Let's continue reading about the Daoist understanding of consciousness. In the previous session, it was mentioned that Daoism divides consciousness into several levels. The first and foremost is the primordial spirit(YUAN SHEN). The second is " Conscious Spirit(SHI SHEN): Refers to the mental activities and thought processes developed after birth (including the emergence of various emotions)." The third is "True Intent(ZHEN YI): The primordial spirit remains unmoving as the essence, while true intent operates through resonance and connection. The primordial spirit and true intent are fundamentally one. True intent refers to the correct awareness within emptiness..." Dr Pang points out here that the primordial spirit should not be equated with true intent. He explains, "In the relationship among the primordial spirit, the conscious spirit, and true intent, the primordial spirit is the state of consciousness without mental activity, or the most primitive and fundamental state of the conscious spirit. When various thoughts have not yet stirred, that special condition is called the primordial spirit. Through practice, one can gradually sense and recognize it—a neutral state devoid of all emotions. The conscious spirit refers to the everyday activities of the mind. When the conscious spirit becomes tranquil, the nature of the primordial spirit can manifest. When you are in a state of profound emptiness and tranquility, the function through which you perceive the 'nature of the primordial spirit' is called 'true intent,' which is entirely different from ordinary mental activities. Ancient philosophers regarded the primordial spirit and the conscious spirit as opposing forces. They believed that practice should involve eliminating the conscious spirit to return to the primordial spirit. However, our Zhineng Qigong does not hold this view."

This study shows that qigong has significant effect on various health conditions.

Updated: Sep 18 The thyroid gland may be small, but its influence on nearly every system in the body is profound. This butterfly-shaped gland nestled in the neck regulates metabolism, energy, temperature, growth, and more through the hormones it produces. When thyroid function becomes imbalanced, whether through hypothyroidism (underactive) or hyperthyroidism (overactive), the effects can be far-reaching and significantly impact quality of life, While conventional medicine typically addresses thyroid disorders through hormone replacement or suppression, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers complementary natural thyroid remedies that address the root imbalances underlying thyroid dysfunction. By working with the body's innate healing abilities, TCM provides gentle yet effective approaches to restoring thyroid health. Understanding Thyroid Disorders Through a TCM Lens In Western medicine, thyroid disorders are generally classified as either hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormone production) or hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone production). These conditions are typically diagnosed through blood tests measuring levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In TCM theory, the thyroid region is associated with the "Sea of Qi" (Qi Hai) and is influenced primarily by the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver organ systems. These aren't just the physical organs as understood in Western medicine, but functional systems that govern various physiological and energetic processes in the body. Here's how these systems relate to thyroid function in TCM: The Kidney system is the foundation of health in TCM and governs growth, development, and reproduction. The Kidneys store essential life energy (Jing) and are closely related to thyroid function. Kidney deficiency often underlies hypothyroidism, particularly in cases with symptoms like fatigue, cold sensitivity, and low libido. The Spleen system is responsible for the transformation and transportation of nutrients in TCM. It generates Qi and Blood from the food we eat. Spleen Qi deficiency can contribute to hypothyroidism, especially when symptoms include digestive issues, fatigue, and weight gain.