunderstandings.

There are two basic ways that the mind works - Yin and Yang - left

and right hemispheric thinking. Five thousand years ago human beings

described the two 'sides' of the mind - the feminine or left side,

it was called as the mother's side or the moon side - the right side

was described as the masculine side - the father's side ruled by the

sun. Modern research has completely confirmed these ancient concepts

with the further undersatanding that the two sides of the brain

actually rule their opposite sides of the body - so the left

hemisphere rules the right side of the body and the right hemisphere

the left side of the body. This was also described by a few ancient

observers. The two hemispheres are further broken down into the four

quadrants - the higher functions of the left and the lower functions

of the left - the higher and lower functions of the right. This

creates four basic potentials of consciouness - two right and two

left - two yin - two yang.

 

This is a huge subject but very important - I can not elaborate here

but a basic book on this subject is - Ned Herrmann's 'The Creative

Brain' - Hermann's work is based on the most advanced understanding

of the structure of the brain and it's relationship to consciouness.

Most of Herrmann's concepts can be found in the Internet.

 

The points I wanted to make in my previous posting were that most of

us here - who have come to the study of these many subjects through

our intuitive functioning are ruled by our right hemisphere because

we have a Yin constitution. The intuitive - synthasizing functions -

yin - of the brain are located in the right hemisphere - the

organisational - logical - rational - and detail oriented functions -

yang - are located in the left hemisphere. Both sides are essential

for human success it is not correct that one side is better than the

other (although one would have difficulty convincing left hemisphere

dominant people of this) - the more balanced we are between these

two sides of ourself the more success we will have.

 

Although I have been a researcher (yang functioning)all of my adult

life still my true orientation is left hemispheric as my only real

talent is as a synthasizer - synthasizing functions are right

hemispheric functions - Yin functions.

[Guest guest]

> Although I have been a researcher (yang functioning)all of my adult

> life still my true orientation is left hemispheric as my only real

> talent is as a synthasizer - synthasizing functions are right

> hemispheric functions - Yin functions.

>

 

Seems I made a mistake here - I meant of course - 'my true orientation

is right hemispheric'

[Guest guest]

Vinod:

 

Thank you for expanding this topic. As in your earlier

post, this way of classifying human types seems

helpful, especially for medical applications.

 

One aspect of Qi Men Dun Jia is to classify humans

into ten types based on the Heavenly Stems. I'm

interested in learning more about how this breaks down

in real terms.

 

Would it be fair to say that your description reflects

the Jungian classification of the four functional

types?

 

" In Psychological Types Jung (1971/1921) describes

four basic psychic functions that are capable of

becoming conscious: intuition, sensation, feeling, and

thinking:

 

Under sensation I include all perceptions by means of

the sense organs; by thinking, I mean the function of

intellectual cognition and the forming of logical

conclusions; feeling is a function of subjective

evaluation; intuition I take as perception by way of

the unconscious, or perception of unconscious events.

(p. 518)

 

Jung goes on to explain that, in his experience,

there are only four basic functions, a fact that seems

to be self-evident if one inquires into the

possibilities. These psychic functions are the methods

employed by humans to acquire knowledge of themselves

and the surrounding world; cognition is not restricted

to one function, and each function provides its own

kind of knowledge.

 

Of equal importance in Jung's typology are the

attitude types of introversion and extraversion, which

he (1971/1921) describes as distinguished by their

attitude to the object. The introvert's attitude is an

abstracting one . . . he is always intent on

withdrawing libido from the object, as though he had

to prevent the object from gaining power over him.

 

The extravert, on the contrary, has a positive

relation to the object. He affirms its importance to

such an extent that his subjective attitude is

constantly related to and oriented by the object. (p.

330)

 

Kind regards, Jack

 

--- Vinod Kumar <vinod3x3 wrote:

 

> Most of us here are Yin types since the pursuit of

> > intellectual and spiritual activities is mainly a

> Yin activity.

