Qi Cultivation

The Three
Treasures
Andrew Taylor

Chinese cosmology is defined by the three

treasures of Jing (精), Qi (氣) and Shen (神).
They have informed its rich culture, my-
thology, medicine and even everyday life for
centuries. Andy introduces these three piv-
otal energies in a concise way that helps us
relate to them.
茶氣

A
s you get to know more health to be based on three special body form and substance and con-
of Chinese culture, with substances or energies, known as nects us to our ancestral past through
its many rich traditions, the “Three Treasures”, or “san bao” the genetic code. Of the Three Trea-
beliefs, and practices, you discover (三寶); Jing (精), Qi (氣) and Shen sures, it’s the one most closely related
that the principles on which it’s all (神). These energies may be trans- to our physical body, manifesting as
founded upon are not at all separate, lated as “essence”, “vital energy” and semen in men and helping to create
but derive from the same root phi- “spirit-mind”, though they cannot marrow in our bones.
losophy. The calligrapher and martial be fully understood solely by English In the Chinese medicinal
arts masters’ movements both origi- equivalents. Let’s dive into these con- paradigm, Jing is classified into two
nate from the center, or dan tien; the cepts, which date back to Lao Tzu types: Our genetic code, given to
farmer and fortune teller both use the and the Yellow Emperor… us by our mother and father, and
lunar calendar to predict a harvest or further back our ancestors’ ances-
an auspicious date for a wedding; tors, is known as Pre-Heaven Jing
and the soup at dinner and medicine The Tao gives birth to One. (xian tian zhi Jing, 先天之精),
from the Chinese doctor both con- literally the “Essence of Early
One gives birth to Two.
tain ingredients to help strengthen Heaven”. This can be viewed as
the blood and benefit the eyes. And Two gives birth to Three. the stock that we are given as we
so many of these aspects of Chinese Three gives birth to all things. enter this world. After birth, Post-
culture—from language and reli- Heaven Jing (hou tian zhi Jing,
gion to tea, medicine, poetry, art and —Dao De Jing 後天之精) or “Essence of Later
craftsmanship—all relate to the way Heaven”, is the Jing that we will
of Heaven and Earth (Yin and Yang). The First Treasure acquire ourselves, beginning at
The ancient Daoists believed Man infancy, through intake of food and
to be between Heaven and Earth, as The first treasure, Jing water.
no dissociation exists in the mutual (essence, 精), is the original life At birth, our Jing determines
relationship between all three. That force, the true Yang of life and root the constitutional strength of the
which is of Heaven and Earth, is also of our vitality. Early Chinese medical body, and a deficiency at an early age
of Man. And so living within the texts refer to Jing as the basis of the can be seen in slow growth or poor
Dao means living in harmony with human body, constituting all of our development of the brain, bones,
Heaven and Earth energy. blood and fluids. It is the material teeth, structural deformities, and
Thus, sages were acutely aware that fosters our body’s development even mental retardation. In adults it
of their energetic bodies and their and sexual reproduction, as well as manifests as impotence, lower back
lives were oriented towards cultiva- controlling our birth and growth, pain, deafness, and balding, thinning
tion and preservation of their ener- eventually waning as we age into or graying of the hair. Ultimately, the
gies. Ancient Chinese culture saw death. In a broad sense, Jing gives our

9
Leaves water and heat,
the Jing, Qi & Shen of Tea

complete loss of Jing results in our part in nourishing Jing. The most all transformative processes of life. If
death. common Jing herbs are cordyceps, Jing is the basis for the human body,
In Daoist traditions, conserva- the herb known as “he shou wu Qi is the basis for the whole cosmos.
tion of Jing was practiced for health (何首烏)” and goji berries. Exhaus- All movement and transfor-
and longevity, and their lifestyle tion of Jing, or “Jing depletion” as mation within the Universe arises
and daily practices were oriented as it is often called, is caused by stress, from Qi. It has many forms and
such. With its relationship to sexual overwork, alcohol or drug intake, or functions and human life depends
function and the kidneys, reducing excessive sexual activity. on its existence. We are continuously
the frequency of sexual activities, breathing Qi, eating Qi, and interact-
or complete celibacy (especially in ing with Qi in every moment of our
winter), was practiced as one such The Second Treasure lives. Our state of health depends on
conservation technique. In modern the condition of our Qi. Any lack or
times, Jing cultivation is often just a Of the Three Treasures, Qi stagnation of it will cause imbalances
lifestyle that promotes well-being— (氣), or “vital energy” is the one in our body, creating dysfunction
one that includes adequate rest, a that is most familiar in the West- and dis-ease in the organ systems. If
healthy diet in accordance with the ern world. It is known as “prana” in Qi is depleted, we must nourish it
seasons, meditation, yoga or Qigong. Hindu culture. Qi is the invisible life and if there is too much, it must be
Chinese herbs also play an integral force within everything and behind moved. The generation of Qi occurs

