Wu Xing & Wu Shen Personality Traits/Archetypes: Who do you think you are?

Wu Xing & Wu Shen
Personality
Traits/Archetypes
Who do you think you are?
Written by David Hartmann -
http://chinesemedicinehistoryandphilosophy.blogspot.com.au/

Wu Xing
 Wu = Five.
 Xing = Proceed (from one to the next).
 Commonly referred to as the Five Elements or Five
Phases.
 The Wu Xing refer to five categories in the natural world
that all correspond to one another, namely Mu (Wood),
Huo (Fire), Tu (Earth), Jin (Metal), and Shui (Water).
 They are in a state of constant motion and change.
 Each of the Wu Xing generates (Sheng) and controls (Ko)
another and is generated and controlled by another.
 Even though they are different they are also
complementary and cannot exist without the others.

Wu Xing History
 The theory of the Wu Xing was first formed in China at
about the time of the Shang and Zhou dynasties (16oo –
221BCE). Historically it derives from observations of the
natural world made in early times by the Chinese
people in the course of their lives and productive
labour. Mu (Wood), Huo (Fire), Tu (Earth), Jin (Metal),
and Shui (Water) were considered to be five
indispensable materials for the maintenance of life and
production, as well as representing five important
states that initiated normal changes in the natural
world.

Wu Xing History
 The Chinese were convinced that their external Universe
mirrored their internal Universe.
 Although having different characteristics, the Wu Xing
depend on each other and are inseparable. Thus in
ancient times, people took these mutual relationships to
explain all phenomena in the natural world.
 In TCM the theory of the Wu Xing is applied to generalise
and explain the nature of the Yin and Yang organs, the
inter-relationships between them, and the relation
between human beings and the natural world. It thus
serves to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Wu Xing
Qi Qing
Seven Emotions
 Anger = Mu (Wood)
 Joy = Huo (Fire)
 Pensiveness/Sympathy =
Tu (Earth)
 Worry = Tu (Earth)
 Sadness/Grief = Jin
(Metal)
 Fear = Shui (Water)
 Shock = Huo (Fire) and
Shui (Water)
Wu Shen
Five Spirits
 Hun = Mu (Wood)
 Shen = Huo (Fire)
 Yi = Tu (Earth)
 Po = Jin (Metal)
 Zhi = Shui (Water)

Sheng (Generating) Cycle
 Useful for chronic long-term emotional issues.
 For example: chronic ‘pit’ depression in the Jin (Metal)
then nourish the Tu (Earth)
Reference: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/five_element_acupuncture_theory

Ko (Controlling) Cycle
 Useful for acute short-term emotional issues.
 Stimulate an emotional response in the preceding Wu
Xing on the Ko cycle
 For example, in acute mania (Huo – Fire) then make
them fearful (attack the Shui – Water)
Reference: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/five_element_acupuncture_theory

What are ‘Archetypes’?
 “The original pattern or model from which all things of
the same kind are copied or on which they are based.
 A model or first form.
 Prototype.
www.dictionary.com

What are the Wu Xing
Archetypes?
 They are a collective of everything that has come
before on the Wu Xing.
 It is not a system that has stayed the same in
ancient China through to modern times; nor is it a
system that originated in our modern Western
world.
 It is a collective of ideas that started in ancient
China and then evolved over the millennia via
different authors/philosophers/poets. It has then
been merged with modern Western ideas as a
result of Archetype pioneers such as Carl Jung,
and TCM advancers such as John McDonald, Harriet
Beinfield, Efrem Korngold, Debra Kaatz, Giovanni
Maciocia, to name just a few.

What can you expect?
 As a general rule:
 One of the Wu Xing will be your predominant archetype.
Its likely there will be a second that will be a ‘fair bit
you’ also.
 You should be a little of all the Wu Xing archetypes.
 Sometimes you wont be just one ruling type; rather you
will be an almost equal combination of all five Wu Xing.
 There is not hard and fast rule.

Destiny versus Desires
 Destiny provides us with a ‘Full Brain’. Our senses and
experiences just remind us of what we already
inherently knew; this drives our destiny.
 Desires are a result of an ‘Empty Brain’. Our senses and
experiences fill our brain; this drives our desires.
 So which of these is responsible for our Wu Xing
archetype?
 I believe it is both.
 See also slides 66-72.

Mu (Wood) Element
Archetype
 Yin organ = Gan (Liver).
 Yang organ = Dan (Gall Bladder)
 Founder, Forerunner, Adventurer
 Pioneer, Innovator, Inventor, Creator, Developer,
Discoverer, Forger, Explorer
 “Infatuated with what is new, curious about what is
untried, she is eager to innovate, reform and
revolutionise” Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p. 161.

Gan (Liver)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen] in
chapter 8 says: ‘The Liver is like an army’s general from
whom the strategy is derived’” Maciocia, 2005, p. 117.
 “The Liver is always on the point of putting its plan into
action. It uses this capacity to carefully assess the
circumstances that life brings. It can then move into action
putting what is necessary into motion. In this way we are
able to see our way forward through a plan that leads to our
goals” Kaatz, 2005, p. 217.
 “It is the Liver who holds the master blueprint of our lives
directing us with its fine essences to become who we are
whatever circumstances bring” Kaatz, 2005, p. 217.

Dan (Gall Bladder)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen] in
chapter 8 says: ‘The Gall Bladder is the upright official
that takes decisions’” Maciocia,2005, p. 199.
 “It is the Gall Bladder that puts the vision and plans of
the Liver into action with clear judgement and
decisions. This gives us a sense of hope, purpose and
growth. It ensures we start each day with new optimism
and new plans for our lives” Kaatz, 2005, p. 171.

Mu (Wood) Characteristics
Creative, dynamic, full of
vitality
Confident yet prudent,
courageous, bold, brave, and
ambitious
Shows initiative Desires purpose
Flexible approach therefore
adaptable to change
“Steers an awesome power”
Beinfield and Korngold, 1991,
p. 161
Decisive, direct, and
committed
Compelled to win
Balance between ‘off with
the fairies’ or ‘too grounded’
Fiercely independent
Expansive Must have freedom
Shows solid clarity,
judgement and foresight
Makes the rules but then
likes to break them
Appropriately assertive Will briefly weigh up ‘risk’
versus ‘reward’

Mu (Wood) ‘Loves’
Setting and achieving goals When action is demanded
they kick into gear
Problem solving – finding
solutions to problems
Winning – strives to be the
best and to beat their
personal best
“Likes to be first, best, and
only” Beinfield and Korngold,
1991, p. 175
Intense competitive pressure Staying busy
Thrives on challenges and
fast pace
Battling adversity – loves the
fight/struggle
Pushing to the limits and
beyond
Likes the ‘road less
travelled’; likely to build new
roads
Audacious – showing a
willingness to take
surprisingly bold yet
calculated risks
Risk versus reward

