18
“Body Energetics” – Energetic structure of the body
B
·
·
Xue Luo
: are the capillary system carrying Blood to
all the parts of the body
·
·
The main branch of the
Luo
are called “
Bie Luo
”
別
“Separate”
Luo
termed “Longitudinal” by the French
authors (Chamfrault, Van Nghi) as opposed to
the “Horizontal” or “Transversal”
Luo
.
·
·
They all ascend from the periphery to the centre
except for
Shou Taiyin
-LU and
Zu Shaoyang
-GB
Classically two trajectories are described:
·
·
Connection to the paired
Biao-Li
channel: Trans-
versal
Luo
(deeper)
·
·
Flowing along the primary channel: Longitudinal
Luo
(more superficial)
1.5.5 Qi Jing Ba Mai
≈
The Eight
Extraordinary Channels
奇經八脉
These channels are described in the following order:
Chong Mai
Penetrating channel
Ren Mai
Conception channel
Du Mai
Governing channel
Yin Wei Mai
Yin Binding/Linking channel
Yang Wei Mai
Yang Binding/Linking channel
Yin Qiao Mai
Yin Mobility/Yin Heel channel
Yang Qiao Mai
Yang Mobility/Yang Heel channel
Dai Mai
Belt/Girdle channel
They are grouped in to three categories:
·
·
First ancestry:
Chong, Ren, Du
and
Dai,
which is
considered here as the “original”
Daimai
; some au-
thors include
Daimai
in the third ancestry, consider-
ing it in its function of draining
·
·
Second ancestry:
Yin
and
Yang Wei Mai
·
·
Third ancestry:
Yin
and
Yang Qiao Mai
According toMaster J. Yuen this sequence represents
the unfolding of
Jing
≈
Essence via cycles of seven or
eight.
Chong Mai
is considered in its pre- and post-
Heaven functions:
·
·
The first ancestry is about how
Jing
is mobilized to
give birth to Yang and Yin, represented post-natally
by
Qi
≈
Energy and
Xue
≈
Blood
·
·
The
Wei
channels are related to space and time,
representing the aging process
·
·
The
Qiao
channels are in relation to the self and the
world, on how one perceives oneself or the world;
they represent the notion of evolution
·
·
The
Dai Mai
represents issues that are suppressed
and held on to
1.6 The preferential roles and
functions of the channels
1.6.1 Zheng Jing
≈
Primary channels
The
Zheng Jing
≈
Primary channels are the axis of the
body, conveying Qi and blood and defining the “Post-
natal” existence. All phenomena, both external and
internal resonate on the Primary channels, hence they
reflect the natural order of human existence and physi-
ology, and as their name,
Jing
≈
Pathway indicates, they
convey movement. In Daoist symbolism, the primary
channels represent the “Path of life” which leads us
to our destiny.
The sequence of the Primary channels conveys
physiology, which can be simplified as the three pre-
requisites of life:
·
·
Survival: primarily depends on breathing, drink-
ing and eathing. Survival is represented by the first
cycle of channel circulation called the “First Unit”:
LU
➙
LI
➙
ST
➙
SP
·
·
Continuation of life and a sense of purpose: defined
by the “Second Unit”: HE
➙
SI
➙
BL
➙
KI
·
·
Mobility, choice, interaction and the sense
of protection: defined by the “Third Unit”:
PE
➙
TW
➙
GB
➙
LR
The Three Energetic Units also reflect the three em-
bryological layers:
·
·
Endoderm: respiratory and digestive tracts
·
·
Mesoderm: vascular and osteo-articular systems
·
·
Ectoderm: skin and homeostasis
This sequencing also represents the evolution of pa-
thology:
First energetic layer:
LU-LI-ST-SP attempts to
maintain the pathological factor on the surface. Once
this layer is affected, the
Biao-Li
≈
Exterior-interior
relationship is disrupted, and pathology can move
inwards.
LU:
manifestations of Wind-Cold
LI:
transformation in to Heat in the throat area
ST:
manifestation of full Heat, damage to the
Jin
≈
Thin
fluids and
Xue
≈
Bood
SP:
Ying
≈
Nourishing Qi is damaged, production of
blood is affected, there is also appearance of Damp-
ness; pathology reaches the four limbs and the head
Second energetic layer:
HE-SI-BL-KI, when this
layer is affected the pathology moves deep.
HE:
pathogenic factor reaches the Blood level, causing
Blood stasis in the chest and
Shen
≈
Spirit disturbances
