Organs Of The Ether Meridian

Lung: Metal-energy yin organ

Known as the 'Prime Minister', the lungs control breath and energy and assist the 'King' heart with the circulation of blood. The Internal Medicine Classic states: 'Energy is the commander of blood when energy mo!es, blood follows. "lood is the mother of energy where blood goes, energy follows.' This intimate relationshi# between breath and #ulse, blood and energy, is the basis of Chinese breathing e$ercises. "reathing controls cellular res#iration, and shallow irregular breathing is therefore a ma%or cause of low !itality and insufficient metabolism. The lungs also control the s&in, which 'breathes' !ia the o#ening and closing of #ores and is res#onsible for ad%usting body tem#erature through #ers#iration and shi!ering. The s&in is where the radiant energy of resistance emanates, forming the first line of defense against no$ious en!ironmental energies such as heat and cold. 'lu and the common cold are caused by im#airment of radiant s&in energy's ca#acity to resist e$ternal in!asion, and sym#toms of these diseases usually settle in the lungs and bronchial tract. Pallid s&in and #oor com#le$ion are common indications of wea& lungs. The nose is the e$ternal a#erture of the lungs and the gate of breath. ( clogged or runny nose is another indicator of ailing lungs. "reathing directly controls the autonomous ner!ous system, and this relationshi# is the basis for almost e!ery system of yoga and meditation. "y regulating the autonomous ner!ous system and go!erning energy and #ulse, breathing forms a direct bridge between body and mind and may be utili)ed to &ee# the two in balance.

Lung
Paired *rgan : +arge Intestine Color : #ure white Pea& ,ours : -am./am Physical "ranches : nose, s&in, body hair, mucus 'unctions : acce#ts #ure fluids from s#leen, which are then mi$ed with air, and circulated through the meridians, circulates 0ei 1i

+oo&ing at the branches of a tree it can be seen that each larger branch s#lits in two. Each smaller branch then s#lits in two, and so and so on until the branches become lea!es. Each leaf, then, begins with a single !ein, then s#lits, by two, into smaller and smaller !eins, until they reach the indi!idual cells are e$#osed to the air. This is the same way the lungs are formed. E!en more interesting is the relationshi# between trees and humans. Plants breathe in C*2 and breathe out *2, while humans and animals breathe in *2 and breathe out C*2. Thus trees can be considered, the lungs of the earth.

Lungs: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

It is said that the +ungs are 3the #riest3 or The Minister of ,ea!en and are res#onsible for establishing the foundation of 1i for the entire body. The +ungs house the body's 4e!en Cor#oreal 4ouls 5Po6 and are res#onsible for self.#rotection and self.#reser!ation. The +ungs #ositi!e #sycho.emotional attributes are righteousness, dignity, integrity, and high self.esteem their negati!e attributes are disa##ointment, sadness, grief, des#air, an$iety, shame, and sorrow.

The Lung Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

The lung channel begins dee# in the solar #le$us region 5middle burner6 and descends to meet the large intestine. 0inding u# #ast the stomach, it crosses the dia#hragm, di!ides, and enters the lungs. It then re.unites, #asses u# the middle of the wind#i#e to the throat and di!ides again, surfacing in the hollow region near the front of the shoulder 5+7.86. 'rom here it #asses o!er the shoulder and down the anterior 5front6 as#ect of the arm along the outer border of the bice#s muscle. It reaches the outside of the bice#s tendon in the elbow crease 5+7./6, and continues down the forearm to the wrist %ust abo!e the base of the thumb 5+7.96. The channel crosses the height of the thumb muscle to finish at the corner of the thumbnail.

nternal Tra!ectories of the Lung Meridian

The +ing 4hu describes the internal tra%ectories of the lung meridian thus: The !essel of the lungs, hand tai yin, starts at the middle warmer. It comes down and then s#irally wra#s the large intestine. It then returns to and circles the entrance of the stomach, coming u#, and #ermeates the lungs, then going to and coming out at the sides.

0e may inter#ret this descri#tion in the following manner: The starting #lace is seen as C:.82 5middle of the stomach6: from here it #asses to C:.8; 5e$it of the stomach6, then u# to C:.8- 5entrance of the stomach6 then down to C:.9 5di!iding #lace of water6. <e$t it trans!erses the lower #art of the large intestine, by way of the greater omentum or #ossibly the mesenterial folds, following the length of the large intestine and s#irally wra##ing it until it reaches the rectum. 'rom here it returns to C:.8-, then #asses u# to the lungs, #ermeating the lungs. It then follows the 'su##orter of the lungs, the bronchii and trachea, to #ass out to the surface at +7.83. 0e can also !iew the first stages of the meridian as a s#iral from a three.dimensional #ers#ecti!e:

Large intestine: Metal-energy yang organ

The large intestine is called the 'Minister of Trans#ortation'. It controls the transformation of digesti!e wastes from li=uid to solid state and trans#orts the solids onwards and outwards for e$cretion through the rectum. It #lays a ma%or role in the balance and #urity of bodily fluids and assists the lungs in controlling the s&in's #ores and #ers#iration. Cou#led with the lungs by Metal energy, the large intestine de#ends on the lungs for mo!ement !ia the e$#ansion and contraction of the dia#hragm, which wor&s li&e a #um# to gi!e im#etus to #eristalsis by regulating abdominal #ressure. Thus sluggish bowels may be stimulated and consti#ation cured by dee# dia#hragmic breathing and by tonifying lung energy. Con!ersely, congested lungs and clogged bronchial #assages may be cleared by #urging the bowels.

Large ntestine
Paired *rgan: +ungs Color: off.white Pea& ,ours: /am.>am Physical "ranches: nose, s&in, body hair, mucus 'unctions: absor#tion of fluids, elimination of solid wastes

Large ntestine: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The +arge Intestine relationshi# to the +ungs ma&es it e=ually affected by the emotions of sadness, grief, and worry. (n energetic imbalance in the +arge Intestine can result in #hysical wea&ness and #ro!o&e emotional intro!ersion, accom#anied by feelings of de#ression, irritability, discouragement, distress and a#athy. 4trong emotions of fear or #anic can #roduce an energetic.stool refle$ reaction in the +arge Intestine resulting in a s#ontaneous defecation.

