Habit

Habit

Habits are formed by first consciously thinking, and then unconsciously acting. But few realize that when one consciously thinks, something must happen to his thoughts. What one thinks today will tomorrow be a part of his memory: and since memory is active, what he thinks to-day as a conscious thought will to-morrow be submerged but active thought.

This is how a habit is formed: first it is a desire, then comes the expression of this desire, then the desire becomes subjective and the subconscious action of thought causes it to be performed automatically. First, we control thought, then thought controls us.

Constant repetition gradually forms such a thought force on the subjective side of life that the very force created, in its turn, controls the one who created it. How careful we should be about what we let down into the deeper currents of mentality! All habits are formed in much the same way; they are at first conscious; then they become unconscious or subconscious. A person may create such a strong desire that it will compel him to put it into execution; this is called mania.

The Atmosphere of Places

As all people have a mental atmosphere, so do all places; and as the atmosphere of people is the result of their thoughts, so the atmosphere of places is the result of the thoughts that have been created in them. Places are permeated with the thoughts of the people who inhabit them; in this way, mental atmospheres are created and may be easily felt by those contacting them.

How often we have had the experience of going into a place, only to feel that we were not wanted, and became so disturbed that we wished immediately to leave. How often, on the other hand, we have gone into a place where we felt such a warmth and inner glow that we wished to remain. This is the result of the mental atmosphere surrounding the place or room...

The atmosphere of a desert is wonderful, for it is free from the thoughts of men's confusion and fear, and so is a place of great peace. Here, indeed, away from the haunts of men's terrible struggles, quiet may be found and peace regained. It is the same with the mountains, the lakes, and the trackless deep. This is what we love about Nature; her marvelous calm and deep peace; for she speaks to us and tells of a life undisturbed by the strife of man. She does, indeed, bear a message from on High, and happy is the one who can talk to her and learn from her, for she is wonderful and filled with light.

Even the slightest things seem to be possessed of a soul, or subjective atmosphere. How often we see a familiar coat or hat hanging on a peg, while in it we seem to see the person who wears it; it seems to look like him, and so it does, for it retains the emanation of his atmosphere, and really is permeated with his personalty. Everything has an atmosphere which we sense and to which we react accordingly; if it is pleasant we like it, and if unpleasant we dislike it.

The Science of Mind (1926 edition),

Ernest Holmes

Introducing Biochemic Medicine

Introducing Biochemic Medicine

Biochemic medicine, also known as Mineral, Cell Salt or Tissue Salt Therapy, is a natural, non-toxic approach to wellness, which was originated towards the end of the 19th century, pioneered by the German Physician and Biochemist, Dr. Wilhelm Henrich Schussler.  Dr. Schussler’s Biochemic theory was originally based upon the German scientist, Rudolph Virchow’s definition of disease.  Virchow, who is often considered as the father of pathology, in a lecture that was published as, “Virchow’s Cellular Pathology, demonstrated the fact that disease is caused by altered cell shape and function. 

The body is made up of cells.  A collection of cells build up tissues that in turn form the organs in the body, such as the liver, the heart, the kidneys and more.  A collection of organs make up the different systems in the body, such as the digestive, cardiovascular, the endocrine and the nervous system. 

Each individual cell in our body is composed of organic material, as well as inorganic substances.  The organic components of the cells include lipids and proteins that make up the cell membrane, plus, Nucleic Acid, Carbohydrates and more, making up the protoplasm or the living part of the cell.

The inorganic components of the cells include water, which makes up about 90% of the protoplasm of the cells, plus substances and compounds including minerals essential for proper cell growth or metabolism, and micronutrients called trace elements required in minute quantities for cellular growth and development, such as Chromium, Cobalt, Selenium, Zinc and more.

By burning the human body and analyzing the ashes, Dr. Schussler was able to identify 12 main minerals salts or cell salts that build up the human body.  He theorized that the correct quantity, distribution and balance of the molecular motion of these tissue salts and the water content in our body is critical to normal cellular activity and wellness.  Any deficiency or disturbance in the equilibrium or distribution of these minerals can result in abnormalities or illness.  According to Dr. Schussler’s Biochemic system of medicine, providing the cells with the deficient minerals or cell salts results in healthy cells, healthy tissues and in turn healthy organs and systems, thereby restoring wellness.

