Exploring the Fundamental Energy Units of Life

In the previous article, “Materialist View (1),” we discussed the relationship between the world and life, particularly focusing on how the environment influences living beings in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
In this second part, we shift our attention inward—to the internal materialist framework—and examine two fundamental energy concepts: Jing (Essence) and Qi (Vital Energy).
(*Note: The concepts of Xing [Form] and Shen [Spirit], originally scheduled here, will be covered in the next installment.)

---

Before We Begin: A Note on Interpretation

It’s important to recognize that Traditional Chinese Medicine is built on observation and statistical correlation.
While many of its principles remain unproven by modern Western medicine, they are considered valid due to recurring patterns across numerous cases.
Please read the following not with an attitude of denial, but with an open mind toward historically accumulated empirical knowledge.

---

Jing: The Essence of Life

In TCM, “Jing” or “Essence” refers to the core substance that underpins life itself.
It is often referred to as “Jing Qi” and is classified into two main types:

• Prenatal Jing: Inherited from one’s parents; it corresponds to genetic traits.

• Postnatal Jing: Generated from food and drink after birth; it nourishes the prenatal Jing.

By interpreting these ideas in terms of modern medical science:

• Prenatal Jing can be understood as the body’s inherited physical structures—cells and genetic makeup.

• Postnatal Jing is akin to the nutrients in body fluids that sustain cellular function.

Thus, Jing represents the human body itself, sustained by nutrition—a concept that truly captures the essence of life.

---

Qi: The Dynamic Force Behind Vital Functions

“Qi” is regarded as the fundamental substance that maintains life activities.
It is vital because the energy generated through the movement of Qi—known as “Qi Transformation“—influences various physiological functions.

Qi transformation can be broadly divided into two mechanisms:

---

1. Movement Forms of Qi: “Exit, Entry, Ascend, Descend”

Qi moves constantly through four actions: exiting, entering, ascending, and descending.
This reflects the Yin-Yang dynamic of energy exchange between two entities or organs.
The flow of Qi among the five Zang organs (major organ systems) is especially important, as life itself cannot be sustained without it.

(*Note: The term “Zang” refers not to single organs but to complex clusters of structure and function, enclosed by membranes.)

---

2. Transformation: Qualitative Changes in Energy

“Transformation” refers to the conversion of substances and energies within the body, such as:

• Nutrients from digested food (called “grain Qi”) are transformed into “Essence.”

• This Essence then becomes Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids (Jin-Ye).

• Even the interplay between Yin Qi and Yang Qi is considered a form of transformation.

Remarkably, even without modern biochemical analysis, early practitioners were able to perceive subtle internal changes through observation.
This reveals the extraordinary insight and empirical skill of early medical scholars.

---

Coming Up Next

In the next article, we will decode the remaining two energy constructs: Xing (Form) and Shen (Spirit).
Thank you for reading this far.

 

 

ほぐし処　ねこや

住所　〒277-0042
千葉県柏市逆井4丁目24-36
アクセス　逆井駅より徒歩9分
電話番号　04-7113-4346　(10:00~21:00)
営業時間　11:00～21:00　(完全予約制)
定休日　水・木曜日（祝日は営業）
当店facebookはこちら↓
http://bit.ly/1TqmW8d