Chinese Medicine Psychology by Mary Garvey

Author:Mary Garvey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2020-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

Root-tendency psychology

The success of the tree metaphor in China today is that it reflects very early as well as recent Chinese psychological thinking. The growth (yáng transformations) of above and below ground aspects of human life is complemented by natural processes of return and decay (yīn transformations). The tree of human life also captures the content and meaning of Chinese medicine’s ‘root-tendency psychology,’146 a branch of TCM psychology developed in recent times through the observations of certain psychological and behavioral phenomena. Its name evokes the Chinese expression: ‘a fallen leaf returns to its roots.’147 The expression in turn echoes the Classic of the Law and its Power (c. 460 BCE), where it says, ‘All living things, return to their roots.’148

Though quite common, root-tendency behaviors are not easy to explain. Just as a tree’s leaves fall and return to its roots, whales, turtles, fish and birds migrate vast distances to return to their birthplace and according to the life and reproductive cycles of their ancestral and inherited biology. Humans experience the root-tendency phenomena when feeling homesick or wanting to ‘find one’s roots.’ We have all observed how some friends and loved ones feel a strong desire to return to their homeland as they get older.

In China, root tendency is also seen in people’s regard for their parents and the respect paid to their elders and ancestors. Root tendency is what drives the biggest migration of people every year during the Spring Festival in China. No matter how far or how difficult the journey, and no matter how busy they are, all Chinese people rush back home from all directions within China and abroad for a reunion with family members. The celebration is especially to pay our respects to our parents because they gave us life and brought us into the world. They are the root of our life.

The root-tendency phenomenon is thought to be the basis of religious beliefs and practices. The Chinese word for ‘religion’ is 宗教 zōng jiào. 教 Jiào means mind training, enlightenment and education. 宗 Zōng is related to race and culture and means the ancestral and original root (宗根 zōng gēn). 宗 Zōng is both the origin of an ancestral line and an important gathering of family members and ancestors. The upper part of the character (宀) is a dwelling or roof that covers and contains the lower part (示). 示 Shì means to show and display. It is the image of heavenly light radiating from the sun, moon and stars, the ancestor and spirit influences illuminating human life from the heavens (see Bromley et al. 2010; Wieger 1965; and the discussion on the character for 神 shén, in Chapter 1).

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For effective clinical practice in the area of TCM psychology it is essential to understand the shén. In Part 1 we have seen how the shén governs our physical appearance and psychological character, and how the term refers to the many abilities of human life that have been developing continuously for millions of years.

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