The system responsible to carry the minerals and other nutrients to the cells is the circulatory system.  When the blood contains the proper amount of water and inorganic salts, the cells receive the needed nutrition to achieve and maintain normal function.  A deficiency of one or more of the essential inorganic mineral salts in the blood can result in altered or abnormal conditions such as pain, fever, spasm, cramps or any other form the body crying for help.

The Biochemic Mineral salts are prepared by dilution, into small or minute sized molecules that can enter or be absorbed into the cells by easily passing through the cell membrane.  The smaller the particles of a medicine, the less physical resistance there is in their diffusion into the tissues.   As Dr. Schussler himself quoted, “The inorganic substances in the blood and the tissues are sufficient to heal all diseases which are curable.

Stress, worry, poor nutrition, food preservatives, dehydration, and environmental toxins such as pesticides, in addition to other factors in the modern day lifestyle, contribute to mineral deficiency and altered cell function in the body.  Experiments show that in the absence of proper proportion of Sodium, Potassium and Calcium, the tissue salts disintegrate, causing mineral deficiency and a rapid degeneration of the protoplasm.

While the cell structure itself does not contain any of the salts, their proper proportion within the cells and the interstitial fluid surrounding the cells is crucial to the health and the maintenance of a stable metabolism within the cells.

In order to paint a big picture of the mechanism of action the Biochemic Tissue Salts in the body, let us examine and trace the action of perhaps the most abundant of all the salts in nature, the common table salt, Sodium Chloride or Natrum Muriaticum. 

Natrum Muriaticum is one of the most prominent substances found in the blood plasma and it’s considered as the chief regulator of the osmotic pressure between the cells and the surrounding fluid filled space.  Among the many actions of this cell salt is the proper distribution of water throughout the body, making it the treatment of choice for water retention.

There needs to be a balance or equilibrium in the water content found in the space within the cell, and the interstitial fluid or the space that surrounds the cell.  In case of mineral deficiency within the cell, excess water can build up in the space outside the cell, or the interstitial fluid, causing water retention.  A common example is water retention in the belly, which is caused by an improper distribution of water throughout the body.  The excess buildup of water outside of the cell can also result in cell dehydration. 

Naturally, water tends to move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.  The area inside the cell is separated from the outside fluid by the cell membrane.  The minute amounts of the cell salt Natrum Muriaticum, when taken according to Dr. Schussler’s preparation, penetrate the cell by passing through the cell membrane and triggering the osmotic process of water distribution. 

As the salt enters the cells, it lowers the water concentration within the cells.  This allows the excess water in a higher concentration outside the cells to rush into the area of now lowered water concentration inside of the cells, thereby hydrating the cells and evenly distributing the water content in the body.

Another example is the mechanism of action of the cell salts in the electrical conduction or the electrical activity in the nervous system.  Sodium and Potassium play a crucial role in conducting electrical activity throughout the nerves.  A Sodium/Potassium pump located in the cell membrane of the nerve cells regulates the in and out motion of Sodium and Potassium changing the electrical charge that is created by Sodium and Potassium across the cell membrane.  As the electrical charge changes, electrical activity is carried out throughout the nerve.  In addition to their many actions throughout the body, the cell salts Potassium Phosphate or Kali Phos, and Natrum Phosphate or Nat. Phos., help improve nerve activity.

The body is made up of 4 different types of tissues:

Epithelial Tissue

Connective Tissue

Nerve Tissue

Muscle Tissue

Every part of our body is made up of one or more of these tissue types.  Certain combinations of Tissue Salts found in proper proportions in the body, make up healthy tissues.  For example, the principal inorganic material found in Nerve Cells is Magnesium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate and Iron Phosphate.  The muscle cells contain the same salts in addition to Potassium Chloride. 

The cell salt Calcarea Phosphorica makes up about 60% of the bones.  It functions in cell growth and also intensifies the effect of the other salts.  It is an excellent choice in prevention of bone disease.

