Traditional Chinese medicine summarizes the most important substances and functional activities of the human body as essence, qi, and spirit, which are considered the fundamental elements that maintain the overall life activities of the body.
1. Essence refers to all the nutrients in the human body and can be divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital essence is inherited from parents, while acquired essence comes from diet. The kidneys are primarily responsible for managing essence and are often referred to as "kidney essence". "When a person is born, essence is formed first." Essence is not only a basic component of the human body but also governs the entire growth, development, reproduction, and aging processes.
2. Qi is the subtle substance necessary for maintaining the life activities of the human body. It is the driving force behind the functional activities of the internal organs and tissues of the body. Qi can be referred to as both a substance and a function. Qi has important functions such as promoting renewal, warming the organs, defending against external pathogens, consolidating and nourishing essence and blood, and transforming nutrients. "The existence of human life depends entirely on this qi." Qi needs to circulate continuously like an endless cycle for the body to be healthy and free of disease. Therefore, ancient people said, "Qi is the elixir of youth." Modern experimental research also suggests that "qi" may be the material basis for the formation of immune function. Therefore, qi should not be exhausted or stagnated, as stagnation or exhaustion of qi can lead to various diseases.
3. Spirit refers to a series of mental consciousness and thinking activities of the human body, primarily controlled by the heart (equivalent to the brain in modern medicine). The heart is the highest commander of the human body, and spirit holds a paramount position. If the heart is healthy, the spirit and qi will be abundant; if the spirit and qi are abundant, the body will be strong; if the spirit and qi are scattered, the body will be weak. Therefore, in the Ling Shu section of the Huangdi Neijing, it is stated, "The heart is the master of the five viscera and six bowels, the dwelling place of essence and spirit... If the heart is injured, the spirit will leave, and if the spirit leaves, death will follow." Therefore, cultivating a clear mind and few desires can nourish the spirit, allowing the body to maintain health and longevity. As the poet Bai Juyi wrote, "Excessive worries and mental exhaustion lead to weakened blood and qi, and premature greying before thirty." This is a true portrayal of spirit consumption leading to early aging. Maintaining a cheerful spirit and a broad mind is the primary task of nurturing the spirit.
4. The abundance of essence, the sufficiency of qi, and the completeness of spirit are the guarantees of health, while the deficiency of essence, the weakness of qi, and the consumption of spirit are the causes of aging. Although essence, qi, and spirit each have their own characteristics, they are inseparable as a whole. If one is lost, all will be lost.
Zhang Jingyue said, "Those who are good at nurturing life must cherish their essence. When essence is abundant and qi is strong, the spirit will be complete, the body will be healthy, and there will be fewer illnesses." Chen Jiru, a Ming dynasty scholar, pointed out in "Yuansheng Fuyu" that "essence can produce qi, qi can produce spirit, so essence and qi are the foundation of spirit. Preserve essence to store qi, store qi to nourish spirit; this is the essence of longevity." Some medical experts believe that essence, qi, and spirit are the "three treasures within," while the ears, eyes, and mouth are the "three treasures outside." To maintain health and longevity, it is necessary to "prevent the three treasures within from being lost and the three treasures outside from being disturbed."
Therefore, to maintain the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit, the key lies in self-cultivation and inner peace. A clear mind and few desires will prevent the mind from wandering, thoughts from running wild, spirit from wandering aimlessly, and emotions from being easily stirred, thus preventing the wastage of qi. The practice of static meditation in qigong is a good method for regulating essence, qi, and spirit through self-regulation and controlling the mind and body. It requires high concentration, a calm mind, the elimination of stray thoughts, and the relaxation of the whole body to achieve a state where all thoughts become empty. With persistent practice, it can have the effect of nourishing essence, qi, and spirit. When essence is abundant, qi is strong, and spirit is complete, one's vitality and actions will be vibrant. Older people can maintain a youthful appearance and prolong their lives, while younger people can delay aging and preserve their youthfulness. Practices such as Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, and Five Animal Exercises are all good methods for regulating essence, qi, and spirit.
