{"id":989,"date":"2011-03-03T15:05:24","date_gmt":"2011-03-03T20:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=989"},"modified":"2011-11-18T23:03:56","modified_gmt":"2011-11-19T04:03:56","slug":"earth-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=989","title":{"rendered":"Scientific Qi Exploration – Earth Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientific Qi Exploration (Part 3)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Forms of Qi: Earth Energy<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Martin Eisen, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Cells, tissues and organs of the body generate energy fields.\u00a0 The resultant of these fields regulates the body\u2019s internal energy current and also produces an external energy field (Wei Qi).\u00a0 The Outer Forces (Powers) of Heaven and Earth affect the body\u2019s internal organs through their interaction with the Wei Qi.<\/p>\n

The Outer Forces are manifested through the Three Treasures.\u00a0\u00a0 The Three Treasures of the Heavenly Powers are the energy fields of the sun, moon and stars.\u00a0\u00a0 The Earthly Treasures are the energy of the earth (rock and soil), wind and water.\u00a0\u00a0 Earth\u2019s Outer Forces are discussed below and Heaven\u2019s Outer Forces in Part 4.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Wind Qi<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are Yin and Yang energies and light created by the interaction of the sun\u2019s heat and radiation from the earth manifesting as various weather conditions such as: clouds, tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning storms. etc.<\/p>\n

There are six types of External Pathogenic Qi or Six Evils (Liu Yin):\u00a0 Wind (Feng), Cold (Han), Summer Heat (Shu), Dampness (Shi), Dryness (Zao) and Fire (Huo).\u00a0 They are often called the Six Climatic Pathogens since they are named after weather phenomena, because they possess similar characteristics.\u00a0 According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, these Six Evils can be the external causes of disease (1).\u00a0 However, climatic changes may not result in disease provided that the Zheng Qi (Righteous Qi, pathogenic fighting energy) is sufficiently strong.\u00a0 The Six Evils and some of their properties are listed in Table 1.\u00a0 Fire can arise from any of the other Evils and strictly speaking, is not classified as an external pathogen since its signs and symptoms don\u2019t appear until it has entered the body.<\/p>\n

The invasion of the Six Evils is related to the climatic conditions in different seasons and the environment<\/p>\n

Diseases related to Wind occur more frequently in spring because Wind is prevalent in this season. Summer Heat attacks the body only in the summer because it exists only in this season. Living for a long time in a damp place, one is likely to suffer from arthritis and working in a hot environment, like a foundry, one is liable to be invaded by Fire.<\/p>\n

Each of these pathogens can cause disease alone or in combination with other pathogens. For example, Wind may attack the body alone, causing an Exterior Syndrome (a disease (1) in Chinese medicine is\u00a0\u00a0 defined by a collection of signs and symptoms) due to Wind, or in combination with Heat, causing an Exterior Syndrome due to Wind-Heat.<\/p>\n

The Six External Evils invade the body mainly through the skin, or the nose and mouth, the more susceptible Organs and tissues exposed to the environment, because they originate externally.\u00a0 This does not mean that the Organ listed in Table 1 is always affected by the corresponding Evil, but only that it is more likely to be affected than others.<\/p>\n

The Six External Pathogens can act not only on one another in the occurrence of diseases, but can \u00a0\u00a0pathogenesis and Syndrome can change- for example, Cold may transform into Heat.<\/p>\n

There seems to be no beneficial effects produced by extreme weather conditions and one is cautioned from practicing Qigong at these times.\u00a0 However, some Qigong teacher advocate absorbing Qi from warm objects such as stoves, fireplaces, etc. for individuals who are always cold and cannot feel Qi from other sources.<\/p>\n

A plague outbreak in 1641, during the Ming dynasty, wiped out a large portion of the population in China. The physician, Wu Youxing (c<\/em>. 1580-1660), after extensive research into epidemic disease, wrote the book Wenyilun<\/em> (On Pestilence<\/em>) in 1642. The book described the specific symptoms of different kinds of epidemic disease and proposed the theory of Liqi<\/em> (excessive influences).\u00a0 His theory of Liqi<\/em> stated that pestilence was not caused by the Six Evils, but was the result of infection by excessive influences.\u00a0 Liqi<\/em> had the following characteristics:<\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0 It could be cured by herbs.<\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0 It penetrated the body through the mouth and nose.<\/p>\n

(c)\u00a0 The occurrence of disease depended on the quantity and virulence of the excessive influence, and body resistance.<\/p>\n