The cell salt Natrum Phosphoricum or Sodium Phosphate is a powerful neutralizer of the acidity in the body.  Acidic environment in the body can result in a decrease in Enzyme production as well as buildup of Lactic Acid in muscles and joints.  Acidosis or buildup of Lactic Acid in the joints is one of the leading causes of Arthritis and Osteoporosis.  Excess acid may also be precipitated in the form of crystals, salts, Gall and kidney stones.  Acidosis can also create a welcoming environment for parasites and viruses.  By neutralizing the acidity of the body, Natrum Phosphoricum can help to create a healthy neutral or slightly alkaline environment in the body and it’s an excellent complement to Enzyme and Probiotic therapy.

Another highly beneficial salt is Ferrum Phosphoricum or Iron Phosphate.  Ferrum Phos. is often used by athletes.  It’s especially effective in reducing inflammation during exercise and recovery time after exercise.  It’s also highly effective in treating the symptoms of cold and flu.

The cell salt Silicae as in all the other cell salts has multiple indications and functions, depending on the frequency and duration of the treatment.  At certain potencies, Silicae is the medicine of choice for healthy hair, nails and skin, while in other potencies it can help with sleep and mental concentration.

The potency of the cell salts are determined by the number of time they are diluted.  The mineral substances in diluted form can easily penetrate and pass through the cell membrane and enter the cells.  Favorable results are achieved with only minute amounts of cell salts.  Just enough needed to supply the mineral deficiency at the molecular and cellular level without leaving any excess residue, making the treatment safe, effective and non-toxic.

The dosage of the cell salts is not so much depended upon the number of tablets used, as much as it is to the number of times the dose is repeated, the time interval between the repetitions, and the duration of the treatment.  In other words, in addition to the potency of the medicine, the proper treatment of different conditions is depended upon the frequency and the duration the treatment.

Cell salts often come in the form of quickly dissolvable tablets, placed sublingually or under the tongue, and are absorbed in an osmotic fashion, through the capillaries, into the blood stream. 

Many other nutrients and mineral have been identified as essential in enhancing and improving cell function.  Among them are inorganic micronutrients collectively known as Trace Elements.  Some examples of Trace elements listed in the periodic table include Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Selenium and Zinc.  Trace element deficiencies can affect the body at a mental as well as at a physical level.  For example, a deficiency of Cobalt found in Vitamin B12 can cause pernicious anemia, weight loss fatigue, anxiety, memory loss and mood swings.  Cobaltum Metallicum is known to be especially effective in the treatment of mood swings.  Selenium among other things can be effective in the treatment of hair loss and impotence, and Chromium can help treat digestive problems and loss of appetite.

It is just as important to provide mineral deficiencies as it is to ensure proper absorption of minerals from food in order to prevent deficiencies from occurring in the first place.  Proper diet, Enzyme supplementation and stress management can help decrease or prevent mineral deficiencies.

Biochemic medicine is a natural, safe and non-toxic form of medicine that helps promote and maintain proper cell function.  It is non-addictive, with no contraindications, and the mineral cell salts can be taken simultaneously and in conjunction to any other type of treatment.  Biochemic medicine is well established in Germany where it was first originated, as well as throughout Europe and Australia.

Dr. Farzad Farahmand

From a good website on health and healing…

https://www.illnesstowellness.com/

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Twelve

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Twelve

Getting to the Five Elements

Things manifest from an energetic Source or Mystery of Nature that is unseen, vast, and living. This Source is undifferentiated. In order for things to appear, first something “triggers” this Source to differentiate out Yin and Yang. From Yin and Yang, all things further differentiate into the Five Elements. From the Five Elements, manifestations arise in keeping with a variety of cycles.

Yin and Yang are the fundamental energies from which everything else arises. At the extreme (maximum), Yang turns into Yin, and Yin will transform into Yang. Night becomes day, day becomes night. Winter becomes Summer, Summer becomes Winter.  

The constant dance of Yin and Yang creates an overall balance. This natural order, reflected in the Universe around us and the Universe that is us.

A further division of Yin and Yang shows us four seasons and Yin-Yang balance within them (Summer and Winter, Spring and Fall). Each season corresponds to an element. We come to Five Seasons or the Five Elements by adding in Late Summer.

