The Alchemical Transformation of Jing, Qi and Shen

by Lisa Van Ostrand, Dr. of Medical Qigong (China) and AOBTA®-CI

Whenever I think of Jing, Qi and Shen, I immediately think of alchemy. Alchemy is the transformation of Jing to Qi to Shen, or the practice of cultivating our energy and consciousness to a higher level.

You may know Jing, Qi and Shen as the Three Treasures. The Three Treasures are essential concepts in Chinese Medicine as well as alchemy. In the alchemical process of transformation, the Jing is refined into Qi (essence into breath), then Qi into Shen (refining breath into spirit), then Shen into union with the Dao (refining spirit and returning to our original source).

One of the most famous maps representing this alchemical transformation is the Nei Jing Tu. I love looking at this map and I have a scroll in my house. The symbols of the map, like all symbols, can speak to and engage our Hun (one of our five “souls”). The Hun in Chinese Medicine is the “soul” associated with the Liver, and it represents the most spiritual aspect of ourselves.

The Nei Jing Tu is also known as the Inner Streams Map. The Nei Jing Tu is an image of a landscape, but is also a symbolic picture of the evolution of consciousness. This, as mentioned above, is represented by the transformation of Jing, Qi and Shen.

Each of these Three Treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen, are housed in the Three Dan Tiens, which roughly correspond to the abdomen, chest and the head. A Dan Tien is a field of energy, and we must cultivate our fields in order to flourish. Alchemy is the practice of this cultivation, which must start at the Lower Dan Tien, as represented by the Jing. The Lower Dan Tien is the cauldron or fire which begins this process of transformation.

I look forward to sharing visuals of these symbols during the April AOBTA® Lunch & Learn Webinar, and to also do practices to begin our alchemical transformation.