(d)\u00a0 Each pestilence was associated with its own particular Liqi.<\/p>\n

Dr. Wu also claimed that the Liqi affecting humans was different from that occurring in animals. He suggested that Liqi was the cause of smallpox and other inflammatory skin diseases.<\/p>\n

Smallpox was a great scourge of the country during the Ming dynasty and there is documented use of anti-smallpox vaccination dating from the years 1567-72.<\/p>\n

There are forms of Qigong that are practiced to enable practitioners to live comfortably in harsh weather.<\/p>\n

In ancient China, vagabonds practiced a form of Qigong so that they could live comfortably outdoors.\u00a0 Tibetan monks use a form of Qigong that enables them to live in frigid weather without warm clothing.<\/p>\n

Some Qigong masters practice infusing their energetic field with the environmental energetic field for environmental manipulations (2).\u00a0 One exercise is to pull a cloud from the sky and root the cloud in the Earth\u2019s energetic field.\u00a0\u00a0 The cloud can then be released or allowed to disperse into the surrounding environmental energy.\u00a0 Another exercise is to divide a cloud in half.\u00a0 The cloud can then be united or further divided<\/p>\n

Table 1.\u00a0 Six Evils<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Evil<\/span><\/td>\nType<\/span><\/td>\nSeason<\/span><\/td>\nOrgan<\/span><\/td>\nEffect<\/span><\/td>\nSymptoms & Signs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wind<\/td>\nYang<\/td>\nSpring<\/td>\nLiver<\/td>\nDisperses Qi upward and outward & so Yang energy wants to rise and expand.\u00a0Illnesses manifest in upper and outer parts of the body in early stage: head, sense organs and skin.Rapid onset and rapid changes in signs & symptomsSymptoms and signs move from place to lace in body.<\/p>\n

Creates abnormal or sudden movement<\/td>\n

Attack Lungs.\u00a0 Sweating causes opening of pores (Qi and fluids lost).\u00a0\u00a0Itchy\u00a0 throat, sneezing, coughing, runny nose; possibly fever.\u00a0 Facial paralysis.\u00a0Superficial Tai Yang attacked stiffness along channel & neck pain.Acute illnesses with rapid progression such as fever, infectious diseases.\u00a0 Rashes (itchy, come and go quickly, spread quickly).Spasms, convulsions, twitches,\u00a0paralysis if Liver involved.<\/p>\n

Aversion to wind or cold.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

cold<\/td>\nYin<\/td>\nWinter<\/td>\nKidney<\/td>\nDamages the Yang\u00a0\u00a0 & so impairs ability\u00a0\u00a0 to maintain body temperature<\/td>\nWeakens and slows life activities.
\nFeeling of cold; symptoms better with warmth
\nCauses Qi and Blood to contract and congeal which creates stagnation, pain, stiffness.
\nEasily affects the low back and knees, joints.
\nEasily affects the Stomach, Intestines, and Uterus.
\nThin, watery, pale, cold discharges (urine, stools, etc.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Damp<\/td>\nYin<\/td>\nLate
\nSummer<\/td>\n		Spleen<\/td>\nHeavy, tenacious, difficult to treat, and lasts a long time.\u00a0It tends to move downwards in the body.Can invade legs and then go up to settle in pelvic cavity organs.Damages Yang of body.
\nCreates stagnation<\/td>\n		Greasy hair and face;
\ngreasy skin: acne, pus, oozing wound;
\nmucous or discharge anywhere in body;
\nbad body odor, bad breath, smelly perspiration;
\nbad smelling diarrhea with mucous;
\nthick or bad smelling vaginal discharge;
\ncopious nasal discharge;
\nedema or swelling;
\nFluid coming out of anywhere;
\nCandida, fungus, yeast infections
\nWorse in cold , damp weather
\nCan invade middle channels;
\nsettle\u00a0in joints resulting in
\narthritis and swelling.
\nInjure Spleen Yang causing more dampness
\nSticky tongue coat
\nFrequent, burning urination.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Summer Heat<\/td>\nYang<\/td>\nSummer<\/td>\nHeart<\/td>\nDamages Yin leading to Yin Xu Rises
\nCauses redness (the redder the more heat)
\nEasily produces wind
\n(when effect Liver)
\nSpeeds things up.
\nEasily affects the skin
\nMay invade Pericardium<\/td>\n		Dry lips, thirst, scanty-dark urine; thirst
\nDiseases most common on face, eyes, and nose.
\nThirst, red tongue on sides tip
\nAgitation, restlessness
\nBlood moves so fast it can leave vessels (bleeding).
\nRed, painful, achy rashes.
\nClouds mind, delirium, slurred speech; unconsciousness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dryness<\/td>\nYang<\/td>\nAutumn<\/td>\nLung<\/td>\nEasily damages body fluids.\u00a0Easily damages lungs<\/td>\nDry skin, hair, lips, eyes, stool;\u00a0Low-grade sore throat.Scant urine; thirstDry cough and dry phlegm (thick, sticky, hard to expel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fire<\/td>\nYang<\/td>\nAny season<\/td>\nHeart<\/td>\nLike Summer Heat, but more severe.\u00a0Consumes Qi.\u00a0Moves up<\/td>\nAffects mind more than Summer Heat (anxiety, agitation, insomnia,\u00a0mental illness, uncontrollable laughter, shouting, hitting people talking incessantly)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

