5 elements notes lr

7/31/2019 5 Elements Notes LR

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REIKI PRECEPTS (PRINCIPLES)

KIKOU FACE MASSAGE

FIVE ELEMENTS EXERCISES

BASIC YIN YANG THEORY

BASIC FIVE ELEMENT THEORYPRESENTED BY MARKUS VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

36 Cranko Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 Tel: 021-447-7604

[email protected] www.healthychoice.co.za


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Copyright 2011 Healthy Choice Page 2

Reiki Precepts

Shfuku no hih (The secret of inviting happiness through many blessings)

Manbyo no ley-yaku (The spiritual medicine for all illness)

Kyo dake wa (For today only:)

Okolu*-na (Do not anger)

Shinpai suna (Do not worry)

Kansha shite (Be grateful))

Goo hage me (Be honest in your work (spiritual work i.e. meditation and spiritual development))

Hito ni shinsetsuni (Be compassionate to yourself and others)

Asa y gassh shite kokor ni neji kuchi ni tonaeyo (Do gassh every morning and evening keep in your mind

and recite)

Shin shin kaisen Usui Reiki Ryh (Improve your mind and body, Usui Reiki Rhh)

Chosso Usui Mikao (Usui Reiki Ryh Founder Mikao Usui)


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What are the Five Precepts?

ThefiveprecepTs, orgokai as they are called in Japan, are guidelines to aid students in their journey toward spiritual development.

Usui san taught them from as early as 1915. The Usui Reiki Ryh Gakkai performgokai sansho, or the chanting of the ve precepts three times,

at the end of their regular group meetings.

The ve precepts are the six sentences in the centre of the entire poetic teaching. The teaching consists of an introduction, the ve precepts

themselves, directions on how and when to use them and what the result of this practice will be.

The Five Precepts in DetailTherearemanyTranslaTionsof the precepts, but most of them tend to be direct translations. The mark of a good translation is that it does not directly

translate, word for word, and that it still carries the same energy and meaning of the original text. The precepts can be translated into any language

and it can be recited in any language the practitioner is comfortable with. As long as the meaning and energy remains the same as the Japanese text.Many people have asked if there is a more positive way to translate the precepts, or a way to transform the precepts into afrmations. An afrmation

is always written in the present tense and starting an afrmation with I, I am or I have is the most effective.

Below are two examples of the precepts. One is a direct translation and the other is written as a powerful afrmation.

For today only:

Do not anger

Do not worry

Be grateful

Work hard [on your spiritual work]

Be kind to others

Examples of different ways in which to translate the ve precepts.

Just for today [i.e. focus in the here-and-now]:

principle 1 hasbeenvariouslysTaTedas:

Do not anger

Dont get angry

Thou shall not anger

I will not be angry

I will let go of anger

I am gentle and calm


Do not worry

Dont be anxious

Thou shall not worry

I will not worry

I will let go of worry

I trust


Be grateful

Show appreciation

Thou shall be grateful for the many blessings

I will give thanks for my many blessings

I will count my many blessings Express your thanks

Show gratitude to every living thing

Honour your parents, teachers and elders

I am humble and grateful

NOW:

I am gentle and calm

I trust

I am humble and grateful

I am focused on my spiritual development

I am kind to myself and others


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True happiness relates more to the mind and heart. Happiness that depends mainly on the physical pleasures is unstable; one day its there,

the next day it may not be

(Excerpt from The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler)

Work hard [I am focused on my spiritual development]: This precept is reminding the practitioner to be truthfully dedicated to spiritual progress by

focusing on meditation and other spiritual techniques as taught in the Reiki Ryh system and not becoming a spiritual materialist.

Understanding the energy consequences of our thoughts and beliefs, as well as our actions, may force us to become honest to a new degree.

Lying, either to others or to ourselves, should be out of the question. Genuine, complete healing requires honesty with oneself. An inability to

be honest obstructs healing as seriously as the inability to forgive. Honesty and forgiveness retrieve our energy our spirits from the energy

dimension of the past.

