Wuxing (Five Phase) Theory
In Wuxing theory, all the Phases nurture or feed each other (->) via
the Sheng Cycle (Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water -> Wood -> Fire) and restrain
or control each other (X) via the Ko Cycle (Fire X Metal X Wood X Earth
X Water X Fire). This mutual support and control normally ensures balance.
However, when one Phase is out of balance the others also have problems.
Ben Shen
The Ben Shen are the Five Phases, or aspects, of the psyche, emotions
or mental manifestations. Each of the Five Phases relates to a Zang (Yin
organ), a Zang Shu Point a psychic mentality and a Mental Shu Point (1.5"
lateral to the related Zang Shu Point), as follows:
Phase | Fire | Earth | Metal | Water | Wood |
Zang-Organ | HT | SP | LU | KI | LV |
Zang Shu | BL15 | BL20 | BL13 | BL23 | BL18 |
Mentality
|
Shen
Spirit |
Yi
Thought |
Po
Instinct |
Zhi
Will |
Hun
Courage |
Mental Shu | BL44 | BL49 | BL42 | BL52 | BL47 |
Shen-Spirit HT-Fire Hun-Courage Yi-Thought LV-Wood SP-Earth Zhi-Will Po-Instinct KI-Water LU-Metal
The above relationships operate along the Ko route (see diagram above).
1. SHEN (Fire Phase, HT/PC)
Shen belongs mainly to the Fire Phase but Shen itself is divided in
Five Phases: the Ben Shen. Negative emotions are Yang and positive emotions
are Yin. They are both necessary to feed Shen.
Shen is the power and spirit of life. It has Yin and Yang aspects.
Yuan (Original) Shen is Yin, the passive form, the divine form, the higher
self. Shih Shen is Yang, the active form, the emotions and the blood of
living.
Intuition is a part of Shen, the incarnation of the mental part of
the body.
Shen relates to HT and PC. When HT Qi is pure, PC obeys Shen. When
HT Qi is weak, PC obeys the needs of the body, resulting in a lust for
excitement and stimulating activities.
Shen and the Fire Phase involve love-relationships. When Shen is in
balance, love-relationships are also in balance.
Body growth is very fast in puberty. Shen growth cannot keep pace with
rapid body growth. Thus, many problems arise with relationships and emotions
in puberty, especially problems between parents and pubescent children.
Shen gloomy very excited, recklessness self-doubt Sorrow restlessness, cheerlessness discouragement Shock Extreme joy Self-confidence despair Joy nervousness depression (empty) Happiness concern hopelessness hysteria
To help in Shen problems:
Yi
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lack of concentration | worry about | ||
forgetful | Sympathy | Pity | muse |
Consideration | Nostalgia | worry out in the mind | |
Overconcern | |||
difficulty with giving and receiving | obsession | ||
affection | fear/concern |
To help in Yi problems:
low spirited | very sensitive, self-pity | ||
oppression | Frankness | Sadness | stoic, arrogance |
heavy hearted | Accessible to | Grief | |
Disengage | Sorrow | ||
yourself | |||
egoism | jealousy | ||
miserly | envy |
To help in Po problems:
feeling superior | Fear | Willpower | shyness |
reckless | Fear | Trust | unattainable |
Terror | Determination | inferiority | |
distrust | afraid of | ||
suspicion | panic | ||
paranoia | phobia |
To help in Zhi problems:
4. HUN (Wood Phase, LV)
Hun is a Yang aspect; it comes mainly from the father. It arrives three days after birth; after death, it returns to the great all. Hun is stored in LV; it gives courage, the "will to live", the will discover the world. When Hun does not feed Shen, one can be afraid to make decisions, or can become suicidal. Hun always wishes to change everything. (Po wants to leave everything as it is).
A weak Hun may manifest as out-of-body experiences or sensations during sleep or wakefulness. Drugs (especially abuse of alcohol, hypnotics, sedatives and narcotics) can drive Hun from the body; one feels disassociated or floating; one's links to the earth and material things are weak and uncertain.
irritation | Frustration | Assertiveness | feeling of guilt |
grudge | Aggression | Selfconsciousness | self-disapproval |
Anger | Responsibility | ||
hostility | lack of motivation | ||
bitterness | boredom, apathy, depression |
To help in Hun problems:
Types of insomnia according to the Ben Shen
When Shen is out of balance one cannot sleep because of
When Yi is out of balance one cannot sleep because of
When Po is out of balance one cannot sleep because of
When Zhi is out of balance one cannot sleep because
When Hun is out of balance one cannot sleep because of
In imbalances of the Ben Shen, as discussed above, one may use the Mental Shu or their Associated Zang (Organ) Shu Points (1.5" medial to the Mental Shu) as follows:
For problems of the | Mental Shu Point | Associated Zang
(Organ) Shu Point |
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Shen (Fire Psyche) |
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Yi (Earth Psyche) |
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Po (Metal Psyche) |
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Zhi (Water Psyche) |
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Hun (Wood Psyche) |
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