- Shen indicates the complex of all five mental-spiritual aspects of a human being,
i.e. the Mind itself, the Ethereal Soul, the Corporeal Soul, the Intellect and the
Will-Power. I translate this as "Spirit".
There is another meaning to the word Shen which is frequently mentioned in relation to
diagnosis. In this context the word shen indicates an undefinable and subtle quality of "life",
"flourishing", or "glitter" which can be observed in health. This quality applies to the
complexion, the eyes, the tongue and the pulse, as will be explained below.
What is then the Chinese view of the Mind? As explained above, the Mind, like other vital
substances, is a form of Qi; in fact, the most subtle and non-material type of Qi. One of the most
important characteristics of Chinese medicine is the close integration of body and Mind which is
highlighted by the integration of Essence (Jing), Qi and Mind, called the "Three Treasures".
The Essence is the origin and biological basis of the Mind. The "Spiritual Axis" in chapter 8
says: "Life comes about through the Essence; when the two Essences [of mother and father]
unite, they form the Mind".1(165) Zhang Jie Bin says: "The two Essences, one Yin, one Yang,
unite ... to form life; the Essences of mother and father unite to form the Mind".2(166)
Therefore the Mind of a newly-conceived being comes from the Pre-natal Essences of its mother
and father. After birth, its Pre-natal Essence is stored in the Kidneys and it provides the
biological foundation for the Mind. The life and Mind of a newly-born baby, however, also
depend on the nourishment from its own Post-natal Essence. The "Spiritual Axis" in chapter 30
says: "When the Stomach and Intestines are coordinated the 5 Yin organs are peaceful, Blood is
harmonized and mental activity is stable. The Mind derives from the refined essence of water
and food."3(167) Thus the Mind draws its basis and nourishment from the Pre-natal Essence
stored in the Kidneys and the Post-natal Essence produced by Lungs, Stomach and Spleen.
Hence the Three Treasures:
MIND = HEART
QI = LUNGS-STOMACH-SPLEEN
ESSENCE = KIDNEYS
These Three Treasures represent three different states of condensation of Qi, the Essence being
the densest, Qi the more rarefied, and the Mind the most subtle and non-material. The activity of
the Mind relies on the Essence and Qi as its fundamental basis. Hence the Essence is said to be
the "foundation of the body and the root of the Mind". Thus if Essence and Qi are strong and
flourishing the Mind will be happy, balanced and alert. If Essence and Qi are depleted, the Mind
will suffer and may become unhappy, depressed, anxious, or clouded. Zhang Jie Bin says: "If the
Essence is strong, Qi flourishes; if Qi flourishes, the Mind is whole".4(168)
However, the state of the Mind also affects Qi and Essence. If the Mind is disturbed by
emotional stress, becoming unhappy, depressed, anxious, or unstable, it will definitely affect Qi