Ling Potential

In Chinese Medicine we consider Water to be our primordial source of what we are. Water represents our potential both physically and spiritually. This potential has two aspects, one is our Shen Spirit or soul, and the other one is called Ling potential. Ling potential is considered our physical potential and Shen Spirit our soul. Together they make up our constitution.

Shen is Yang and Ling is Yin.

The Shen Spirit or soul is the active transformational energy from Heaven in each person. It activates the physical structure of Earth and Ling Potential. The quality of this interaction is determined by our Zhi will.

The role of Ling in our body is taken over by the Jing Essence. Porkert describes it as a ‘structive force’ and ‘structive capacity’. Structive describing the structural frame of our body.

Porkert further states that Jing in medical contexts exactly takes over the role played by Ling.

The Chinese character of Ling expresses that through appropriate ritual, Heaven is summoned.

Ling has other meanings namely, supernatural power, mysterious, spiritual, transcendent, and marvellous.

At the top of the Chinese character there are four drops of rain that fall from clouds under Heaven. In the middle there are three mouths, and at the bottom there are two female shamans, offering jade and dances to Heaven.

Ling describes the innate capacity for spiritual responsiveness and intelligent transformation.

The intelligence of the universe is expressed through Ling potential and together with Zhi will and Shen Spirit we are complete.

How to activate this energy with acupuncture.

There are acupuncture point that represent the concept of Ling.

·         Heart 2 Qing Ling Cyan Spirit

·         Heart 4 Ling Dao Spirit Path

·         Kidney 24 Ling Shu Spirit Burial Ground

·         Gall Bladder 18 Chen Ling Receiving Spirit

·         Du Mai 10 Ling Tai Spirit Tower

We go through life experiencing the sensation that we are a unique being that seems separate from the universe. This image is constructed in the upper left brain. This is what each of us considers a self. Before stimuli reaches the left thinking brain it passes through the lower left brain. This is our emotional self that stores all our traumas and experiences. This is what creates pain and suffering for each of us. In the words of Dr. Jill Taylor, “we are emotional beings that think”.

In order to experience a oneness with the universe we need to calm the left side of our brain. The following acupuncture points silence the left side of the brain so the right side can shine. Practicing meditation brings the same effect. So does acupuncture.

The right side of the brain represents our connection to the eternal Dao or Unity. I use the following four acupuncture points to quiet the left brain. This left brain is the constant voice in our head. When this becomes quiet we experience the unity of the universe.

 Spleen 3 Tai Bai Supreme White

The name of Spleen 3 Tai bai is referring to the planet Venus, which is located in the Western sky. The West symbolizes the return to the source of unity with the universe, that which we call Dao in Chinese Medicine.

Spleen 3 is the source point on the Earth Vessel. It can strengthen Earth to create Metal. This makes it easier for us to enter the realm of the right brain.

As an Earth source point it strengthens our bodies Yang qi and Yin qi. This supports and nourishes the expression of Ling potential. 

San Jiao 4 Yang Chi Yang Pond

San Jiao 4 is the source point of the San jiao. The San jiao is responsible for spreading the Source qi over our body that it gets from the source of Water. By tonfying the source point on the San jiao we strongly support our gift from Heaven. This distributes and supports the manifestation of Ling in our body.

Lonny Jarret suggests that San jiao 4 “allows us a clear stream of Yang warmth to help us extend our Hearts into the world in a balanced way”. Now, who does not want that?

Spleen 3 corresponds with the Earth aspect of Ling.

San jiao 4 corresponds with the Heavenly aspect of Ling.

This allows the Heavenly source of Ling potential to manifest in us physically.

Heart 4 Ling Dao Spirit Path

Heart 4 is the Metal point on the Heart channel. The Heart belongs to Fire and it is Metal that calms and collects the Yang qi allowing us to access our right brain.

The acupuncture point Ling Dao Spirit Path allows us to seek guidance from Heaven, which then allows us to manifest effectively in our world. The Metal aspect is what concentrates our focus so we can be effective.

Heart 4 helps us when we feel isolated from purpose and heal our emotional traumas. It ends the emotional feedback loop that can autorun in our heads. 

Kidney 24 Ling Xu Spirit Burial Ground

Kidney 24 allows us to access out potential from the inexhaustible Dao.

The character Xu in the point name is referring to emptiness. The emptiness is referring to the Void. Both Ling and Xu are referring to the potentiality of the empty chaos between Heaven and Earth. The Dao De Jing states that the Void is empty, but contains all possibilities.

Kidney 24 connects us to the source of emptiness in the Dao. This allows us to feel connected to the source and this makes us effective in the world.

Summary: Ling Potential in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, Ling Potential represents our innate physical potential and is inseparably linked to Shen Spirit, the transformative, heavenly aspect of who we are. Together, Ling (Yin) and Shen (Yang) form our constitution and express our capacity for intelligent transformation, spiritual responsiveness, and connection to the universe.

Ling is reflected in the Jing Essence — the structive, foundational force of the body — and is symbolised in its ancient character as a mysterious, transcendent power that bridges Heaven and Earth.

Acupuncture can help activate and harmonise Ling potential by calming the left brain — the centre of thought, identity, and stored emotional patterns — allowing the right brain to open into unity, spaciousness, and connection with the Dao. Specific acupuncture points, such as Spleen 3, San Jiao 4, Heart 4, and Kidney 24, support this process by strengthening Earth, distributing Source Qi, guiding the Heart, and reconnecting us to the vast emptiness of the Dao where all potential resides.

Working with Ling potential in treatment helps us feel less isolated, more purposeful, and more aligned with our deepest essence — allowing Heaven, Earth, and the intelligence of the universe to flow through us with clarity and balance.