Comments on: The importance of the Spleen in studying Classical Chinese Medicine http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/ Learning Chinese Medicine and letting it inform all aspects of life Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:58:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: San diego pain doctor http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-963 San diego pain doctor Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:21:45 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-963 Great post. Don't know much about Chinese Medicine but it sounds very interesting. Will need to get into this a little deeper to be able to take part in this conversation. Great post. Don’t know much about Chinese Medicine but it sounds very interesting. Will need to get into this a little deeper to be able to take part in this conversation.

]]> By: Evan http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-955 Evan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:40:55 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-955 Thanks Michael. I like that part about earth receiving heaven resulting in life and qi. Thanks Michael.

I like that part about earth receiving heaven resulting in life and qi.

]]> By: michael http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-954 michael Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:33:34 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-954 Eric, I agree with Abdallah that this is a great post! I can tell you put a lot of time and energy into it; perhaps you were able to utilize the most yang part of the day (from 9am to 11am), when the warmth and light is only increasing and yet not yet at the climax (which already has a touch of the inevitable descent of yang). During this time of day it does not take much to get things done; things pretty much get done without us doing anything. Perhaps you were able to eat a great breakfast (though you did mention your struggles this week) and therefore, having digested so well, you were able to utilize that digestive, transformative and creative power of the spleen for purposes of thought and contemplation (the "Yi" spirit). This is becuase of the strength of your spleen obviously, for as an Earthly organ, Heaven works through it and emerges from it. Earth, as we've learned, does not move; wind or Wood moves. So why is the Spleen Yin Earth associated with Qian, the Creative, the Active Yang force of Heaven? It is because Yin Earth is purely receptive, and the Spleen, sitting in the low-lying field of dampness (Yin Earth) responds absolutely perfectly to warm dryness (Qian could also be pronounce "Gan" as in "Gan Jiang" the Dry Yellow Earth baking in the sun). This pure Yin Earth recieves Heaven and what happens between the interplay of Heaven and Earth? Life. What happens between the interplay of Yin and Yang? Qi. So, it is because Qi emerges, life emerges, from and within the Earthly woven fabric of the Spleen (Due to the transformation that occurs within the Spleen) that it corresponds to the most Yang hexagram, hexagram 1, which is pure movement, pure wind, pure Qi, pure light. Yang can only manifest through the material world of Yin. Thus Da Yu, Yu the Great, moved with the movement of water through following its pattern, through recognizing how to essentially move with it without doing anything; yet his father (Gun),who symbolically represents the Triple Burner, though he is often said to have failed, in some respects actually merged with the Yin principle of darkness and mystery (but that is another story). At any rate, as we move into spring and the Earthly realm manifests, I'm sure you're productivity in this great project will come more easily. Thank you for the insightful entry! Michael Eric,
I agree with Abdallah that this is a great post! I can tell you put a lot of time and energy into it; perhaps you were able to utilize the most yang part of the day (from 9am to 11am), when the warmth and light is only increasing and yet not yet at the climax (which already has a touch of the inevitable descent of yang). During this time of day it does not take much to get things done; things pretty much get done without us doing anything. Perhaps you were able to eat a great breakfast (though you did mention your struggles this week) and therefore, having digested so well, you were able to utilize that digestive, transformative and creative power of the spleen for purposes of thought and contemplation (the “Yi” spirit).

This is becuase of the strength of your spleen obviously, for as an Earthly organ, Heaven works through it and emerges from it. Earth, as we’ve learned, does not move; wind or Wood moves. So why is the Spleen Yin Earth associated with Qian, the Creative, the Active Yang force of Heaven? It is because Yin Earth is purely receptive, and the Spleen, sitting in the low-lying field of dampness (Yin Earth) responds absolutely perfectly to warm dryness (Qian could also be pronounce “Gan” as in “Gan Jiang” the Dry Yellow Earth baking in the sun). This pure Yin Earth recieves Heaven and what happens between the interplay of Heaven and Earth? Life. What happens between the interplay of Yin and Yang? Qi. So, it is because Qi emerges, life emerges, from and within the Earthly woven fabric of the Spleen (Due to the transformation that occurs within the Spleen) that it corresponds to the most Yang hexagram, hexagram 1, which is pure movement, pure wind, pure Qi, pure light. Yang can only manifest through the material world of Yin. Thus Da Yu, Yu the Great, moved with the movement of water through following its pattern, through recognizing how to essentially move with it without doing anything; yet his father (Gun),who symbolically represents the Triple Burner, though he is often said to have failed, in some respects actually merged with the Yin principle of darkness and mystery (but that is another story).