> > Those who 'serve' or have 'other' orientation are

> basically Yin in

> > nature.

> > True Yang types are 'goal' oriented.

> >

>

> This is a paragraph from a previous posting. My wife

> thinks I should

> expand on the above paragraph so as to avoid

> misunderstandings.

> There are two basic ways that the mind works - Yin

> and Yang - left

> and right hemispheric thinking. Five thousand years

> ago human beings

> described the two 'sides' of the mind - the feminine

> or left side,

> it was called as the mother's side or the moon side

> - the right side

> was described as the masculine side - the father's

> side ruled by the

> sun. Modern research has completely confirmed these

> ancient concepts

> with the further undersatanding that the two sides

> of the brain

> actually rule their opposite sides of the body - so

> the left

> hemisphere rules the right side of the body and the

> right hemisphere

> the left side of the body. This was also described

> by a few ancient

> observers. The two hemispheres are further broken

> down into the four

> quadrants - the higher functions of the left and the

> lower functions

> of the left - the higher and lower functions of the

> right. This

> creates four basic potentials of consciouness - two

> right and two

> left - two yin - two yang.

>

> This is a huge subject but very important - I can

> not elaborate here

> but a basic book on this subject is - Ned Herrmann's

> 'The Creative

> Brain' - Hermann's work is based on the most

> advanced understanding

> of the structure of the brain and it's relationship

> to consciouness.

> Most of Herrmann's concepts can be found in the

> Internet.

>

> The points I wanted to make in my previous posting

> were that most of

> us here - who have come to the study of these many

> subjects through

> our intuitive functioning are ruled by our right

> hemisphere because

> we have a Yin constitution. The intuitive -

> synthasizing functions -

> yin - of the brain are located in the right

> hemisphere - the

> organisational - logical - rational - and detail

> oriented functions -

> yang - are located in the left hemisphere. Both

> sides are essential

> for human success it is not correct that one side is

> better than the

> other (although one would have difficulty convincing

> left hemisphere

> dominant people of this) - the more balanced we are

> between these

> two sides of ourself the more success we will have.

>

> Although I have been a researcher (yang

> functioning)all of my adult

> life still my true orientation is left hemispheric

> as my only real

> talent is as a synthasizer - synthasizing functions

> are right

> hemispheric functions - Yin functions.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

It is so interesting to note how many different patterns can be

inferred as " existing " from the dynamic interplay of Yin/Yang! :-)

Yet, all so called " patterns " are transitory and unimportant by

themselves. At best they can provide a direction for palliative

measures (in this regard both East & West medical systems are equally

valid... and misguided). The real questions is whether we can become

sensitive enough, knowledgeable enough to understand and predict the

course and the origin of these dynamic vortexes of Yin and Yang and

thereby influence the next stage of their unfolding by adjusting the

conditions that feed them. To the extent that we can do this, there

is chance for both preventive and effective therapy for the sick...

and we are all sick!

 

Moda

 

 

Chinese Traditional Medicine , Jack Sweeney

<mojavecowboy wrote:

>

> Vinod:

>

> Thank you for expanding this topic. As in your earlier

> post, this way of classifying human types seems

> helpful, especially for medical applications.

>

> One aspect of Qi Men Dun Jia is to classify humans

> into ten types based on the Heavenly Stems. I'm

> interested in learning more about how this breaks down

> in real terms.

>

> Would it be fair to say that your description reflects

> the Jungian classification of the four functional

> types?

>

> " In Psychological Types Jung (1971/1921) describes

> four basic psychic functions that are capable of

> becoming conscious: intuition, sensation, feeling, and

> thinking:

>

> Under sensation I include all perceptions by means of

> the sense organs; by thinking, I mean the function of

> intellectual cognition and the forming of logical

> conclusions; feeling is a function of subjective

> evaluation; intuition I take as perception by way of

> the unconscious, or perception of unconscious events.

