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The Yellow Emperor''s Classic of Internal Medicine (alsoreferred as the Classic) is the origin of Chinese Medicinetheories. In the Classic, the description of "Shen" is the most important context. Treating "Shen" is the first priority for dealing with physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, acupuncture and moxibution treatment. In the Classic, the usage of "shen" is very broad, vague and complicated. The objective of this thesis is to interpret the meaning of "shen" and study the "shen" theory.
In this study, the author thoroughly explores the meaning of "shen" and discusses the main theme of "shen" theory from the Yellow Emperor Internal Classic Plain Question edited by Trong-De Gu and the Spiritual Axis edited by Jeng-Ton Chao of Ming Dynasty. Excluding the chapter of Plain Question, the total usage of the word "shen" is 159 times. The author explores the meaning of "shen" from the original writings and refers to the writings by San-Sung Yang, Jing-Yeh Chang and five other great Chinese physicians as the main references. The main theme of "shen" theory is summarized as the result of this study.
The result of this study shows that the meaning of "shen" in Chinese Medicine includes the beginning and performance of life activities; the mastery of physiological function; a person''s spirit; consciousness; thinking process; the essential chi, original chi and meridian chi of the five organs, six viscera and twelve meridians; the excellent skill in diagnosis and treatment; the patient''s shen chi and so on. In the Classic, 35 chapters discuss the "shen" theory: "shen" is the first to observe for diagnosis, achieving "shen" is the objective for treatment, treating "shen" is the objective of acupuncture, different methods and principles of reserving "shen" are vital to moxibustion treatment. Therefore, the concept of "shen" is discussed in detail.
The holistic view of Chinese Medicne is the characteristics of "shen" theory. "Shen" mainly resides in heart, but also resides in five organs. The activities of "shen" depend on the mutual convertibility and inhibition of five phases. "Shen" varies when a person is being sick. "Shen" stores internally as "seven shen". The psychological function of "seven shen" masters the physiology of five organs. Externally, "shen" shows out as five affect. Affect in extremes may cause harm to the organs. The progression of illness has its rules. However, with the involvement of five affect and seven emotion, the convertibility of "shen" is unpredictable. All of these are the main content of "shen" theory. To conclude, the holistic view of "shen" is crucial and essential for the future development of health care in Chinese Medicine.
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