The Three Treasures – Jing, Shen and Qi
I initially wanted to write this article focusing on the concept of Jing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) however it would not be doing it enough justice as Jing is inherently connected to Qi and Shen. Therefore, this article is an exploration of the three concepts or ‘Three Treasures’ knowns as Jing, Qi and Shen, based on my own developing understanding and passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although I acknowledge that I can only understand the concepts from my own perspective and understanding which is influenced by my culture and living in the West, I wanted to share my understanding of Jing, Qi and Shen in a way that is accessible for students and other people interested in TCM whilst also trying to preserve their original and authentic meaning. I am forever grateful to my TCM teachers who have not only ignited and nurtured this passion within me, but have guided me throughout the process of the course. Their Shen (passion, wisdom, enthusiasm) has inspired the Shen within me and for that I am forever thankful, thank you. This article will explore the concepts of what are known as the ‘Three Treasures’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the relationship between them. The Three Treasures are Jing, Qi and Shen. It has been suggested by Baik (2019) that previous studies have only explored the concepts of Jing, Qi and Shen in an abstract way, often as three separate elements rather than focusing on their interconnected relationships. This is, in part, due to the incorrect translation of Chinese language and symbols into English language by Western scholars and practitioners. It is important to note that some Chinese symbols do not have a direct English translation so many Western scholars have attempted to ascribe meaning using words that are as near to the symbol, but this can mean that the true and original meaning of symbols and acupuncture points is veiled to some degree. Jing, Qi and Shen are often thought about as three separate elements, which impacts how they are understood and applied in practice by practitioners. Deepening the understanding of the Three Treasures not only supports greater application in practice, but enables practitioners to cultivate their meaning in their own lives. Traditional Chinese Medicine appears to be a lifelong study that supports movement and change in profound, unquantifiable ways. Jing Jing is translated as ‘essence’. It relates to growth, reproduction and longevity. The character of Jing (see appendix one) has two parts which mean ‘rice or grain’ and ‘green’, fresh’ and ‘youth’ (Baik, 2019). This gives the indication that Jing has an important connection to food. Food is an important building block for not only Post-Natal Jing but also Parental (Pre-Natal) Jing because the foods parents consume throughout their lives will impact the health of their children at conception and beyond. Maciocia (1998, cited in Baik, 2019, p. 21) discusses that Jing is something that is “derived from a process of refinement from some coarser basis”. This implies that Jing goes through an extraction or distillation process and is a refined substance. In the classic Chinese text, the Neijing, Jing has thirteen different meanings which according to Baik (2019) are as follows: The meanings of Jing from the descriptions above are all slightly different but share the common theme of being fundamental to human life and development. Parental Jing or reproductive Jing is the Jing inherited from both parents. Post-Natal Jing is the substance derived from ingested foods. Pre-Natal Jing nourishes a growing foetus as well as after the baby after birth. Chinese Medicine stresses the importance of the health of both parents at the time of conception and the mother during pregnancy. Parental Jing is thought to determine an individual’s constitution, development and lifespan to some degree (Baik, 2019, p. 32). Parental Jing can be enhanced by supporting the Postnatal Jing through food and drink. Post-Natal Jing can be cultivated throughout the early life course, similar to how a gardener can improve the quality of soil by adding in organic matter such as leaf mulch and manure. This suggests that although someone may be conceived from parents who did not have good quality reproductive Jing, this Jing can also be kick-started by the parents after the baby is born through breastfeeding and the selection of foods given through the weaning period and beyond. Interestingly, TCM also highlights the importance of quiet time, following a special postnatal diet and rest during the Postnatal period for Mother and Baby known as ‘sitting the month’ or Zuo Yue Zi (Huang, 2020). This is also a time where outside contact should be limited to protect the open energy of the mother and baby. Post-Natal Jing is the Jing transformed from Jingwei from water and grains by the stomach and spleen after birth. It is stored in the Kidneys and then transported to the five Zang and six Fu organs. Postnatal Jing is closely connected to the Stomach and the Spleen which are responsible for the transformation and transportation of food and nutrients. Post-Natal Jing supplements Pre-Natal Jing and these are inseparable in their relationship. Jarmey (2006, cited in Baik, 2019, p. 35) said that Pre-Natal Jing is like a cash inheritance from both parents. If invested, it can help get an individual off to a good, strong start in life. He further went on to say that Post-Natal Jing is similar to the interest earned off that investment of cash, as well as the money earned through day-to-day employment. If the Prenatal Jing is strong, this suggests the stomach and spleen and therefore digestion of a person will be stronger, making it more efficient at extracting the nutrients from food and the formation of postnatal Jing. Qi Qi is said to be the energy or life force within every living thing, including humans, plants, and animals. Quantum Physics has demonstrated and proven scientifically that everything is made up of energy; all matter and objects. Traditional Chinese Medicine knew this long before the work