Shen, our human spirit
Qi, our physical and mental energy
Jing, our genetic foundation
The Three Treasures
The three treasures is a concept that occurs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but also in Daoism, in Neidan (inner alchemy), in Qigong and the tai chi classics.
The concept of the three treasures “Jing Qi Shen” appears in the Huang Di Neijing or the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, the main classical medical book of ancient China. These are conversations about heaven, man and earth and their dynamic relationships and are attributed to the Yellow Emperor and his ministers dated circa 2600 BC.
Jing Qi Shen also corresponds to the three treasures or the three jewels of Daoism: compassion, frugality and humility, metaphysically expressed in the “Three Purities” or the three highest Daoist deities.
Genetics, Energy, Spirit
Jing is the essence of our life. Jing is related to our genes or the constitution we are born with, which we inherited from our parents. Qi is the breath, the energy/ vitality or motive life force. As an energy or life force Qi is more Yang in nature, as Jing does have a Yin quality. Shen is the divine spirit within our human spirit and our connection to a higher dimension. Shen is related to our emotional side. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is related to our heart health, as our heart is also connected to the unconditional love within the universe.
In Chinese medicine the three treasures are thus essential for our material substance, our physical existence, for the energy we need to live healthy and move on in life and our connection to the spiritual dimension. The three treasures are the three essentials that link physical with mental/ emotional and spiritual health.
Mind body spirit medicine is therefore as old as the three treasures, originating from one of the oldest traditional medicines of the East, as it is, at the same time, as new as modern research in Western integrated medicine, such as has been discovered in epigenetics.
Three treasures in the TCM classics
In sections 18 and 19 of the Lingshu, the second part of the Huang Di Neijing, the vital substances like essence and Qi are described and classified. It describes the Jing or essence being related to the kidney and reproductive function, which is the origin of the congenital constitution (inherited from the parents) in a narrow sense, and is complemented by acquired essence from food. It describes Qi being related to the acquired essence that is produced from food by the stomach and spleen “zang fu” (Yin Yang) organs in Chinese medicine.
They also describe how the interplay of Jing (essence), Qi and shen (mind) are the three major elements for producing and maintaining human life. Hereby, each of the three, essence, Qi and mind do have their own specific functions. Blood, as representative of essence, circulates in the meridians and is distributed in the Yin and Yang positions to nourish the whole body, to moisten the tendons, muscles and bones, to lubricate the joints so the limbs can be bent and stretched freely as well as the body moved easily. Defensive Qi, as representative of Qi, warms muscles and skin to defend us against external pathogens. The Will, as a representative of the mind/ or shen, coordinates our emotions and adjusts the function of the “zang fu” organs (all inner Yin and Yang organs according to Chinese medicine) and adapts the human body to the external environment. Finally, it describes the connection between the three treasures, essence (Jing), Qi and mind (shen) to the “zang fu” organs. Jing, Qi and shen nourish, activate and harmonize the “zang fu” organs whereas the five zang (Yin) organs store, regulate and dominate Jing, Qi and shen and the six fu (Yang) organs provide nutrition from food, thus complementing the three treasures.
1. Treasure Jing : our genetic foundation
Is the essence, the material basis of the physical body. It is passed to the child at conception, governs growth and development, and gradually declines as the body ages. Loss of Jing is precipitated by stress, overwork, illness, poor nutrition, excessive emotions and lifestyle. Loss of Jing leads to physical and mental degeneration and as a result bones, teeth, connective tissues weaken and the senses lose acuity.
Chinese Medicine teaches us that Jing can be nourished by proper nutrition and rest, with meditation and practices like Qigong. Jing also can be strengthened through acupuncture and herbal tonics. The stronger the Jing the longer and more vigorous is life.
2. Treasure Qi : our physical and mental energy
Is the invisible life force, the vitality and energy of the body. According to Chinese medicine Qi, like blood (as a part of essence), circulates as energy through the twelve meridians, or channels of the body, to nourish the inner Yin and Yang organs (zang fu organs). Qi brings movement into the interaction between Yang and Yin. From a strong Jing (essence) a healthy Qi can arise. Qi moves blood and blood nourishes Qi and as such the functions of the lungs and spleen are important for Qi.
When Qi flow becomes unbalanced and disturbed channels can be blocked and illness can result. If Qi flow is disrupted, imbalances like deficiencies or excess, can occur in the inner zang fu organs. In Chinese medicine imbalances in the body are balanced by adjusting the Qi flow via acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicines, moxibustion, massage as well as through proper exercise and movement.
3. Treasure Shen : our human spirit
Is our mind, our spirit or psyche. It is developed and augmented through the interaction with Jing and Qi. Shen is the energy behind all mental, creative and spiritual activities. It is the manifestation of a higher nature of a human being and shows in the awareness of an all-encompassing truth. Shen reigns emotions expressed in wisdom, love, compassion, kindness, generosity, acceptance, forgiveness and tolerance. A strong Shen can exist on the foundations of a sound Jing and vital Qi.
The three treasures must be developed together. Shen is nurtured by music, dancing and creative activities.
In Chinese medicine, shen is associated with the Heart organ system. The quality of shen can be observed through a person’s eyes, which mirror his or her soul. A troubled soul or unsound mind may not connect with the eyes, or the gaze may be clouded or wild.
A weakened shen can be manifested in anxiety, mild depression or chronic restlessness, lack of focus or insomnia. Deeper psychological problems can indicate a very weak shen. Shen can be calmed and nourished through acupuncture, with herbal medicine as well as with proper nutrition and exercise.