The Heart
The Heart is the one of the four organs of the Fire element. It is the Yin organ paired with the Small Intestine.
The Heart represents our central core and is sometimes compared to an Emperor sitting at the centre of his realm. It is a Heart sensitive organ and its meridian is hidden under the arms and on the inside of the legs.
It houses the Shen which may be translated as Spirit or Mind. If the Shen is tranquil in the Heart then we can be at peace, in the moment, aware and concious. It mediates the five senses and generates the appropriate responses. If the Shen is disturbed then we might see anything from a simple glazed expression, epilepsy or mental disorders.
To be happy the Shen needs Blood. The Blood needs Ki to come from the Lungs and Spleen to be properly nourished. If the Blood is lacking then the Shen will leave the Heart.
Tony Brown @ December 29, 2006
