By giving the Shen, the “divine spark” of consciousness, a home in the body, the heart unites heaven and earth in the human being. In Chinese medicine, the so-called “five Shen” represent different aspects of consciousness; the Shen of the heart is the purest form of consciousness. The best way to translate Shen is with “mind”. The presence of Shen is the prerequisite for health and a long life. The shine in our eyes is a reflection of the state of our Shen.

The concept of the Shen seems to correspond to the Buddhist idea of ​​mind as pure consciousness in a detached state. According to the Buddhist teachings, enlightenment comes through knowledge and identification with this pure consciousness within ourselves.

However, the heart-Shen must remain anchored in reality and react to the demands of all physical conditions. Correct and appropriate behavior is the result when pure awareness consciousness is committed to the concerns of physical existence.

In Nei Jing Su Wen it says: “Excessive Shen manifests itself in unceasing laughter, empty Shen in sadness. ” Sometimes a “lack of joy” indicates a problem in the Fire Element. In the event of a disturbance in the Fire, one will be infected by the cheerfulness of others, but then fall back into a lack of joy. But also, according to Chinese medicine, excessive joy/elation is considered to be a cause for illness.

Fire is the only element represented by two pairs of meridians: Heart /Small Intestine and Pericardium/Triple Heater Meridian. Here the Heart, in which the Shen is at home, takes over the central function of the Fire.

In medical texts from the East, various organs are compared with functionaries in a state. The Heart takes the place of the Emperor, who in ancient China corresponded to the Son of Heaven and embodied divine authority on earth. By harboring the Shen (spirit/mind) in the Heart, it gives the divine part of our being a physical home.

Through its central position in our Body-Mind-System, all other Meridians of the Fire Element are protectors of the Heart in very different ways or even its messengers, which help to increase its influence. The boundaries of the Meridians therefore overlap and to some extent all Fire Meridians are extensions of the Heart-Energy.

More about the functions and relationships is described in the explanations of the individual Meridians.

Stabilizing factor of the Fire-Phase: conducts heat from the Heart -> Heart stays calm and therefore the Shen is clear

Shock or trauma: according to Zen Shiatsu theory, the Small Intestine Meridian is involved in shock or trauma (in TCM Pericardium). This shows an assimilation disorder in the form of a refusal of body and mind to assimilate unacceptable information – untreated symptoms can continue to have an effect for years to come

Suppressed emotions: often manifests itself in the inability to accept unpleasant memories or one’s own unwanted feelings -> split personality parts or an imbalance between upper and lower body half

Emotionally, the Small Intestine helps us to seek relationships that support and promote our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Masunaga associates qualities such as patience and determination with the Small Intestine

Principle
thinking and digesting

Assimilation of food, emotional and sensory environmental stimuli

Transformation

Clarity

Connection of Heart and Hara

Circulation in the abdomen and pelvic area

Blood production

Analysis and synthesis