Library

Question: Someone once challenged, from where does the Taut pulse (Jin Mai) originate?

Master said: Suppose a patient suffers from excessive sweating or vomiting, causing cold in the Lungs; thus, the pulse becomes Taut. Suppose a patient coughs because they drank cold water; thus, the pulse becomes Taut. Suppose a patient has diarrhea because of deficiency-cold in the Stomach; thus, the pulse becomes Taut.

Sweating and vomiting methods damage the Yang Qi in the chest. Lung cold results in a Taut pulse. Coughing indicates middle-jiao cold with rebellious Stomach Qi; diarrhea indicates middle-jiao cold with sinking Spleen Qi. Drinking cold water leads to diarrhea, draining Stomach Yang, hence the pulse is Taut.

At the Cun Kou (Radial Pulse), if Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is vigorous, it is called "Gao" (High). If Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is vigorous, it is called "Zhang" (Manifest). When Gao and Zhang interact, it is called "Gang" (Leader/Chief). If Wei Qi is weak, it is called "Di" (Low); if Ying Qi is weak, it is called "Bei" (Humble). When Di and Bei interact, it is called "Sun" (Damage). If Wei Qi is harmonious, it is called "Huan" (Slow/Relaxed); if Ying Qi is harmonious, it is called "Chi" (Slow). When Huan and Chi interact, it is called "Chen" (Deep).

The "Cun" position at the Cun Kou observes Wei Qi. Vigorous Wei Qi is called "Gao." Wei governs Qi; when Qi is vigorous, it manifests as lofty. The "Chi" position observes Ying Qi. Vigorous Ying Qi is called "Zhang." Ying governs Blood; when Blood is vigorous, it manifests as prominent. The combination of Gao and Zhang is called "Gang," which is the leader of all Yang pulses. Weak Wei Qi is called "Di," meaning timid, manifesting as soft and retreating. The combination of Di and Bei is called "Sun," representing the weakening of all Yin pulses. Harmonious Wei Qi is called "Huan"; harmonious Ying Qi is called "Chi." "Huan Chi" implies a state of composure, contrasted with Taut (Jin) and Rapid (Shuo) pulses. The combination of Huan and Chi is called "Chen." Human Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) should be conserved and not leaked; leakage causes the pulse to float, while conservation makes it deep. The *Su Wen* chapter "Sheng Qi Tong Tian Lun" states: "The key to Yin and Yang lies in the density of Yang; only when Yang is dense can Yin be secured. When Yin is peaceful and Yang is conserved, spirit and mind are regulated." The mechanism for Yang to hide entirely depends on Earth (Spleen/Stomach). When Earth's transformation functions normally, Yin rises and Yang descends. "Huan" and "Chi" represent the harmony of Earth Qi. When Earth Qi is harmonious, the central pivot rotates correctly, Yin constantly rises and Yang constantly descends. When Yang descends, its root becomes deep and unshakeable, which is termed "Yang Density." Yang density results in a Deep pulse; this is Yang prosperity causing a deep pulse, not Yin excess causing a deep pulse.

If the Cun Kou pulse is Huan and Chi, it indicates the growth of Yang Qi. The complexion is bright, the face radiant, the voice clear (like Metal/Shang tone), and the hair long. A Chi pulse indicates abundant Yin Qi, nourishing the bone marrow, filling the blood, and making the muscles firm, thin, and fresh/hard. This signifies Yin and Yang embracing each other without separation, Ying and Wei moving together without obstruction, and Hardness and Softness achieving balance, termed "Qiang" (Strength).

A Cun Kou pulse that is Huan and Chi indicates vigorous Wei Qi. Huan means Yang Qi is advancing; the complexion is bright, the face lustrous, the voice clear, and the hair long. Chi indicates vigorous Ying Qi and abundant Yin Qi, nourishing the bone marrow, filling the Sea of Blood, and making the muscles firm, thin, and fresh/hard. In such a case, Yin and Yang embrace inseparably, Ying and Wei move together without hindrance. This is the state of Hardness and Softness complementing each other, termed "Qiang" (Strength).