Mu (Wood) ‘Fears’
The same/constancy
Powerlessness, dependency,
helplessness
Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p.
142
Feeling vulnerable, or having the
belief that other people hold that
view of you
Loss of control
Confinement, bondage
* http://www.inmagine.com/crbs097/crbs097677-photo

Mu (Wood) ‘Difficulty with’
Intensity, restraint, equality, sharing,
and cooperation
Consistency
Hypocrisy, double standards
Anger, irritability
Conflicting purposes, choices, impulses
Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p. 142
Can miss the companionship of equals
Substance abuse – stimulants and/or
sedatives
Can slip into Hun Shi – becomes too ‘off
with the fairies’; dreaming up the next
big thing; may fail to come back to
earth and therefore never gets anything
done; just dreams big
Can slip into Hun Xu – becomes too
grounded; too structured; not open to
change
* http://www.inmagine.com/izs020/izs020726-photo

Mu (Wood) ‘Shi’
Overbearing, overconfident, dominant,
aggressive, intolerant, stupid and dangerous
Subject to uncontrollable impulses
Arrogant, aggressive, reckless, driven,
antagonistic, tyrannical, confrontational,
compulsive, impulsive.
Pretentious, pompous, fake, erratic,
premature, contrary, ineffectual, devious,
fickle, ambivalent
Plans poorly (either through no planning or
over-planning) and then blames other when
they fail
Outwardly volatile emotions – particularly
favours getting angry and frustrated
Self-indulgent
Intolerant, impatient, makes hasty
decisions
Poor judgement due to arrogance

Mu (Wood) ‘Xu’
Slow, clumsy, vague, unclear, compromises,
submits, follows orders, stupid and dangerous
Compressed, confined, passive, timid
Habit bound with a rigid approach; hates
change because change is scary
Pretentious, pompous, fake, erratic,
premature, contrary, ineffectual, devious,
fickle, ambivalent
Plans poorly (either through no planning or
over-planning) and then blames other when
they fail
Inwardly volatile emotions – particularly favours
feeling overwhelmed, stressed, depressed,
powerless, frustrated, resentful and suspicious
of others
Self-punishing – very low self-esteem with a
total lack of confidence
Indecisive
Poor judgement due to people pleasing
* http://stockfresh.com/image/338443/hand-
holding-sword-scales-of-justice

Mu (Wood) Treatment
Examples
Mu (Wood) Shi
LR1 (Da Dun)
Horary point (Wood on
Wood)
LR2 (Xing Jian)
Child point
GB38 (Yang Fu)
Child point
GB41 (Zu Lin Qi)
Wood)
Mu (Wood) Xu
LR1 (Da Dun)
Wood)
LR8 (Qu Quan)
Mother point
GB41 (Zu Lin Qi)
Wood)
GB43 (Xia Xi)
Mother point

How to treat a Mu (Wood)
patient
 Discuss the treatment in a way that makes them think they
are going on a wonderful new adventure. One that no other
patient you have had has ever been on.
 Explain that you know what to do because you have treated
patients similar to them but not quite like them. Assure
them of your conviction in the treatment
 Make them feel like they are heavily involved in the
successful outcome of the treatment.
 Rather than give them homework; explain what your
hopes/goals are with the treatment and then ask them how
they will achieve those goals when they leave.

Wu Shen
Hun (Ethereal Soul)
 In a basic sense the Hun is our:
 Ethereal Soul.
 Heavenly Soul.
 Sleeping and dreaming*
 Emotional balance*
 Decision making and planning*
 Vision and imagination*
* Dechar, 2006, pp. 196-197.

Wu Shen
Hun (Ethereal Soul)
 The Hun is our creative, artistic, poetic, imaginative soul.
 Up here (Hun) anything is possible therefore dream your
grandest dreams.
 Be playful, fun, energetic, and inspired.
 The Hun doesn’t have limits or boundaries. Its like the
Universe or Heaven where there is no beginning or end.
 The Hun is also where we plan, process, filter,
discriminate, organise, set goals, and prepare for action.
 The Hun is our senses in overdrive. It operates best via
the senses, thereby the Hun uses what’s called ‘Post-
Heaven’ Intellect. In this way, the Hun is also linked to
the Yi.

Wu Shen
Hun and Po
 Our Hun isn’t tied to the Earth via gravity, but it is tied
to the Earth in a different way: via our Po.
 Our Po is our ‘Grounded/Earthly Soul’ and is the Hun in
action.
 Where the Hun was our ‘dream-big’ soul; the Po is our
‘do-big’ soul.
 They are linked together just like Yin Yang. Hun is our
Yang soul and the Po is our Yin soul.
 And just like Yin Yang, our Hun and Po can occasionally
tilt excessively in favour of one or the other. There is
never a complete severing of Hun and Po as this only
happens when you die.

Wu Shen
Hun and Po imbalances
 Hun Shi – where we have tilted in favour of Hun.
 We will still dream-big but no longer will we do-big.
 Therefore we come up with heaps of ideas but we never
finish what we start; or we just threaten to get stuff
done; as in, all talk and no action!
 We will have a ‘glass half-full’ attitude.
 Our friends might say we are ‘off with the fairies’, ‘too
flighty’, or ‘on another planet’. If our name was Cara
this place might be called ‘Cara Land’.
 I’m sure we all know of someone that is like this. When
you visit their house they have something partly
completed in every room; and their garden will be the
only one on the street that looks like it’s either half-
finished or half-started.

Wu Shen
Hun and Po imbalances
 Po Shi – where we have tilted in favour of Po.
 Please refer to the Metal Element for further
information on this.
 “[The Hun endows] us with the ability to discern our
path, stay clear on our direction, imagine possibilities,
move forward toward our goals and take a stand for
what we believe is right” Dechar, 2006, p. 196.

Wu Shen
Hun (Ethereal Soul)
 In ancient times the Chinese believed that your Hun left
your body when you slept to travel the Heaven and the
Earth (the modern view is that the Hun descends from
the eyes to the Liver). That meant a part of you was
missing, thereby allowing another entity to invade your
body while you slept. This entity was essentially
maleficent and could be a demon or another sleeping
persons Hun.
 In order to protect a sleeping person from invasion the
Chinese used moxibustion (Artemisia Vulgaris) smudging.
 Another option they used was to sprinkle pepper seeds
around a sleeping person.

Wu Shen
Basic Hun Treatment
 LR 3 – Tai Chong
 LR 8 – Qu Quan
 LR 14 – Qi Men
 BL 17 – Ge Shu
 BL 18 – Gan Shu
 BL 47 – Hun Men
 SP 6 – San Yin Jiao
 GB 40 – Qiu Xu
 GV 20 – Bai Hui
 KI 1 – Yong Quan
Hartmann, 2009, p. 59.
http://rayjpop.deviantart.com/art/Ethereal-Rainbow-
Wings-311819839

Huo (Fire) Element Archetype
 Yin organ = Xin (Heart)
 Yin organ = Dan Zhong OR Jue Yin (Pericardium)
 Yang organ = Xiao Chang (Small Intestine)
 Yang organ = San Jiao (Triple Energiser)
 Magician, Salesperson
 Wizard, Shaman, Conjurer, Prodigy, Sorcerer/Sorceress,
Warlock/Witch, Witchdoctor

Huo (Fire) Element Archetype
 “His excitement and enthusiasm generate … fusion …
[and] with this tremendous catalytic energy, he brings
the transforming power of light, love, and awareness
into the world” Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p. 177.
 “Enchanting and persuasive, the Wizard is a natural
salesman, selling not so much the product itself as the
experience of possessing an instrument of magic, a
veritable talisman, that endows us with the power to
transcend our ordinary existence. The magic, however, is
in the Wizard, not in the merchandise” Beinfield and
Korngold, 1991, p. 177.