> (p. 518)

>

> Jung goes on to explain that, in his experience,

> there are only four basic functions, a fact that seems

> to be self-evident if one inquires into the

> possibilities. These psychic functions are the methods

> employed by humans to acquire knowledge of themselves

> and the surrounding world; cognition is not restricted

> to one function, and each function provides its own

> kind of knowledge.

>

> Of equal importance in Jung's typology are the

> attitude types of introversion and extraversion, which

> he (1971/1921) describes as distinguished by their

> attitude to the object. The introvert's attitude is an

> abstracting one . . . he is always intent on

> withdrawing libido from the object, as though he had

> to prevent the object from gaining power over him.

>

> The extravert, on the contrary, has a positive

> relation to the object. He affirms its importance to

> such an extent that his subjective attitude is

> constantly related to and oriented by the object. (p.

> 330)

>

> Kind regards, Jack

>

> --- Vinod Kumar <vinod3x3 wrote:

>

> > Most of us here are Yin types since the pursuit of

> > > intellectual and spiritual activities is mainly a

> > Yin activity.

> > > Those who 'serve' or have 'other' orientation are

> > basically Yin in

> > > nature.

> > > True Yang types are 'goal' oriented.

> > >

> >

> > This is a paragraph from a previous posting. My wife

> > thinks I should

> > expand on the above paragraph so as to avoid

> > misunderstandings.

> > There are two basic ways that the mind works - Yin

> > and Yang - left

> > and right hemispheric thinking. Five thousand years

> > ago human beings

> > described the two 'sides' of the mind - the feminine

> > or left side,

> > it was called as the mother's side or the moon side

> > - the right side

> > was described as the masculine side - the father's

> > side ruled by the

> > sun. Modern research has completely confirmed these

> > ancient concepts

> > with the further undersatanding that the two sides

> > of the brain

> > actually rule their opposite sides of the body - so

> > the left

> > hemisphere rules the right side of the body and the

> > right hemisphere

> > the left side of the body. This was also described

> > by a few ancient

> > observers. The two hemispheres are further broken

> > down into the four

> > quadrants - the higher functions of the left and the

> > lower functions

> > of the left - the higher and lower functions of the

> > right. This

> > creates four basic potentials of consciouness - two

> > right and two

> > left - two yin - two yang.

> >

> > This is a huge subject but very important - I can

> > not elaborate here

> > but a basic book on this subject is - Ned Herrmann's

> > 'The Creative

> > Brain' - Hermann's work is based on the most

> > advanced understanding

> > of the structure of the brain and it's relationship

> > to consciouness.

> > Most of Herrmann's concepts can be found in the

> > Internet.

> >

> > The points I wanted to make in my previous posting

> > were that most of

> > us here - who have come to the study of these many

> > subjects through

> > our intuitive functioning are ruled by our right

> > hemisphere because

> > we have a Yin constitution. The intuitive -

> > synthasizing functions -

> > yin - of the brain are located in the right

> > hemisphere - the

> > organisational - logical - rational - and detail

> > oriented functions -

> > yang - are located in the left hemisphere. Both

> > sides are essential

> > for human success it is not correct that one side is

> > better than the

> > other (although one would have difficulty convincing

> > left hemisphere

> > dominant people of this) - the more balanced we are

> > between these

> > two sides of ourself the more success we will have.

> >

> > Although I have been a researcher (yang

> > functioning)all of my adult

> > life still my true orientation is left hemispheric

> > as my only real

> > talent is as a synthasizer - synthasizing functions

> > are right

> > hemispheric functions - Yin functions.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> As in your earlier post, this way of classifying human types

seems

> helpful, especially for medical applications.