3.\u00a0 Water Qi<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are Yin and Yang interactions of energy and light from the oceans, lakes, rivers and streams manifesting as hot and cold energies.\u00a0 These bodies of water retain and release the sun\u2019s light energy and heat slowly.\u00a0 The body easily and quickly absorbs the light, energy and resonant vibrations stored in water.\u00a0 Therefore, Water Qi can play an important role in energy cultivation.\u00a0 Some use of the uses of gathering energy form various bodies of water are given in Table 2.<\/p>\n

Table 2.\u00a0\u00a0 Some Uses of Absorbing Water Qi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Source<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUses<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oceans<\/td>\n\n
Dispersing negative emotions.<\/address>\n
Regulating internal organs.<\/address>\n
Quieting the nervous system.<\/address>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lakes<\/td>\n\n
Sedate active emotions.<\/address>\n
Balance any Excess or Deficiency.<\/address>\n
Calm Shen.<\/address>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Streams<\/td>\n\n
Restore depleted Qi.<\/address>\n
Sedate active emotions.<\/address>\n
Balance any Excess or Deficiency.<\/address>\n
Calm Shen.<\/address>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The ability of water to store Qi is used by herbalist to extract and store the Qi from herbs by cooking them in water.\u00a0 This herbal soup is divided into doses to treat patients.\u00a0 Some Qigong masters use herbal tonics to enhance their own Qi and also to treat their students.\u00a0 Other masters project their own Qi into water, which their students can drink later.<\/p>\n

When gathering Qi do not select oceans, lakes or streams that are turbulent, have become dull in color, polluted or stagnant, since the body\u2019s internal energy will match that of the external environment.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Earth Qi<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are Yin and Yang energies and light originating from the earth\u2019s surface.\u00a0 This energy includes electromagnetic fields, underground radiations, light and heat emitted from the earth, and energy stored in soil, rocks, soil, plants and animals.\u00a0 There is also an Earthly energetic grid like acupuncture meridians.\u00a0 There are pockets of Earth energy (like acupoints) and frequency pathways (like meridians).\u00a0 An example of Earth\u2019s energetic grid is the Ley lines, which according to Western folklore, are energetic pathways connecting energetic power vortices on the planet.\u00a0 Some sources of Earth Qi and their use appear in Table 3. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Table 3.\u00a0 Some Earth Qi Sources
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Source<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUses or Comments<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trees<\/td>\n\n
Remove stagnation from channels.<\/address>\n
Tonify internal organs.<\/address>\n
Stabilize & replenish depleted energy.<\/address>\n
Nourish Blood.<\/address>\n
Strengthen nervous system.<\/address>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ushes<\/td>\nSimilar to trees, but not as powerful an energy source as trees.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flowers<\/td>\nUnique in stimulating the nervous system.\u00a0 Different sizes, colors and shapes can affect the emotions, causal a spiritual opening.\u00a0 Each color absorbed into the body stimulates a corresponding organ.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mountains<\/td>\nExtremely powerful energy conduits.\u00a0 The higher the peak, the more the air is charged with electromagnetic potential and more negative ion concentration.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Valleys<\/td>\nFacilitate easy absorption of energy into body.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deserts<\/td>\nSeas of dry heat energy for combating diseases associated with Wind, Cold or Damp invasion.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Different trees and bushes have different Yin or Yang potential and enter different meridians (2), for example, Apple tree energy is slightly Yin and enters the Stomach and Spleen, while Bamboo is yin, entering, Heart, Lung., Gallbladder and \/Stomach.\u00a0 However, in different regions each tree or plant can have minor or major variations in its energy.<\/p>\n

