11/11/2025
Reposting a previous post for remembrance day:
The spirit of autumn – whisky, gin or something more intangible?
Many people have heard of traditional acupuncturists treating people’s Qi. Qi can be complex in its manifestations and has differing stages of function, refinement, development and action. It is one of three substance-energies collectively known as the Three Treasures, the other two being Jing and Shen.
Jing is our essence, our material basis, our potential; think of inherited DNA and our growth and development along with our life-spark. Shen is our heart-spirit-mind; it is our mental (conscious and unconscious), creative and spiritual aspects. An old analogy is of a candle – the Jing is the wax and wick, the Qi is the flame and Shen is the light and heat. This analogy doesn’t give the whole picture but is a useful starting point for some understanding of the Three Treasures.
I recently posted about autumn and the metal element generally. This post will look more closely at the autumnal (metal) energy of the Shen - known as the Po. The Po is known as the corporeal soul – meaning it is the aspect of the Shen that links most closely to the physical body. It is the part of the Shen that works with the Jing from conception to organise the body (development and structure), regulate the physiological processes and is our “in the moment” experiences (impulses). It gives us agility, balance and co-ordination. To understand your Po, observe an animal such as a cat hunting, a bird flying – it is in the moment, moving with a natural balance and agility, with grace and ease – no distracting thoughts, plans or emotions. Po is similar to the psychological category of primary consciousness (where our senses govern immediate behaviour) which occurs in many animals too.
The Po is stored by the lungs, and when balanced supports our ability to stay connected to the present moment through our breath. It is why our habitual breathing patterns impact the rest of our physiology so strongly and why breath focus is so calming – concentrating on the present to reduce worry about the future (or past regret). When strong, Po is associated with assertiveness, fairness and virtuous justice. Culturally and socially it reflects where order is brought forth from chaos (structure, development, and organisation developed from customs and refined over the centuries) to enable us to interact with minimal conflict. With the creation of order comes boundaries and a healthy Po maintains appropriate boundaries – letting in only what is appropriate.
The energy of autumn is inward, (deciduous) plants allow leaves to fall to replenish future growth, energy is conserved for winter. So it is with the psychosocial aspect of the Po. Boundaries allow individuality within the community – our feelings are inward and private. The Po is affected by all emotions, but being of the metal element it is especially influenced by sadness and grief. Observe someone who struggles with grief – the shoulders are rounded, a reflection of the loss of structure from metal and a decline of the expansive lung energy. My previous post on the metal element touched on its importance in being able to let go. This links with the Po’s relationship to primary consciousness, where we hold on to what is needed to survive. A healthy Po discerns what is no longer needed in the moment and lets it go. When the Po is healthy and integrated in the present we have the ability to process grief. Impulsive reactivity is exchanged for appropriate response, the sadness passes and we can move back into the present.
The Po’s role in guiding development means it forms at the moment of conception. This explains its relationship to boundaries (our first moment of individuality), why it is housed in the lungs (a continuation of the skin, our primary physical boundary from the world) and its association with senses (especially touch – skin) which determine our perception of the present moment.
A weak Po can result in the inability to let go, becoming stuck or having inappropriate boundaries letting in and giving out too little or too much. An overbearing Po can move from structure to restriction or rigidity which brings its own tyranny to the soul, just as an overly strict state brings tyranny to the population.
So this remembrance weekend, consider the metal element. No matter your view on the tragedy of war, remember those that fought for your culture and society – imperfect though it may be – it is better than tyranny. Be present for those who have suffered loss and grieve. Act with metal qualities of fairness, discernment and individual value to counter tyranny in our own lives and in the culture that we refine.