The “Creation cycle” flows in the same order as the cycle of the Seasons…Fire creates Earth, Earth creates Metal, Metal creates Water, Water creates Wood, Wood creates Fire.

The Creation cycle shows us how each Element nurtures the next Element. In this cycle, the Elements are encouraged to grow and expand. The Creation cycle is also referred to as the “Mother-Child” cycle. For example, Wood is the mother of Fire as Wood is the fuel of Fire, thus helping Fire to burn and grow. Using the seasons to help our understanding, winter becomes spring could be imagined as winter is the Mother of spring, or winter creates spring. And spring creates summer, summer creates late summer, and so forth.

Opposite in nature from the Creation cycle, the Consolidation cycle limits the growth or expansion of the Elements. This cycle is sometimes referred to as the Grandparent cycle…Fire limits Metal, Metal limits Wood, Wood limits Earth, Earth limits Water, Water limits Fire.

Putting these two cycles together produces the “Creation and Consolidation cycle.”

Here we see how balance is maintained through the relationships of the Five Elements. Expansion and growth are Yang attributes compared to Yin reduction and consolidation. When Yin and Yang are harmonized, moving, and balancing each other, all of the five Elements remain harmonious as well.

It is easy to see that if just one Element grows too large or too small, the balance of the whole system is thrown off. From this point of view, there is no difference between the energetics of the Elements and the energetics of the Organs, the meridians, and the associations with the Organ.

How can we support the balance of these Five Elements? By working with the QI in the meridians and Organs.

The physical body is a manifestation of energy. Organ systems are “crossroads” between the physical body and the energy that manifests, animates, sustains, and transforms the body. Much more than simple physical “things,” Organs in Chinese medicine are webs of energetic and physical phenomena. Again, to emphasize the difference between the physical-body organ and these energy systems, we capitalize the word “Organ” when referring to an Organ system from the Chinese perspective.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Eleven

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Eleven

The Five Elements or Transformations

Conceptually it is helpful to think of the five Elements as five seasons. Five in this context is confusing as we recognize four seasons. It is said that there are “four seasons and five elements” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine). By adding “Late Summer” – that time between summer and fall that can be warm and humid – we get five seasons and Five Elements.

Notice that each season has certain characteristics that we can count on. We know it’s going to be cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Things sprout in spring and leaves drop in the fall. The seasons are identifiable even though we are constantly cycling through them. This is how to understand the Five Elements.

Each element is recognizable, but not a stagnant “thing” unto itself. Because of the cycling through the Elements by season, these are often referred to as “transformations.” Humans as the microcosmic reflection of a macrocosmic Universe have these same Five Elements within us.

Every Organ system is associated with a particular Element, as are tastes, colours, seasons, emotions, and more. The table below outlines key associations to know about each Element…

Fire

Season: Summer

Direction: South

Color: Red

Environment: Hot

Taste: Bitter

Emotion: Joy

Organs: Heart; Small Intestine

Sense Organ: Tongue

Bodily Tissue: Blood vessel

Earth

Season: Late summer

Direction: Center/Middle

Color: Yellow

Environment: Damp

Taste: Sweet

Emotion: Worry

Organs: Spleen; Stomach

Sense Organ: Mouth

Bodily Tissue: Muscles

Metal

Season: Fall

Direction: West

Color: White

Environment: Dry

Taste: Pungent

Emotion: Grief

Organs: Lung; Large Intestine

Sense Organ: Nose

Bodily Tissue: Body hair

Water

Season: Winter

Direction: North

Color: Black

Environment: Cold

Taste: Salty

Emotion: Fear

Organs: Kidneys; Urinary Bladder

Sense Organ: Ear

Bodily Tissue: Bone

Wood

Season: Spring

Direction: East

Color: Green

Environment: Windy

Taste: Sour

Emotion: Anger

Organs: Liver; Gallbladder

Sense Organ: Eye

Bodily Tissue: Tendons

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Ten

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Ten

Four Building Blocks continued…

3) QI

There is a famous axiom: “Qi is the Commander of Blood, and Blood is the Mother of Qi.” Qi is Yang in relationship to Yin Blood. Qi is our energy that flows through the meridians and Organs.