Xin (Heart)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen] in
chapter 8 says: ‘The Heart is like the monarch and it
governs the Mind (Shen)’” Maciocia, 2005, p. 107.
 “When we feel joy in our Heart, we can give great
warmth, love and enthusiasm to whatever task lies
before us” Kaatz, 2005, p. 241.
 “The Heart is the centre of our essence from which truth
emanates” Kaatz, 2005, p. 241.

Dan Zhong (Pericardium)
 “The ancient texts say that the Heart protector
[Pericardium] is the envoy for the Heart and in charge of
the Heart’s residence, and that elation and joy stem
from it” Kaatz, 2005, p. 275.
 “Here [Pericardium] are the wonderful qualities of fire
of generosity, compassion, understanding, forgiveness
and love. Here we have a calm tranquility to rule from
our own inner temple of spirit with love” Kaatz, 2005, p.
275.

Xiao Chang (Small Intestine)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen] says in
chapter 8: ‘The Small Intestine is the official in charge of
receiving, being filled and transforming’” Maciocia, 2005, p.
191.
 “It [Small Intestine] gives us the ability to see the goodness
in what comes to us and enables us to discern the rubbish
and throw it away. This gives a natural sense of judgement
especially when we have inner conflicts to resolve” Kaatz,
2005, p. 253.
 “The Small Intestine protects the Heart from the
unimportant and rubbish and sends only pure Qi to nourish
and feed it. In this way the Heart can govern with clear
thoughts and untroubled feelings” Kaatz, 2005, p. 253.

San Jiao (Triple Energiser)
 “Chapter 8 of the ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing
Su Wen] describes the functions of all the Internal
Organs comparing them to ‘officials’; it says: ‘The Triple
Burner is the official in charge of irrigation and it
controls the Water passages’” Maciocia, 2005, pp. 211-
212.
 “When the Triple Burner [San Jiao] is working well, we
have the give and take to balance our relationships and
live in harmony with what comes” Kaatz, 2005, P. 287.

Huo (Fire) Characteristics
Excited, lively Strong Shen – memory,
consciousness, sleeping,
thinking, and emotions
Enthusiastic Might perceive gratification as
the end goal of any situation
Enchanting, charismatic,
seductive, flirtatious
Takes pleasure in the
achievement of their goals
Saturates ‘normal’ with
‘phenomenal’
Intimate, compassionate,
tender, seeks the perfect lover
Persuasive Intuitive
Alert, mentally clear, aware Talented communicator
Well oriented, focused Eternal optimist, sanguine
Happy and hearty Spontaneous
Emotionally balanced Empathetic
Enjoys life’s ups – not the
downs
Devoted

Huo (Fire) ‘Loves’
Pleasure, intimacy, romance,
being in love
Seeking the Divine
Seeking excitement and joy
Performing for others
Touch, sensation, feeling
To say ‘yes’
Living in the ‘now’
Grandiosity
Drama
Adrenaline
* http://www.thejoyhouse.com/

Huo (Fire) ‘Fears’
Separation, boredom, dullness, pain
To be cut off from others, dissolution
Inactivity or ‘down’ time
Confusion
Boundaries
The ordinary/mundane
The conservative
Being overwhelmed by intensity
Dreads what the future might hold
The unknown
* http://blog.zenoss.com/2013/02/the-proof-is-out-there-
forrester-consulting-finds-that-fragmented-it-
troubleshooting-costs-you-money/

Huo (Fire) ‘Difficulty with’
Can be preoccupied with self-
stimulation
Conflicting needs, desires,
attractions
Solitude – but does need it on
occasion to recharge
Saying ‘no’
Stimulant addiction, including
gambling
Sleeping
Shutting down
Boundaries, giving others space
Separation from loved ones
Might perceive gratification as the
end goal of any situation
http://liverichly.me/?p=2643

Huo (Fire) ‘Shi’
Overexcited
Hypersensitive
Long-winded
Anxiety
Manic, psychotic, aggressive
and very dangerous
Confused
Selfish
Agitation
Sensory perception issues –
such as seeing things that
aren’t there
Insomnia
Abuse of mind-altering
substances
Addicted to stimulants
* http://www.jokideo.com/i-like-you-but-sometimes-your-
psychotic-mood-swings/

Huo (Fire) ‘Xu’
Easily startled
Mute, quiet, but still dangerous
Gullible, naïve, innocent
Dazed, confused, disoriented
Depressed, unhappy, disheartened
Lost
Panicky
Nervous exhaustion
Insomnia
Abuse of mind-altering substances;
addicted to stimulants
Semi-conscious
Apathetic, lethargic, disinterested

Huo (Fire) Treatment
Examples
Huo (Fire) Shi
HT7 (Shen Men)
Child point
HT8 (Shao Fu)
Horary point (Fire on Fire)
SI5 (Yang Gu)
SI8 (Xiao Hai)
Child point
Huo (Fire) Xu
PC8 (Lao Gong)
PC9 (Zhong Chong)
Mother point
TE3 (Zhong Zhu)
Mother point
TE6 (Zhi Gou)

How to treat a Huo (Fire) patient
 Explain to them that TCM is not a ‘normal’ medicine. It is a
phenomenal medicine that is already treating them at this
very moment, and will continue to for a considerable amount
of time afterwards.
 Use grand sweeping arm movements to describe TCM. Change
the volume and pitch of your voice. Be enthusiastic, lively,
and remain optimistic throughout.
 Try to include some Tui Na in your treatment because they
love touch.
 Sell them the medicine!!

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 In a basic sense the Shen is our:
 Memory – short-term and long-term.
 Consciousness – semi-conscious, unconscious.
 Sleep – insomnia, narcolepsy, dreaming/nightmares.
 Emotions – all of them; not just Joy.
 Hun – Ethereal/Heavenly Soul.
 Po – Corporeal/Grounded Soul.
 Yi – Thought.
 Zhi – Willpower.

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 Based on the assumption that we are born with inherent
(Pre-Heaven) knowledge about the world, the two main
organs involved with that process are the Heart (as the
Emperor he is all seeing/all knowing) and the Kidneys
(where this inherent or Pre-Heaven knowledge is
housed). The Metal element is also involved.
 Therefore the Shen, which is housed in the Heart can be
used to stimulate the release of that knowledge.
 Some people like to give that knowledge a name, or
even describe it as a person. Mine is a very old Chinese
dude dressed in white. He sits on my left shoulder
whispering into my ear, and is a truly amazing man.