The Large ntestine Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories
The large intestine channel begins by the outside corner of the inde$ fingernail. It runs along the edge of the finger, between the two tendons of the thumb at the wrist %oint 5+I. /6 and along the bony margin of the outer edge of the arm 5the radius bone6 to the elbow. The #oint +I.88 is situated at the outside of the elbow crease, which is !isible when the arm is bent. 'rom here the channel continues to the #oint +I.8/ on the outside of the shoulder muscle. It then crosses the shoulder blade and meets the go!erning !essel below the >th cer!ical !ertebrae at #oint ?:.8@. It descends internally to connect first with the lung and then the large intestine. 'rom the shoulder a branch tra!els u#ward o!er the muscle at the side of the nec& 5sterno.cleido.mastoid6 to the chee&, #assing through the lower gums, then o!er the to# li#. It terminates beside the o##osite nostril, where it lin&s to the stomach channel.

nternal Tra!ectories of the Large ntestine Meridian

The +ing 4hu describes the internal tra%ectories of the +arge Intestine meridian thus: It comes into 4T.82, down to and s#irally wra##ing the lungs, then down to the dia#hragm, and then #ermeates the large intestine.

0e may inter#ret this descri#tion in the following manner: 'rom 4T.82 the tra%ectory #asses to and s#irally wra#s the lungs then, following the aorta, it #asses downward through the dia#hragm. ,ere it s#lits to #ermeate the large intestine. 4e!eral commentators, including ,ua 4huo, thin& that this tra%ectory in!ol!es 4T.2/.

"tomach Meridian: Earth-energy yang organ

The stomach is called the 'Minister of the Mill' and is also &nown as the '4ea of <ourishment'. "ecause it is res#onsible for #ro!iding the entire system with #ostnatal energy from the digestion of food and fluids, it is regarded as the 'Aoot of Postnatal +ife'. In addition to digesting bul& foods and fluids and mo!ing them onwards to the small intestine for e$traction and assimilation of nutrients, the stomach also e$tracts #ure #ostnatal energy from foods and fluids, and in coordination with s#leen energy it trans#orts this food energy through the meridian system to the lungs, where it combines with air energy from breathing. This is a function of the stomach not ac&nowledged in 0estern medicine, which focuses only on the biochemistry of digestion and does not recogni)e the bioenergetic as#ect. ?o!erned by #i!otal Earth energy, the stomach is res#onsible for e$tracting and balancing all fi!e elemental energies from foods and fluids ingested through the mouth, which it shares with the s#leen as its e$ternal a#erture. (ny dysfunction of the stomach results in an immediate deficiency or imbalance in the nourishing energy channeled from the stomach to other organs.

"tomach Meridian
Paired *rgan : 4#leen Color : dee# yellow Pea& ,ours : >am.9am Physical "ranches : Muscles, li#s, mouth, sali!a 'unctions digestion : absor#tion of #ostnatal energy Meridian energy : Earth Cha&ra : 'irstB "ase Cha&ra

"tomach: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The 4tomach influences the mental state an E$cess condition can agitate the mind and cause mental sym#toms such as: mania or hy#omania, confusion, se!ere an$iety, and hy#eracti!ity. The 4tomach Channel Pathway, (cu#uncture Points, and Internal Tra%ectories. 4tarting beside the nose, near +I.2;, the stomach channel meets the bladder channel at #oint "+.8 on the forehead. 'rom 4T.8, %ust below the eye, it #asses into the u##er gums and around the mouth to lin& with the go!erning and conce#tion !essels. <e$t, !ia the lower gums, it ascends in front of the ear to the forehead. 'rom the %aw it descends alongside the throat to the collarbone region, where an internal branch descends to meet the stomach and s#leen. The su#erficial #ath continues down o!er the abdomen to the #ubic area, where a second internal branch from the stomach re%oins it. The channel continues down the anterior

thigh, #assing %ust to the outside of the &neeca#. (t 4T.-C, below the &nee, the channel di!ides again. The surface branch runs down the leg beside the shinbone, ending on the outside of the second toe. The dee#er branch descends to the middle toe. 'rom the to# of the foot a connection runs to the s#leen channel.

nternal Tra!ectories Of The "tomach Meridian

The +ing 4hu tells us that at 4T.82, the 3main3 meridian #asses down along the chest and abdomen to 4T.-;, while the branch:

...#asses down to the dia#hragm 5from 4T.826, #ermeates the stomach, and s#irally wra#s the s#leen. another branch starting at the e$it of the stomach #asses down through the lining of the abdomen to 4T.-;.

Most commentaries agree with this sim#le tra%ectory, the notable e$ce#tion being the +ei Ding 5The Classic of Categories6, which tells us that the branch comes down through the lining of the abdomen to 4T.-;, comes down slightly lateral to the &idney meridian, starting at the same le!el as KI.8C.

"pleen-Pancreas: Earth-Energy #in Organ

In Chinese medicine, the function of the s#leen organ.energy system includes the #ancreas. Called the 'Minister of the ?ranary', the s#leen and #ancreas control e$traction and assimilation of nutrients from food and fluids by #ro!iding the digesti!e en)ymes and energy re=uired by the stomach and small intestine. They regulate the =uantity and =uality of blood in circulation and coordinate with the &idneys to control fluid balance throughout the system. 4#leen energy commands e$traction of energy from stomach to lungs, where it is blended with energy from air to form True ,uman Energy. The s#leen directly influences and is reflected by the tone and condition of muscle tissue. 0ea& limbs and muscular atro#hy are indications of deficient s#leen energy. 4#leen and #ancreas condition is reflected e$ternally by the color and tone of the li#s: reddish moist li#s indicate strong s#leen function #ale dry li#s are a sign of wea& s#leen function. The mouth is the s#leen's e$ternal a#erture, and tem#eramental moodiness is its associated emotion. The Chinese term for 'bad tem#er' is 'bad s#leen energy', a #sycho#hysiological association also reflected in the English term 's#lenetic'.

