Original Spirit “Yuan Shen”
Original spirit- "Yuan Shen"
All that we encounter in life holds a seed of truth within it, sent to us from the heavens, the eternal Tao of Universal Consciousness, the Wuji, Source, Origin, the emptiness of limitless potentiality, for us to hear and see and touch and know: to water, nourish, and grow to fruition. But it is up to each of us individually to follow our path and make the most of the wisdom, virtue, and compassion that we cultivate, living to our fullest potential and fulfilling our destiny.
By experiencing one's original spirit, the unity of life is realized, the inseparable nature of life is realized, the clarity of one's true nature is realized. This insight is essential to self-realization, health, happiness, and transformation. This insight can provide the inspiration and motivation to change a life, to live in a way that allows synchronization with shen (spirit), to be a living expression of shen. Acupuncture can have a profound effect on releasing attachments and imprints that prevent an individual from realizing original spirit. And it can guide one's focus or attention on self- realization.
Taoist teachings are like master keys unlocking all doors and help us to become like a child returning to the original Source, the original force that is our birthright. The ultimate purpose is to return to our original state- the source. This is beyond the boundaries of time and space, so to "return to Source", we must broaden our minds and empty ourselves, we must let go of the fixed, limiting ideas of Newtonian physics and realize that we are the universe, we are stardust.
According to The Secret of the Golden Flower as translated by Timothy Cleary, the original spirit is the formless essence of awareness; it is unconditioned and transcends culture and history. It is the celestial mind, primal and universal. The Secret of the Golden Flower is devoted to the recovery and refinement of the original spirit.
One of our foundational medical texts, The Ling Shu- Spiritual Compass, says that we need to understand how life experiences and interactions can create imbalances and illness. It is also a guide that creates awareness of them and offers ways to understand, change, and transform them and our life. Understanding creates awareness and a chance to take conscious action to change. Awareness allows for the opportunity for the natural expression of our intrinsic, free-flowing nature. That single activity- becoming aware- is the most significant process for realization of our original spirit.
The above is an excerpt from a chapter of my Doctoral treatise inspired by and taken from these sources:
Chia, M, (1993). Awakening Healing Light of the Tao. Huntington: Healing Tao books.
Jarret, L.S. (1998). Nourishing Destiny. Stockbridge: Spirit Path Press
Cleary, T. ( ). The Secret of The Golden Flower. New York: HarperCollins Publisher
Morris, W. (2015) .Transformation Treating Trauma with Acupuncture and Herbs. Lexington:22 Publishing
Twicken, D. (2013). Eight Extraordinary Channels. London: Singing Dragon