Song of the Kidney Pulse Appearing in the Three Positions

In traditional Chinese medicine, the "Three Positions" refer to the three spots on the wrist (Cun, Guan, and Chi) where the pulse is felt. This song explains what it means when the pulse is slow in all three areas.

When all three positions are slow, the Kidney organ is cold;
The skin becomes dry and rough, and the hair becomes parched.
A slow pulse belongs to Yin. When the pulse is extremely slow, the Kidney organ contains Cold. The Classic says: "A rapid pulse indicates the Bowels; a slow pulse indicates the Viscera." The Bowels (Fu) are Yang-related organs like the stomach; the Viscera (Zang) are Yin-related organs like the kidneys. Rapid indicates Heat, while slow indicates Cold. All Yang pulses are associated with Heat; all Yin pulses are associated with Cold. When there is Cold, the interstitial spaces (cou li) original: "腠理". The spaces between the skin and muscles where sweat and energy flow. close up and the body fluids (jin ye) original: "津液". The essential fluids that moisten the body. cannot flow freely; therefore, the skin is not smooth or moist, and the hair becomes dry. This indicates a deficiency in the Kidney system. The Internal Classic The Huangdi Neijing, the foundational text of Chinese medicine. says: "The Kidneys govern the five fluids." When the Kidney system is deficient, the body fluids decline and diminish.

Dreaming of ghosts and spirits, or frequently entering water;
Upon waking, the spirit and thoughts lack vitality.
Thinking of spirits and water—those with Kidney deficiency often dream of such things. After the dream ends and one awakes, the spirit and mind are uneasy; therefore, one lacks vitality original: "無摧" (wu cui). In this context, it suggests the spirit is not resilient or lacks its usual vigor..