"pleen-Pancreas

Paired *rgan : 4tomach Color : *range yellow Pea& ,ours : 9am.88am Physical "ranches : Muscles, li#s, mouth, sali!a, lym#hatic system

'unctions : Cleanses and 'modifies' the blood Meridian energy : Earth Cha&ra : 'irstB "ase Cha&ra

"pleen: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The 4#leen houses the body's thoughts and intentions 5Ei6, and is res#onsible for analytical thin&ing, memory, cognition, intelligence, and ideas. The 4#leen is res#onsible for directing memories to the Kidneys for short.term memory storage. The Kidneys will later transfer these memories to the ,eart for long.term memory storage. The 4#leen's #ositi!e #sycho.emotional attributes are trust, honesty, o#enness, acce#tance, e=uanimity, balance, and im#artiality its negati!e attributes are worry, e$cessi!e thin&ing, #ensi!eness, obsessi!eness, remorse, regret, obsessions, and self.doubt.

The "pleen Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

"eginning on the inside ti# of the big toe, the s#leen channel follows the inner as#ect of the foot to the arch, then turns u# in front of the inner an&le to 4P.C. It continues u# the leg, %ust behind the bone, crossing the &nee and ascending the anterior thigh from the inner border of the &neeca#. 'rom the groin it enters the lower abdomen, meets the conce#tion !essel, then resurfaces briefly before #enetrating the s#leen and stomach. The main channel then ascends through the dia#hragm, o!er the chest, and crosses the lung channel at +7.8. It continues u# to the eso#hagus and under the tongue. (n inner branch from the stomach region trans#orts =i u# to the heart.

nternal Tra!ectories of the "pleen Meridian

The 4#leen !essel comes into the abdomen, #ermeates the s#leen, and s#irally wra#s the stomach, comes u# #ast the dia#hragm, surrounds the throat, ma&es contact with and dis#erses into the base of the tongue. This #assage is inter#reted to mean that the s#leen meridian rises u# the leg to 4P.82 on the abdomen, thence to 4P.8-, to C:.-, to C:.@, to 4P.8@, to 4P.8/, to C:.8;, to 4P.8C, to ?". 2@ to +:.8@, to C:.82.

There is also some suggestion of a downward connection to C:.8; from here, which would create a cyclic #attern. ?enerally, howe!er, the internal tra%ectory starts from C:.82, #asses inside to and #ermeates the s#leen, then comes to and s#irally wra#s the stomach. There it comes u# through or along the eso#hagus to the base of the tongue. 'rom this tra%ectory a branch #asses to the heart.

$eart: %ire energy yin organ

The heart is called the 'King' of the organs. The Internal Medicine Classic states: 'The heart commands all of the organs and !iscera, houses the s#irit, and controls the emotions.' In Chinese, the word for 'heart' 5shin6 is also used to denote 'mind'. 0hen the heart is strong and steady, it controls the emotions when it is wea& and wa!ering, the emotions rebel and #rey u#on the heart mind, which then loses its command o!er the body. Physiologically, the heart controls the circulation and distribution of blood, and therefore all the other organs de#end u#on it for sustenance. Thoughts and emotions influence the function of !arious organs !ia #ulse and blood #ressure, which are controlled by the heart, where emotions arise. Internally, the heart is functionally associated with the thymus gland, which is located in the same ca!ity and forms a mainstay of the immune system. E$treme emotions such as grief and anger ha!e an immediate su##ressi!e effect on the immune system by inhibiting thymus function, a #henomenon that has long been obser!ed but little understood in 0estern medicine. E$ternally, the heart is related to the tongue, to which it is connected by the heart muscle. The color and te$ture of the tongue thus reflect the condition of the heart. 4#eech im#ediments such as stuttering and mutism are often caused by dysfunction or imbalance in heart energy. 'acial com#le$ion, which is a direct reflection of blood circulation, is also a ma%or e$ternal indicator of heart function. 'ire energy ma&es the heart the dominant organ of summer, during which season the heart must increase circulation to the surface in order to dissi#ate e$cess body heat.

$eart&Mind

Paired *rgan: 4mall Intestine Color: red with slight blue tint Pea& ,ours: 88am.8#m Physical "ranches: blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial com#le$ion, adrenals, thyroid, #rostate, #ituitary 'unctions: #ulseBcirculation, house of the s#irit

$eart: Psycho Emotional Aspects

The ,eart's associated organ is the 4mall Intestine its element is 'ire. +ong.term memory, thin&ing, emotions, intimacy, cognition, intelligence, and ideas are all dominated by the function of the ,eart. The ,eart is sometimes called The Em#eror, or