(Excerpt from Anatomy of the Spirit by Carolyn Myss, PhD.)

Be kind to others [I am kind to myself and others]: The practitioner will remember the connections of all things in the universe. Mindfulness brings

peace to life. This thought reminds human nature that it is compassionate and to understand and experience connectedness. Oneness.

numberless times in previous lives we have each fullled the role of a mother. The feeling of a mother for a child is a classic example of love.

For the safety, protection and welfare of her children, a mother is ready to sacrice her very life.

(Quote by His Holiness the Dalai Lama)

Do gassh every morning and evening, keep in your mind and recite

Gassh is the placing of both palms together in the prayer position, in front of the chest. It is a sign of respect for oneself, the action and the energy.

This simple act balances both the mind and the body.

Keep these precepts in the mind throughout the day. They are not just for reading but also for living.

Improve your mind and body with Usui Reiki Ryh

Founder Mikao Usui

ThelasTThreelinesname the motto, the system and its founder.

Precepts in our Daily LifeiT isalmosT impossible to keep focused on these ve precepts hundred percent of the time. Therefore it must not be considered a sin when the

practitioner is unsuccessful in following each one of them. Buddhist thought offers the idea that when a precept is broken focus can be placed on

forgiveness and kindness towards oneself. This contemplation brings the practitioner full circle back to the original precepts nding the focus, once

more, on compassion and the ve precepts.


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Techniques & ExercisesKik Face Massage and Sounding Heavens Drumsa TechniqueusedToendmediTaTionsandoTherenergy-work

ThismeThodissaidto calm the brain and stimulate the internal organs and is said to benet the situation of those suffering from chronic disease such

as insomnia, stomach and liver conditions, high blood pressure and heart disease. The face massage is very popular as a wake up exercise and is

generally practised afterkikou (qi gong) and meditations.

Before beginning the face massage rub both hands together until you feel heat and then commence.

1. Place both sts in the centre of the forehead, knuckles together, then gently slide the sts across the forehead towards the temples in a smoothing

action, inside to out. Repeat this a few times.

2. Place the hands on the sides of the face, palms inwards, with the nger tips just below the ear. Stroke the face with the hands in an upward motion.

Repeat this a few times.

3. Use your index or middle ngers to massage point number1 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Inside corner of the eye, next to the tear duct).

4. Massage point number2 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Inside end of the eyebrows).

5. Stroke the eyebrows a few times with your ngers, moving from the inside end of the eyebrow to the outside end of the eyebrows.

6. Massage point number3 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Middle of the eyebrows).

7. Massage point number4 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Outside end of the eyebrows).

8. Massage point number5 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Outside corner of the eyes).

9. Massage point number6 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Underneath the eye, in line with the pupils).

10. Massage point number1 a few times to stimulate energy ow, making a complete cycle around the eyes.

11. Use the thumb and the middle or index ngers to stroke the outside of your nose from point number 1 to point number7.

12. Massage point number7 a few times to stimulate energy ow. (Next to the wings of the nose).

13. While holding point number7 hook your thumbs around to point number 8 located behind the earlobes, in the depression between the earlobes and

the lower jaw.

14. Bring your middle or index ngers around to point number8, release the thumbs and massage.

15. Bring your thumbs to point number8 and release your middle or index ngers and bring the palms of your hands around to point number9 located

on the temples. Release your thumbs and slide your hands up and massage point number 9 with the base of your palms.

16. Finally perform Sounding the Heavenly Drums by covering your ears with your palms, your index ngers in line with number 10 on the back of

the head at the base of the skull.

17. Place your index ngers on your middle ngers and using the middle ngers as pivots, ick your index ngers down on the back of your head,

gently hitting point number10 24 times.18. Only focus on the positive thoughts while Sounding the Heavenly Drums. Think about yourself, family and friends and send love and healing

thoughts.

19. Immediately after sounding the 24th drum beat, open your eyes and move your body, shake your hands and kick your feet. Wake up and come back

to the physical world.