Qi is denser than Shen on a continuum from immaterial to material. Qi is “coarser” and more immediately felt than Shen.

Qi relies on Blood for a place to “live.” I imagine Blood as the “body of Qi.” Without Blood, Qi has no place to land, no substance to keep it firmly held, no form. Qi moves the Blood through the vessels and meridians. Qi is spoken of as the force of the Blood – want could that mean? Think of the power of the heart contraction to move the blood. What is the “power?” it is Qi. Qi enlivens us, keeps us warm, stimulates all functions in the body.

4) Blood

Consider again the famous axiom: “Qi is the Commander of Blood, and Blood is the mother of Qi?” This is an important concept to understand. Blood is material, Yin, nourishing, and essential to life. Qi is energetic, Yang, moving, and essential to life. Thinking along the continuum of material to immaterial, we can conceive of Blood as the material aspect of Qi, or Qi as the immaterial aspect of Blood.

Blood is liquid, lubricating, moist. These Yin qualities of Blood ensure the flexibility and ease of movement of our bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The interdependency of these two is the central message of the axiom.

Notice that Blood is capitalized here to signify that in this context Blood includes what we know as blood and more – just like with Organ and organ. Blood includes nurturing, lubricating, energetic quality of the physical manifestation.

The Blood provides the material, the vessel, for the Qi to “swim” in. Without Blood, Qi has no place to reside and will drift away. Feel the similarity here to the Spirit (Yang) needing the Body (Yin) to reside in.

The Blood will not stay in the vessels, nor can it move, without the presence of Qi. Qi is the force that moves Blood. Think of the Heart pumping the blood, the Qi is the “pump” of the blood. Without Qi and Blood there is no life.

Although there is constant reference to Qi, we must always keep in mind the essential substance of Blood.

Blood is created from Essence combined with Qi. The Spleen is an essential player in the quality and quantity of Blood as it must absorb Qi and nutrients from the food we eat. The Heart governs the Blood and the blood vessels. The Liver stores the Blood at night. The Blood is Yin compared to Qi. At night, the Blood nourishes us and provides the resting place for Qi and the Mind. If the Blood is not plentiful, our sleep is restless; our Mind has no place to rest.

Women naturally have more Blood than men, who naturally have more Qi than women. This reflects the Yin nature of women and Yang nature of men. It does not say that women have no Qi or that men have no Blood, it speaks to relative balance. Indeed, balance for everyone includes the individual’s balance of Yin and Yang, masculine and feminine, Blood and Qi, etc.

These four are one…although treated as separate “things,” Shen, Essence, Qi, and Blood are all manifestations of the same “thing.” This singular “thing” is a thread of the Mysterious Source of Nature from which everything arises.

From immaterial to material…Shen – Qi – Blood – Essence

These four aspects are also Yang and Yin as shown below…

Yang

Shen, Qi

Yin

Essence, Blood

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Nine

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Nine

Four Building Blocks

All cultures ponder the same human organism. Yet we all come up with different ideas of what we are, why we are here. How our body is structured, and how it functions. Within the framework of Chinese medicine, Shen, Essence, Qi, and Blood can be thought of as four foundational aspects or “building blocks” of a human being.

In this worldview, Nature holds the Mystery of where we come from, what we are made of, and our purpose as individuals and as a species. It includes plants, animals, and bugs as well as space, time, the universe, gravity, and more. It is seen in the various manifestations of life. It is unseen as the originator of all life.

From this Nature, all things arise and one day return. Out of the unseen aspect of Nature spring Yin and Yang. From that essential duality of interdependent forces comes everything, including humans. Humans are a precious combination of Yin and Yang, endowed with Shen, Essence, Qi, and Blood.

1) Shen

Shen is often translated as “Spirit.” It is immaterial and eternal. Shen is consciousness in our broadest sense of the term, it is the highest “ideal” of ourselves. When we are asked to rise to an occasion and we see ourselves acting in ways that are virtuous beyond our everyday activity, we our sensing our Shen and acting from it.

