What’s The Big Deal About Essence?
We are all given a finite time. This time may come sooner often because of the way we live. Ancient texts often talk of the time that is given to each one of us and to the earth itself. An example being Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. These verses discuss the time that is given to people and what we are to expect during this time.
Our Personal Time is Our Essence
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches us that we are and have Jing or essence. This essence is the life force that gives us time. We draw our energy for life out of our essence and our time is up when our essence runs out. Everyone’s essence is pre-determined (for the most part) but can be changed based on our lifestyle and habits. Chinese medicine divides essence into 3 types: Pre-Heaven, Post-Heaven, and Kidney-Essence (Maciocia, p,44-47).
Pre-Heavenly Essence
Egg and sperm join to make every human. It is what is in these zygotes that determine our pre-heavenly essence. Basically, when we are born, we inherit some of the essence of each parent. Therefore, the less essence we receive, or the more problems that the parents’ have, the less essence we start out with. The Pre-heaven essence determines our livelihood. Modern medicine has proven this through finding out our DNA and genes. It is fixed and can only be depleted. This would sound defeating, but it is only one aspect and is not the determining factor in our life. So, what happens after conception and birth?
Post-Heavenly Essence
Post-heavenly essence is the essence that we gather after birth. This essence is gathered from our daily activities. Modern medicine has begun to know this as the epigenetics of our genes. Basically, what we eat, drink, breathe, and the activities that we engage in determine if we gain or lose this essence. Why is this important? Because both the pre-heaven and post-heaven essence are combined for the third type of essence.
Kidney Essence
This is the essence that determines our well being! Kidney essence is there from the beginning (like pre-heaven). However, it gathers and is replenished by the post-heaven essence. Basically, it combines the two and allows your body to use them. This is the essence that moves around the body. It is what determines our “growth, reproduction, development, sexual maturation, conception, pregnancy, menopause and ageing” (Maciocia, p. 46). Essence, while a form of qi, is not qi. Essence moves slowly, is not easily replenished and changes gradually. TCM states that essence follows a cycle of 8 years for men and 7 years for women. The cycle for women ends with menopause at 49. Men’s essence is depleted by 64 years of age.
Our Essence Comes From Our Family
The fire that lives within us is our essence. I feel that it is important to explain because knowing this can help us to live healthier and happier lives. It is important to know, “what runs in your family” because this has the potential to show up in your life. It may be a time bomb in your essence that is activated by fuel you put in (post-heaven essence). One size does not fit all. Everyone is not meant to eat vegan, vegetarian, keto or paleo. Everyone is not meant to follow the same rules for dieting or exercise. What is good for your spouse may be detrimental to you.
Read : One Size Does Not Fit All
How do I Manage my Essence?
It is important to know your body type and to understand what you need. This can be found by getting checked. However, a regular annual exam does not tell you everything. Annual exams are important, but they continue to express the objectives of the majority and not you as an individual. An example would be the news of Chadwick Boseman, a beloved actor dying at 43 years of age of a cancer that is not checked for before the age of 50.
What Can I do?
Determine how your life unfolds. Use the expertise of your providers, but do not take their words as bond. You are fully capable of listening to your body. Also, You may be the first to notice when everything is great and when something is not right. There is only person with you every day of your life. So, check the stool. Pay attention to if there is a change in your bowel habits. Be present when you pee. Notice if you are going way more than you used to, or not enough. Look at your body and see if spots or moles have grown or changed. How is your memory? Can you do the same things you used to? Is it hard to simply walk a short distance?
Know your Essence
Most of us go through life without paying attention to ourselves or the signals that our bodies are telling us. We avoid getting looked at because the fear of the unknown does not seem as great as the fear in knowing. The problem is that the longer we “stay in the dark”, the worse the condition gets. It is my hope that teaching you about your essence helps you. All of our lives are enriched by understanding that we may have been given certain things, but it is how we live our lives and how we react that determines our wellbeing for years to come.
Reference
Maciocia, G. (2012). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comphrensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Chapter 3: The Vital Substances. Elsevier Churchill Livingston. p. 44-48.
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