3su#reme controller of all Ein and Eang organs3. The ,eart houses the body's s#irit 54hen6. The ,eart dominates slee# if the ,eart is strong the #atient will fall aslee# easily and slee# soundly. If the ,eart is wea&, the #atient's mind will 3float,3 resulting in an inability to fall aslee#, disturbed slee#, or e$cessi!e dreaming. The ,eart's #ositi!e #sycho emotional attributes are lo!e, %oy, #eace, contentment, #ro#riety, insight, wisdom, orderliness, forgi!eness, and courtesy. Its negati!e attributes are hate, guilt, shoc&, ner!ousness, e$citement, longing, and cra!ing. ... It is only recently that the intelligence system of the heart has been disco!ered. The heart is not %ust a #um#ing machine. It is an intelligence system. It is in fact the most intelligent system of all our brains, with its own rece#tors, its own electromagnetic force, from @/ to >; times more #owerful than the brains of the neocorte$, and the only force ca#able of changing our own F<(. It can turn the mortal into immortal, glial cells into heart cells, mortal center into immortal walls in any cell. It is in fact he heart that turns each one of us from dead into li!ing cells. <o one of us is human until the heart beats. (nd !ice !ersa, that first beat of the heart is what ma&es us human. In summary we can affirm the following: a6 The heart contains its own ner!ous system and ner!e ganglia that #rocess information and send it to the neocorte$. b6 Th heart is a hormonal gland #roducing its own neurotransmitters, do#amine, e#ine#hrine, nore#ine#hrin, the catechlomines, which affect the &idneys, the adrenal gland, the circulatory system and the neocorte$. c6 The heart generates from @/ to C; times more am#litude electrically than what we call the brain, #lus all emotions alter the heart's electrical field. d6 Electricity emanating from the heart of #erson ( can be detected and measured in the brain wa!es of #ersons near or touching #erson (. e6 Cellular memory resides in the heart cells, as can be seen from trans#lant cases. f6 F<( can be altered in the hands of a #erson #racticing headBheart 3entrainment,3 or what we &now as yoga. The second beat, and the first in what will determine our identity, is the amygdala. The amygdala starts forming immediately after the heart's first beat. It stores all the memories of our life in the womb, with the #lacenta, the water, the fluids of life and the terror of losing them, and also the %oy of being fed, of bouncing, of mo!ing. "ut the amygdala stores also the life of the mother, her de#ressions, her fears, her life. (nd this accumulation of memories goes on in us till the age of three. 0hich means that all this time we ha!e li!ed, our life has been recorded for us in the amydgala. (fter the age of three the hi##ocam#us matures in us. In it conscious memories are stored and we ha!e access to them ,owe!er, the hi##o cam#us, we, ha!e no access to the memories and the life we li!ed in the amygdala of the #re!ious three years, e!en if from this #oint on amygdala and hi##o cam#us con!erse with each other 5 Carter, Aita, 899G6. 0hat ha##ens to the memories of the amygdalaH They become our indi!idual nightmare, the in!isible conditioning of all our actions, the blind s#ot of our li!es, the origin of all our

terrors, the un&nown reason why we do what we done e!en when we do not &now why we do it. This is the reason why there is &arma, and why we s#ea& of #re!ious li!es, and we create, those !engeful gods waiting to destroy us around e!ery corner, and the faces of the gods are so distorted and our bodies are #araly)ed with fear and inaction. (nd this is why there is yoga. Can we destroy these nightmares to which we ha!e no access to, can we change those distorted faces of the gods, can we dissol!e our conditioningH The answer is, of course, yes, and the #ath is E*?(. (nd this, whyH "ecause the conditioning of the amygdala can only be remo!ed by the intelligence system #re!ious to it, and this is the heart, with its electromagnetic force and its #ower of transformation. *therwise, the amygdala can act on its own by #assing the intelligence centers of the neocorte$. The gunas &ee# acting in s#ite of our good intentions. 0e li!e in !ain tied to the wheel of samsara.

The $eart Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

This channel begins at the heart and emerges !ia the surrounding blood !essels to #ass down through the dia#hragm to the small intestine. (nother internal branch e$tends through the throat to the eye, and a connecting channel goes to the tongue. ( third branch goes first to the lung before surfacing at the center of the arm#it. 'rom here the channel descends along the inner as#ect of the arm on the o##osite side of the bice#s to the lung channel, #assing the inner end of the elbow crease. It continues down to the ti# of the little finger by the corner of the nail on the thumb side.

nternal Tra!ectories of the $eart Meridian

The heart, hand shao yin !essel, starts at the center of the heart, comes out and #ermeates the su##orter of the heart, goes down to and s#irally wra#s the small intestine. ( branch following the su##orter of the heart surrounds the throat and #asses u# to and ma&es contact with the su##orter of the eye. The main meridian following the su##orter of the heart goes u# to the lungs, comes out below the arm#it, and then starts at ,T.8. The heart meridian has its origin in the heart itself, but does not #ermeate the heart, rather it #ermeates the 3su##orter of the heart3, #robably the aorta and other ma%or blood !essels entering and e$iting the heart. 'ollowing the descending abdominal aorta, the descending

#art of the small intestine, s#irally wra##ing the small intestine. The branch that #asses u#wards, surrounding the throat, and going to the 3su##orter of the eyes3 5the o#tic ner!e6, #robably follows the blood !essels #assing u# into the head, i.e., the carotid artery. The main meridian #asses from the 3su##orter of the heart,3 #robably along the #ulmonary artery, to the lungs and thence to the side of the body, e$iting at ,T.8. ( #assage from the 4u 0en tells us how the heart and uterus are related: 0hen the menstruation doesn't come, it means that the blood !essel of the uterus is stagnant. The !essel of the uterus, belonging to the heart 5meridian6, s#irally wra#s the inside of the uterus. In this case, =i rises u# and #resses the lungs from the lower #arts. The heart =i cannot #ass down smoothly, therefore the menses do not come. There are se!eral im#ortant distinctions regarding the heart meridian tra%ectory. The heart meridian does not #ermeate the heart itself, rather it #ermeates the 3su##orter of the heart3, which becomes the descending abdominal aorta. This !essel is #al#able as the mo!ing =i between the &idneys. The energetic conse=uences of this distinction are enormously im#ortant. 0e feel that this is ma&ing a !ery direct statement about the energetic nature of the heart, es#ecially about the relation of the heart to the blood and to the 4hen. (s we shall see later in this te$t this has a ma%or influence on how we understand the nature of the source, the source =i, the mo!ing =i between the &idneys, and ultimately the way in which the authors of the +ing 4hu understood the origins of life. The relationshi# between the heart and the uterus is !ery significant. 4ome authors see the uterus as the #lace where the mo!ing =i between the &idneys resides. This tends to reinforce the energetic connections that the heart has to this source. 'urther, it is the su#erficial tra%ectory of the su##orter of the heart that is the main meridian. This is #ossibly one reason why many great #ractitioners ha!e consistently refused to treat the heart meridian directly.

