5/17/2010

Cosmology

Eight Trigrams and Nine Meridians
Yin-Yang logic of the Yijing applied to the acupuncture meridian system
By Jacob Godwin, EAMP, MAOM, Dipl. OM

We have only one thing – it is all Qi (气).

Qi does only one thing – it changes (易).

Change is understood through complemental opposition –
Yin-Yang (阴阳)

Each phenomenon occurs in the field as a Yin-Yang coalescence.

1 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 2 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

Yijing Yijing Symbolism

The Yijing is a schematic of the Qi field written in the

Created by Fu Xi (c. 3000 B.C.E.).
language of Yin-Yang symbolism. From it, we have

Fu Xi only created the Eight Trigrams (ba
five main perspectives on our world.
gua).

The One Qi

All of the text was added later by Zhou

The Two Poles
Wen Wang (first ruler of the Zhou
Dynasty), the Duke of Zhou (son of Zhou
The Four Signs
Wen Wang), and Kongfuzi (Confucius).
The Eight Trigrams
Fu Xi
The Sixty-four Hexagrams

Source book on Yin-Yang thinking.

‘Series diction’ written by Zhou Wen
Wang gives us the Yijing cosmology and
the meaning behind the symbols.
3 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 4 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

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Yijing Symbolism – One Qi Yijing Symbolism – 2 Poles

As one Qi we see the world as a continuous field of
In the differentiated Taiji state, we have the contrast of
energy in either a differentiated (Taiji) or undifferentiated complemental aspects.
(Wuji) state.
The two poles of this polarity are called Yin-Yang.

Yin Yang

Taiji Wuji
5 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 6 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

Yijing Symbolism – 4 Signs Yijing Symbolism – 8 Trigrams

Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Two Poles gives us
Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Four Signs gives
the Four Signs. us the Eight Trigrams.

7 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 8 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

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Yijing Symbolism – 64 Hexagrams Yijing and the Unfolding Universe

Further Yin-Yang differentiation of the Eight Trigrams

64
gives us the Sixty-Four Hexagrams.
32
16
8
4
2

9 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 10 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

Yijing Symbolism and AOM Theory Acupuncture Meridians

Our AOM theories of organization and categorization
are also schematics of the Qi field. Each Yijing
perspective has correlating AOM theories.

The One Qi = Qi

The Two Poles = Three Treasures

The Four Signs = the Five Phases/organ systems

The Eight Trigrams = ine Meridians

The Sixty-four Hexagrams = TBD?

The Qi of a human being is defined as the coalescence of
Essence and Spirit (Yin-Yang, jingshen 精神)

The meridian system is simply a way of mapping the Yin-
Yang coalescence of a human being.

Like a cool air mass and a warm one coming together to create
wind, our Essence and Spirit come together to create us.

The meridian system is a way to map our ‘wind currents’.

We are a continuous field of Qi – of Yin-Yang coalescence –
every aspect of the field has an effect on every other aspect.

The strength of this effect is determined by the sympathetic resonance
between aspects.

Yang affects Yang – Yin affects Yin, etc.

11 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 12 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

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Acupuncture Meridians Yin-Yang Opposition in the Eight Trigrams

Don’t confuse the map with the terrain!
Primal or Pre-Heaven

Our physical and psychological being IS our Qi. arrangement of the trigrams

There is only Qi and its transformation. very clearly shows Yin-Yang

Physical reality is the past. Qi is real-time. Spirit is the future.
opposition.

The meridians are just a map of this transformation.
Direct opposition

The meridians are not literally ‘roads’ or ‘pipes’ through which
Adjacent opposition
any special substance or force passes.

Inverted opposition

Meridians are merely currents in the Qi flow of a person.

Intermediary inverse opposition

An ocean current is just water moving.

A meridian is just Qi transforming.

Qi transformation happens everywhere throughout our
entire being.

13 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 14 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

Yin-Yang Opposition in the Eight Trigrams Trigram/Meridian Resonance

Ren is pure Yin.

Shaoyin

Jueyin

Taiyin

Du is pure Yang.
Direct Opposition Inverted Opposition
Taiyang

Shaoyang Chong

Yangming Mai

Chong Mai is the
center.

Sea of 12 meridians

Sea of the Yin and Yang
organs
Intermediary Inverse
Adjacent Opposition Opposition
15 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 16 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

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Chong Mai As The Center Eight Trigram Diagnosis

The Chong Mai is the whirling vortex that sustains us.

