The basic paradigm of virtue in Chinese medicine is as follows: Virtue, “de” in Chinese, implies contact with original nature. The character symbolizes accordance between and action in accordance with one’s heart-mind (the Chinese term “xin”, or Heart, literally translates at heart-mind. Virtue is what manifests when one acts in accordance with one’s true nature. Virtues are part of the Chinese concept of an organ system. Each organ has association and resonance with a given virtue, just as each organ system includes a set of channels, functions, symptoms of imbalance, etc. Just as red and blue are on a continuum of the visual color spectrum, and as the visual color spectrum is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, so is each individual virtue part of a larger “virtue spectrum”. The virtue of a particular organ is simply an entrance into the larger realm of virtue.
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Propriety – The Virtue of the Heart
How can a person know the Dao? By the heart.
How can the heart know? By emptiness, the pure attention that unifies being and quietude.
The heart is never without treasure, yet it is called empty.
The heart is never completely filled, yet it is called unified.
The heart is never without movement, yet it is called quiet.
The heart is alive, and possesses knowledge; it knows, and from knowing makes distinctions.
To make distinctions is to know all parts of the whole at once.
Xunzi, Confuscian philosopher from 3rd century B.C.
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Preciousness and Righteousness – The Virtues of the Lungs
As summer comes to an end and fall begins, the inner beauty of nature is revealed in bright colors and clear skies. At the same time, having peaked, flowers and trees begin to outwardly die as their energy returns to the earth for restoration over the winter. The beauty of fall is tied to its fleeting nature. Experiencing the beauty as complete in the moment is the virtue of Metal called preciousness (precious – highly refined; of great value). Experiencing the loss is the emotion of Metal called sadness.
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