Baihui (GV 20) and that of the bottom is Fengfu (GV 16).”
EXPLANATIONS AND COMMENTARIES
193.I - Ma Shi explains:
“This paragraph gives dissertation on the existence of “4 Seas” in human beings.
The Earth has at its disposal 12 great routes of water called “12 Jing Shui” (rivers), all flowing out toward the sea, responding to those of Heaven, divided into West, East, North and South (4 cardinal points). This is why on does not speak of 12 seas, but only 4 seas.
1. The stomach is the “Sea of Shui Gu (Water-Cereals)”. Its Shu (kinetic or transmittable) point of the top is Qijie (Qichong- St 30), located 5 cun below Tianshu (St 25); needle depth 0.3 cun, left in place during 7 expirations, dispersed immediately upon the arrival of the energy (De Qi), apply 3 moxas.
Its Shu point of the bottom is Zu Sanli (St 36): needle depth 0.3 cun, left in place during 7 expirations, dipserse immediately upon the arrival of the energy, apply numerous moxas (sometimes up to 100).
2. The Chongmai is the “Sea of Blood of the 12 Jingmai”. Its Shu point of the top is Dazhu (Bl 11); needle depth 0.3 cun, left in place during 7 expirations, moxabustion prohibited.
Its Shu points of the bottom are Shangjuxu (other name Shanglian-St 37) and Xiajuxu (other name Xialian-St 39). For the first, needle to a depth of 0.3 cun and apply 7 moxas; for the second, needle to a depth of 0.3 cun and apply 48 moxas.
3. Tanzhong (CV 17) is the “Sea of the Energy”. Its posterior Shu points above and below the cervical spine (Zhu Gu) designate Yamen (GV 15) and Dazhui (GV 14); needle to a depth of 0.3 cun, left in place during 6 expirations, apply 7 moxas.
It anterior Shu point is Renying (St 9); needling and moxabustion prohibited.
4. The brain is the “Sea of Marrow”. Its Shu point at the top is Baihui (GV 20); needle to 0.2 cun depth, apply 7 moxas.
Its Shu point of the bottom is Fengfu (GV 16); needle to 0.3 cun depth, moxa prohibited. To localize this point, have the patient speak quickly and stongly; the point swells; it is located 1 cun above the edge of the hairline, in a crease.”
II - Zhang Shi clarifies:
“Heaven governs fertilization and Earth determines form (Xing). As a result, the bodily form of the human being responds to the “4 Seas” and the “12 Jing Shui” (rivers) of Earth. The energy of Heaven and that of Earth communicate with each other thanks to the presence of the Qi Jie (energetic routes), located at the summit of the cranium, at the middle of the thorax, abdomen and lower limbs. Via these routes, the energy of the channels ascends and descends, enters and exits.
3. According to Ma Shi, the top and bottom of the cervical spine designate the points
Yamen (GV 15) and Dazhui (GV 14). 194.
1. The stomach is the “Sea of Shu Gu” (Water-Cereals). Its Shu point of the top is Qichong (Qijie-St 30); its energy reaches the abdomen and stops at the back Shu point (Weishu Bl 21), then it redescends to Zu Sanli (St 36).
In summary, the “Sea of Water-Cereals” (Shui Gu) extends toward the top to go into relationship with the Tian Qi (energy of Heaven) and toward the bottom to communicate with the
Jing Shui (rivers) of the Earth.
2. The Chongmai is the “Sea of Shui” of the 12 channels. From its Shu point, its energy goes up to the point Dazhu (Bl 11), then from there it descends to the points Juxu Shanglian (St 37) and Juxu Xialian (St 39) in order to follow the energetic route (Jie) of the leg.
Such is the energetic route of the Chongmai which, at the exterior, communicates with Heaven and in the interior goes into relation with the Jing Shui (routes of water/?waterways) of the Earth.
3. Tanzhong (CV 17) represents the thoracic region in which is located the Tong Qi (a priori energy).
Its posterior Shu points are found above and below Zhu Gu (cervical spine), that is to say, at the points Yamen (GV 15) and Dazhui (GV 14), and its anterior Shu point is Renying (St 9).
4. The bones have their marrow and the brain is the site of reunion of the marrows. This is why the marrows belong to the brain and the brain is the “Sea of Marrow.”
The “Sea of Marrow” extends from the summit of the cranium toward the occipital region, that is to say, from the point Baihui (GV 20) to the point Fengfu (GV 16), belonging to the Dumai (GV), which form the “upper/lower, “anterior/posterior” routes, control the movements of rotation of the body and constitute a type of cap of protection.”
III - N.V.N.:
Summarizing, the human being is endowed with “4 Seas”:
1 - The “Sea of Water-Cereals” is controlled by the stomach. From Qichong (St 30), it extends toward the dorsal region to the point Weishu (Bl 21), then toward the lower limbs, to the point Sanli (St 36) (Figure 58).
2 - The “Sea of the 12 Jingmai” is controlled by the Chongmai. It extends from the dorsal region, from the point Dazhu (Bl 11), toward the lower limbs, to the points Shanglian (St 37) and Xialian (St 39) (Figure 59).
3 - The “Sea of Energy” is controlled by Tanzhong (CV 17). It extends from the area of the cervical spine from the points Yamen (GV 15) and Dazhui (GV 14) toward the anterior area of the neck to the point Renying (St 9) (Figure 60).
4 - The “Sea of Marrows” is controlled by Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Jugu (LI 16). It extends from the top of the cranium toward the occipital base, that is to say, from the point Baihui (GV 20) to the point Fengfu (GV 16) (Figure 61).
195.
Figure 58:
Extent of the “Sea of Water-Cereals” and its transmittable points.
196.
Figure 59:
Extent of the “Sea of the 12 Jingmai” and its transmittable points.
Note: The Chongmai is intrathoraco-abdominal.
197.
Figure 60:
Extent of the “Sea of Energy” and its transmittable points.
198.
Figure 61:
Extent of the “Sea of Marrows” and its transmittable points.
PARAGRAPH 2
199.H u a n g d i :
“The “4 Seas” each have a benefit and a detriment, a blossoming
and a decline. How is that?”
Qi Bo:
“In man, to maintain the “4 Seas” in the normal state is to maintain life. Therefore, one must understand clearly that the Dao of Regulation is salutory to the maintenance of the body.”
PARAGRAPH 3
“This paragraph braoches the notions of “favorable” and “unfavorable” of the “4 Seas”.
The word excess implies the presence of perverse energy in a state of excess and fullness, and the word insufficiency, the presence of the essential energy in a state of insufficiency and emptiness.
These two words employed in the following three paragraphs have the same meaning.”
II - Ma Shi states: 200.
“The thorax is the region belonging to Tong Qi (a priori energy). It exteriorizes at the level of the trachea and controls the respiratory movements. This is why, when the “Sea of Energy”
is excessive, the thorax is filled with Qi with afflux toward the top causing redness of the face.”
III - N.V.N.:
According the Zhang Jing Yue, the voice originates from the manifestation of Qi. When the energy is insufficient, the voice grows weaker.