Managing Emotion with Emotion

The essence of Traditional Korean Psychotherapy, Oji-Sangseung-Wichi (五志相勝爲治).
Reinterpreting ancient wisdom through the language of modern psychology,
Exploring mental balance through the principle of mutual inhibition.

Structure of Five Elements & Emotions

Traditional/Korean medicine classifies human emotions into five energies: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Click the elements below to see the relationship between each attribute and emotion. Understanding this structure is the first step in therapy.

Select an element on the left to see detailed emotion analysis and
control relationships (Sang-Keuk).
Simulation Lab

Therapy Simulator

"If one emotion is excessive, control it with another emotion that inhibits it."
Select the appropriate prescription (controlling emotion) for the patient's excessive emotional state.

Emotional Balance Visualization

Oji-Sangseung therapy aims for 'balance', not 'removal' of emotions.

Modern Psychotherapy Connections

  • •Systematic Desensitization: Principle of covering with strong cognitive stimuli.
  • •Paradoxical Intention: Facing symptoms to relieve fear.
  • •Cognitive Restructuring: Correcting irrational beliefs with logical thinking.

Emotional Energy Balance

Academic Comparison: Oji-Sangseung vs Modern Psychology

Principle (TKM) Mechanism (Five Elements) Modern Equivalent Application Example
Bi Seung No (悲勝怒) Metal controls Wood
Sadness overcomes Anger		 Empathy & Catharsis Reducing aggression (Arousal) by empathizing with others' sadness or facing one's own grief. Watching sad movies or empathy training for anger management issues.
Gong Seung Hui (恐勝喜) Water controls Fire
Fear overcomes Joy		 Reality Testing Calming Mania/Euphoria with sense of crisis or realistic constraints (Fear). Making manic patients recognize potential failure or risks.
No Seung Sa (怒勝思) Wood controls Earth
Anger overcomes Thought		 Behavioral Activation Breaking depressive rumination through assertive self-expression or anger release. Encouraging depressed patients to shout or express suppressed emotions intensely.
Hui Seung Woo (喜勝憂) Fire controls Metal
Joy overcomes Sadness		 Positive Reframing Neutralizing deep grief through enjoyable activities or humor. Using humor therapy or recalling happy memories for bereavement.
Sa Seung Gong (思勝恐) Earth controls Water
Thought overcomes Fear		 Cognitive Restructuring Controlling vague fear by concretizing it with logical thinking and planning. Logical explanation and education about physical symptoms for panic disorder.

References

Classical Literature

  • Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Su Wen) - Yin-Yang Imagery Macro Theory
  • Dongui Bogam - Internal Medicine, Body Section

Modern Interpretation

  • Kim Gwang-il, Modern Significance of TKM Psychotherapy
  • Wolpe, Systematic Desensitization (1958)