10
Qi Cultivation
through the transformation of the air all function and interact through out all aspects of everyday life here
we breathe and the food we eat. Qi. Which aspects of our lives need in Taiwan: at restaurants that offer
Within our bodies, Qi has five nourishment? Which need to break healthy dishes cooked with Chinese
basic functions: activating, warming, through stagnation? herbs or early mornings in the park
protecting, transforming and con- Like the differing energies of as the elderly move their Qi by doing
taining, all of which relate to one Yin and Yang, Qi can be great and Taiji, Qigong or other traditional
another. Our Qi flows within our expansive or condensed and subtle. breath/movement exercises. Another
body through the meridian or chan- The energetic difference is appar- example of Yang Sheng occurs during
nel system nearer to the surface of the ent when drinking an aged puerh as the month after a woman gives birth.
body. This channel system, accessed opposed to a fresh oolong, but do Childbirth results in an extreme
through the exterior portion of our you notice the difference when mov- loss of Qi and blood for a woman,
body, connects to our internal organ ing the plant on your chaxi slightly so this time is of critical impor-
systems at the deeper level. (This closer to the edge? Or the shift in tance to replenish what was lost. The
explains how acupuncture affects your energy when you change from mother will rest for a month (called
bodily functions through insertion wearing a blue shirt into a red one? “zuo yue zi” or “sitting the month”),
of needles into the body at particular Can you taste the difference of the cared for by her own mother at home
points on the channel system.) Qi in food when eating organic as or at a special center by a caregiver,
Our posture and body align- opposed to non-organic? Yes, Qi is eating a traditional diet to nourish
ment influence the flow of Qi everywhere! Qi and blood. Of course, herbs will
within the body. Fundamental to One of the best ways to sup- be part of this regimen. The most
Taiji, Qigong and yoga practice is port Qi in the body is through diet commonly used Chinese herbs that
maintaining correct posture, which and exercise. The Daoist concept of strengthen the Qi to improve diges-
enables energetic movement. In “Yang Sheng, (養生)” or “nourish tive, respiratory, immune function
this way, we can also examine our life”, which means the cultivation and help build blood include gin-
own alignment in life to that which and nurturing of our mind, body seng, astragalus root, schizandra and
surrounds us. Work, family, rela- and spirit, is prevalent in Chinese rhodiola.
tionships, aspirations, spirituality, society. This can be seen through-

The Third Treasure

Our first two Treasures join
together within the body, develop-
ing into the third Treasure, Shen,
(神) known as “spirit-mind”. This is
the energy behind our mental, cre-
ative and spiritual being, our con-
sciousness and awareness, and that
which connects us to the Divine. If,
as the Daoists say, the meeting point
of Heaven and Earth is Man, then
Earth energy is the source of Jing and
Qi and Heaven energy is the source
of our Shen. It resides in the heart
and can be seen through the eyes—
as the saying goes, “The eyes are the
windows to the soul.” Unlike Jing
and Qi, Shen does not get passed
on from our ancestors. The Shen is
developed ourselves, in our daily
lives, cultivated through medita-
tion, prayer, music, dance, tea, art,
writing, or any creative activity that
aligns us with a higher state of con-
sciousness.

11/ The Three Treasures

The state of our Shen is often depression and heart palpitations
determined by how we choose to can all be attributed to a clouded
orientate ourselves to the world. or disquieted Shen. To brighten the
The way we relate to other people, spirit, any activity that opens, moves,
or better yet, the way we relate to soothes and quiets the Heart is rec-
everything in this world creates a shift ommended. Finding your own Dao
in our Shen. All thought, intention and living through that will certainly
and interaction influences Shen, our brighten Shen. In Daoism, reishi
spirit. Are you able to regard the mushrooms are highly regarded as
mundane as sacred? Are you able to a superior Shen tonic for calming
see the light when mired in darkness? the heart and quieting the mind for
For us Chajin, Tea acts as a medium meditation. And of course, we need
to create space for a calm, peaceful look no further than the tea table to
spirit. However, that space is not find the greatest Shen tonic of all!
limited to our tea room, and the
equanimity felt from drinking Tea With the wisdom passed
does not leave us after the pot has down from the ancient wise ones, we
been cleaned. We continue to brew are able to facilitate our own under-
Tea throughout our day in regards standing and connection to Heaven
to everything that we do, cultivating and Earth. We are at the meeting
omnipresent, mindful and harmoni- point, and have access to the method
ous Shen. and medicine to cultivate our own
How does Shen manifest in Three Treasures: Jing, Qi and Shen.
our physical body and how can we Now it is up to you to live in har-
brighten it? Within Chinese Medi- mony with Great Nature, nurture
cine, our Shen is associated with the your own vitality and align your
heart organ. Anxiety, restlessness, spirit with the Dao!