The best times for absorbing energy from trees, flowers and bushes is between the hours of sunrise (Mao: 5-7 a.m.) and noon (Wu: 11 a.m.-1 p,m,).<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t meditate in front of a tree, bush, or flower that has parasites, or has been poisoned, polluted, sick, dying, or has lost its color, since such vegetation can induce impure energetic resonation in your body.\u00a0 Similarly, don\u2019t meditate in front of a mountain, valley, or desert area that has eroded, is dying, has lost its color, or is polluted.\u00a0 Doing Qigong in areas of seismic or volcanic activity is also prohibited, since unstable resonations can be induced in your body.<\/p>\n

There are also certain locations on the earth that are known as \u201cpower spots\u201d, which can be used to produce extremely powerful effects on the body\u2019s potential energetic field.<\/p>\n

Environmental energy is also considered to vary according to direction and is absorbed into the body as a tonification exercise for a weakened or Deficient condition.\u00a0 There are six directions.\u00a0 South corresponds to the front of the body, north to the back, west to the right, and east to the left.\u00a0 Heaven and Earth correspond to the top and bottom of the Taiji Pole, the center core of light joining the three Dan Tians.\u00a0 The Qi from each direction is imagined as an energetic mist of a different color and entering a different Yin organ or the top or bottom of the Taiji Pole.\u00a0 N, S, E, and W correspond to ruby red, white, indigo, and emerald green and enter the Heart, Lungs, Kidneys, and Liver, respectively.\u00a0 Heaven corresponds to a silvery, white mist, which enter the top of the Taiji Pole through the Baihui (GV-20) and saturates it,\u00a0 Earth corresponds to a yellow mist entering through the Yongquan (K-1) and going to the Spleen.<\/p>\n

One of the most important sources of Earth Qi is food.\u00a0 Chinese doctors realized their treatments would not be effective without their patients eating properly.\u00a0 Hence, for centuries, they studied the energetic properties of food, their qualitative action on the body, and their influence on the internal organs and channels.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Food Energetics<\/strong> (2, 3, 4)<\/p>\n

Chinese diet therapy is based on classifying foods as Yin and Yang; having a Hot, Warm, Cool, Cold or Neutral effect on the body, and by their five flavors, which influence corresponding organs.\u00a0 Balancing the diet according to one\u2019s constitution and organs\u2019 strength, the seasons, the principles of Yin and Yang, not overeating can prevent many illnesses and wasteful expenditures of energy.<\/p>\n

Ingesting food that is too Yang (Hot as a bodily reaction) or out of harmony with the season, creates a Yang factor, which causes internal energy to be released damaging both Blood and Qi.\u00a0 Eating food that is too Yin (Cold) or out of harmony with the season can create an external pathogenic factor consuming Kidney Yang, preventing the body\u2019s Yang Heat from warming the body.\u00a0 The Qi flow becomes sluggish and can block the channels or collaterals.\u00a0 These blockages causes damage to the Stomach and Intestines and affect the Heart and Lungs.\u00a0 Food that is too greasy may damage the Stomach Qi, resulting in boils, pyogenic infections or ulcerous skin conditions.\u00a0 Eating similar foods all of the time may cause certain organs to be overactive or accumulation of toxins from these foods, causing mild allergic reactions from these foods.\u00a0 Gorging may produce too much Gu Qi, resulting an upward reaction of Stomach Qi.\u00a0 This affects the Spleen and Stomach, which in turn affects the Lungs (the Child of the Spleen), obstructing the breath and blocking the psychic centers (Shen of the Heart).<\/p>\n

Foods are classified as Yin or Yang by several characteristics.\u00a0 Yang foods take more time to grow, are hotter, are drier, less sweet, grow below the ground, and in hot climates.\u00a0 Yin foods take less time to grow, are colder, more watery, sweeter, grow above the ground and in cold climates.\u00a0 The more Yin the food the more expanded it becomes and the more Yang the food the more contracted<\/p>\n

Foods are also classified by five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty).\u00a0 The main method used in this classification are centuries of clinical observations on the effect of the food on its corresponding organ.\u00a0 For example, a food may be classified as pungent even though it may appear bitter to some people.\u00a0 The relation of the five flavors or tastes with the body\u2019s internal organs are connected with the<\/p>\n

