Mental Health Support, Part 1: Shen = Spirit + Mind

One of the most famous acupuncture points is located directly between the eyebrows, called Yin tang.  Possibly you’ve had it. If so, you likely asked for it again, as so many patients do, as it creates a profound sense of calm almost immediately. 

Yin tang is used to help open the nasal passages (think of the location) but most importantly is used for this calming ability.  In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it’s an acupuncture point specifically categorized to calm the shen. 

What is shen you ask?  It’s loosely translated as spirit, but also encompasses what we traditionally think of as the mind. It’s a complex subject, but the concept of Shen is central to the discussion of mental health in TCM. 

Mental health awareness is forcibly, heartbreakingly, but ultimately thankfully, becoming less of a stigma in modern culture.  Different treatment options are being sought out and in this series I discuss both the theory of TCM along with the practical application, specifically how acupuncture and herbal formulas can help support mental health in part two.  In part three we discuss the link between organs and emotions.

Now back to Shen or spirit.  It is said to reside in the heart and is the root of consciousness and mental activity.  In the West we traditionally think of the mind when describing all that consciousness implies, and for us the mind lives in the brain.  But the brain in TCM is viewed as a “curious organ”, controlling intelligence, sight, hearing, smell and taste. 

Shen or spirit, housed in the heart, includes all aspects of the mind, such as consciousness, perception, memory, logical thought, insight, emotions, sleep and dreams.  There is overlap between the heart and brain for some cognitive functions as you likely gathered from the descriptions, but the important thing to note here is that both in TCM theory and clinical practice, the heart remains the primary focus for treatment of the shen.

Shen, as more closely aligned to the spirit translation, allows a person to tread his or her own self-chosen path, similar to the concept of following your heart.  From the classic text, The Web that has no Weaver, by Ted Kaptchuk, “Spirit is invoked by imagination, will, intention, awe, enchantment and wonder and depends on more than mind consciousness.”  In other words, it equally needs heart. 

Shen is present when we are fully immersed in something, present and in the flow.  It’s not associated with any one religion, but is what allows the connection to the divine, be that through reverence, nature or whatever form that takes on for the individual. 

How do we assess shen? What are some symptoms of shen disharmony?

The painter Modigliani said, “When I know your soul, I will paint your eyes.”  This concept of the eyes being the window to the soul rings true for the concept of shen.  The eyes are the first place one looks to assess shen.

If cognition is overall sound, shen in a somewhat looser sense can be compared to vitality, or a healthy, harmonious thriving in life.  It can be observed via the complexion (healthy & with luster), the eyes (with spirit and brightness), the state of mind (alert and clear) and breathing patterns (even and calm).  It would make sense then that the opposite of this vitality, dispiritedness, can be a sign that one’s shen is off.

Additional tell tale symptoms of a shen issues are insomnia or difficulty sleeping, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, difficulty with memory, focus and concentration. Shen disturbance in extreme forms is comparable to more severe forms of metal illness.

You are born with your shen but equally it can be cultivated.  It can also be easily agitated, hello modern life and stress!  Treatment via acupuncture and herbal formulas seek to calm the shen.  The idea is that when the shen is calm, it is easier to be in charge of all of its functions, which makes sense.  Bill Murray, one of my favorites, sums up this sentiment with quote “the more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything:  the better you are with your loved ones, the better you are with enemies, the better you are at your job, the better you are with yourself.”

 

How to cultivate your shen

Functions of both the mind and heart are intertwined, in unison and inseparable in shen.  This point resonated with me, despite taking more than a minute to wrap my head around.  I’ve personally at one point or another in my life felt my heart and head at odds, be the discord exasperated by relationships, jobs, living situations, life purpose etc…I am continually working to conceptually bridge the gap between the two, aiming to create cohesion and harmony.  In other words, I’m working on developing my shen. 

As one might image, this is a lifelong process.  It’s looks different for everyone and changes both in a chronological and evolutionary sense.   There are countless paths and tools to help, i.e. meditation, exercise, diet, spiritual practice, and travel, to name a few.  Equally important are the decisions that influence a healthy work life balance, right livelihood and meaningful relationships.  

Of course acupuncture and herbal formulas can also be immensely helpful. The actual acupuncture treatments allows for moments of deep relaxation for the nervous system and moving of energy that can be beneficial for processing emotions and healing.   Herbal formulas support the individual and further the goals of the acupuncture treatment.  Both combine to balance the energy in your body, which helps to make you a more balanced individual in your life. 

In the next journal entry I go into detail about specific acupuncture and herbal treatment strategies for shen.