We get a glimpse of how we can really be, of what we aspire in our heart of hearts to become. Shen is always a part of us, always present even though we may not be in conscious contact with this aspect of ourselves. Shen is that in us which is closest to the unseen Mystery of Nature. It is our own little “spark of star dust,” our scaled-down expression of the vast unseen Mystery of Nature.

Shen is Yang (energetic, immaterial) in relationship to Essence, which is Yin (material, dense). Shen and Essence are an essential Yin-Yang pair within the human.

2) Essence

At conception we get our Essence. In the West, we say that at conception we get our DNA – half from the egg, half from the sperm.

Essence is the most “material” or densest form of the unseen Mystery of Nature that we have. It is the “drop” of something from nothing that is the basis of our creation. From the Essence we build our Blood and Qi. From the Blood and Qi, we build our physical form. This is why Essence is so precious: It is the basis of our physical life.

It is challenging to sense Essence as material. It is not material in the way that a counter top is. It is material in relationship to Shen.

What is DNA? A molecule. What is a molecule? How do we become physical in the Western view? DNA drives every cellular program. How did the donut and coffee we ate for breakfast become new muscle fiber after our workout? Digestion breaks down and sends the nutrient to the cell. DNA directs the formation of proteins from amino acids. Recall DNA and RNA and building the strands of protein. Sometimes the repetition of this story makes it seem that DNA is somehow solid and “real.” Yet DNA is a molecule – not so solid after all.

Essence is denser than Spirit – yet not a solid material “thing.” These are different stories for the same phenomenon. We have a set amount of Essence from conception. When that Essence runs out, so does our physical life. When the physical life ends, the Shen departs. The quality of Essence is reflected in our general constitution. You assess this when you evaluate an individual as lively, dull, smart, healthy, tired, weak, strong, etc.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Eight

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Eight

Body Structure, Organ Systems, and Meridians

An organ is considered to be a complete system that includes the physical organ, its associated meridian , tissue, Element, body area, sense organ, taste, season, colour, sound, two-hour time period within the twenty-four hours of a day, and emotion. Because this idea of an organ is so vastly different than that of Western science, when referring to organs in Chinese medicine, the terms are capitalized. For example, when referring to the kidney organ system, Chinese medicine would write “Kidney” rather than “kidney.”

Chinese anatomy includes all of the muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, etc. at the center of Chinese anatomy are the meridians. Meridians are part of the web of Organ systems. Organ systems are associated with a particular type of Qi and with each Organ. There is no separation between the physical organ and its Qi.

Think of a friend of yours. When you think of this person, you actually consider many things about them – their physical body, whom they might be in a relationship with, their job, their general outlook on life, the sound of their voice, colour of their skin, their family, where they live – all of these things are combined together in your sense of this person. This way of thinking is systemic. You are able to hold many types of information about a single person all at once – it just makes sense.

We must develop this kind of sense of Organ systems in order to understand the body as viewed by Chinese medicine. In this way, when you think of Kidney, you will immediately consider the kidney organs, bones, low back area, the Kidney and Bladder meridians, water, winter, ears, fear, salty, groaning, blue, black, all at the same time – simple!

Later we will explore each Organ system in detail. For now, the goal is to open your mind to the notion of Qi, Energy, as being the basis from which the body manifests. The brilliance of this system of medicine is how it fully incorporates Qi into its understanding of health, illness, and recovery.

By observing Nature, we are able to attune ourselves to the same body of knowledge that the ancients pondered in order to synthesize this medicine. We benefit directly from their dedication and skill as we enter into our own study of Meridian Massage. We honour the knowledge that has been passed down and preserved by so many compassionate practitioners as we persevere in our study of this brilliant health system and well-being today.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Seven

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Seven

Meridians are pathways of “healthy” Qi as well as pathways for pathogens (“evil” or “pathogenic” Qi).

Wind is a common pathogen that can enter a meridian that is lacking in Qi. Once the Wind enters, it will travel along the pathway of the meridian. Clients will often trace the path of the meridian as they describe where their pain is. Following the path of their concern is one way we access which meridian is affected.

This is similar to the Western notion of referred pain patterns.

