In Acupuncture we say that the Mind resides in the Heart.
The word Shen encompasses the mental-spiritual capacities of the five Yin organs of the individual.
In the context of Heart Shen, it refers to the mental capacities of the Heart, and not to the set of capacities of the five organs, which is why to differentiate them, we call it "mind".
These capacities are:
- Mental activity: It is the strength of the mind, if it is strong and clear.
- Consciousness: The thoughts and perceptions that lead us to be "conscious" of our individuality.
- Memory: It is the capacity to remember data or events.
- Thought: It is the capacity to elaborate knowledge from memory and mental activity making use of consciousness.
- Sleep: The quality or quantity of sleep depends on the mind in the sense of its balance.
The Heart "opens" at the tongue, and the Shen energies of the Heart manifest through speech.
It is the most purified of the five mental-spiritual capacities.
It is at this level that the Pericardium will protect the Heart-Mind from both endogenous and exogenous aggressions, and it is there that psycho-emotional factors will be resolved.
If the Heart is strong and the Blood is abundant, mental activity is normal. Emotional life will be in balance, memory will be good, and rest at night will be adequate and sufficient.
- Self-knowledge and cognition depend on the Heart.
- The Heart is the root of life and the origin of mental life.
- Heart-Blood roots the Mind so that the subject is calm and at peace.
- Mental health depends especially on good nutrition of the Blood.
To nourish the Mind you must nuture Heart-Blood.
Jing and Qi are intimately linked to the Mind. See: The Three Treasures.
- Jing and Qi are the material basis of the Mind.
- There is an interrelationship between the three:
- If the Essence is flourishing and Qi is strong, the Mind will be calm.
- If the Essence is poor and energy is low, the Mind is restless.
Shen-Mind is the predominant Psycho-emotional element and most cared for by body energetics.
Only Zhi housed at the Kidney level is capable of influencing this.
- Water limits Fire.
- The Shaoyin axis is responsible for basic balance both at the mental and organic level.
- Knowledge and Will-Power are intimately linked, knowledge without Will-Power or Will-Power without knowledge can be causes of serious psycho-emotional imbalances and the decay of our current society is a result of this.
- If the Mind overflows due to lack of Will-Power it causes neurosis or dementia in extreme cases.
- If Will-Power lacks knowledge it could be like walking in the dark.
Pathological Function
- Euphoria.
- Excessive emotivity.
See also Psychological syndromes
See: Shen