The Tree Treasures - Jing, Qi and Shen, are varied expressions of the same Dao. They can be considered, in an over-simplified way, to represent the Body (Jing), Mind (Qi) and Spirit (Shen). The functioning of the human body-mind-spirit matrix occurs through seven expressions of the Dao - Bone, Marrow, Body Fluids, Blood, Essence (Jing), Energy (Qi) and Spirit (Shen) - in the increasing order of energetic density or grossness, Bone being the grossest and Shen being the subtlest. While they all have specific functions to play, they are inter-dependent and work with each other in a holistic fashion. In Daoist medicinal texts, the three treasures are compared to Ice (Jing), Water (Qi) and Shen (Steam). True alchemy occurs when Jing morphs into Qi, and further into Shen as only Shen (spirit) can assimilate through all three levels of existence - Body, Mind and Spirit.
The Jing is associated - amongst other things - with sustaining the Physical body. It is mainly responsible for physical healing as it is this field of energy called Jing that causes the right cells to increase and the unwanted kind to be removed. It is grosser than Qi but subtler than other bodily fluids such as blood etc. If Jing is cultivated properly, the physical body is harmonized and healthy skin is a reflection of this harmony. For Jing to be converted to Qi, one needs a degree of harmony between the Body and Thoughts/Emotions. Jing (postnatal) represents the Essence of the body’s organs (though oft represented by Semen), it is derived from air, and nourishment obtained from food and drink.
Qi may be conceptualized as the energetic delivery mechanism that makes vitality or Jing available across the various organs in the body. It maintains and sustains Jing. It also governs thoughts and emotions. As it is the middle bridge that interacts with both Jing and Shen, it is often the main topic of interest to Alchemists.
Shen or the spirit sustains and directs Qi, and is also of a higher vibrational nature than Qi and Jing. It is also associated with the Mind in the sense that while Qi deals with thoughts and emotions, the Shen is associated with Awareness and Consciousness.
The steps of Alchemy (postnatal) involve reversing the transformation of Dao (highest vibration, most subtle) to Jing (lowest vibration, gross).
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Jing → Qi: Jing is primarily represented by the creative essence in semen/ovaries. This, through practices of alchemy, is “warmed” in Lower Dantien to transform into Energy or Qi, just like you heat ice to convert it to water.
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Qi → Shen: Qi is further converted to Shen in the Middle Dantien, similar to water being converted to steam.
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Shen → Wuji: Shen is processed in the Upper Dantien to transform to Wuji, which represents a timeless, still energetic space field of energy. This is similar to steam dissipating into the space.
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Wuji → Dao: In the final stage, when Wuji is sustained, it re-connects with Dao or the Divine, where there is no duality of any kind.
Excess of anything, especially if induced outside of the natural scheme of things, and importantly, is unused, causes imbalance. For example, excess Yin Jing can cause fat gain, phlegm and water retention (Kapha dosha as it is called in Ayurveda). In extreme cases, excessive nourishment, or excess of Jing, can result in cancerous cells or tumors. Excessive and unnatural nourishment in some modern forms of diet (or excessive use of certain herbs in medieval times) have been attributed as the cause for Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If one has overstimulated Jing, a simple shaking exercise a few times in the day may help circulate Qi and prevent stagnation of Jing.
