The Mien Shiang Institute

by Patrician McCarthy
article first appeared in All Life

In Mien Shiang, the face is divided into three sections, or zones. Each zone has a defining characteristic of mental, practical, or emotional, as well as a Taoist association of Heaven, Human or Earth:

• Zone 1, the top part of the face, is the Mental Zone.
• Zone 2, the middle part of the face, is the Practical Zone.
• Zone 3, the part of the face, is the Emotional or Instinctive Zone.
  • Heaven – Mental
  • Human – Practical
  • Earth – Emotional/Instinctive

How to Determine the Dominant Zone

The longest of the three zones is the dominant zone.

Most people have a predominant zone which commands attention. Jay Leno who is famous for his lantern jaw and jutting chin, is easily identified as having a dominant Zone 3. But it is not always so obvious when looking at others. In most cases you will need to measure to be absolutely sure which zone is the longest.

How to Measure for the Dominant Zone

• Zone 1: Measure from the Top of the Hairline to the Top of Eyebrows.
• Zone 2: Measure from the Top of Eyebrows to the Bottom of the Nose.
• Zone 3: Measure from the Bottom of Nose to End of the Chin.

Zone Attributes

Each of the three zones has distinct and unique physical, personality and behavioral attributes.

Zone 1 is the Mental Zone and is characterized by a high, broad forehead.

• Zone 1 people need to think. They research, deliberate and analyze all details. They make lots of lists, with lots of pros and cons, and then they study and amend their lists carefully. Decisions are not made quickly. They can go back and forth on an issue forever, and can easily talk themselves out of things – and then right back in.
• If you rush Zone 1 people for an answer, neither of you will get what you want. If you want their true answer, give them plenty of time to think it through.
• The brilliant 20th Century scientist Albert Einstein is an example of someone who spent much time “in his mind,” as do most people who have a dominant Zone 1.
• The best way to communicate with Zone 1 people is to ask them what they think. Notice that even when you ask them what they feel about something, they will often answer, “I think that…”

Zone 2 is the Practical Zone and is characterized by high eyebrows, and long noses.

• Zone 2 people like to save. They save time, money, and energy. They are business-oriented, efficient and always practical.
• If the high eyebrows are the dominant feature, these Zone 2 people are more action-oriented, and they like to save time. If their long nose is featured, they truly have ‘a nose for money’ – they like to make it and to save it.
• Always appeal to Zone 2′s common sense and assure them that they are getting the most and the best for their efforts.
• Barbra Streisand represents the typical Zone 2 person, as she is known for her efficiency and excellent business acumen.
• The best way to communicate with Zone 2 people is to make sure that things make sense to them.

Zone 3 is the Emotional, or Instinctive Zone and is characterized by a prominent chin, and/or full lips and mouth.

• Zone 3 people go by their feelings and instincts. They are fast decision-makers who will decide first, and figure out why later.
• If a long chin is the prominent feature, they are instinctive. These Zone 3 people literally feel their instincts in their solar plexus. If the lips/mouth is prominent, they are emotional, and often impulsive. They need pleasure like others need water and air.
• Appeal to their wants, rather than their needs, as they are driven by their desires and need to be constantly fulfilled.
• Popular comedian Jay Leno’s humor is based on gut level, instinctive observations, which is a common trait among those with a dominant Zone 3.
• To best communicate with Zone 3 people is to determine how they feel. Ask them what they think and they will invariably tell you instead what they feel.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.