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The Mind

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The "Mind" is referred to as "Shén" (神), and it represents consciousness, mental functions, emotional life, spiritual awareness, and vitality. The concept of the Mind/Shén is fundamental to understanding both psychological and physiological health in Chinese medicine. Shén is one of the Five Spiritual Aspects (Wu Shen, 五神), and it is primarily housed in the Heart (Cœur, HT). It governs mental activity (thinking, memory, concentration), emotions, sleep, consciousness and awareness, speech and facial expression and sense of identity and vitality. In TCM, mental and emotional disturbances are always related to an imbalance of organ systems — most often the Heart, but also other Zang organs via their associated "spirits". Each Zang (Yin organ) stores a different aspect of the Mind:

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  1. Shén (神): Consciousness, thinking, memory, sleep, emotional balance

  2. Hún (魂): Ethereal Soul: imagination, dreams, planning, vision, movement of consciousness

  3. Pò (魄): Corporeal Soul: basic instincts, sensation, reaction, physical expression

  4. Yì (意): Intellect: applied thinking, concentration, studying, memory

  5. Zhì (志): Willpower: determination, drive, motivation, long-term memory

 

Together, these five spirits form the complete mental-emotional-spiritual being in TCM.

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