Energize Your Body For Good Health The BaZi Way
The realm of Chinese Internal Medicine is centered on
the flow of energy known as Qi.
Qi is the life force or vital energy that sustains
all living things on earth according to Chinese Metaphysics. Both the schools
of Chinese Geomancy (Feng Shui) and Astrology (Four Pillars of Destiny) have
their roots in the existence of Qi. All methodologies used in the practices of
these ancient arts and sciences concern with harnessing the Qi from the
environment for health and prosperity. In the context of Chinese Internal
Medicine, the way to healthy living is to harness internal Qi within our body. Internal
Qi can be enhanced and generated based on the concept of the Five Elements. These
elements have their individual metaphysical characteristics and are closely
related to the type of energy that a person has. The essence of Chinese
Internal Medicine is to maintain balance in these elements within our body for
optimal health. Illnesses or diseases are caused by blockage, depletion or
imbalance of qi in a human body. Healing can only begin when Qi is unblocked
and energized or balance is restored to the affected part of the body through
enhancing and energizing Qi to flow unhindered.
The Five Elements that form the core of internal Qi
are known in their elemental energy of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each
of these elements is associated with the internal organs of the human body
which mostly relates to the 5 viscera and 6 bowels. The viscera are heart, lungs,
liver, spleen and kidneys which are credited with the capacity for storing and
determining the functions of other parts of the body. The bowels are bladder,
gall bladder, stomach, small intestines and large intestines.
Wood is associated with the liver. Any excess or
deficiency can lead to liver ailments and gall bladder dysfunction.
Fire is associated with the heart. Any excess or
deficiency can lead to hypertension, heartburn and heart problem.
Earth is associated with the spleen. Any excess or deficiency
can lead to stomach and digestive problem.
Metal is associated with the lung. Any excess or
deficiency can lead to lung related or colon related problem and dysfunction of
the reproductive system.
Water is associated with the kidney. Any excess or
deficiency can lead to kidney and bladder related problem.
The flow of internal Qi in a human body is based on
the interaction of the Five Elements. There are basically two cycles of
interaction between these elements. In the first cycle, known as the Productive
Cycle, each element produces the succeeding element or nourishes it by a flow
of energy. Wood produces Fire. Fire produces Earth by converting wood to ashes
which are returned to earth. Earth produces Metal which is found as mineral deposit
in the earth. Metal produces Water when there is condensation. Water in turn
produces Wood just like plants needs water to grow. The cycle then repeats
itself.
In the second cycle, known as the Destructive Cycle,
each element destroys the succeeding element or controls it by a flow of
energy. Wood penetrates Earth. Earth controls Water by forming a dam or
reservoir. Water puts out Fire. Fire melts Metal. Metal cuts Wood and the cycle
begin again.
These elements play an integral role in the proper functioning
of our vital organs by the flow of energy within us and in the process, checking
and balancing one another. If one element becomes too strong or too weak, it
can attack or be injured. The importance of these elements in the cycles of
production and destruction is that they form the basic foundation in the
application of Chinese Internal Medicine.