J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  1999 Jan;38(1):27-47.

Theoretical Considerations on the Taoistic Meditation, "Yang-Sheng-Sul" Focused on the Book of the Korean Traditional Medicine, Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam

• Jeong DU

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The basic concepts and methods applied in the techniques of Taoistic meditation, Yang- Sheng-Sul are analyzed and interpreted from the medico-psychological viewpoint with special reference to the descriptions on Yang-Sheng in the Korean classics of traditional medicine, Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam.
RESULTS
AND CONCLUSION: 'Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam' has adopted mainly the Taoistic concepts of body as microcosm and concepts of three basic vital forces of Ching, Chi, Shen, three fields of Tan, the incorruptible essence and its circulating routes in the body. The Taoistic breathing techniques Bok-Ki and physical exercises Do-In are based upon the belief on the metaphysical views of body and life. The concepts of three vital forces Ching, Chi, Shen the nurturing of which is regarded as the ultimate goal of Taoistic Yang-Sheng are taken into consideration. These concepts can be comparable to the concept of 'psychoid function' in terms of Jung, the intermediator between soma and psyche. The concepts of Ch(n Shim(Heaven's Heart), Tao, Tan(the corruptible body), Tae-Shik(the fetal breath) represent the symbols of Self in terms of analytical psychology of Jung. Yang-Sheng-Sul can be regarded, in comparison with the Western alchemy, as an alchemical opus performed within the field of body by means of both imagination and physical exercises to achieve the state of immortality which is reflecting partly the symbolic manifestations of the self actualization in Jungian term. Authors also reviewed the results of experimental researches of Taoistic meditation on its physiologic effects and found the necessity for a more elaborated researches and investigations in this concern.

Keyword

Taoist meditation; Yang-Sheng; Korean traditional medicine

MeSH Terms

Alchemy
Carisoprodol
Exercise
Imagination
Medicine, Korean Traditional*
Medicine, Traditional
Meditation*
Psychology
Respiration
Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl
Troleandomycin
Carisoprodol
Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl
Troleandomycin