"mall ntestine: %ire-energy yang organ

Known as the 'Minister of Aece#tion', the small intestine recei!es #artially digested food from the stomach and further refines it, se#arating 'the #ure from the im#ure', then assimilating the #urified nutrients and mo!ing the im#ure wastes onwards to the large intestine for elimination. (ssociated with the heart by 'ire energy, the small intestine controls the more basic emotions, as reflected in the Chinese term duan chang 5'bro&en intestines'6, which is e=ui!alent to the English term 'bro&en heart'. Its energy meridian runs into the head, where it influences the function of the #ituitary gland, the 'master gland' whose secretions regulate growth, metabolism, immunity, se$uality, and the entire endocrine system.

"mall ntestine

Paired *rgan: ,eart Color: #in& Pea& ,ours: 8#m.-#m Physical "ranches: blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial com#le$ion 'unctions: absorbs nutrients, digestion and elimination

"mall ntestine: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The 4mall Intestine influences the #atient's mental clarity, %udgment, and #owers of discernment. The ability to distinguish rele!ant issues with clarity before ma&ing a decision is attributed to the 4mall Intestine. The 4mall Intestine Channel Pathway, (cu#uncture Points, and Internal Tra%ectories This channel starts on the other corner of the little fingernail from the heart channel and follows the edge of the hand to the wrist, where it turns slightly to flow u# the forearm, close to the outer edge of the 5ulna6 bone. Passing the elbow at the 3funny bone3, it continues u# the bac& of the arm, behind the shoulder %oint. It then cur!es across the shoulder blade to connect with the go!erning !essel at ?:.8@ as do all yang channels. It crosses forward to the hollow abo!e the collarbone where the internal branch #enetrates, first to the heart, then along the eso#hagus to the stomach, before connecting with its own organ, the small intestine. 'rom the collarbone region the su#erficial #ath continues u# behind the muscle on the side of the nec& 5sterno.cleido. mastoid6, then o!er the chee& to the ear. Two internal branches se#arate on the chee&. They lead to the gallbladder channel on the outer corner of the eye, and to the bladder channel at "+.8 on the inner corner.

nternal Tra!ectories of the "mall ntestine Meridian

(fter rising u# the arm from 4I. 8, a tra%ectory #asses to 4T. 82: ...then it enters, 4T.82, I#asses down toJ and s#irally wra#s the heart. It circles down and around the throat Iand eso#hagusJ, #asses through the dia#hragm to the stomach, then #ermeates the small intestine.

This tra%ectory is generally acce#ted and uncom#licated. The +ei Ding author comments that C:.8; is the 3#lace of the small intestine3. Thus, it may be reflecti!e of the small intestine.

Pericardium: %ire-energy yin organ

Known as the 'King's "odyguard', the #ericardium is the heart's #rotecti!e sac&. (lthough it is not recogni)ed as an organ in 0estern #hysiology, it is regarded in Chinese medicine as a 'ire.energy organ whose s#ecial function is to #rotect the heart. <ot only does the #ericardium #ro!ide the heart with #hysical #rotection, its energy also #rotects the heart from damage and disru#tion by e$cessi!e emotional energies generated by the other organs, such as anger from the li!er, fear from the &idneys, and grief from the lungs. In the Chinese system of health, e$treme outbursts of the 4e!en Emotions are regarded as #owerful disru#tors of internal energy balance and ma%or causes of disease. 0ithout the #ericardium to #rotect it, the heart would be sub%ect to in%ury from the radical fluctuations in energy caused by e!ery emotional u# and down of the day. The #ericardium also hel#s regulate circulation in the ma%or blood !essels that run in and out of the heart. Emotionally, #ericardium energy is related to the lo!ing feelings associated with se$, thereby lin&ing the #hysical and emotional as#ects of se$ual acti!ity. It does this by moderating the raw se$ual energy of the &idneys with the all embracing lo!e generated by the heart.

Pericardium

Paired *rgan: Tri#le "urner Color: #ur#le red Pea& ,ours: >#m.9#m Mental 1ualities: lo!e, se$ Physical "ranches: blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial com#le$ion 'unctions: #rotects the heart

<ote: The Pericardium Meridian is also commonly referred to as the 3,eart Constrictor3 Meridian and the 3Circulation.4e$3 Meridian

Pericardium: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Pericardium has a #owerful influence on the #atient's mental and emotional states. Its goal is to 3create feelings of %oy andBor #leasure for the em#eror 5,eart6.3 The Pericardium Channel Pathway, (cu#uncture Points, and Internal Tra%ectories This channel begins in the middle of the chest at the #ericardium. ( branch descends internally through the dia#hragm to the u##er, middle, and lower burners. 'rom the starting #oint a branch of the main channel crosses the chest to emerge %ust outside the ni##le. It then ascends on the surface around the front of the arm#it and flows down the arm, through the bice#s muscle. (t the elbow crease it #asses %ust to the inside of the bice#s tendon, then down the middle of the front of the forearm, between the heart and lung channels to the wrist. It crosses the middle of the #alm to PC.G where it di!ides. The main channel continues to the outer corner of the middle fingernail, and a connecting branch goes to the fourth finger to %oin the tri#le burner channel at T".8.

nternal Tra!ectories of the Pericardium Meridian

The !essel of the master of the heart, hand %ue yin, heart wra##ing luo I#ericardiumJ, starts at the inside of the chest, comes out and #ermeates the heart.wra##ing luo, #asses down through the dia#hragm, then timelessly s#irals down through the tri#le warmers. The 3inside of the chest3 is commonly !iewed as C:.8>. The internal tra%ectory starts at C:.8>, then #asses to the #ericardium. 'rom here it #asses downwards, #robably along the aorta or the eso#hagus, through the dia#hragm, then 3timelessly3 s#irally wra#s the tri#le warmers.