Dan tian arise as focal points in this vortex.

As Yang surges forth via the Du mai and Yin coalesces via the
Ren mai, the Chong mai swirls between them.

The Qiao mai, Wei mai, and Dai mai are all born from the
Chong Pure Polarity Strong Mix Polarity Balanced Polarity Weak Mix Polarity
Ren/Du Shaoyin/Taiyang Jueyin/Shaoyang Taiyin/Yangming

We can view each pair of diametrically opposed meridians

as one system. We can diagnose imbalance in each of these
systems.

17 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 18 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

Eight Trigram Diagnosis Eight Trigram Diagnosis

Pure Polarity between Ren and Du

Any typical problems involving these meridians and their
associated tissues.

Talking about the microcosmic orbit, Yin-Yang, Spirit/Essence.

Imbalance here is the foundation for all other disorders.

Any strong polarity is a sign: pulse, signs/symptoms.

Location along the meridians involved.

Strong Mix Polarity between Shaoyin and Taiyang

Any typical problems involving these meridians and their
associated tissues.

Usually a temporary state: physical or emotional assault.

Deepest and most superficial meridians.

Strongest Yin-Yang polarity among regular meridians.

Dysfunction between these two is the basic mechanism behind
the concept of possession.

Who and what we are beams from Shaoyin and is enforced by
Taiyang.

19 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 20 © 2010 Jacob Godwin

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Eight Trigram Diagnosis

Balanced Polarity between Jueyin and Shaoyang

Any typical problems involving these meridians and their
associated tissues.

Most common in my experience – with Taiyang/Shaoyin a
close second.

All movement, transformation, circulation, and change on both
psychological and physiological levels.

Can be difficult to see or experience.

Doesn’t lean either way – Qi transformation is stuck.

Lack of motivation and direction. Poor decision making and
planning.
21 © 2010 Jacob Godwin
Why Do We Stick Needles in People?

A person is the coalescence of jingshen.

Every part of their body is Essence and Spirit. Dantian are
particularly potent ‘vortices’ of this coalescence that spawn
organs, tissues, thoughts, feelings, etc.

Placing a needle into a person creates a mini-dantian. It calls
the Spirit more strongly to a certain place within the Essence
thereby altering the jingshen interaction. Our needles spark
Yin-Yang / jingshen / Essence-Spirit coalescence.

The reason the smaller needles work is that it is more
confusing/interesting to the Spirit – too large an instrument
would simply elicit a trauma response.
23 © 2010 Jacob Godwin
5/17/2010
Eight Trigram Diagnosis

Weak Mix Polarity between Taiyin and Yangming

Any typical problems involving these meridians and their
associated tissues.

Almost anyone benefits from balancing these two meridians.

These meridians resonate with our ability to extract the
opposite from within.

Physically: breathing, eating, drinking

Psychically: getting the point of life events
22 © 2010 Jacob Godwin
Eight Trigram Treatment Strategies

OPPOSITION – stronger, more ‘commanding’

Needling necessarily strengthens all aspects that resonate with
the location of the insertion.

Needling necessarily diminishes all aspects in Yin-Yang
opposition to the point of insertion.

EQUILIBRATION – less intense, more ‘facilitating’

Needling both Yin-Yang opposites (weak and strong) provides
opportunity for reconciliation.
24 © 2010 Jacob Godwin
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The Inverse Triad Method The Inverse Triad Method

integration of emotional influences integration of rational influences
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KD-3(2x) strongly roots Shaoyin BL-2(2x) near ‘3rd eye’ area, calm mind
HT-5(2x) Shaoyin’s expression - xin SI-3(2x) resonant with Du mai and base of
ST-36(2x) center the mind - yi skull/brain
Du-24 Du=Yang=rational mind, intersect SP-6(2x) ties 3 Yin together, calms and
point of ST and Du meridians centers the mind - yi
Ren-4 ties all 3 Yin into Ren, the lower
Yangming and Shaoyin are the beginning
field, and our emotional experience.
and end of Yang’s power – found on either
side of Du’s opposite. This combination harnesses rational
influences and ties them into the lower field
25 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 26 © 2010 Jacob Godwin and our emotional mind.

Acupuncture in Black and White

Qi, Yin-Yang, and the Cosmology of the Yijing
www.acupunctureinblackandwhite.com

27 © 2010 Jacob Godwin 28 © 2010 Jacob Godwin