 

It is essential to not only understand the pathological conditions

that have developed - it is just as important to understand the

person who has developed these pathologies. Theraputics that does

not take into account the constitution of the patient is bound to

fail or worse it may cause harm. Diseases manifest in different ways

and for different reasons - to simply apply theraputics to the

disease leaves out the most important factor in the equation - the

patient. I have observed that this is the mistake that many

practioners make - they are simply applying formulas. I have

mentioned as an example that many are trying to build energy in the

patient by giving Qi and Yang substances to a patient who has no

ability whatsoever to process these stimulants. The patient has been

ignored and the symptom emphasized. I see much harm done by this

formulaic approach to healing. How can we possibly help someone that

we do not understand - no matter how knowlegable we may be in

medicines. Understand the patient first - then choose your

theraputic strategy to fit the patient.

[Guest guest]

Dear Jack and all– As I have emphasized before all `systems' are

describing the same human being and the same human condition so all

systems must have correspondences. In my personal case the way that

I have gotten to a deeper understanding of these issues is to search

for these correspondences. Some examples -

 

Jack wrote - One aspect of Qi Men Dun Jia is to classify

humans into ten types based on the Heavenly Stems.

 

Ayurveda also describes 10 constitutional types – the three basic

types are Vata (Air/Ether) - Pitta (Fire) – Kapha (Earth-Water) –

all of these pure types have two subtypes which are a combination of

the pure type with another type – Example – there are three types of

Vata – pure Vata, Vata/Pitta, Vata Kapha. Meaning that in these

types Vata is the dominant Dosha and the other Dosha is a secondary

major influence – of course we are all a combination of the basic

energies of existence but each has a different balance of these

energies. Same for the other types – with one extra type, which is a

combination of all types Vata/Pitta/Kapha – this type can be divided

into many types. Indeed all of the types have infinite variations

since no matter how similar we may be to others we will remain

individuals and absolutely unique in our manifestation.

Classification systems are only frameworks for understanding

ourselves and others – only a master who can see all of the many

often conflicting patterns in a persons life can come close to

finding the `person' in the classification systems. But

classification systems remain a way for us to begin the process of

comprehension. They are languages – meaning that if someone speaks

the same language as you then you `might' be able to communicate.

But as we all know true communication is not very common – in

fact `authorities' in the many `languages' are often at cross-

purposes with each other. Example you study astrological systems –

I have never seen two astrologers who see the facts of their system

the same as others. This is true of all systems of thought. Indeed

this is one of the reasons why the great minds developed these

systems so as to give us a consensual language for describing

phenomenon and communicating shared experience. Remember that the

description of something is not the same as the thing itself.

 

Learn to synthesize the various systems that you have studied and

you will have a deeper understanding of each system and you will

also be able to get an overview of just what these systems are and

what they are referring to. Each system is simply a different

perspective on the same thing. Looking at any particular set of

facts from various perspectives will give us a great deal of

information – this might be useful. It is not a matter of this or

that it is rather this and that. See it like the ancient observer

who referred to the elephant and how different blind men might `see'

it. Regardless of how we see an elephant the elephant is the

elephant, is the elephant, is the elephant – descriptions have no

power over that at all. One poster posted stating that they see

Yin/Yang patterns as `inferred existance' this is Nihilism – the

opposite of what we are trying to achieve – if my communication

skills are limited then there might be a weakness in my exposition

that in no way implies that the thing I am trying to describe is not

real or valid – it's just me and my own limitations or the

limitation of the person trying to understand me – the thing

described goes on being whatever it is. Several times I have

mentioned that the problems that western people have understanding

TCM is really nothing more than a language and cultural issue. Many

of us from Eastern cultures have been raised on concepts like hot

and cold – many from Western cultures do not even know what is being

discussed when we talk about hot and cold. For us it is so obvious

that there are many types – for others it seems irrelevant or wrong

headed to emphasize hot and cold – Yin/Yang – inside/outside –

above/below – types - etc. It's simply a different language.