Therapists use their knowledge of meridian pathways to access the condition and treat it. By specifically focusing on the meridian, the therapist moves the Wind out of the meridian to make space for the return of healthy Qi. To accomplish this, the therapist will work with the whole meridian, with specific points on that meridian, and with points on other meridians associated with the issue.

For example, Wind in the Gallbladder meridian may arise as a pattern of pain from the hip and down the outside of the same leg. In Western medicine this condition may be termed “sciatica.” Chinese medicine may classify it as Wind blocking the Gallbladder meridian. To resolve this pain we would massage specific points on the Gallbladder meridian to encourage the release of Wind out of the meridian and the return of flowing Qi. When the Wind is released and the Qi is once again flowing, the “sciatica” pain will disappear.

Meridian Massage

What is Meridian massage actually doing? When you realize that a meridian is not really a “thing” but a pathway for energy, it is kind of funny to consider massaging one. Thousands of years ago meridians were somehow discovered and mapped out. The course of time has proven the reality of meridians and Qi, and the wisdom of working with them.

Meridians and points can be treated in many different ways. Chinese medicine uses needles, massage, herbs, exercise, moxibustion (heat), cupping, meditation, and diet and lifestyle adjustments to affect the Qi in the meridians.

Meridian Massage is not a formal method of Chinese medicine. It is a modern hands-on approach to working with the Qi. When we “massage” meridians, we are focusing on the energy, the Qi of our client. The ultimate intention of Meridian Massage is to support abundant, free-flowing, harmonized Qi. Abundant, free-flowing, and harmonized Qi is the energetic basis of physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.

Using the meridians as pathways, we support our clients’ increased awareness of their inner worlds and Qi. It is within this inner world that each of us “meets our self.” These meetings, or meeting points, provide the possibility for integrating Yin and Yang, right brain and left brain, conscious and unconscious, masculine and feminine, body and mind, form and formless. As our energies are literally unblocked and reconnected with each other, our Qi flows, the Organs are nourished and function optimally. We enjoy vitality, energy, strength, and flexibility in our body-mind-emotions-spirit.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Six

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Six

Meridians

Qi flows through the body within meridians. These meridians cannot be seen, just as Qi itself cannot be seen. However, the meridians are located in anatomically precise lines throughout the body. Qi is stored, transformed, and released by Organs. Every meridian is rooted to an organ…

Along the meridians are specific points. These points are located in reference to precise anatomical landmarks. The points are places along a meridian where the Qi is more readily accessed, where it can be “treated” or contacted in order to support its return to balanced flow. Just as we access a river at certain places along its path, we contact Qi at certain places along a meridian. These specific places where Qi can be accessed on a meridian are called “points” or “acupoints.”

Originally the points were named. There are hundreds of regular points and many more “extra” points. Extra points are not located exactly on a meridian – many were identified after the original meridian map and points were settled on. In the West, points are referred to by numbers rather than names…

As long as Qi is plentiful and flowing through all of the meridians, life is also balanced, harmonious, and joyous. Practitioners can utilize the flow of Qi in the meridians and at the points to directly support the rebalancing of Qi to resolve the root of physical ailments.

Qi flows both superficially, along the skin, and deep within every cell of the body. Meridians have internal pathways and external pathways…

Internal pathways connect to the Organ associated with the meridian. For example, the internal pathway of the Lung meridian connects with the physical lung organ. It also connects with the large intestine organ, which is the Yang pair of the Lung meridian.

The internal pathways often solve the riddle of many effects that do not necessarily make sense if we base our thinking on only the external pathways of the meridians those effects are attributed to. Qi is delivered to every cell of the body along a web of meridian pathways…

Each meridian, or channel, is part of a web that includes all other meridians, and all their internal pathways. Meridians are “roads” of connection between organs, tissues, and other meridians, as well as pathways for the movement of Qi and blood throughout the entire system.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Five

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Five

Harmony

Harmonious energy gives rise to harmonious manifestations. Disharmonious energy gives rise to disorganized physical manifestations. Disorganized physical manifestations within a human body are referred to as symptoms and/or diseases. Chinese medicine seeks to harmonize the energetic foundation in order to alleviate disease/symptoms and support a healthy, vital, long life.

