You and your Shen

What is Shen?

Shen is an ultimate human spirit and the emperor of all five spirits.

It is also the force that animates the body, and the essence of compassion and understanding.

Shen is in charge of consciousness.

Intellect and mental functioning are closely related to the strength of one’s Shen.

In addition, it is the Shen which provides us with the sense of awareness and presence in every now moment.

Vitality and clarity in expressing thoughts and emotions also depend on Shen…

The state of  Shen matters

The state of one’s Shen does matter.

When Shen is strong, the eyes are sparkling; when it is weak, the eyes look dull.

Healthy rosy face can indicate the vital Shen, as the pale one can point out to the weak Shen.

In the same way, the clear speech come from strong Shen, while confused talking can be related to the opposite…

What else should we know about Shen?

Shen resides in one’s heart, which is the emperor of the body.

It reflects Heaven Qi, but it depends on Jing and Qi (Three Treasures).

Shen retires during night, while we sleep, hence a good night’s sleep is the reflection of sound Shen.

When the Shen is strong, this also results in a strong body.

What affects the Shen negatively?

Trauma, sleep deprivation, anxiety and over-thinking, chronic stress, but also resentment, frustration, anger and hatred – all these affect Shen negatively.

In addition, any kind of exaggeration (sleep, work, sex, emotions, food, drink, sugar, alcohol, drugs, lack of movement…), extreme sadness, lack of understanding, judgmentalism and a demanding attitude, can hurt Shen over time, reflecting negatively on one’s physical and mental health.

Can we nourish our Shen?

Sure we can.

Following the rhythms of nature, striving towards moderation in everything and maintaining inner tranquility are just some of the ways to aid to your Shen.

You can also grow your Shen also by being compassionate, kind, charitable and benevolent and promoting a sense of community and togetherness.

Moreover, contemplating, praying and meditating can also benefit your Shen, as having faith in your own life and being conscious of own your body, thoughts and emotions (mindfulness).

Nourish your Shen by being present in every now of your life and through establishing and preserving your own sense of purpose…

Food for Shen

You can also nourish your Shen through the physical body, by consuming more foods, drinks and herbs which have strong affinity with Shen.

Especially beneficial are the red foods: jujube, goji, cherry, strawberries, watermelon, tomato, saffron, beets, egg yolk, red beans, red meat (beef), but also ginger, coffee, cumin, shizandra…