The Three Treasures and the Three Fields

The Three Treasures theory is often presented as three different ‘levels of aggregation of Qi'. In his book, “Acupuncture in Black and White”, Godwin presents the understanding that the Three Treasures are actually three perspectives: the one (Qi) and its Yin-Yang polarity (Essence and Spirit). Seeing the Three Treasures in this way clarifies the mindbody (Spirit-Essence) phenomenon - the very mechanism behind acupuncture. This presentation offers a clear understanding of the cycle through which Qi transforms between its Yin-Yang states to create human life. This talk will explore the Three Treasures as the framework of human life. We will also discuss the Three Treasures’ relationship with the upper, lower, and middle fields (dantian). Understanding this perspective allows for a better correspondence between the practice qigong, meditation, and other internal arts and our clinical practice. This perspective not only refines our understanding of East Asian Medicine, but can help us bring what we cultivate for ourselves into our clinical practice.