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 If we revisit the ‘Destiny versus Desires’ argument from
before and assume, for the sake of this presentation,
that we are living the life we were meant to live. Our
life has been planned out for us and this is our Destiny.
 This Destiny is housed in the Heart, as is the Shen;
therefore if a patient feels they have lost their way, you
could treat the Shen to remind them of their true path.
 This would be particularly good if you had a patient that
felt there was no point to life; or felt like there should
be more to life; or felt they weren’t living the life they
were meant to; or perhaps felt they had no reason for
living.

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 “Most of all, the presence of healthy shen results in a
life that is uniquely suited to the individual and a
person whose actions make sense within the context of
the surrounding environment” Dechar, 2006, p. 171.
 “The shen ‘gives the orders’ that precipitate each
human life. But the shen also gives us our ‘heavenly
mandate’ … our individual destiny” Dechar, 2006, p.
174.

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 Confucius (Kong Fu Zi) and Mencius (Meng Zi) also had
important things to say about the Heart, Destiny, and
Desires.
 Mencius suggested that when a person loses their Heart
they lose their sense of purpose, destiny, and their
connection to Tian (Heaven). As a result he/she fills
that space with desires that are coming from Di
(Earthly), worldly, and sensory attractions.
 This is because we are linked with Heaven and Earth
through Tian Di Ren (Heaven, Earth, Man/Human).

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 “He [the gentleman] is not governed by the attractions
and repulsions of the senses [desires]; he can engage in
moral reflection [destiny]. Mencius speaks of the heart
as the organ of thought and of its having the role of a
kind of reflective conscience which should govern one’s
life” (Collinson et al, 2000, p. 235).

Wu Shen
Shen (Spirit)
 Mencius believed that people are born good and this
‘Goodness’ is housed in the Heart. This Goodness was
made up of four parts:
 The Heart of Compassion & Pity.
 The Heart of Shame.
 The Heart of Courtesy & Modesty.
 The Heart of Right & Wrong.
 From a Chinese medicine perspective, we could treat
the Shen to stimulate not only our inherent Goodness,
but also to rouse the four ingrained tendencies
mentioned above.

Wu Shen
Basic Shen Treatment
 HT 3 – Shao Hai
 HT 7 – Shen Men
 BL 15 – Xin Shu
 BL 44 – Shen Tang
 PC 6 – Nei Guan
 GB 20 – Feng Chi
 BL 10 – Tian Zhu
 Yin Tang – M-HN-3
 CV 15 – Jiu Wei
Hartmann, 2009, p. 139.
* http://www.takeheartcanada.com/

Tu (Earth) Element Archetype
 Yin organ = Pi (Spleen)
 Yang organ = Wei (Stomach)
 Negotiator, Mediator, Saviour
 Peacemaker, Diplomat, Arbitrator, Intermediary, Go-
between, Appeaser, Pacifier, Balancer

 “The Peacemaker embodies sympathy and caring, a
ready advocate for those in greatest need – of
friendship, sustenance, and recognition. Negotiating
peace for its own sake, she tirelessly serves humanity as
the great balancer and equaliser, the preserver of
families and societies” Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p.
191.
 “When the Earth within us is secure, we can nourish
others and ourselves with gentleness, patience, love,
joy, and calm restfulness” Kaatz, 2005, p. 319.

 “When the vicissitudes [fluctuations] of our lives
threaten to overturn or deflect us from our path, our
Earth aspect returns us to an even keel” Beinfield and
Korngold, 1991, p. 136.
 “… can assume and enhance the attributes of those
around her, putting people at ease in an environment of
trust” Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p. 191.

Pi (Spleen)
 “Since the Spleen is the central organ in the digestive
process, it is often referred to as the ‘Granary official from
whom the five tastes are derived’” Maciocia, 2005, p. 143.
 “… the Spleen [is] a minister of agriculture and trade”
Beinfield and Korngold, 1991, p. 137.
 “Without good distribution of nourishment [Spleen’s job]
our ordinary tasks become a struggle and we lose our
balance and security. The future is no longer secure. When
all flows well we can work and move with confidence,
knowing the resources will be there when we need them”
Kaatz, 2005, p. 369.

Wei (Stomach)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su
Wen] says in chapter 8: ‘The Spleen and Stomach
are the officials in charge of food storage and
from whom the five flavours are derived’”
Maciocia, 2005, p. 185.
 “When we are full of the harvest fruits and truly
have our home and place on the earth, then we
feel cared for and move with balance and
stability. When we have a full basket of the five
grains of life [from the Stomach], then out of that
centre we can give others the sympathy that they
need with a fullness and compassion” Kaatz, 2005,
p. 321.

Tu (Earth) Characteristics
Negotiator, peacemaker Sociable
Stable, poised, composed,
moderate
Nurturing, supportive
Intelligent – ‘Post-Heaven Yi’
(as opposed to ‘Pre-Heaven’
Intellect which is housed in
the Kidney Jing)
Sympathetic, considerate,
attentive
Beinfield and Korngold, 1991,
p. 201
Exceptional memory; quick
learner
Agreeable
Remembers things with
minimal study; good
concentration
Focused intent
Self-aware Constructive thought
Loyal Reflects on past events
(successes and failures) and
productively learns from
them

Tu (Earth) ‘Loves’
Unification
Harmony, serenity, security,
predictability
Details
Seeking comfort
Feeling needed
Family
Stable relationships for themselves
and the people close to them
Sharing
Being involved in everything
Being the negotiator, during which
they need to be the ‘go to’ person
Being well organised
Living in the ‘now’
* http://www.sustainable.org/creating-
community/conflict-resolution-a-mediation

Tu (Earth) ‘Fears’
Conflicting roles, loyalties, frames of
reference/value system
Obstruction, stagnation, sluggishness
To feel lost, isolated, separated,
displaced, independent of their wider
community
Other people being disloyal,
treacherous, unfaithful, untrustworthy,
‘snake in the grass’
Change
Conflict in general
Not feeling valued for their negotiation
skills
Insecurity
Self-doubt
That things are not going according to
plan
* http://www.a-postagalamb.hu/author/foszerkeszto1954/

Tu (Earth) ‘Difficulty with’
“… may be so concerned with
establishing balance and harmony that
the dynamic tension essential for
movement and change is neutralised”
Interfering/meddling where they are
not wanted or not needed
Manipulating situations to make them
fit what you believe is best for
everyone – what would you know?
Self-sacrifice, pleasing others
Being everything to everyone
Unrealistic expectations of other
people’s behaviour and/or how the
world should operate
Feel extreme disappointment if people
fall below the lofty standards you set
Melancholy
Independence
* http://fenchenzo821.deviantart.com/art/Don-t-
Interfere-282268219

