5/17/2010. Cosmology. Eight Trigrams and Nine Meridians Yin-Yang logic of the Yijing applied to the acupuncture meridian system.

Transcription

1 Cosmology Eight Trigrams and Nine Meridians Yin-Yang logic of the Yijing applied to the acupuncture meridian system By Jacob Godwin, EAMP, MAOM, Dipl. OM We have only one thing it is all Qi ( 气 ). Qi does only one thing it changes ( 易 ). Change is understood through complemental opposition Yin-Yang ( 阴阳 ) Each phenomenon occurs in the field as a Yin-Yang coalescence. 1 2 Created by Fu Xi (c B.C.E.). Fu Xi only created the Eight Trigrams (ba gua). All of the text was added later by Zhou Wen Wang (first ruler of the Zhou Dynasty), the Duke of Zhou (son of Zhou Wen Wang), and Kongfuzi (Confucius). Source book on Yin-Yang thinking. Series diction written by Zhou Wen Wang gives us the Yijing cosmology and the meaning behind the symbols. Yijing Fu Xi Yijing Symbolism The Yijing is a schematic of the Qi field written in the language of Yin-Yang symbolism. From it, we have five main perspectives on our world. The One Qi The Two Poles The Four Signs The Eight Trigrams The Sixty-four Hexagrams 3 4 1

2 Yijing Symbolism One Qi As one Qi we see the world as a continuous field of energy in either a differentiated (Taiji) or undifferentiated (Wuji) state. Yijing Symbolism 2 Poles In the differentiated Taiji state, we have the contrast of complemental aspects. The two poles of this polarity are called Yin-Yang. Yin Yang Taiji Wuji 5 6 Yijing Symbolism 4 Signs Yijing Symbolism 8 Trigrams Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Two Poles gives us the Four Signs. Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Four Signs gives us the Eight Trigrams

3 Yijing Symbolism 64 Hexagrams Yijing and the Unfolding Universe Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Eight Trigrams gives us the Sixty-Four Hexagrams Yijing Symbolism and AOM Theory Acupuncture Meridians Our AOM theories of organization and categorization are also schematics of the Qi field. Each Yijing perspective has correlating AOM theories. The One Qi = Qi The Two Poles = Three Treasures The Four Signs = the Five Phases/organ systems The Eight Trigrams = ine Meridians The Sixty-four Hexagrams = TBD? The Qi of a human being is defined as the coalescence of Essence and Spirit (Yin-Yang, jingshen 精神 ) The meridian system is simply a way of mapping the Yin- Yang coalescence of a human being. Like a cool air mass and a warm one coming together to create wind, our Essence and Spirit come together to create us. The meridian system is a way to map our wind currents. We are a continuous field of Qi of Yin-Yang coalescence every aspect of the field has an effect on every other aspect. The strength of this effect is determined by the sympathetic resonance between aspects. Yang affects Yang Yin affects Yin, etc

4 Acupuncture Meridians Don t confuse the map with the terrain! Our physical and psychological being IS our Qi. There is only Qi and its transformation. Physical reality is the past. Qi is real-time. Spirit is the future. The meridians are just a map of this transformation. The meridians are not literally roads or pipes through which any special substance or force passes. Meridians are merely currents in the Qi flow of a person. An ocean current is just water moving. A meridian is just Qi transforming. Qi transformation happens everywhere throughout our entire being. Yin-Yang Opposition in the Eight Trigrams Primal or Pre-Heaven arrangement of the trigrams very clearly shows Yin-Yang opposition. Direct opposition Adjacent opposition Inverted opposition Intermediary inverse opposition Yin-Yang Opposition in the Eight Trigrams Trigram/Meridian Resonance Direct Opposition Adjacent Opposition Inverted Opposition Intermediary Inverse Opposition Ren is pure Yin. Shaoyin Jueyin Taiyin Du is pure Yang. Taiyang Shaoyang Yangming Chong Mai is the center. Sea of 12 meridians Sea of the Yin and Yang organs Chong Mai

5 Chong Mai As The Center The Chong Mai is the whirling vortex that sustains us. Dan tian arise as focal points in this vortex. As Yang surges forth via the Du mai and Yin coalesces via the Ren mai, the Chong mai swirls between them. The Qiao mai, Wei mai, and Dai mai are all born from the Chong Pure Polarity Ren/Du Strong Mix Polarity Shaoyin/Taiyang Balanced Polarity Jueyin/Shaoyang Weak Mix Polarity Taiyin/Yangming We can view each pair of diametrically opposed meridians as one system. We can diagnose imbalance in each of these systems Pure Polarity between Ren and Du Talking about the microcosmic orbit, Yin-Yang, Spirit/Essence. Imbalance here is the foundation for all other disorders. Any strong polarity is a sign: pulse, signs/symptoms. Location along the meridians involved. Strong Mix Polarity between Shaoyin and Taiyang Usually a temporary state: physical or emotional assault. Deepest and most superficial meridians. Strongest Yin-Yang polarity among regular meridians. Dysfunction between these two is the basic mechanism behind the concept of possession. Who and what we are beams from Shaoyin and is enforced by Taiyang

6 Balanced Polarity between Jueyin and Shaoyang Most common in my experience with Taiyang/Shaoyin a close second. All movement, transformation, circulation, and change on both psychological and physiological levels. Can be difficult to see or experience. Doesn t lean either way Qi transformation is stuck. Lack of motivation and direction. Poor decision making and planning. Weak Mix Polarity between Taiyin and Yangming Almost anyone benefits from balancing these two meridians. These meridians resonate with our ability to extract the opposite from within. Physically: breathing, eating, drinking Psychically: getting the point of life events Why Do We Stick Needles in People? Eight Trigram Treatment Strategies A person is the coalescence of jingshen. Every part of their body is Essence and Spirit. Dantian are particularly potent vortices of this coalescence that spawn organs, tissues, thoughts, feelings, etc. Placing a needle into a person creates a mini-dantian. It calls the Spirit more strongly to a certain place within the Essence thereby altering the jingshen interaction. Our needles spark Yin-Yang / jingshen / Essence-Spirit coalescence. The reason the smaller needles work is that it is more confusing/interesting to the Spirit too large an instrument would simply elicit a trauma response. OPPOSITION stronger, more commanding Needling necessarily strengthens all aspects that resonate with the location of the insertion. Needling necessarily diminishes all aspects in Yin-Yang opposition to the point of insertion. EQUILIBRATION less intense, more facilitating Needling both Yin-Yang opposites (weak and strong) provides opportunity for reconciliation

7 25 The Inverse Triad Method integration of emotional influences KD-3(2x) strongly roots Shaoyin HT-5(2x) Shaoyin s expression - xin ST-36(2x) center the mind -yi Du-24 Du=Yang=rational mind, intersect point of ST and Du meridians Yangming and Shaoyin are the beginning and end of Yang s power found on either side of Du s opposite. 26 The Inverse Triad Method integration of rational influences BL-2(2x) near 3 rd eye area, calm mind SI-3(2x) resonant with Du mai and base of skull/brain SP-6(2x) ties 3 Yin together, calms and centers the mind - yi Ren-4 ties all 3 Yin into Ren, the lower field, and our emotional experience. This combination harnesses rational influences and ties them into the lower field and our emotional mind. Acupuncture in Black and White Qi, Yin-Yang, and the Cosmology of the Yijing