Cycles of jing are the unfolding of the three treasures: jing, qi and shen. These evolutionary seven- and eight-year cycles are presented in chapter one of the classic Chinese medical text, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. The common explanation of these cycles of human evolution is based on human observation; a deeper explanation can be found in China's oldest text, the I Ching.
In Chinese culture there are two import concepts, ti and yong. Ti is theory and yong is application. Basic I Ching theory (ti) is common among people throughout the world, but its many applications (yong) are just beginning to be presented to the general public. One application of I Ching science includes patterns or formulas, some of which were discussed in my article, "I Ching Acupuncture" (editor's note: See the October 2003 issue). The principles of I Ching can be found in the Nei Jing. This article presents I Ching and Nei Jing explanations of cycles of jing.
The tao can be expressed in many ways. The following are three major perspectives:
Qi follows patterns of an evolutionary blueprint or unfolding, which are initially guided by prenatal influences and, later, an integrated prenatal/postnatal influence. These patterns can be explained by how qi manifests in the body during cycles of time as revealed by age (numbers). Qi, patterns and numbers are really one. They are inseparable, and are different ways to view or communicate a situation and condition. Classically, cycles of jing have been explained by how qi patterns unfold through time, as viewed from human observation. The following introduces I Ching patterns that explain cycles of jing.
The following is a summary of traditional jing cycles for males and females. Males have eight-year cycles; women have seven-year cycles. Seven is a balancing or harmonizing number in I Ching science. For example, seven days complete a week and four cycles of seven days completes a month. Also, the spiritual model of hun and po found in traditional Chinese medical texts, as well as Taoist Nei Dan cultivation, view the po as corresponding to seven (either seven spirits, seven frequencies, seven stages of development or the number seven found in the west direction) in the classic Luo Shu diagram. The number eight is found in many branches of Taoist arts, including the ba gua.
Jing Cycles found in the Nei Jing
Chapter One
Female Jing Cycles of Seven
Male Jing Cycles of Eight
Jing cycles are nature's cycle of evolution. The I Ching is a tool that reveals patterns of nature and contains a code of jing. Below is Fu Xi's Early Heaven Ba Gua (Xian Tian). This ba gua is profound. It reveals much about the patterns of tian, ren and ti (heaven, human and earth).
The top line of numbers, which contains the computer method of counting, begins at the right side with 0. Zero is a yin number and represents females. This pattern reveals that females have cycles of seven years. Traditional Chinese philosophy states that yin is the right side.
The bottom line, which contains the standard counting method, begins at the left side with 1. One is a yang number and represents males. This pattern reveals that males have cycles of eight years. Traditional Chinese philosophy states that yang is the left side.
Note that yang and yin, 1 and 0, are opposite each other, following the pattern of the ba gua. Qian at the left is three yang lines and is pure yang, or male. Kun at the right is three yin lines and is pure yin, or female.
Female jing patterns of seven multiplied by male jing patterns of eight, multiplied by five (for Five Elements) equals 280. Two hundred-eighty divided by 30 is 9.33. This is the ideal duration of pregnancy (just over nine months).
The I Ching and Nei Jing emphasize the principles of "yin within yang" and "yang within yin." This principle is illustrated in this ba gua pattern.
The ancients developed many acupuncture methods based on the patterns of the I Ching and the ba gua. These methods tap into the forces of nature to support one's life, whether it is feng shui, Chinese astrology or Acupuncture. The I Ching is a profound book that contains general guidance for healthy living. Hidden inside this ancient book are patterns that explain many of the principles found in the Nei Jing and other classic books on Chinese medicine.
References
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