Tu (Earth) ‘Shi’
Overprotective, can overcrowd;
overbearing
Meddlesome
Takes unnecessary risks
Poor memory; slow learner; scattered
thought or pensive (plunged in thought)
Excessively worries about everyone and
everything
Obsessive
Overextends/overreaches
Can worry so much about the future that
they become obsessed with it; therefore
live in the ‘future’
Narcissistic – often worn as a mask, rather
than an inherent love of oneself
Can become obsessed to the point of
displaying psychotic behaviour towards a
particular person
Can reject other peoples sympathetic
advances
* http://i-mmad.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/over-
protective-parents-whats-present.html

Tu (Earth) ‘Xu’
Unmotivated; stuck ; can’t be
bothered; it’s all too hard
Vague, can’t concentrate
Conforming Excessively worries about
everyone and everything
Poor memory – too tired to study Lethargic, tired, sleeps all the
time, exhausted
Slow learner; can’t retain
information; procrastinates
Sloppy
Melancholic Poor self-esteem with a real
‘shame-for-self’ cycle with
accompanying grief, sadness,
worry, and fear
Reflects excessively on the past;
therefore lives in the ‘past’
Craves sympathy from others;
may manufacture signs and
symptoms, even diseases, in
order to receive more sympathy
Can cling/attach themselves
viciously to others
Obsequious, servile, submissive

Tu (Earth) Treatment
Examples
Tu (Earth) Shi
SP3 (Tai Bai)
Horary point (Earth on
Earth)
SP5 (Shang Qiu)
Child point
ST36 (Zu San Li)
Earth)
ST45 (Li Dui)
Child point
Tu (Earth) Xu
SP2 (Da Du)
Mother point
SP3 (Tai Bai)
Earth)
ST36 (Zu San Li)
Earth)
ST41 (Jie Xi)
Mother point

How to treat a Tu (Earth) patient
 Show a real focused intent during the treatment. They are
your ‘entire world’ for the time you have with them.
 Don’t look distracted or disinterested. Don’t yawn and don’t
appear vague or uncommitted; and definitely don’t get up to
answer the clinic phone if it rings.
 Talk about how the treatment will provide harmony and
balance.
 Make them feel comforted and needed; that you care that
they came to you for treatment.
 Understand that they are also extremely intelligent people so
don’t treat them like children.

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 In a basic sense the Yi is our:
 Thought.
 Intellect – Post-Heaven (but some Pre-Heaven).
 Balance/pivot between the Hun and Po.
 Balance/pivot between the Shen and Zhi.
 Our dreams becoming our reality.

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 The Yi gives us the ability to study, concentrate,
memorise, and recall learnt facts via clear, fast and
accurate thinking.
 The Yi takes the Hun dreams and plants them into the
Po, thereby ensuring dreams become reality.
 The Yi can also act as a filter of truth because it has the
ability to ensure that the dreams we wish to become
reality are in fact our own and not someone else’s. This
will only work though if the person is willing to listen to
all of the Wu Shen, and not just the Yi. Thankfully this
is actually very easy. One just has to accept the Wu
Shen exist and are relevant to our story. Its that simple!

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 Even though all the Wu Shen are involved with ensuring
we follow our destiny, the Yi is in a unique position –
that of the middle. This allows the Yi to understand and
appreciate how the other four Shen operate and
function. This is because they have a little piece of the
other four Shen within it.
 This means that the Yi can function for our greatest
good by using the Pre-Heaven intellect and/or the Post-
Heaven intellect. This will ensure that we aren’t
distracted by false truths and therefore follow our one
true path.
 The Yi also ensures we remain true to the belief that
the world can be saved via integrity and altruism.

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 I once had a dream that most likely was my Chinese
dude passing on relevant information. In it I had
multiple lives (within my one life) layered on top of one
another. And even though I didn’t physically witness all
of these lives I inherently knew that there were eight
layers in total.
 Which is just perfect isn’t it? The eight is both infinite
and the supreme ultimate (Yin Yang symbol). There is
no beginning or end. Plus there are peaks and troughs at
either end of the figure eight as well. Classic Chinese!!
Hence the reason I believe this was the work of my
Chinese dude dressed in white. So what did it
represent?

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 I believe it symbolised that we operate under a pre-
determined destiny represented by the figure eight being
a closed symbol.
 But it also shows us that we have free will and can
choose the way our day-to-day activities unfold because
the eights are flat and layered on top of one another.
Anytime we like we can jump up or down onto a different
eight, which will take us on a slightly different path.
 Taken a step further, this symbol is our Yi. Yes we are
limited by our destiny, but is that really a bad thing?
 Plus in some ways we are also limited by our desires.
 So how does this model work?

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 In a most basic sense it shows that whilst our lives are
pre-determined we have the capacity, within certain
limits, to live our desires. These yearnings, via their
limitations, will ensure that we meet similar people that
will set us on the correct path.
 We will have all our significant relationships with people
that can give us the same basic fulfilment and assistance.
The variables remain within the number eight (or
whatever number it actually is for you).
 That kind of mucks with the idea that there is ‘The One’
in our key man or woman relationship, and in fact,
actually suggests that there are eight of them out there.
Having said that, destiny ensures that we meet the right
one for the right moment.

Yi (Thought)
 Not one single Chinese philosophical system that I have
read has ever suggested that life was easy and was
actually even meant to be easy. Life is hard, but that’s for
a very good reason! Without the tough times we cant
appreciate the good times!
 Can you imagine only ever knowing anger? And all other
emotions didn’t exist. Its not possible is it? Then what
about joy? It’s the same thing; because if all you knew was
joy, then happiness becomes meaningless because it’s the
standard. Regardless, its not possible in Chinese
medicine/philosophy anyway.
 The Chinese have known this for thousands of years but
the West is only just beginning to appreciate this very
fact. Why? Because they have only been allowed free
thought for the last 500+ years. And this is a small moment
in time in the context of the world.

Wu Shen
Yi (Thought)
 So to close, I’m basically saying that the Yi operates in
the middle of the ‘Known’ and ‘Unknown’, but
regardless it uses the knowledge of all the Wu Shen to
create a system of connection and balance.
 “The yi holds the centre. It is the connecting link
between the hun and po souls” Dechar, 2006, p. 230.
 “[The Yi] lets the world know that we mean to stand by
our dreams” Dechar, 2006, p. 216.

Wu Shen
Basic Yi Treatment
 SP 3 – Tai Bai
 BL 10 – Tian Zhu
 BL 49 – Yi She
 GB 20 – Feng Chi
 PC 6 – Nei Guan
 Yin Tang – M-HN-3
 ST 8 – Tou Wei
Hartmann, 2009, p. 156.
* http://chakracenter.org/2013/04/17/the-meaning-of-
number-8/

Jin (Metal) Element Archetype
 Yin organ = Fei (Lung)
 Yang organ = Da Chang (Large Intestine)
 Modifier, Alchemist
 Transformer, Experimenter, Hermetic, Converter,
Pseudoscientist
 “Like an abbot ensconced in his sanctuary, serene, detached,
unflappable, he instructs us in the meaning of ritual and
doctrine, providing the structure that enables people to apply
the metaphysical to the mundane” Beinfield and Korngold,
1991, p. 205.