Theory of Five Elements, as shown in Table 4.<\/p>\n

Table 4.\u00a0 Five Flavors and Corresponding Elements, Seasons, and Body\u2019s Organs. <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Element<\/strong><\/td>\nFire<\/td>\nMetal<\/td>\nWood<\/td>\nEarth<\/td>\nWater<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taste<\/strong><\/td>\nBitter<\/td>\nPungent<\/td>\nSour<\/td>\nSweet<\/td>\nSalty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Season<\/strong><\/td>\nSummer<\/td>\nAutumn<\/td>\nSpring<\/td>\nLate Summer<\/td>\nWinter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yin Organ<\/strong><\/td>\nHeart<\/td>\nLung<\/td>\nLiver<\/td>\nSpleen<\/td>\nKidneys<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yang Organ<\/strong><\/td>\nSmall Intestine<\/td>\nColon<\/td>\nGall Bladder<\/td>\nStomach<\/td>\nBladder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tissues<\/strong><\/td>\nBlood Vessels<\/td>\nSkin<\/td>\nSinews\/Tend-ons<\/td>\nMuscles<\/td>\nBones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sense Organ<\/strong><\/td>\nTongue<\/td>\nNose<\/td>\nEyes<\/td>\nMouth<\/td>\nEar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The interpretation of the Table 4 is illustrated by the following example.\u00a0 Bitter foods affect the Blood and tongue.\u00a0 They can stimulate the energy of the Heart and Small Intestine to control Heart Fire and stimulate digestion.\u00a0 However, an excess of bitter foods can cause hyperactivity of Heart Fire, resulting in the consumption of Kidney Yin fluids.<\/p>\n

The Five Element Theory uses two other important energy relationships called the Generating (Sheng) Cycle or Mother-Son Law and the Controlling (Ko) Cycle or the Mother-Grandson Law, which appear in<\/p>\n

Fig. 1.\u00a0 The Sheng Cycle is represented by the outer arrows.\u00a0 For example, Bitter is the mother of Sweet and Sweet is the son of Bitter.\u00a0 The Ko Cyle is represented by the inner arrows.\u00a0 For example, Bitter is the grandmother of\u00a0Pungent and\u00a0Pungent is the grandson of Bitter.\u00a0 These same rules apply when the corresponding Yin and Yang Organs from Table 4 replace the flavors in Fig. 1.\u00a0 For example, the Heart is the mother of the Spleen and the Spleen is the son of the Heart.<\/p>\n

From Table 4, bitter foods affect the Heart or Small Intestine.\u00a0 However, the Heart (Small Intestine) is the mother of the Spleen (Stomach) and from the Generating Cycle, the mother can pass energy to the Spleen (Stomach), and so improve digestion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Figure 1. The Sheng and Ko cycle of flavors<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The <\/strong>Ko cycle can be used to control or counter <\/strong>the effects of eating excessive flavors of foods.\u00a0 Excessive pungent foods can damage the Lungs by causing excessive loss of Lung Qi.\u00a0 Since Bitter is the grand- mother of pungent. Bitter foods can control the effect of excessive pungent foods.\u00a0\u00a0 Excessive Bitter foods can not only affect the mother organ but also have an affect on the grandson (Lung) by over-controlling him via the Control Cycle, causing\u00a0dry cough, asthma, and withering of the skin.<\/p>\n

Foods have a tendency to move in different directions in the body.\u00a0 Some move outward (from the internal region to the skin and body surface), some inward, some upward (below the waist to above the waist) and some downward.\u00a0 Two additional characteristics are associated with the movement of foods. \u00a0Glossy foods facilitate movements.\u00a0 Obstructive foods slow down the movements.<\/p>\n

Symptoms are treated by using foods whose movements oppose the movement associated with the symptom to rebalance the body.\u00a0 For example, upward symptoms such as, vomiting, hiccups, coughing, etc., should be treated with foods that move downwards.<\/p>\n

Food therapy is important tool for any Qigong healer and also for scientific research.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Maciocia, G. Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1989.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Johnson, J. A.\u00a0 Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy.\u00a0 Int. Inst of Medicak Qigong, Pacific Grove, 2000.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Lu, H. C.\u00a0 \u00a0Chinese Herbs with Common Foods,\u00a0 Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1997.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Lu, H. C.\u00a0 Chinese System of Food Cures: Prevention & Remedies, by Henry C. Lu, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1986.<\/p>\n

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