The following material is excerpted from Five Spirits: Alchemical
Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing .
The zhi spirit lives in the kidneys and presides over the most inaccessible parts of the psyche, the instinctual responses of the sex organs, the biochemical intelligence of the endocrine system, and the knowing of our bones. The zhi connect us to the collective unconscious, the part of our psyche that draws us out of, and back into, the infinite.
The power of the zhi can be likened to the power of a hot spring, a geyser or the steaming vents of sulfurous fire that shoot up from the trenches of the deep ocean floor. This energy cannot be argued with. It emerges and bursts upward in a fantastic display of negentropic potency. In the human microcosm, it is related to the power of the life force, the instincts, the will, and the driving urgency of ambition. Zhi is the will to live, the unknowable mystery of quickening life. Zhi rises from the wellspring of our being and imbues us with the desire to grow, thrive, and live fully. We encounter this mystery each time a child is conceived, a seed sprouts, or a new creative impulse is engendered.
The zhi spirit is related to:
- Element: water
- Organ: kidneys
- Emotion: fear
- Psychological functions: instinctual power, aligned will and courage
- Psychospiritual issues: surrendering to Tao, returning to origin
- Chakra: first/second — root: illuminated body
- Virtue: wisdom
Signs and Symptoms of Zhi Disturbances
When the zhi is disturbed, people continually push themselves to the point of total exhaustion or have no initiative at all. They use chemical stimulants, emotional excitement, ambition, and desire to whip themselves forward. Results include rebound exhaustion, insomnia, hormonal conditions such as hyper — and hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and back pain. Other common symptoms are:
- general forgetfulness
- inability to memorize data
- lack of drive, motivation, and initiative
- inability to stay steady in pursuit of goals
- addictive patterns, lack of will power
- depression
- fear
- sleep disturbances
- sexual disturbances
- over-controlling nature
Spirit Level Signs:
- lack of heroism
- absolute despair, lack of hope of ever healing or changing
- inability to face fears, which interferes with expression of true self
- “con artist” mentality — rather than taking on our own lives, we try to wriggle around obstacles and ultimately short circuit the evolution of our own soul
- “identifying with God” — using will to try to control others and situations around us
- complete disintegration of the nervous system, which is one form of zhi disturbance (In earlier times this was labeled neurasthenia or a “nervous breakdown.”); the person’s “roots” are completely dry and there is no ability to hold steady or even to face the day-to-day challenges of living; this may be the result of years of addictive behavior or drug abuse, extreme stress, or the long term repression of instinctual impulses
- spiritual paralysis, an inability to move on or take on life. Our English expression “cold feet” is coincidentally apt as, in Chinese medicine, this psychological problem is often associated with a physical sensation of cold hands and feet!
Possible Causes:
Any time the will is employed to push the body beyond its own limits, the zhi are affected. The following list includes some of the most common causes of zhi disturbances in our culture:
- overwork
- excessive physical activity, i.e. excess marathon running, biking, weight lifting
- use of substances that impinge on adrenal function, such as caffeine, amphetamines, and steroids (the herb ephedra can also cause problems in this area)
- chronic disease
- addictive behavior of any kind, including excess sexual activity
- chronic fear and anxiety, particularly during childhood
- shock, trauma, and guilt
- multiple births and excess blood loss during periods
- a lack of discipline and encouragement during childhood
Ways to Cultivate the Zhi Spirit
The zhi is related to the water element and is connected to the organs of the kidney and bladder as well as the adrenal glands. It is also closely connected to the reproductive organs housed in the pelvic cauldron. Any physical disturbances that affect these organs will have an effect on the zhi. In Taoist alchemy, the connection between the jing of the sexual fluids and the zhi of the will is particularly stressed. This connection is reflected in Tantric practices where the male sexual fluids are contained during ejaculation so that they can circulate back into the body to nourish the essences and the will.
Healing the zhi must include learning to listen to the voices of the po and the shen, the wisdom of the body and of the heart, rather than acting solely out of our own will. In this way, we can learn to bring the will into alignment with our true strengths and capabilities. It also brings the strength of the will into the service of a higher purpose; the manifestation of personal destiny that is our mandate from heaven.
If you have a history of addictive drug use, especially excess caffeine, amphetamines, or steroids, consult with a traditional acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist who can support the healing of your water element and adrenal glands.
In general, the zhi spirit will respond well to the following practices:
- nourishing food, rest, meditation, and natural beauty
- calming physical exercise, such as yoga, tai ch’i and qi gong, which strengthen the spinal column and align the posture; finding a practice and doing it on a regular basis is one of the best ways to strengthen and stabilize the zhi
- avoidance of excess thinking, working, and craving; maintain as much as possible a reasonable schedule and make special time each day to do nothing
- time spent with water; watch how water moves; drink plenty of water; keep a bowl of water with flowers or just some special stones on your desk or by your bedside; watch rivers, oceans, ponds; let water be your teacher
- foot massage; the kidney meridian begins at a point called Bubbling Spring located on the bottom of the foot; acupressure massage on this point will relax the body while it stimulates the kidney qi and revitalizes the zhi
- meditation and guided imagery; these are especially important for the zhi as a quiet mind and subdued ego will allow the lower light to shine forth
What to Expect as You Heal and Cultivate your Zhi
As you become familiar with your zhi and learn to recognize and understand its messages, you will feel empowered instead of drained by life. Other changes may include:
- a sense of power and equilibrium
- increased serenity as you stop trying to control the world around you
- an increased sense of trust
- the ability to know and speak your authentic feelings and to stay with projects until they are complete
- less fear and anxiety, more excitement and curiosity
- courage to face the unknown
- less wobbling; a more definite sense of what matters to you
- increased initiative, motivation, and perseverance
- regard by others as someone to trust
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