Jin (Metal) Element Archetype
 “When we let go of old habits and values to prepare for
a new stage of our life, the power of Metal enables us
to sigh deeply and release” Beinfield and
Korngold,1991, p. 136.

Fei (Lung)
chapter 8 says that: ‘The Lungs are like a Prime Minister
in charge of regulation’” Maciocia, 2005, p. 129.
 “The Lungs act like a minister to the Heart giving
guidance, advice, suggestions and opinions from its
connection with the Heavens” Kaatz, 2005, p. 401.

Da Chang (Large Intestine)
 “Chapter 8 of the ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing
Su Wen] says: ‘The Large Intestine is the official in
charge of passage and conduction [draining the dregs]’”
Maciocia, 2005, p. 195.
 “We may be unable to let go of many things in our lives
and by clinging to the past, old sorrows and old beliefs
we are unable to take in the fresh air and inspiration
that comes to us. In this way the Large Intestine is a
vital part of our cycle in cleaning out the old in order to
be able to take in the new” Kaatz, 2005, p. 415.

Jin (Metal) Characteristics
Is able to recognise, isolate,
and then extract, the ‘pure’
from the ‘impure’
Calm, stoic, patient
Can spot the bullshit from a
mile away
Sets high standards for
themselves, and subsequently
the rest of humanity
The ability to discriminate Optimistic
Very precise, methodical Can be intrepid and
adventurous – if they feel safe;
will travel light
Finding the beauty in things Generally adaptable to change
Very ethical person Throws out old to make way for
the new
Stay the ‘level/moderate’
ground; reserved
Emotionally balanced
Neat and tidy Strong sensation, feeling,
hearing and sight

Jin (Metal) ‘Loves’
Definition, structure, discipline
217
Can dig out the order from the
disorder/chaos
Organising everything, systems
Precision
Control
Ethics, moral values, standards,
righteousness, correctness
Finding the beauty in things,
purity
Authoritarian role-models/peers –
as viewed using their own ‘world-
view’ filter
* http://blogs.loc.gov/digitalpreservation/2012/01/from-chaos-
to-order-diverse-communities-interested-in-personal-digital-
archiving-resources/

Jin (Metal) ‘Fears’
Being overcrowded
Conflicting principles/standards
Differences
Lack of order, things falling into
disrepair, chaos
Spontaneity
To get corrupted
Intimacy
Particularly complex problems
Things that don’t/can’t be made
sense of
Immoral people/immoral planet
Breaking new ground – but will
respect authoritarian role-models
that do this on their behalf
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/
003847.html

Jin (Metal) ‘Difficulty with’
“Metal adheres to rules and
protocols even when these have
become a hindrance [ritualistic]”
136
Disappointment in everyone and
everything; not meeting the high
standards they set
Constantly striving for perfection
and order in all things
Expressing emotions
Being too judgemental of others;
prejudiced
Intimacy
Always being right Authority – if they view them at
a lower standard to themselves
Close relationships – want to be
close to others but must be
given their distance
Can slip into Po Xu – becomes
too ‘off with the fairies’; pure
escapism; may fail to come back
to earth and therefore never
gets anything done
Will fight to stay the ‘moderate’
and ‘safe’ course
Can slip into Po Shi – becomes
too grounded; too structured;
not open to changeWritten by David Hartmann -

Jin (Metal) ‘Shi’
Overly strict, dogmatic,
despotic, autocratic
Self-righteous,
sanctimonious, holier-than-
thou
Distant/cool
Petty
Indifferent
Hypocritical
Hangs onto the past
Never throws anything away
Carries emotional baggage
Scattered/numb sensation,
feeling, hearing, and sight
* http://imgarcade.com/1/dogmatism-examples/

Jin (Metal) ‘Xu’
Can feel constricted, restricted
Disillusioned, dispirited, resigned to
failure, pessimistic
‘Pit’ depression; severe suicidal
tendencies
Sloppy
Indifferent
Compliant
Elusive
Conservative
Hangs onto the past
Stays indoors and at home; doesn’t
travel, but if they do they ‘pack
the house’
Never throws anything away
Carries emotional baggage
Weak sensation, feeling, hearing,
and sight
* http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Depression%20Nation_34096

Jin (Metal) Treatment
Examples
Jin (Metal) Shi
LU5 (Chi Ze)
Child point
LU8 (Jing Qu)
Horary point (Metal on
Metal)
LI1 (Shang Yang)
Metal)
LI2 (Er Jian)
Child point
Jin (Metal) Xu
LU8 (Jing Qu)
Metal)
LU9 (Tai Yuan)
Mother point
LI1 (Shang Yang)
Metal)
LI11 (Qu Chi)
Mother point

How to treat a Jin (Metal) patient
 Be honest in your approach and discuss how clinical trials have
shown TCM to be effective in treating their condition. Don’t
lie to them or try to bullshit them.
 Also methodically outline your personal approach to treatment
and why you chose this methodology.
 Outline a set plan for treatment and book the same
appointment time every week.
 Encourage them to research TCM at home and come back the
following session with additional queries. Allow them to be
actively involved in their recovery.

Wu Shen
Po (Corporeal Soul)
 In a basic sense the Po is our:
 Corporeal Soul.
 Earthly Soul.
 Grounded Soul.
 Dreams-in-action.
 Systems, patterns, habits, goals, and processes.

Po (Corporeal Soul)
 The Po is our action, forward movement, and unlimited
applied force. It ensures that the dreams from the Hun
become reality. But this requires systems, patterns, habits,
goals, and processes to ensure success, which is what the
Po thrives on.
 The Po plays a part in our sensation, breathing, balance,
correct muscle/tendon function, feeling, sight, and
hearing. It also has some minor role in certain organ
function, namely the Lungs and Large Intestine.
 Down here (Po) any dream can become reality. Stay
focused, committed, and driven.
 But know also that everything that is meant to be will be,
therefore never ‘force the issue’.
 So whilst the Po is your ‘doing-big’ soul, also practice the
art of ‘being-big’ too. After all we are human beings not
human doings. This art of ‘just being’ is called Wu Wei.

Wu Shen
Po (Corporeal Soul)
 The Po is our inherent knowing in overdrive. It operates
best via this inner trust and faith, thereby the Po uses
what’s called ‘Pre-Heaven’ Intellect. In this way, the Po is
also linked to the Zhi and the Shen.
 In fact, the Po is created from our parents Kidney Jing at
conception.
 Even though the Po uses this ‘Pre-Heaven’ Intellect to
great effect it also needs the use of the senses (eyes,
ears, nose, and mouth) which is part of our ‘Post-Heaven’
Intellect. In this way the Po ensures that two things
happen:
 1) That dreams become reality via action and the use of
the senses.
 2) That our inherent knowing is validated and actioned.