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2233

44

55

66

77

99

8 8

10 10


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Five Elements ExercisesaccordingTo TradiTional chineseMedicine (TCM), energy ows in the body in terms of ve energies wood, re, earth, metal and water. A sixth

is closely related to re and governs the immune system. The exercises are designed to balance the ow of energy in the body and to restore balance.

wood exercises balance the liver and gallbladder. The parts and systems of the body related to the wood element are the muscles, tendons, hip

joints, hands, feet, eyes and neck. Any neck stretches and exercises stimulate and strengthen the wood element, liver and gallbladder.

fire exercises balance the heart and small intestine. The parts and systems of the body related to the re element are the circulatory system, heels,

tongue and face. Any shoulder exercises stimulate and strengthen the re element, heart and small intestine.

earTh exercises balance the stomach and spleen. The parts and systems of the body related to the earth element are the knees, thighs, mouth andesh. Any knee exercises stimulate and strengthen the earth element, stomach and spleen.

meTal exercises balance the lungs and large intestine. The parts and systems of the body related to the metal element are the skin, wrists and nose.

Any wrist exercises and stretches stimulate and strengthen the metal element, lungs and large intestine.

waTer exercises balance the kidneys and bladder. The parts and systems of the body related to the water element are the reproductive organs,

bone, marrow, ankles, ears and hair. Any hip and ankle exercises and stretches stimulate and strengthen the water element, kidneys and bladder.

waTer exercises balance the kidneys and bladder. The parts and systems of the body related to the water element are the reproductive organs,

bone, marrow, ankles, ears and hair. Any hip and ankle exercises and stretches stimulate and strengthen the water element, kidneys and bladder.

immune sysTem exercises balance the triple burner (hara / katanden) and pericardium (heart protector). The parts and systems of the body related

to the immunity element are the pericardium, immune system and nerve system. The immune system exercises are designed to strengthen the

immune system and to release negative energy and toxins.

Five Elements Exercises

1. immune sysTem exercises:

1) heel bouncing (50x): Place feet shoulder-width apart. By exing and extending the toe joints, lift the heels up and down without the heels

touching the oor. Breathe slowly and fully, inhaling and exhaling through the nose. Allow the tension and negative energy to leave the body

through the soles of the feet. This exercise releases heaviness and makes one feel refreshed.

2) arm swings (50x): Lift the arms straight up in line with the shoulders and drop them down snapping the wrists, releasing stress, tension and

negative energy from the ngers. This exercise releases toxins from upper body.

3) body TwisT (10xTo 30x): Allow the arms to hang loose and limp. Turn the body as far as possible to the left and try to look down at the right

heel while keeping the spine as erect as possible. Turn the body as far as possible to the right and try to look down at the left heel while keeping

the spine as erect as possible. Feel the organs in the body twist and imagine that all negative energy and toxins are squeezed out with each twist.

Imagine that all toxins and negative energy are leaving the body through the soles of the feet and into the earth.

2. wood elemenT neckexercises:

1) Move the neck up and down

2) Rotate the neck clockwise and then counterclockwise

3) Stretch the neck left and right as though trying to touch the shoulder with the ear

4) Pull the chin in and turn left and right looking at each shoulder.

5) Drop the head down and shake the head. Look up and shake the head.

6) Interlace the ngers with the palms toward the oor. Inhale deeply as the arms are raised as high as possible, stare up to the back of the hands.

Exhale, bend at the waist and stretch down toward the left foot keeping the legs straight. Come up and repeat the exercise to toward the right foot

and repeat again to the centre. This exercise is good for the spinal problems and also for thyroid problems.

3. fire elemenT shoulderexercises:

1) With legs shoulder-width apart, lift and release the shoulders repeatedly, allowing the shoulders to bounce up and down, releasing negative

energy. This exercise is good for tight shoulders.

2) With both hands on the shoulders and elbows bent, rotate the shoulders forward and backwards.

3) With both arms extended, swing the arms forward and backwards. This exercise is good for the heart, circulation and overall immune system.4. earTh elemenT knee exercises:

1) With legs shoulder-width apart, ex and extend the knees gently and repeat 10 times.

