What is the psychology of each meridian? What emotions are associated with each organ? How does the mind link to disease? Each meridian and each organ has a set of emotional qualities and key focus points. This is a series of 14 articles about the meridians. Click on any one of them for details.
The 6 Extraordinary Organs: Rulers of Human Destiny?
This first article addresses the 6 Extraordinary Organs, which give rise to all the other organs in the body at conception. And they rule the other organs’ well-being throughout our life. Therefore, these FIRST organs are a huge key to a healthy immune system, evolution, and unfolding destiny. The Six Extraordinary Organs, are also responsible for evolutionary changes in the human body and spirit. Read More…
All the 20 Meridians and their Consciousness
Ancient Chinese medicine thousands of years ago described the meridians in the body that carry Qi or life force through special channels that connect the various organs and functions. These meridians are designed to work together so that the body, mind, and spirit work together as an organic whole.
A meridian, 经络 jīngluò, is a path through which Qi or life energy flows. There are a total of 20 meridians in the body, which are seen in two classes. 1) The twelve organ meridians connect the various physical functions. 2) The Eight Extraordinary meridians precede and give rise to the organ meridians, and are of great importance in transformational work, Qigong, and alchemy practices. Read More…
The Lung Meridian, How to Strengthen and Clear it
What is the Function of the Lungs? The Lungs regulate Qi that we absorb from the natural world and distribute it through the body. The Lungs control breathing, distributing oxygen to the blood, helping circulate blood and Wei Qi. The Lungs are a detox organ, eliminating stale Qi. Lungs help Qi and fluids descend into intestines, so with Kidneys they regulate water metabolism. The lung meridian rules the skin and sweat glands, which are all important detox organs. The Lung system also regulates protective Wei Qi, sinuses, bronchia, nose, throat, voice, the ability to smell and to speak with a clear voice. Read More…
The Large Intestine Channel, Letting Go of What’s Not Needed
What are the Functions of Large Intestine Meridian? The Large Intestine is the Yang organ paired with the Yin Lungs in the Metal Element. According to the Huangdi Neijing medical text written in 2,700 BCE, its function is to “Transport all turbidity. All waste products go through it”. The Large Intestine is closely associated with the lungs and skin, which are other important detox organs. It absorbs liquid and releases anything that is no longer needed in the way of food, toxins, emotions, thereby cleansing the body, mind, and spirit. The Source Point of the LI meridian is LI-4, Hegu, in the web of the hand. Read More…
The Stomach Meridian, Receiving New Ideas, Nurturing the Self
The stomach meridian is associated with our ability to assimilate new ideas, absorb information, as well as honoring and nurturing the self. The stomach is one of the longest meridians, with 45 points. The Stomach is the Yang partner of the Yin Spleen. The stomach is called the ‘Minister of the Mill’, the ‘Sea of Nourishment’, and the ‘Root of Postnatal Life’, because it is responsible for providing the entire body with energy from the digestion of food and fluids. Read More…
The Spleen Meridian, Sweet Flavors and Balanced BioRhythms
The Spleen has a wide range of functions, from digestion to muscle tone to sensuality. The Spleen manufactures Qi from our food. The Spleen’s role is to transform and move foods, liquids, and thoughts in the body (i.e. digestion). For this reason the Spleen is called the source of postnatal energy (acquired Qi). It has a primary role in the lymphatic and immune systems. It keeps our tissues, muscles, and thoughts moist, supple, adaptable. The Spleen governs taste and true nourishment. It regulates bio-rhythms including menstruation. The Spleen stores Yi, consciousness of potentials, the ability to focus the mind sharply and keenly. Read More…
The Heart Meridian, The Emperor Over All Organs
To quote from the ancient Chinese text, the Huang Di Nei Jing written 4,700 years ago: “The heart is the sovereign of all organs and represents the consciousness of one’s being. It is responsible for intelligence, wisdom, and spiritual transformation.” Functions of the Heart: The Heart is the Emperor of all organs, ruling over the entire being, physical, emotional, mental, and subtle. It is responsible for blood and circulating it through the vessels to nourish the cells. The Heart houses the Shen, or Spirit of the Heart, which radiates and shines from a person’s eyes and face. Read More…
The Small Intestine Channel: Discernment, Sorting, Mental clarity