To be in harmony means to be in communication, in communion, in a constantly flowing mutually respectful and joyful relationship of yielding and instigating, rising and falling, giving and taking. Harmony among fifty players in an orchestra is reflected in the harmony of their music. Harmony between our organs, cells, and meridians is reflected in the harmonious expression of our joyful, flowing, healthy life.

Get Me Some Harmony

The avenues of balancing and harmonizing energy, or Qi, from Classical Chinese medicine are many and include meditation, diet, lifestyle, physical exercise such as Qi Gong or Tai Chi, herbal medicine, massage, and acupuncture. Meridian Massage is one of many methods of harmonizing the flow of Qi.

Each body, from the Chinese medical perspective, is a combination of Yin and Yang – of the Sky above us and the Earth below us – enlivened with Qi. Because Qi is the energetic source of our life and manifestation, it is the most logical place to attend to in order to sort out problems with the body. If we only address the physical body, the manifestation, we may never get to the root of the problem located in the Qi.

What is the Nature of Qi

Qi moves, flows, changes. The ever changing nature of Qi is reflected or referenced by the ever changing flow of Yin and Yang. We and our world are always changing. Have you noticed the change in season, in time, the temperature, your appetite, your thirst, your energy this week? Even if you have not noticed, it has all changed.

We could say that Yin overtook Yang yesterday and night fell. We can say the Yang overtook Yin this morning as the Sun rose. Perhaps you can reflect that your Yang Qi was plentiful as you energetically sprang out of bed this morning. And later tonight, as you go with the flow of nature, when Yin once again takes over Yang at night, your Yin will expand as Yang decreases easily and you drop into a restful, quiet sleep.

Mind and Body

We think of minds as invisible, as not part of the body. But within this framework, mind and body are not separate – they are different densities of Qi. So, mental and emotional disharmonies also have their roots in stuck or disorganized Qi.

Mind is associated with the Sky, vast, above, immaterial, Yang. Body is associated with the Earth, dense, formed, below, and Yin. Sky and Earth combine, Yin and Yang mingle, to create a human life. We are infused with these energies and so are in relation to them, even when we are not consciously aware of them. Qi energizes us, flows through us, takes on many different forms within us. Again and again, we move our thinking into a more “right brain,” systemic, fluid, all-encompassing type of understanding.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Four

Introduction to Chinese Medicine, Four

QI

Qi (“chee”) is another fundamental part of Chinese medicine. Qi is the energy of life. Qi enlivens everything. Without Qi, there is no life.

Qi is formless. Qi is the formless, unseen energy that animates every form. When Qi is abundant and flowing, the form that it animates reflects that energetic balance. When Qi is stagnant, excessive, or deficient, the form that it animates reflects this energetic imbalance.

Why do we need to understand the formless? Because manifestation arises from the formless Qi. In practicing our medicine, if we attend only to the form and not to the underlying Qi, we will never really “cure” the condition.

For example, a person diagnosed with high blood pressure, TMJ syndrome, and sciatica is prescribed a different medication for each condition. Additionally, they are working with a therapist to address their short, volcanic temper. Each of these four symptoms is a manifestation of an energetic disharmony that is easily identifiable within Chinese medicine. Rather than chasing four conditions with four medications, we could attend to the dynamics of the Wood Qi of this person. Working with specific meridians and points we can support the flow of Qi and the return to balance of Yin and Yang. With the restoring of harmony to the underlying energetic system, all four manifestations dissipate and the client has new resources to draw from as their life unfolds.

That an underlying Energy becomes manifested physically is one of the most challenging concepts for western minds to grasp, understand, and know as a simple reality. To grasp this medicine, we must appreciate the movement from the formless to the formed as simply as we appreciate that apples fall from trees because of gravity.

Our challenge as ordinary humans who rely so heavily on our five senses to experience the world around us is to grasp the notions of Qi and Yin and Yang. If we are to practice Meridian Massage and understand Chinese medicine, we must set ourselves to the task of breaking through the limits of our senses and our intellects in order to know deeply in our cells that physical manifestation arises from an energetic basis. The state of that energetic basis will be reflected in the physical manifestation of our body.

Meridian Massage,

Cindy Black