2) Squat down and up with chest and spine straight, keeping the feet at on the oor at all times. This exercise is good for indigestion and other

digestive problems.


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3) With the feet next to each other and knees touching, place the hands on the knees and gently ex and extend the knee joints allowing the body

to bounce gently.

4) With the feet next to each other and knees touching, place the hands on the knees and draw an imaginary clockwise circle with the knees, 10

times. Repeat the exercise in a counter-clockwise direction.

5) With the feet next to each other and knees touching, place the hands on the knees. Flex the knees and as they move forward and draw two

opposing circles with the knees, the left knee moving counter-clockwise and the right knee moving clockwise. Repeat 10 times and then reverse

the direction.

5. meTal elemenT wrisT exercises:

1) Rotate the wrists 10 times and then reverse the direction and rotate another 10 times.

2) Straighten the left arm in front of the body at shoulder height, turn the hand so that the thumb point towards the oor and the palm faces left.

Straighten the right arm and cross the right wrist over the left wrist with the thumb pointing towards the oor, interlock the ngers. Bend both

arms at the elbows as the hands are brought towards the body and continue this motion until the arms are again outstretched in front of the body at

shoulder height, creating a stretch in the wrist. Look up toward the sky, lean back, gently twist the hips to allow the hands and arms to swing fromleft to right. Repeat the swinging motion 10 times. Repeat the exercise with the right hand.

3) Extend the left arm in front of the body with the palms up, keeping the hand at shoulder height. Hyperextend the wrist to allow the ngers to

point to the oor (palms away from the body) and use the right hand to pull the left hand back towards the body, hold for a few seconds. Release

the left hand and ex the wrist to allow the ngers to point to the oor (palm towards the body) and use the right hand to pull the left hand towards

te body, hold for a few seconds. Release the left hand and use the right hand to pull the left thumb back towards the body. Repeat the exercise with

the right hand.

6. waTer elemenT hipand ankle exercises:

1) With the right foot at, raise the heel of the left foot and rotate the ankle clockwise 10 times and then counter-clockwise 10 times. Repeat the

exercise with the right ankle.

2) With the feet shoulder-width apart, place the hands on the hips and sway hips from left to right.

3) With the feet shoulder-width apart, place the hands on the hips and imagine drawing a big clockwise circle with the hips. Reverse the direction

to draw a counter-clockwise circle. This exercise is good for lower back problems.7. wood elemenT forwardand side sTreTches:

1) Interlace the ngers with the palms toward the oor. Inhale deeply as the arms are raised as high as possible, stare up to the back of the hands.

Exhale, bend at the waist and stretch down toward the left foot keeping the legs straight. Come up and repeat the exercise to toward the right foot

and repeat again to the centre. This exercise is good for the spinal problems and also for thyroid problems.

8. immune sysTem exercises:

1) hand opening exercises (100x): With the feet shoulder-width apart, the legs straight and the spine erect. Keeping the elbows close to the body,

bend the arms to allow the hands to be in front of the chest, palms facing up. Close all the ngers into a st, open all the ngers and stretch the

ngers, repeat opening and closing the ngers without moving the arms.

8. preparaTionforTanden breaThing:

1) Tanden sTrengThening exercise (100xsTanding, 100xlyingonback): Place both hands on the katanden (2 ngers below the navel). Inhale

through the nose and push the katanden out. Exhale through the nose and pull the katanden back towards the spine. Repeat this action as quickly

as possible with short, strong inhalations and exhalations.

2) kickingThefeeTTogeTher (100x): Lie on the back with the arms in a comfortable position on or next to the body. Keep the straight legs

together with the exed feet touching (toes pointing toward the ceiling). Keeping the heels together, rotate the legs laterally to allow the toes to

point to the sides (left foot toes pointing to the left, right foot toes pointing towards the right). With some force, rotate the legs medially so that the

medial sides of the big toes hit against each other, toes pointing toward the ceiling again. Repeat this action as quickly as possible. This exercise

releases negative energy and toxins from the lower part of the body and is good for releasing tension.