 

Jack wrote - " In Psychological Types Jung (1971/1921) describes four

basic psychic functions that are capable of becoming conscious:

intuition, sensation, feeling, and thinking: Under sensation I

include all perceptions by means of the sense organs; by thinking, I

mean the function of intellectual cognition and the forming of

logical conclusions; feeling is a function of subjective evaluation;

intuition I take as perception by way of the unconscious, or

perception of unconscious events. (p. 518) Jung goes on to explain

that, in his experience, there are only four basic functions, a fact

that seems to be self-evident if one inquires into the

possibilities. These psychic functions are the methods employed by

humans to acquire knowledge of themselves and the surrounding world;

cognition is not restricted to one function, and each function

provides its own kind of knowledge.

 

These are the description of two Yin types and two Yang types – as I

referred to in my earlier posting. Jung was much influenced by

Eastern thought. This refers to the concepts I mentioned from modern

study of brain structure – left /right. Feeling and intuition are

right functions – intuition is a higher organization of feelings –

these are yin functions. Sensation and thinking are left functions –

thinking is a higher organization of sensation – these are Yang

functions. All of these cognitive functions will be emphasized more

or less in each – it is a matter of how our basic metabolism is

structured – our constitution. All of these cognitive abilities can

be relevant or not – some perceptions are good some not so good.

Some have true perceptions others not (relatively) so true. The mind

is only a reflection of the general condition of our constitutional

type – our mind and its perceptions constantly change – but our

constitution remains the same as long as we have these bodies. I am

a man and a particular body type – I remain a man no matter what

vagaries my mind might follow. I am not a woman or a dog or anything

other than what I am – but this fact of being me has gone through

infinite permutations throughout my life. But there are themes here

that can be detected. The detection of these themes is what Jung and

other great minds have attempted to do. We can describe ourselves

and others from the perspective of what it is we share – what makes

us alike - or we can describe these same selves from the perspective

of what makes us different – in my opinion reality can be

apprehended from both perspectives. All of the greatest systems

attempt to do both.

 

-

Jack wrote - Of equal importance in Jung's typology are the attitude

types of introversion and extraversion, which he (1971/1921)

describes as distinguished by their attitude to the object. The

introvert's attitude is an abstracting one . . . he is always intent

on withdrawing libido from the object, as though he had to prevent

the object from gaining power over him. The extravert, on the

contrary, has a positive relation to the object. He affirms its

importance to such an extent that his subjective attitude is

constantly related to and oriented by the object. (p. 330)

 

Introversion is Yin functioning (receptive) – extroversion is Yang

functioning (projective). Introverts – meaning they have a dominance

of receptive functioning - tend to function out of their feelings

and intuition – extraverts tend to function out of their sensations

and thinking functions – meaning they have a dominance of projective

functioning. Introversion or extraversion are not pathologies

(although they both can manifest in pathological ways) – they are

different ways in which the mind works. Many extraverts have no self-

awareness at all - they only relate to the `external' object. Many

introverts think that they are the object so spend their lives

examining the minute of their own `internal' experience – or they

become victims of their abundance of feelings and emotions or their

hypersensitivity. We can easily see that this can manifest in health

and in pathology.

[Guest guest]

Dear Vinod:

 

Thank you for that explanation, it reaches the heart

of the matter.

 

You discussed how westerners are not raised with

certain TCM concepts. A just-published article in the

Times discusses just this point:

 

Ethics in the Modern Practice of Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM) by Subhuti Dharmananda

 

In China until recent years, persons who provided

Chinese medical services grew up in a culture in which

basic concepts, such as yin/yang, five elements, and

jing-qi-shen (essence, qi, and spirit), had a broad

meaning that could be learned through education and

daily experiences.

 

By contrast, Western practitioners of TCM are usually

introduced to these concepts later in life, in a

didactic manner, and with a minimum of exposure to

their historical and cultural significance, as well as

limited description of their meaning and relevance in

the medical system...

 

Kind regards, Jack