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rx
Chinese physiology
Jing (Essence)
diagnoses

definition

JING

Translations of "Jing":
• refined
• essence of, extract
• perfect
• seed, sperm, semen
• essence of life

The Concept of Jing:
• In Traditional Chinese Medicine, "Jing" is usually translated as "Essence"
• It is the reproductive essence as embodied in the sperm/ovum
• It is the Yin counterpart to Shen
• It is closely associated with Kidney energetics and is indeed the basis of Kidney Qi.
• Moreover one of the functions of the kidney is the storage of Jing (Essence). Jing is responsible for growth, proper and timely development, repair and reproduction. It ensures continuity within the organism and perpetuation of the species. Certain aspects of this concept find easy parallel in our notions of genetics and the role of RNA and DNA.

Metaphor of the life cycle of a seed:
• the seed unfolds its Qi (energy/information) in "becoming" a plant
• the plant in turn enfolds its energies into the creation of seeds

Male and Female Cycles of growth and development (from the Nei Jing):
• male = 8 year cycles
• female = 7 year cycles

Xian Tian Jing/Qi:
• before heaven, Former Heaven, pre-natal, congenital Jing (Essence)
• this is the essence inherited from one's parents and ancestral line
• it determines one's basic constitution and lifespan
• the source of one's "original" Qi
• associated with the umbilicus and life in utero

Hou Tian Jing/Qi:
• after heaven, Latter Heaven, post-natal, acquired Jing (Essence)
• this Jing "fires" the metabolic operations of the Triple Warmer
• surplus Qi the body doesn't use in normal activities is transformed and stored again as Jing
• Jing is concentrated Essential Qi
• associated with the mouth

Reproductive Jing:
• procreative aspect of Jing (Essence)
• the Jing that comes to maturity at puberty and confers the ability to reproduce sexually
• the reproductive essence of the two parents combines in the uterus/womb to create new life
• the combined essences of the parents determines the congenital essence of the offspring
• the essence of each parent is a function of their own congenital essence unfolding, and their current accumulation of acquired essence

Jing Qi:
• Essential Qi
• that aspect of Jing (Essence) that is activated to maintain normal body functioning
ensures continuity of self, provides the template for repair
• maintains functional and structural integrity
• the basis of Ying, i.e. the nourishing aspect of the Xue (Blood), and Wei, i.e. the protective aspect of Qi

These two aspects of Jing are not separate from Xian Tian and Hou Tian Jing

Functions:
• growth and development
• bones, marrow, spine and brain
• thus physical and mental development
• sexual/reproductive function
• constitution - genetic allotment
• blueprint for maintenance and repair

Dysfunction:
• retarded, slow or incomplete physical or mental development
• premature aging and early death, senility
• sexual/reproductive dysfunctions: impotence, infertility, miscarriage
• impaired mental faculties, memory, consciousness
• general lack of vitality and vigor (at a core level)

Relationship of Jing to Qi:
• both govern processes of change, but, Qi is quicker; it governs faster processes of change and transformation in contrast to the slower more developmental and evolutionary changes determined by Jing

Relationship of Jing to Xue (Blood):
• both are nourishing, but Xue (Blood) is more constant and consistent; it doesn't change much over time, whereas the nature of Jing is to unfold over time.


footnotes