Week four - Psychological 1

Question 1

What are the emotions effect on Qi?

Answer 1

• Anger makes Qi rise
• Joy slows Qi down
• Sadness dissolves Qi
• Worry knots Qi
• Pensiveness knots Qi
• Fear makes Qi descend
• Shock scatters Qi

Question 2

What is Shen?

Answer 2

Shen:
* Resides in the Heart
* Anchored by Qi and Blood
* The most Yang of the 5 spirits, conscious self-awareness and the ability to feel
* Guides our path and self-identity, relies on input from the other anima, connects us with Heaven / Dao

Question 3

What is Hun?

Answer 3

Hun:
* Insight, direction, rational thinking, decision making, intuition, creativity, unconsciousness, creativity, consciousness, planning (& courage to pursue and externalise thoughts), ‘sleep on it’ for solutions to problems, vision (physical and mental). Anchored by Yin and Blood, Yang in nature.

Question 4

What is Po?

Answer 4

Po:
* Sense of perception (skin and five senses), regulates autonomic nervous system, sense of self, contact and engagement with the world, mindfulness to be present and to let go of attachment boundaries between self and other, described as the entering and exiting of the essence.

Question 5

What is Zhi?

Answer 5

Zhi:
* Drive to act upon perception, memory (events), motivation, ambition, willpower, congenital intelligence, stability in the face of adversity/change, sense of family connection and history, connection to Ming (destiny) and life path.

Question 6

What is Yi?

Answer 6

Yi:
* To learn from experience (application of thoughts and psychological processes), memory (facts) concentration, focus, intent, intellect – thoughts and new ideas (acquired intelligence, problem solving), depends on postnatal Qi.

Question 7

What are the functions of the Mind?

Answer 7

Functions of the Mind (shen of the Heart)
* Thinking
* Memory
* Consciousness
* Insight
* Emotional life
* Cognition
* Sleep
* Intelligence
* Wisdom
* Ideas

Question 8

Does the mind control the senses?

Answer 8

Mind controls senses
* Eyes – rely on nourishment from Liver Blood
* Hearing – Heart brings Qi and Blood to the ears
* Smell – odour perception depends on both Lungs and Heart
* Taste – heart controls tongue
* Touch – Heart is responsible for organisation of external stimuli sensations, Po also plays a role.

Question 9

What is Bai He Bing – Lilium syndrome?

Answer 9

• Absent minded as if in a trance, mental restlessness, bitter taste in mouth, dark urine, anxiety, depression, red tongue, rapid pulse, desire to eat but reluctant to swallow, unwilling to speak, easily fatigued, desire to lay down, aversion to smell of food.
• TP: moisten and nourish Heart and Lung, Nourish Qi and Yin, clear heat or empty heat, calm the Mind and strengthen Zhi.

Question 10

What is Me He Qi?

Answer 10

Mei He Qi – plumstone syndrome
* Qi stagnation and Phlegm obstructing the throat (Qi-Phlegm – the most non-substantial type of phlegm)
* No physical obstruction, emotional stagnation

Question 11

What is Zang Zao?

Answer 11

• Visceral restlessness or hysteria or restless organ syndrome
• Can be associated with anxiety and depression
• Characterised by yawning, weeping/crying, sadness, and restlessness