In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shén refers to the human mind or human psyche; Shen refers to the fundamental force or instance within a person that is responsible for life, and in order to promote life to its full potential, the mind must grow and be cultivated.
Shoshin or “beginner’s mind” is a concept from Zen Buddhism and refers to an attitude of openness, enthusiasm, and lack of preconceptions, similar to that of a beginner. The practice of Shoshin serves as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with considering oneself an expert. Shoshin also acts as an antidote to the “Einstellung effect”, which is a predisposition to solve a particular problem in a specific way, even if better or more appropriate methods exist. It is the negative effect of previous experience when approaching new problems.
The “Book of Documents” or “Classic of History” (Shūjīng, Shu Jing, formerly: Shu King; also known as Shàngshū) is one of the Five Classics of ancient Chinese literature. The compendium itself contains, among other, texts that were written 1000 years before the Book of Documents was elevated to the status of a “classic”. Most of the chapters, however, date from later times. Due to its heterogeneity, Shūjīng has long been the focus of great philosophical debates.
In no2DOtrigramLi, the fire, is associated with the functional circuit small intestine (SI), The small intestine is considered the alchemist of the inner being, the instance that is able to distinguish the important from the unimportant. This is not only about digestive processes and energy production, but also about the clarification of facts, relationships and feelings, i.e. about issues of mental health. The small intestine nourishes our heart (HT) and protects it from all that is unimportant and disturbing.
In no2DOtrigramKun, the earth, is associated with the functional circuit spleen (SP). The functional circuit spleen is about making that what comes from outside, foreign influences and food, one’s own, to incorporate it. Foreign matter is converted into the body’s own substrate, it is distributed and stored. When our stores are filled and the distribution of nourishing substances is ensured, we feel well supplied and in balance.
The Stone Classics are a collection of stone carved books on various Confucian classics.
The stelae that were elaborated over an eight year period (AD 175 to 183) during Han dynasty (BC 206 to AD 200) contained 200,000 characters across 46 stelae. They covered the seven classics recognized at the time: the Book of Changes, Book of Documents, Book of Songs, Book of Rites, Spring and Autumn Annals, Classic of Filial Piety and Analects. Each stelae was about 2.5 meters high and 1 meter wide. The Stone Classics of Han dynasty were mostly destroyed in the fighting following the collapse of the Han dynasty in 207, and only a few fragments have survived. They were the first of several enterprises through history that tried to provide correct and authoritative versions of the classics texts.
Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: origin, beginning, the starting point of all things, the creative impulse, that is: Qian. Often symbolized as rain
Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: fertilization, things that simply land at one’s lap without voluntary accomplishment; the receptive, feminine principle, Kun. Also represented as clouds.
Modern Interpretation: Assertiveness; thinking, planning, acting; mental skills, insight
Sun, the Wind / Tree, stands for a lively, pushing growth from within. Like the landscape’s greening in the spring: self confident, powerful, without hesitation. Strategical, relentless, unstoppable. Like the wind: passing through every opening, into every corner.
Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: an ideal personality with good character that strives towards a life in harmony with circumstances and time quality, without losing sight of his own objectives. German: “der Edle”
A systematized (objectifying) combinatorial system is an oracle that provides a fixed set of rules to establishes the relationships between individual elements of the divination. In astrology, for instance, these elements include the signs of the zodiac, planetary constellations, and houses. The underlying set of rules enables the rational understanding of the “random“ initial situation, such as the time of birth in astrology, while still allowing for interpretation. This flexibility ensures that systematic conclusions can be applied to to the questioner‘s individual situation.