8. Tanden breaThing:

1) Lying down on the back with the legs straight and feet exed, toes pointing toward the ceiling, place the thumbs of both hands just below the

navel. Form a triangle between the thumbs and index ngers. Inhale deeply through the nose while pushing the point under the index ngers out.

Exhale slowly through the nose and pull the point under the index ngers down towards the spine. Repeat this action for 10 to 20 minutes with

more emphasis on the exhalation than on the inhalation. The focus is on emptying out.

2) Lying down on the back with the legs straight and feet exed, toes pointing toward the ceiling, place the thumbs of both hands just below the

navel. Form a triangle between the thumbs and index ngers. Inhale deeply and slowly through the nose while pushing the point under the index

ngers out. Exhale through the nose and pull the point under the index ngers down towards the spine. Repeat this action for 10 to 20 minutes withmore emphasis on the inhalation than on the exhalation. The focus is on receiving more Universe energy.


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Introduction to Yin and Yangyinand yangisone of the most fundamental concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as it is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment. The earliest

reference to Yin and Yang is in the I Ching(Book of Changes) in approximately in 700BC. In this work, all phenomena are said to be reduced to

Yin Yang.

Four Main Aspects of Yin and Yang Relationship

Yin-Yang are opposites

TheyareeiTheronthe opposite ends of a cycle, like the seasons of the year, or, opposites on a continuum of energy or matter. This opposition is

relative, and can only be spoken of in relationships. For example: Water is Yin relative to steam but Yang relative to ice. Yin and Yang are never static

but in a constantly changing balance.

Interdependent: Can not exist without each other

The Tai Ji (supremeUltimate) diagram shows the relationship of Yin & Yang and illustrates interdependence on Yin & Yang. Nothing is totally Yin or

totally Yang. Just as a state of total Yin is reached, Yang begins to grow. Yin contains seed of Yang and vise versa. They constantly transform into each

other. For Example: no energy without matter, no day without night.

The classics state: Yin creates Yang and Yang activates Yin.

Mutual consumption of Yin and Yang

relaTivelevelsof yinYang are continuously changing. Normally this is a harmonious change, but when Yin or Yang are out of balance they affect

each other, and too much of one can eventually weaken (consume) the other.Four (4) possible states of imbalance: Preponderance (Excess) of Yin; Preponderance (Excess) of Yang; Weakness (Deciency) of Yin; Weakness

(Deciency) of Yang

Inter-transformation of Yin and Yang.

onecanchangeinTothe other, but it is not a random event, happening only when the time is right. For example: Spring only comes when winter is

nished.

General Qualities of Yin and Yangyin yang

darkness lighT

moon sun

feminine masculine

shade brighTness

resT acTiviTy

wesT (sunseT = yin) easT (sunrise = beginningof Yang)

norTh souTh

earTh heaven

righT lefT

flaT (like earTh) round (like heaven)

maTTer energy

moremaTerial/dense non-maTerial, rarefied


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Yin and Yang and the Human Bodyyin yang

fronT (chesT-abdomen) back

body head

inTerior(organs) exTerior(skin, muscles)

belowwaisT abovewaisT

anTerior-medial posTerior-laTeral

venTral surface of The trunk and

limbs

back and dorsal surface of the

limbs

sTrucTure funcTion

blood/body fluids qi

conservaTion/sTorage TransformaTion/change

yin organs: hearT, lung, small inTesTine, lg. inTesTine

liver, spleen, kidney, gall bladder, sTomach, bladder

pericardium san Jiao

solid organs hollow organs

Front and Back

fronTismoresofTand vulnerable (Yin). Back contains spine that holds ribs: protection. When human depicted as crouching, back receives sun (Yang)

and front faces the earth (Yin), is in shade and is protected.

All Yang channels (except the Stomach channel) ow on the dorsal or dorsolateral surface of the trunk and limbs. They carry Yang energy and

protect the body from pathogenic factors. Yin channels ow on the anterior or anteromedial surface of the trunk and limbs.