Wu Shen
Po and Hun
 Our Po is tied to the Heaven’s via the Hun. The Po needs
this ethereal anchor because without it, the Po will tunnel
underground. If that happens: see Po Shi on next slide.
 Our Hun is our ‘Ethereal/Heavenly Soul’ and is the Po ‘in
dreams’.
 Where the Hun was our ‘dream-big’ soul; the Po is our
‘do-big’ soul.
 They are linked together just like Yin Yang. Hun is our
Yang soul and the Po is our Yin soul.
 And just like Yin Yang, our Hun and Po can occasionally
tilt excessively in favour of one or the other. There is
never a complete severing of Hun and Po as this only
happens when you die.

Po and Hun imbalances
 Po Shi – where we have tilted in favour of Po.
 We will ‘do-big’ but no longer will we ‘dream-big’. We will
also most definitely not ‘be-big’ (Wu Wei).
 Because we have lost our ability to dream, forward plan,
and create, we structure our lives mercilessly.
 We become too rigid and are no longer open to change
because change is now scary.
 We will be obsessed with ensuring everything in our life is
planned down to the minutest detail. Nothing can change;
everything has to stay the same.
 We will feel stuck in our life; in our rigidity; in our systems.
But because we don’t dream anymore we don’t know how
to break out.
 Not surprisingly, we will have a ‘glass half-empty’ attitude.

Po and Hun Imbalances
 Hun Shi – where we have tilted in favour of Hun.
 Please refer to the Wood Element for further information
on this.
 “The Po are our embodied knowing, our animal wit, our
street smarts, the part of us that can sniff out what’s
right or wrong, good or bad, safe or unsafe” Dechar, p.
239.
 “Deep below the level of our conscious ability to
articulate in words what we think about a person, place
or situation, the po spirits already know – and, whether
or not we realise it, our body has begun to respond by
contracting or expanding, hardening or softening”
Dechar, p. 239.

Wu Shen
Basic Po Treatment
 LU 3 – Tian Fu
 LU 7 – Lie Que
 LU 9 – Tai Yuan
 BL 13 – Fei Shu
 BL 42 – Po Hu
 BL 44 – Shen Tang
 LI 4 – He Gu
Hartmann, 2009, p. 45.
* http://unearthedcomics.com/comics/get-
grounded-man/

Shui (Water) Element Archetype
 Yin organ = Shen (Kidney)
 Yang organ = Pang Guang (Urinary Bladder)
 Truth-seeker, Philosopher
 Theorist, Thinker, Academic, Intellectual, Logician,
Scholar, Dreamer

Shui (Water) Element Archetype
 “Revelation propels the Philosopher in her
relentless quest for truth. She brings to light that
which is hidden, uncovering new knowledge,
dispelling mystery, eroding ignorance … The
Philosopher yearns for meaning that transcends
the rudderless meandering of human affairs”
 “When our labours demand that we stop, rest, and
take stock of what we have done, and rededicate
ourselves to a fresh purpose, our Water aspect
gives us the renewed vitality and will to carry on”

Shen (Kidney)
 “The ‘Simple Questions’ [Huang Di Nei Jing Su
Wen] says in chapter 8: ‘The Kidneys are the
strong official from whom ingenuity is derived’”
Maciocia, 2005, p. 157.
 “Here [Kidney Jing] also are our deepest reserves
that we can call on at times of greatest need. Out
of this vital inherited energy comes will, purpose,
vitality and strength. It is said that both skill and
ability come out of this creative power of the
Kidneys giving strength and endurance … It is
within the Kidneys that our spiritual inheritance
lies” Kaatz, 2005, p. 515.

Pang Guang (Urinary Bladder)
chapter 8 says: ‘The Bladder is like a district capital, it
stores fluids which are then excreted by the power of Qi
transformation’” Maciocia, 2005, p. 205.
 “The [Urinary] Bladder is a magnificent reservoir of
energetic Qi able to feed every cell in the body with the
life giving force of water … Water gives us endurance,
determination, ambition and our inherited reserves”
Kaatz, 2005, p. 445.

Shui (Water) Characteristics
Honest Perseverance – despite fear
Self-sufficient, durable, tough,
particular
Tranquil
Remembers everything Energetic
Intelligent – ‘Pre-Heaven Jing’
(as opposed to ‘Post-Heaven’
Intellect which is housed in the
Spleen Yi)
Introspective, contemplative
Gets things done Cautious, conservative,
careful, watchful
Sensible, practical, utilitarian Extremely modest, almost to a
fault
Has incredible
imagination/creativity
Curious
Strong willpower and
determination
Articulate, well-spoken (when
they need to be)

Shui (Water) ‘Loves’
Facts
Getting to the truth of the
matter
Uncovering new knowledge
Always finishing what they start;
get a ‘super-charge’ when they
complete difficult tasks
Unlocking the mysteries of the
world
Finding a good teacher
Connecting with someone’s
brain/intellect; not their
body/intimacy
Privacy
Remaining anonymous, enigmatic
‘Me’ time Written by David Hartmann -

Shui (Water) ‘Fears’
Distraction
Other people invading their
space and time
Sharing
Conforming to the status
quo
The ending of something
Being exposed
Becoming forgetful
Becoming a hypochondriac * http://www.faysflounderings.com/2013/10/24/the-
advantages-of-being-forgetful/

Shui (Water) ‘Difficulty with’
“Able to envision what can be, she is
critical of what is by comparison. She
discerns the inevitable disparity between
apparent and ultimate reality” Beinfield
and Korngold, 1991, p. 219
Conflicting visions, stories, expectations
Excessively ponders which may result in
missing an opportunity
Tendency to become a hermit; seeks
solitude; therefore difficulty with social
gatherings
Can come across as being very eccentric
Confidence around others
Trusting others
Generosity
Expressing their emotions
* http://www.coconutfitness.com/2014/01/fancy-
a-work-in/

Shui (Water) ‘Shi’
Extremely critical, cynical,
blunt, sarcastic, pessimistic,
tactless, rash
Forgetful
Constantly getting distracted
from a task via ‘anxiety and
fear of failure’
Rarely finish what they start –
falls in an exhausted heap if
they go to the trouble of
finishing the task
Never shares anything; cagey;
suspicious
Outwardly covets, craves,
yearns for what they
don’t/can’t have
Unforgiving Appear preoccupied
Dishonest Voyeuristic
Superficial Fussy, precious, trivial
Quits when afraid Suspicious of everyone and
everything
Anxious Nonspecific feeling of dread
and foreboding

Shui (Water) ‘Xu’
Locks themselves away from
the world
Dull, stupid, dim witted,
forgetful
Constantly getting distracted
from a task via ‘giving up
before the going gets tough’
Likely to have a phobia of
some description, such as
agoraphobia
Obsessively craves protection Lacks stamina
Dishonest Thrifty, frugal, miserly
Become soft/spineless Useless
Feels abandoned Suspicious of everyone and
everything
Easily discouraged Inwardly covets, craves,
yearns for what they
don’t/can’t have
Gives up – never completes
anything
Nonspecific feeling of dread
and foreboding

