The Role of Jing, Qi, and Shen in Qi Gong Practice

The three treasures known in Qi gong are Jing, Qi, and Shen. They are stored in the three fields of the body, the Dantiens (translation from Chinese- fields), or known as the Triple Burners. The Dantiens, are the center areas of the body, where energy is collected and also distributed. These are focus areas in the body while practicing Qi gong. As the breath travels with each inhalation from the nose to the belly and with exhalation back out of the nose, these centers gather the qi of the body and turn within transforming concentration. With each deepening breath, focus and the transforms this energy and builds it up in the each rising tides.

The Triple Burners provide an image in the process of breath work. The Burners are bellows that provide warmth and heat for the entire body. Similarly seen as bamboo streamers of the body, they are found above the navel, the sternum, and at the occipital lobe. (Other schools locate the top Burner at the top of the nose between the eyes. Some schools located them under the navel, over the navel, and at the chest)

What is collected at these Dantiens, or “burnt” at these Burners, are the energetics that is necessary for those areas of the body. These are Jing, Qi, and Shen.

Jing, the simplest and most condense of these, is seed energy. This comes from our essence. Its can be our sexual makeup, our DNA, and our life force. Through Qi gong, this “seed” lifted up from our sexual organs, into the lowest burner, and combined with the energy of our diet. Our body combines this, and transforms it into what it needs, Qi, more energy to nourish the body. What is in excess rises, or falls according to its quality.

The middle burner located in the center of the chest, it mixes in the immediate breath. It discriminates, gathers what is necessary, and releases what is not. What collects transforms into fuel to further digest our present. It can transform to sensation, emotion, voice, presence, and character. Out of this transformation, comes out the Shen, which is our Spirit Mind.

The Shen collects in the upper Dantien or Burner and brightens awareness. It provides us with insight, and illuminates our being. This helps us direct our lives, and transform our will.

Each Dantien provides a path of transformation where we can focus, and visualize the process, while sensing our presence in simple deep breathing movements.