The Small Intestine is the Fire Element Yang organ paired with the Yin Heart. The human small intestine is about 6 meters or 20 feet long. A semi-permeable barrier that sorts solids and liquids into useful nutrients or waste to be eliminated, the small intestine absorbs nutrients from food into the blood. Its surface is a mucous layer containing beneficial bacteria and essential parts of the immune system. Mental & Emotional Functions of the Small Intestine: In modern times a common pathology that weighs heavily on the small intestine is excessive sorting of poor-nutrient foods. Read More…
The Bladder Meridian: Fear and Sensuality
The bladder channel is intimately related to the autonomous nervous system. That’s because the bladder meridian runs along the back of the body from eyes to little toe, with two parallel branches flowing along each side of the spine. These four branches of the bladder meridian directly influence the sympathetic and parasympathetic trunks of the autonomous nervous system, which regulates our fight-flight response and in turn all the body’s basic vital functions. Read More…
The Kidney Meridian – Harmonizing Fluids and the Autonomic Nervous System
The Kidney system supplies essence or Jing to all organs. It stores Jing, our congenital & acquired essence. It houses the Yang will & Yin will. Generosity, creativity, desire, and libido are all generated by the Kidneys. The Kidney rules the bones, spine, and bone marrow. It rules the ear and hearing. The Kidney provides digestive fire for the Spleen and warmth to the Heart. It generates the brain and nervous system. The Kidney controls hair and graying of hair. It rules the knees. Low Kidney qi can lead to low creativity, libido, and incontinence. The Kidney generates fear, and an awareness when there is danger. Read More…
The Pericardium Channel, Self Love and Relationships
The name Pericardium comes from Latin Peri (around) and Cardium (heart). Often translated from Chinese as “Heart Protector”, “Spirit Protector”, or “Circulation/Sex” the Pericardium is associated with the Fire element and the Heart. The Pericardium protects the Heart from emotional trauma, constricts the chest to protect the Heart, and helps to express the Joy of the Heart. One could say the function of the Pericardium is primarily psychological, as it rules our relationships and the emotional issues around them. Emotionally, pericardium energy is related to the loving feelings associated with sex, thereby linking the physical and emotional aspects of sexual activity. It does this by moderating the raw sexual energy of the kidneys with the all embracing love generated by the heart. Read More…
The Triple Burner, Your Crystalline Communication Matrix
The Triple Burner rules body liquids to keep them moving. It aids in transforming body fluids and balances Qi between the upper, middle, and lower areas. The Triple Burner plays an important role in coordinating digestion, communicating with the Spleen and Stomach. Most importantly, the Triple Burner delivers Original Qi to all organs.One could also say the triple burner provides a passageway along the primary Yin Yang vertical axis between the fire of the kidney and of the heart, sometimes called ministerial fire. The triple burner is not a physical organ, but can be seen as a matrix of connective tissue, or membranes that envelop every organ, muscle and bone, and that communicate via crystalline liquids and play a role in keeping open the flow of Qi, and communication between organs. Read More…
The Gallbladder Meridian, Discernment and Decision Making
The Gallbladder rules choosing between options, decision making, and good judgement. What course is right for me? It helps us find our life direction anytime we are wallowing in procrastination or indecision. On a physical level, the Gallbladder assists digestion to keep it moving, controls sinews, body flexibility, and tendon strength. It carries out the plans of the Liver, providing courage and initiative to keep our life moving, including emotions. The Gall Bladder influences the sides of head and body. It transforms Kidney vitality into action. The Gallbladder rules sleep, as it is associated with the deep sleep point from 11 pm to 1 am. Read More…
The Liver Meridian – Springtime, Rising Emotions, New Ideas
The Liver stores blood and regulates blood volume. The Liver is responsible for planning, and oversees our path in life. The Liver relates to emotions. It generates anger, a clearing force, to keep things moving and flowing. When anger dissolves, this energy transforms into faith, optimism, and wisdom.
The Liver is responsible for spreading Qi smoothly in the blood, body, organs, and psyche. It controls the sinews and muscle tone. The Liver rules the health of nails, vision, and the eyes. Liver stagnation or hyper-activity can lead to extreme emotional states. A healthy Liver transforms potentially repressed emotions into true, reliable emotions. The Liver’s emotion is Anger. Read More…