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San Bao – The
Three Treasures
The treasures are a
fundamental principle of Chinese health and wellbeing. They are jing (essence), qi (energy)
and shen (spirit). The three treasures are a microcosm
of the cosmological principle of heaven, earth and human. It is said
that a realized person unites heaven and earth in their being. This is
done through cultivating the three treasures.
Jing or vital essence is the foundation of life. When it
is exhausted in us we die. Jing is very
closely tied to hormonal secretions in the body and can also be equated
with sexual vitality. To lead a long and happy life one must guard
their essence from depletion and support it through nutrition and
qigong. There is also a strong connection to the genetic code of life
and each of our personal manifestations of this code. The Chinese
mysteries refer to this as the Seal of Heaven.
Qi is perhaps the most well known and understood of
the three treasures in the west. It is the animating principle of all
existence. It is the source of true power. Qi
enlivens us and supplies our muscles, tissues and organs with
motivation as well as organization. The smooth flow of qi in the body is health. When qi
flows our movements our subtle and integrated
and our cells grow in harmony with the body. When qi
is stagnant we lack motivation and our body becomes dis-integrated
and eventually malignancies occur. The smooth flow of qi is maintained through movement and meditation.
Practices such as qigong (literally energy skill), tai chi and Yiquan
are effective and profound ways to smooth the flow of qi in our bodies. When qi
is chronically stagnant bodywork, acupuncture or herbs may be required
to restore the flow.
Qi may also be found to be in
excess or deficiency in our bodies. It is the role of an Asian healing
arts practitioner to rectify these imbalances through bodywork,
acupuncture and/or herbs.
Shen is the most elusive and subtle aspect of the three
treasures but profoundly important to optimal health. When our spirit
is calm, at peace, the qi flows and our
essence is maintained and understood. Shen is
cultivated through the practice of meditation and other virtuous
activities such as delineated in the worlds
great spiritual traditions.
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