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The Seven Corporeal Souls (Po): Understanding Our Animal Nature in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Po, or the Seven Corporeal Souls, play a significant role in linking the physical body to earthly energies. While the Hun (ethereal soul) governs higher spiritual aspirations, the Po are tied to our most primal instincts and bodily experiences. These seven souls are connected to the body’s Jing-Essence, and manifest through physical sensations like hearing, sight, and touch, as well as our instinctual drives.

What Are the Seven Corporeal Souls (Po)?

The Seven Po are seen as the animalistic part of the human being, heavily rooted in Yin energy and Earth. They are responsible for the raw, sensory experiences of life, and are often referred to as inferior souls compared to the Hun. They pertain to survival instincts, passionate emotions, and the experience of life’s fullness. However, these souls are also in a constant state of decay, and they return to the Earth along with the body after death.

The Po are housed in the Lungs and resonate throughout the body along the Taiji Pole (the body’s central energy channel). They are accessed through the Pohu point (BI-42), which is located on the back between the shoulders. This point is used clinically in acupuncture to treat energetic imbalances of the Lungs, reflecting the deep connection between the Po and our breathing, physical vitality, and life force.

The Seven Corporeal Souls and Their Associations

The Seven Corporeal Souls are each associated with a specific area of the body and a range of negative emotions or self-destructive behaviors. Here’s a breakdown of each Po and its characteristics:

  1. Po of Essence (Earth Element)

    • Location: Midpoint of the Taiji Pole

    • Emotion: Worry, regret, self-doubt

    • Connection to Hun: The counterpart of the Hun's Earth Agent (Virtue of Trust)

    • This Po manifests through obsessive emotions, especially those linked to self-reflection, leading to issues like rumination and remorse.

  2. Po of Qi (Wood Element)

    • Location: Below the diaphragm

    • Emotion: Anger, resentment, jealousy

    • Connection to Hun: The counterpart to the Hun’s Wood Agent (Virtue of Kindness)

    • Responsible for explosive and unregulated emotional outbursts, the Po of Qi reflects the base emotional responses of anger and frustration.

  3. Po of Spirit (Metal Element)

    • Location: Posterior of the Tanzhong (CV-17) point

    • Emotion: Grief, sadness, shame

    • Connection to Hun: The counterpart of the Hun's Metal Agent (Virtue of Integrity)

    • This Po processes grief and disappointment, often leading to states of melancholy or emotional withdrawal.

  4. Po of Yin (Water Element)

    • Location: Posterior of the navel

    • Emotion: Fear, loneliness, insecurity

    • Connection to Hun: The counterpart of the Hun’s Water Agent (Virtue of Wisdom)

    • Associated with deeply rooted fears and feelings of isolation, the Po of Yin governs survival instincts related to security and fear.

  5. Po of Yang (Fire Element)

    • Location: Anterior of the Mingmen (GV-4) point

    • Emotion: Nervousness, shock, excitement

    • Connection to Hun: The counterpart of the Hun's Fire Agent (Virtue of Order)

    • This Po can cause emotional imbalances related to stress and excitement, often making people overactive or hyper-sensitive to stimuli.

  6. Po of Sex (Heaven Element)

    • Location: Below the Baihui (GV-20) point

    • Emotion: Linked to sexual drives

    • Special Characteristics: This Po is associated with the Upper Dantian and represents primal, sexual energy.

  7. Po of Life (Earth Element)

    • Location: Bottom of the feet (Yongquan KD-1 points)

    • Emotion: Linked to vitality and life force

    • Special Characteristics: It is considered the neighbor of the Po of Essence, governing the body’s connection to the earth and its overall vitality.

The Negative Mantras of the Seven Po

Each of the Seven Corporeal Souls has a shadow side, which can manifest through negative emotions and thought patterns. These emotions are seen as obstacles to growth and spiritual development, testing an individual’s faith and inner strength. Here are the "demonic" aspects of the Po:

  1. Flying Poison (Quick Evil): Associated with explosive rage and vengeful thoughts.

  2. Unclean Evil (Shame): Entices guilt and shame, creating a sense of worthlessness.

  3. Stinking Lungs (Smell of Death): Leads to despair and hopelessness, often manifesting in depressive thoughts.

  4. Corpse Dog (Being Scorned): Intensifies feelings of self-hatred and depression.

  5. Fallen Arrow: Generates a sense of failure, discouraging effort and hope.

  6. Yin Bird (Night Tormentor): Causes nightmares and mental anguish, disturbing sleep.

Devouring Robber: Saps life-force energy through emotions like jealousy and bitterness


Balancing the Seven Corporeal Souls

In TCM, balancing the Po is essential for maintaining emotional and physical health. Practices like meditation, visualization, and mantras are used to counteract the negative influence of the Po. Mantras, in particular, are powerful tools for reshaping thought patterns, and can help individuals resist the destructive emotions that the Po might whisper. By focusing on positive affirmations and meditative practices, people can align their internal energies and maintain a balanced state of mind.

Additionally, therapies such as acupuncture at the Pohu (BI-42) point can help regulate the Lungs and maintain the flow of energy through the body’s central channel, promoting both physical vitality and emotional equilibrium.

Conclusion

The Seven Corporeal Souls reflect our primal, instinctual nature. While they can drive passion and sensory engagement, they also present emotional challenges that require careful attention. By recognizing the influence of the Po and learning to balance their energies, individuals can gain deeper insight into their emotional states and physical health.

 
 
 
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