Body and Head

yangchannelseiTherendor begin on the head. Acupuncture points on the head can be used to raise Yang energy . When Yang energy is not cooled

by Yin, it may rise to the head, causing signs such as red face and eyes. The head is easily affected by Yang pathogens such as heat and wind. The chest

and abdomen (Yin) areas are more easily affected by Yin pathogens such as Cold and Dampness.

Interior and Exterior

TheexTeriorofThebody such as the skin and muscles is more Yang. The exterior protects body from attack by external pathogenic inuences such

as Cold, Wind, etc. The classics state: Yang is on the outside and protects Yin.

Below the waist and Above the Waist

belowwaisT - closerto earth (Yin). Above, closer to Heaven (Yang).

upperparTmoreaffecTedby Yang pathogens, i.e. wind.

lowerparTmoreaffecTedby Yin pathogens, i.e. cold damp.

Anterior/Medial and Posterior/Lateral Surface of the Limbs

yinchannelsflowonanterior-medial aspect of trunk/limbs

yangchannelsflowonposterior-lateral aspect of trunk/limbs

Structure and Function

sTrucTure = someThingsubsTanTial, i.e. Matter (Yin)

funcTion = someThinginsubsTanTial, action, energy (Yang)

allparTsofThebody have a structure (a physical form), and a function (their activity)


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however, allisrelaTive. Even within the Yang category of function, there are Yin functions (i.e. storage, conservation) and Yang functions, i.e.

transformation, transportation, digestion, excretion.

wiThinThe yincaTegoryof form there are Yin forms (solid) and Yang forms (hollow)

Blood, Body Fluids, and Qi

qiis energy, moreYang.

blood = denserandmore material (therefore Yin).

buTnoTeThaT xue (blood) not exactly like our concept of Blood. More like thicker form of Qi.

noTe: Thereareseveraltypes of Qi. Each is relatively more Yin or Yang.

Ancestral QI (more Yin, more slow moving. Moves in long slow cycles).

Ying Qi (more Yang than Ancestral Qi, moves with Blood with which it is closely related). Ying is more Yin than Wei Qi. Wei Qi the most Yang form of Qi. Circulates in the exterior in the daytime to protect us from pathogenic inuences, and regulates opening/closing

of pores.

Conservation/Store (Yin) and Transformation/Change (Yang)

yin organssTore blood, Body Fluids, Essence, etc.

yang organsconsTanTlyTransform, transport and excrete the products of digestion.

Solid and Hollow Organs (Zang Fu)

yin organsare solid:constantly active, involved in production and storage of the bodys vital Substances (Qi Blood, Body Fluids, Essence)Yang Organs are Hollow: receive and circulate but do not store, involved in digestion, transformation, excretion.

Yin and Yang in PathologyclinicalsignsandsympTomscan be interpreted via Yin-Yang theory. When Yin Yang are in dynamic balance and relating harmoniously, there are no

symptoms to observe. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, they become separated.

For example: a.) Yin does not cool and nourish Yang so Yang rises (headaches, red face, sore eyes, sore throats, nosebleeds, irritability, manic

behavior. b.) Yang does not warm and activate Yin (cold limbs, hypo-activity, poor circulation of blood, pale face, low energy. Actual symptoms depend

on specic pathologies, which Organ involved, etc.

yin yang

deficiency excess

hypo-acTiviTy hyperacTiviTy

chronicdisease/gradualonseT acuTedisease/rapidonseT

slowlychangingsympToms rapidpaThologicalchanges

quieT, leThargy, sleepiness resTlessness, insomnia

wanTsTobecovered ThrowsoffbedcloThes

liescurledup liessTreTchedouT

coldlimbsandbody hoTlimbsandbody

paleface redface

weakvoice, nodesireto talk loudvoice, TalkaTive

shallow, weakbreaThing coarsebreaThing

noThirsT/wanTswarmdrinks ThirsTesp. forcolddrinks

copious, clearurine scanTy, darkurine

loosesTools (fluidsnoTtransformed) consTipaTion (damageTofluidsby heat)