At any rate, as we move into spring and the Earthly realm manifests, I’m sure you’re productivity in this great project will come more easily. Thank you for the insightful entry!
Michael

]]> By: Abdallah http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-948 Abdallah Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:31:00 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-948 "The symbol field associated with each organ system helps us to understand the multi-dimensional aspects of the human body. " Amin to that, my brother! That is what is missing in most discussions. “The symbol field associated with each organ system helps us to understand the multi-dimensional aspects of the human body. ”

Amin to that, my brother! That is what is missing in most discussions.

]]> By: Eric Grey http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-939 Eric Grey Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:15:49 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-939 If by heaven, you mean Yang - then sure. It's all part of the same Yang concept. But, I want to make clear that these symbols aren't meant to be translated one-for-one into data points. I think you know that, but I can see how it could be construed that way. The symbol field associated with each organ system helps us to understand the multi-dimensional aspects of the human body. Some symbols seem more "solid" and we can understand them very easily. Others are more subtle and seem to serve more as a way for us to avoid becoming "locked in" to one way of seeing a particular part of human experience. In this case, seeing Qian as a manifestation of Yang and as the transformation and transportation function of the Spleen works. But other interpretations are both available and useful. Thanks again for your participation, Eric If by heaven, you mean Yang – then sure. It’s all part of the same Yang concept. But, I want to make clear that these symbols aren’t meant to be translated one-for-one into data points. I think you know that, but I can see how it could be construed that way. The symbol field associated with each organ system helps us to understand the multi-dimensional aspects of the human body. Some symbols seem more “solid” and we can understand them very easily. Others are more subtle and seem to serve more as a way for us to avoid becoming “locked in” to one way of seeing a particular part of human experience.

In this case, seeing Qian as a manifestation of Yang and as the transformation and transportation function of the Spleen works. But other interpretations are both available and useful.

Thanks again for your participation,

Eric

]]> By: Evan http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-938 Evan Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:49:48 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-938 Is your notion that heaven = the creative transforming aspect of spleen? That aspect of the spleen which turns the rotted and ripened from the stomach into qi? If so I think this could make sense. Would this make all transformations a manifestation of heaven? Is your notion that heaven = the creative transforming aspect of spleen? That aspect of the spleen which turns the rotted and ripened from the stomach into qi?

If so I think this could make sense. Would this make all transformations a manifestation of heaven?

]]> By: Eric Grey http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-936 Eric Grey Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:23:25 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-936 Well, think more of Yang - the pure Yang that we sometimes call heaven. At school, we have always discussed it like this: because the Spleen is involved in such heavy work, such wet, Yin work - it needs to resonate with the pure energy of Heaven. Like the snake that lives in water it must have a core process to help it stay dry enough to continue its work. Particularly because of the Yin earth nature, this gives us a way to understand how the Spleen doesn't just bog down into sogginess. Similar to the way that we think of the Imperial fire of the Heart reaching down and warming the Kidney water so it doesn't become a stagnant pond. Similar to the way that we associate the purity of metal with the LI - despite its dirty work it maintains balance. It also helps us look at the Spleen in a multi-dimensional way. Regardless of whether we understand it immediately, this piece of symbolic information can help us come into a more nuanced relationship with the organ system which might help us work through difficult cases. I know this type of information has helped Heiner immeasurably in his clinical work. Thanks for your comments, Evan. Eric Well, think more of Yang – the pure Yang that we sometimes call heaven. At school, we have always discussed it like this: because the Spleen is involved in such heavy work, such wet, Yin work – it needs to resonate with the pure energy of Heaven. Like the snake that lives in water it must have a core process to help it stay dry enough to continue its work.

Particularly because of the Yin earth nature, this gives us a way to understand how the Spleen doesn’t just bog down into sogginess. Similar to the way that we think of the Imperial fire of the Heart reaching down and warming the Kidney water so it doesn’t become a stagnant pond. Similar to the way that we associate the purity of metal with the LI – despite its dirty work it maintains balance.

It also helps us look at the Spleen in a multi-dimensional way. Regardless of whether we understand it immediately, this piece of symbolic information can help us come into a more nuanced relationship with the organ system which might help us work through difficult cases. I know this type of information has helped Heiner immeasurably in his clinical work.

Thanks for your comments, Evan.

Eric

]]> By: Evan http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-935 Evan Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:18:04 +0000 http://deepesthealth.com/2008/the-importance-of-the-spleen-in-studying-classical-chinese-medicine/#comment-935 Hmm. I don't really see the relationship with heaven. Spleen's relationship to earth I think is quite clear - it receives all and nourishes all. Heaven I don't get. Could you say more - or was this just a traditional piece of knowledge that you were given? Hmm.

I don’t really see the relationship with heaven.

Spleen’s relationship to earth I think is quite clear – it receives all and nourishes all.

Heaven I don’t get. Could you say more – or was this just a traditional piece of knowledge that you were given?

]]>