Shui (Water) Treatment
Examples
Shui (Water) Shi
KI1 (Yong Quan)
Child point
KI10 (Yin Gu)
Horary point (Water on
Water)
BL65 (Shu Gu)
Child point
BL66 (Zu Tong Gu)
Water)
Shui (Water) Xu
KI7 (Fu Liu)
Mother point
KI10 (Yin Gu)
Water)
BL66 (Zu Tong Gu)
Water)
BL67 (Zhi Yin)
Mother point

How to treat a Shui (Water) patient
 Discuss the history and philosophy of TCM; how it came to be;
how its stayed pretty much the same for the better part of
5000 years. Tweak their inherent curiosity to know more about
TCM.
 Get them to use their willpower, determination, and drive to
enhance the success of treatment.
 If you don’t know the answer to something then always tell
the truth as they will respect you more because of their
honest nature; they will know your lying!
 If they want to know more then suggest a few books or
websites for them to enhance their knowledge base.

Wu Shen
Zhi (Willpower)
 In a basic sense the Zhi is our:
 Willpower.
 Pre-Heaven Intellect.
 Instinctual Power*
 Courage*
* Dechar, 2006, p. 273.

Wu Shen
Zhi (Willpower)
 The Willpower of Zhi is a lot more than just saying to your
mates that two beers is enough thanks!
 It encompasses things such as:
 Courage – it can be tough to take a stand in order to live
in your truth. The Zhi gives you the pluck/mettle to
succeed.
 Fortification – your Zhi keeps you committed and focused
to stay the right and proper course.
 Strength – your Zhi gives you the power to say no to
people, and to feel good about the decision we made.
 Truth – your Zhi allows you to stand in your truth. Here
you cant be bullied, threatened, pressured, or convinced
to change your mind.

Wu Shen
Zhi (Willpower)
 The Zhi is inexorably linked to the Pre-Heaven Intellect.
 This is the stuff we know without knowing how we
know. In other words, it’s knowledge about the world
that has been passed onto us at conception.
 Strong Zhi ensures an excellent connection with our
Pre-Heaven Intellect, and vice versa.
 This Pre-Heaven Intellect uses the senses only as a tool
for remembering/reminding us of what we inherently
knew.

Zhi (Willpower)
 The Zhi is housed in the Kidneys and this gives it access to
our ‘Fight, Flight, Freeze’ (FFF) associated with the
adrenal glands.
 As you are probably aware this is our automatic response
to danger – and involves us either fighting, flighting, or
freezing. This has both a positive and a negative
component:
 Positive – because the Zhi inherently knows the correct
path to take, when the Zhi is functioning well then the
FFF will react instinctively in our best interests.
 Negative – if we are Zhi Shi then we may choose to fight
when in fact to flee was the correct response; on the
other hand if we are Zhi Xu we may freeze when to fight
was the correct response. That lack of connection
between the Zhi and FFF can get us into a lot of trouble.

Wu Shen
Zhi (Willpower)
 When the Zhi is balanced there is no such thing as
phobias. This is because we will operate on an even keel
that doesn’t allow us to move into extremes of anything.
We will, however, still get fearful from time to time
because that is a balanced response to certain elements.
 The Zhi also gives us courage to take on challenging tasks
and because we feel so awesome when we succeed this
drives us onto the next challenge.
 And as stated before, the Zhi uses Pre-Heaven Intellect to
weigh up challenges, thereby we inherently know if the
next decision is going to be successful or reckless. These
correct decisions allow us to operate in a balanced
manner that doesn’t operate in the realm of phobias.

Wu Shen
Zhi (Willpower)
 “The realm of the zhi spirits is the … karma, the realm
of the unconscious forces and collective energy threads
that determine the course of our lives” Dechar, 2006, p.
275.
 “Clarity of purpose, direction and a strong sense of
identity … are the things that are needed in order for
the zhi to unfold along it destined path” Dechar, 2006,
p. 285.

Wu Shen
Basic Zhi Treatment
 BL 23 – Shen Shu
 BL 52 – Zhi Shi
 BL 58 – Fei Yang
 KI 3 – Tai Xi
 KI 6 – Zhao Hai
 GB 25 – Jing Men
 CV 4 – Guan Yuan
 CV 6 – Qi Hai
Hartmann, 2009, p. 171.
http://www.brighteyecounselling.co.uk/alcohol-
drugs/willpower-quit-drinking/

Wu Shen Balancing Treatment
 If we take into consideration the following image of the
number eight:
 Fire and Shen at the top.
 Water and Zhi at the bottom.
 Earth and Yi at the junction of the eight (in the
middle).
 Wood and Hun along the left and right sides of the top
half of the eight.
 Metal and Po along the left and right sides of the
bottom half of the eight.

Wu Shen Balancing Treatment
 With that image in mind consider the following
treatment to balance all of the Wu Shen:
 GV 20 – Bai Hui – for Fire and Shen.
 KI 1 – Yong Quan – for Water and Zhi.
 CV 12 – Zhong Wan – for Earth and Yi.
 LR 3 – Tai Chong – for Wood and Hun.
 GB 40 – Qiu Xu – for Wood and Hun.
 LU 3 – Tian Fu – for Metal and Po.
 LI 4 – He Gu – for Metal and Po.

References
 Beinfield, H., & Korngold, E. (1991). Between Heaven
and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York:
Ballantine Books.
 Collinson, D., Plant, K., & Wilkinson, R. (2000). Fifty
Eastern Thinkers. London: Routledge.
 Cotterell, A. (1995). China: A History (rev. ed.).
London: Pimlico.
 Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A
Manual of Acupuncture. East Sussex: Journal of
Chinese Medicine Publications.
 Dechar, L. E. (2006). Five Spirits: Alchemical
Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing.
New York: Chiron Publications/Lantern Books.

References
 Ellis, A., Wiseman, N., & Boss, K. (1989). Grasping
the Wind. Brookline: Paradigm Publications.
 Hartmann, D. (2009). Acupoint Dictionary 2e. Sydney:
Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
 Hinrichs, T. J., & Barnes, L. L. (Ed.). (2013). Chinese
Medicine and Healing: An Illustrated History.
Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard University
Press.
 Kaatz, D. (2005). Characters of Wisdom: Taoist Tales
of the Acupuncture Points. Soudorgues: The Petite
Bergerie Press.
 Maciocia, G. (2005). The Foundations of Chinese
Medicine (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

References
 Maciocia, G. (2009). The Psyche in Chinese
Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
 McDonald, J. (1991). Australian Journal of TCM,
Volume 6, No.1, April, pp. 44-45.
 Rossi, E. (2007). Shen: Psycho-Emotional Aspects of
Chinese Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
Elsevier.
 Unschuld, P. U. (1985). Medicine in China: A History
of Ideas. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Wu Xing & Wu Shen Personality Traits/Archetypes: Who do you think you are?

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