The Five Shen

The Five Shen in Chinese Medicine is the foundation of our Soul through the Lens of Daoist Thought.

About the fifth Shen in Chinese Medicine. Kidneys as the base for willpower and memory.

The Intellect — Yì — is located in the Spleen and is responsible for applied thinking, studying, memorising, focusing, changing state, and generating ideas

The Corporeal Soul — Po — known as the physical and rational aspect of human nature, is responsible for our bodily functions and is housed by the Lungs.

The Ethereal Soul — Hun — known as the dark, intuitive, and non-rational side of human nature, is responsible for our dreams and visions and is housed by the Liver.

The article guides you through the definition of Shen, its role for our Mind and Body, as well as the old Daoist teachings of Bai Xin — the Purification of the Heart-Mind. Along with excerpts of old scriptures, you learn why this inner cultivation is so important in Daoism.