The idea of timelessness offers fascinating insights into the nature of the tri#le warmers. The character we translate as timeless is li . This character has a number of different meanings, including 3to #ass through3 and 3successi!ely.3 *ur selection of 3timeless3 is based on the <an Ding and Khuang Ki. 0e #ro#ose that this inter#retation ameliorates commonly em#hasi)ing the absolute energetic nature of these conce#ts. In a discussion relating to the reasons why there are fi!e yin organs and si$ yang organs, the <an Ding comments:

The tri#le burner has the function of di!iding the source =i and controlling each of these =i. This has a name but no form. (nother #assage discusses the same #roblem: The master of the heart with the tri#le warmer are the outside and lining of the body. They ha!e a name but they ha!e no form This idea of 3no form3, in this conte$t, is usually seen to refer to the absence of a #hysical organ in the body for the set of functions which we identify as the tri#le warmer. It actually has much dee#er im#lications than the absence of #hysical substance The term 3no form3, wu $ing, is used by Khuang Ki. 0e feel that the <an Ding references the idea of no form from Khuang Ki. (bsolute %ing has no form. The %ing is tinier than the small Ithe conce#t of smallnessJ. Aough %ing has form. <o form means that it cannot be di!ided further.

The idea of no form does not sim#ly refer to absence of material substance. It refers to the essential change of state between matter and energy, to the basic underlying substrate of material substance. Much li&e the conce#t of the atom in #re.relati!istic #hysics, or =uar&s and multidinous sub.atomic #articles of current #hysics, it is the theoretical smallest #article of matter. The 3absolute %ing3 is the #recursor of matter or form. 0hile it is always delightful to find an idea of such so#histication in an ancient medical te$t which 0estern scientific #re%udice has o!erloo&ed, this is not such a rare idea. *ther classical te$ts ha!e referred to the conce#t of no form in similar terms and we will meet this idea again in our studies. 'or now, howe!er, the essential information that we must relate to the interior energetics from classical descri#tion is the sense that rather than the attachments of so many imaginary wires, the connections indicated are the confluence of =uintessential forces. 0hat occurs at this intersection is not com#letely described by a terminology that allows us to thin& of the connection of sim#le electrical currents. It is more li&e the o##osed coils of a generator or transformer where the currents create a change of state or a cyclotron where matter becomes energy. 0hile admitting that the 3#assing through3 translation of the character li is sufficient for the descri#tion of the body's interior 3wiring diagram,3 and certainly less sub%ect to the criticism of orthodo$ translation, it lac&s the recognition of the #rofound relati!ism of the classical idea of energy. It is not %ust that the tra%ectory of the #ericardium intersects the tri#le warmer. The #ericardium and tri#le warmer intertwine and become identical. It is not %ust that both the tri#le warmer and #ericardium ha!e no material organ. "oth are gateways to an energetic en!ironment that is not limited by the boundaries of form. 4#ace, matter, and time are not descri#tions that suit the 3tiny absolute %ing.3 These are the dimensions of form, not the boundaries of energy.

0e feel at least #oetically %ustified to allow the conce#t of timelessness to indicate that this dee#, interior connection re#resented for the classical authors a boundary where the #articular human energies of the body meet and become the more absolute energies of cosmology Aegardless of our reader's willingness to acce#t our feelings that there is a tremendous relati!ism in the ideas, the fact remains that the master of the heart, the heart.wra##ing luo 5#ericardium6 is intimately connected to the tri#le warmer. It carries out similar functions. There are effecti!ely three distinct as#ects of this meridian. The first is the branch, arm %ue yin, which emerges at PC.8 and #asses down the arms to PC.9. The second is the heart.wra##ing luo which is a tra%ectory that #asses only around the heart, in normal usage, the #ericardium. The third is the master of the heart. There are many #laces 5for instance +ing 4hu6 where these three names are used in reference to the one meridian. Fiagrammatically these three as#ects can be seen as follows: The master of the heart most logically relates to the aorta. It is an e$tension of the heart branching from this is the heart.wra##ing luo and the arm %ue yin. That arm %ue yin branches from the master of the heart is something we can deri!e by inference from an understanding of how the other meridians branch from their main #athways, and from the te$t of the +ing 4hu:

The heart.wra##ing luo is the !essel of the master of the heart. The master of the heart is li&ely the main #athway, with both arm %ue yin and the heart. wra##ing luo as branches. The master of the heart carries out the functions of the shen the heart stores the shen. The #ericardium, heart.wra##ing luo, functions to #rotect the heart from all ty#es of disturbance. If the heart is in%ured, the shen will be disturbed and this will result in death or an incurable disease. The master of the heart functions energetically as a communicati!e #athway for the shen between the heart and the mo!ing =i between the &idneys. In conce#tuali)ing these #athways and functions, it is e!en #ossible to see this #athway as the meridian of the 3small heart3 or ming men: The 4u 0en says, 3(T the sides of the se!enth !ertebra on the inside, is the small heart.3 Mr. Eang, the writer of the Tai 4u, says, 3There are twenty.one !ertebrae in the #erson. Counting u#wards from the lower #arts, to the sides of the se!enth !ertebra, on the left is the &idney, on the right is ming men. Ming men is the small heart.3 The <an Ding says, 3The source of the heart comes out at PC.> thus PC.> belongs to arm %ue yin. 0ra##ing. luo, hel#ing fire, this is the meridian of the small heart.3 This #articular #assage from +iu 0an 4u gi!es us a significant descri#tion of the #ericardium meridian, as it is commonly called, and its !arious internal tra%ectories. This significance will become clearer in later cha#ters. 'or now, howe!er, we may e$#and our diagrammatic re#resentation of the internal tra%ectories to the &idney 5see last figure6.