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clear, copioussecreTions Thick, sTickywhiTe/yellowsecreTions

excessivemoisTure excessivedryness (ThroaT, skin, eyes etc.)

degeneraTivedisease inflammaTorydisease

paleTongue, whiTecoaT redTongue, yellowcoaT

empTypulse fullpulse

The Theory of Five ElementssimilarToTheTheoryof yin-yang, the theory of ve elements wood, re,

earth, metal and water was an ancient philosophical concept used to explainthe composition and phenomena of the physical universe. In traditional Chinese

medicine the theory of ve elements is used to interpret the relationship between

the physiology and pathology of the human body and the natural environment.

According to the theory, the ve elements are in constant move and change, and

the interdependence and mutual restraint of the ve elements explain the complex

connection between material objects as well as the unity between the human body

and the natural world.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the visceral organs, as well as other organs and

tissues, have similar properties to the ve elements; they interact physiologically

and pathologically as the ve elements do. Through similarity comparison,

different phenomena are attributed to the categories of the ve elements. Based

on the characteristics, forms, and functions of different phenomena, the complexlinks between physiology and pathology as well as the interconnection between

the human body and the natural world are explained.

The ve elements emerged from an observation of the various groups of

dynamic processes, functions and characteristics observed in the natural world.

The aspects involved in each of the ve elements are follows:

fire: draught, heat, aring, ascendance, movement, etc.

wood: germination, extension, softness, harmony, exibility, etc.

meTal: strength, rmness, killing, cutting, cleaning up, etc.

earTh: growing, changing, nourishing, producing, etc.

waTer: moisture, cold, descending, owing, etc.

Sheng Cycle (Generating Sequence)

The generaTing sequenceorMother-Child Relationship

As in the cycle of the seasons, each element generates another, i.e., one element is the mother of the next.

wood (liver) creaTes fire(Heart) wood (liver) isTheMother of Fire (Heart)

fire (hearT) creaTes earTh(Spleen) fire (hearT) isTheMother of Earth (Spleen)

earTh (spleen) creaTes meTal(Lungs) earTh (spleen) isTheMother of Metal (Lungs)

meTal (lungs) creaTes waTer(Kidneys) meTal (lungs) isTheMother of Water (Kidneys)

waTer (kidneys) creaTes wood(Liver) waTer(kidneys) isTheMother of Wood (Liver)

naTurally, Therefore, eachelemenTis generated by another: Fire is the child of Wood, Earth is the child of Fire, etc. In nature, we see this in the

seasonal changes: Winter transforms into Spring, Spring changes into Summer.

FIRE

EARTH

METALWATER

WOOD


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Ko Cycle (Controlling Sequence)

conTrolling sequenceorfaTher-childrelationship Each element is said to control, check, or regulate another.

Wood controls Earth

Fire controls Metal

Earth controls Water

Metal controls Wood

Water controls Fire

eachelemenTisofcourse then controlled by another.

Earth is controlled by Wood

Wood is controlled by Metal, etc.

ThiscycleensuresThaTa balance is maintained between elements.

The father-child symbology relates to traditional family roles, where the father was the patriarchal head of the household. The mother, bycomparison, is seen as the creative and nurturing force.

Destructive Cycle (Overacting Sequence)

ThisisThesameas the Ko cycle, but in this sequence, one Element is said to over-control or destroy another, causing the controlled element to

become Decient. This happens when balance breaks down so that one element becomes excessive in relationship to another.

E.g. An excess of Wood energy will over-control Earth, causing Earth to become Decient.

Anti-Ko Cycle (Insulting Sequence)

ThiscycleisThereverse of the Ko cycle or controlling sequence. In the Insulting Sequence, the element that should BE controlled becomes imbalanced

and excessive, and controls the element that normally controls it.Example: Instead of Metal controlling Wood, if Wood becomes excessive, it can insult Metal, causing it to become imbalanced. This is akin to

the child rebelling and insulting or trying to discipline its father.


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