Triple 'urner: %ire-energy yang organ

This organ.energy system, which is not recogni)ed in 0estern #hysiology, is called the 'Minister of Fy&es and Fredges' and is res#onsible for the mo!ement and transformation of !arious solids and fluids throughout the system, as well as for the #roduction and circulation of nourishing energy 5ying chee6 and #rotecti!e energy 5wei chee6. It is not a single self.contained organ, but rather a functional energy system in!ol!ed in regulating the acti!ities of other organs. It is com#osed of three #arts, &nown as 'burners', each associated with one of the body's three main ca!ities: thora$, abdomen, and #el!is. (n ancient Chinese medical te$t states: 'The 7##er "urner controls inta&e, the Middle "urner controls transformation, the +ower "urner controls elimination.' The 7##er "urner runs from the base of the tongue to the entrance to the stomach and controls the inta&e of air, food, and fluids. It harmoni)es the functions of heart and lungs, go!erns res#iration, and regulates the distribution of #rotecti!e energy to the body's e$ternal surfaces. The Middle "urner runs from the entrance to the stomach down to its e$it at the #yloric !al!e and controls digestion by harmoni)ing the functions of stomach, s#leen, and #ancreas. It is res#onsible for e$tracting nourishing energy from food and fluids and distributing it !ia the meridian system to the lungs and other #arts of the body.

The +ower "urner runs from the #yloric !al!e down to the anus and urinary tract and is res#onsible for se#arating the #ure from the im#ure #roducts of digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating solid and li=uid wastes. It harmoni)es the functions of li!er, &idney, bladder, and large and small intestines and also regulates se$ual and re#roducti!e functions. 4ome medical researchers belie!e that the Tri#le "urner is associated with the hy#othalamus, the #art of the brain which regulates a##etite, digestion, fluid balance, body tem#erature, heartbeat, blood #ressure, and other basic autonomous functions.

Triple 'urner

Paired *rgan: Pericardium Color: orange red Pea& ,ours: 9#m.88#m Physical "ranches: blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial com#le$ion 'unctions:regulates transformation and trans#ortation of bodily fluids, and...

It's originally referred to as the 'Tri#le "urner', but 'Tri#le 0armer' and 'Tri#le ,eater' are also commonly used.

Triple (urner: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Tri#le "urners are considered the (mbassadors or 3intermediaries3 for the body's Euan 5*riginal6 1i. *n a #sychological le!el, they can be used to mo!e 1i and lift de#ression deri!ed from stagnation of +i!er 1i. 0hen the Tri#le "urners, which regulate the consciousness, are full, the consciousness becomes stable and the Mind's intent is bene!olent and &indhearted. The Tri#le "urners are also lin&ed with the ,eart and Pericardium and are affected by the emotion of %oy. 0hen the energy of the heart is strong and #ure 5without guilt6, and the desires and thoughts of an indi!idual are at #eace, then the energy of the boy's se$ual essence 5Ding6 will s#read into the Tri#le "urners, and the "lood will flourish within the indi!idual's !essels. If the 3fire of desire3 is allowed to ,eat and combine with the energy of the Tri#le "urners, the energy of the indi!idual's se$ual essence will o!erflow, mi$ing itself with the energy of the Mingmen and will lea!e the body !ia the re#roducti!e organs and tissues. This leads to Ding and 1i de#letion. The Tri#le "urner Channel Pathway, (cu#uncture Points, and Internal Tra%ectories "eginning on the fourth 5ring6 finger, by the outside corner of the nail, the tri#le burner channel #asses between the &nuc&les of the fourth and fifth fingers to the wrist. 'rom here it ascends between the two bones of the forearm 5radius and ulna6, through the ti# of the elbow, and u# the bac& of the arm to the shoulder. "ehind the to# of the shoulder it %oins the small intestine and the go!erning !essel channels. Then it rises o!er the shoulder to the collarbone region, descends internally to the #ericardium in the u##er burner, and then to the abdomen and the middle and lower burners. Ae.emerging from the chest at the

collarbone, the channel ascends the side of the nec& and around the bac& of the ear. *ne branch rises internally to meet the gallbladder channel on the forehead, then descends to %oin the small intestine channel on the chee&. The su#erficial branch continues to the front of the ear and crosses to the outer corner of the eyebrow, where it %oins the gallbladder channel again.

nternal Tra!ectories of the Triple )armer Meridian

,a!ing #assed u# the lateral as#ect of the arm from the ring finger, the tri#le warmer meridian #asses to 4T.82: IItJ comes in at 4T.82, then #asses down to C:.8>, dis#erses Iinto the chestJ, and dro#s down into the #ericardium. It then #asses down through the dia#hragm, circles down through and #ermeates the tri#le warmers. ( branch starting at C:.8> #asses bac& u# to 4T.82.

0hen the meridian 3dis#erses3 into the chest it is li&e a #er!asi!e s#ray. The stream widens and becomes less dense, the #icture is one of rain co!ering and moistening rather than a ri!er #assing through. <otice also that it does not s#irally wra# the #ericardium. Aather, it 3dro#s down3 as if it filtered through after dis#ersing from C:.8> into the chest.

This idea hel#s us see the relationshi# of the tri#le warmer to the breathing #rocess. Perha#s this relationshi# to breath and the mo!ement of breath downward to below the umbilicus is related to the action of 3dis#ersion into the chest.3 (ir is drawn into the lungs u#on inhalation once inside the lungs 5inside the chest6, it then mingles with the tri#le warmer #athway which is dis#ersing into the chest.

Then, it filters down to the the #ericardium. 'rom there it may circle downward through the tri#le warmers. This downward mo!ement through the tri#le warmers may well be the means by which the =i of breathing arri!es below the umbilicus where it is an im#ortant ingredient in the formation of the source =i and the nourishment of the source.

Organs Of The )ater Meridian

(ladder: )ater-energy yang organ
The bladder is called the 'Minister of the Aeser!oir' and is res#onsible for storing and e$creting the urinary waste fluids #assed down from the &idneys. (s an organ the bladder has only this function, but as an energy system the bladder is intimately related to the functions and balance of the autonomous ner!ous system. That's because the bladder energy meridian runs along the bac& of the body from head to heal, with two #arallel branches flowing along each side of the s#inal column. These four branches of the bladder meridian e$ert a direct influence on the sym#athetic and #arasym#athetic trun&s of the autonomous ner!ous system, whose condition of modern life, o!er acti!ates the sym#athetic system, causing tension and #ain along the s#ine and its #eri#hery. This tension and #ain may be relie!ed by stimulating the flow of energy along the s#inal branches of the bladder meridian. 4uch stimulation induces total rela$ation by switching the autonomous ner!ous system o!er to the restful, restorati!e #arasym#athetic mode. Chinese massage thera#y focuses #rimarily on these four s#inal branches of the bladder meridian because of their direct influence o!er the autonomous ner!ous system, which regulates all the body's basic !ital functions.

(ladder
Paired *rgan : Kidneys Color : dee# blue Pea& ,ours : -#m./#m Physical "ranches : autonomous ner!ous system 'unctions : stores and eliminates urine

(ladder: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

(n imbalance in the "ladder can cause such #sychological sym#toms as habitual fear, lac& of decision ma&ing ca#ability and a diminished moral character. If the imbalance becomes chronic, it results in such emotional res#onses as %ealousy, sus#icion, and holding on to long.standing grudges.

The (ladder Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

The bladder channel begins at the inner corner of the eye, rising u# through the eyebrow 5"+.26 o!er the forehead and s&ull to %oin the go!erning !essel at ?:.2;. ,ere it enters the brain, re.emerging as a su#erficial #ath at the na#e of the nec&. This #ath continues o!er the base of the s&ull 5occi#ut6, where it di!ides again into two branches that descend #arallel with the s#ine. The inner branch di!erts briefly to meet ?:.8@ before continuing to the sacrum, then on down the bac& of the thigh to the center of the &nee.fold. (n internal branch connects with the &idney and then the bladder, after se#arating at the lumbar region. The outer branch #asses from the occi#ut along the edge of the shoulder blade and descends to the buttoc&, continuing down the thigh to meet the other branch at the &nee. The single channel continues down the center of the calf muscle and #asses behind the outer an&le to the outer ti# of the little toe.

nternal Tra!ectories of the (ladder Meridian

The !essel of the bladder, foot tai yang, starts at "+.8 and #asses o!er the head. The main meridian is the first line on the bac&, the shu #oints line. It then: ...comes down the shu line to the lumbar area and goes into the body, s#irally wra#s the &idneys, then #asses down to and #ermeates the bladder. This =uotation is usually understood to mean that after s#irally wra##ing the &idneys, the tra%ectory descends through or with the ureter to the bladder, to #ermeate the bladder. It is #ossible that in #assing from the lumbar area to s#irally wra# the &idneys it #asses through the renal artery.

The (ssociated #oints, or "ac&.4hu #oints, are a set of #oints located along the bladder meridian running down the sides of the s#ine. These #oints are associated with each of the Twel!e organs of the body, !ia the dorsal and !entral ner!es coming out from the s#ine which su##ly those #articular organs.

*idney: )ater-energy yin organ

Known as the 'Minister of Power', the &idney is regarded as the body's most im#ortant reser!oir of essential energy. The original #renatal energy 5yuan chee6 which forms the basis of life is stored in the &idney organ.energy system, which is why the &idneys are also &nown as the 'Aoot of +ife'. In the Chinese !iew, the &idney organ system also includes the adrenal glands, which consist of the adrenal medulla and the adrenal corte$. These glands sit li&e hats on to# of the &idneys and secrete a wide range of essential hormones that regulate metabolism, e$cretion, immunity, se$ual #otency and fertility. Festruction of the adrenal corte$ is fatal. The &idney system also includes what the Chinese call the 'e$ternal &idneys': the testicles in men and the o!aries in women. Thus the &idneys control se$ual and re#roducti!e functions and #ro!ide the body's #rime

source of se$ual !itality, which the Chinese regard as a ma%or indicator of health and immunity. The &idneys themsel!es are res#onsible for filtering waste metabolites from the blood and mo!ing them onwards to the bladder for e$cretion in urine. (long with the large intestine, the &idneys control the balance of fluids in the body. In addition, they regulate the body's acid.al&aline balance 5#,6 by selecti!ely filtering out or retaining !arious minerals. The &idneys, #articularly the adrenal glands, are es#ecially !ulnerable to damage from e$cessi!e stress and se$ual abuse. In the Chinese !iew, such damage is a ma%or cause of immune deficiency, low !itality, and se$ual im#otence. The &idneys control the growth and de!elo#ment of bones and nourish the marrow, which is the body's source of red and white blood cells. 0ea& &idney energy is therefore a #rime cause of anemia and immune deficiency. The Chinese !iew the s#inal cord and the brain as forms of marrow, and therefore #oor memory, inability to thin& clearly, and bac&ache are all regarded as indicators of im#aired &idney function and deficient &idney energy. Kidney !itality is reflected e$ternally by the condition of head and body hair and is associated with the a#erture of the ears. Tinnitus 5ringing ears6 is thus a sign of &idney dysfunction. The &idneys are the seat of courage and will#ower, and therefore any im#airment in &idney energy results in feelings of fear and #aranoia. Intense fear can cause in!oluntary urination, a #henomenon also &nown to 0estern medicine.

*idney
Paired *rgan : "ladder Color : light flame blue Pea& ,ours : /#m.>#m Mental 1ualities : fear, #aranoia Physical "ranches : ears, bones, urine, head and #ubic hair, brain, marrow 'unctions : stores #renatal essence, filters the blood

*idney: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Marrow #roduced from the Kidney Ding flows into the brain. The thin&ing ability is strengthened when 1i and "lood in the cerebral corte$ are abundant. 0ith the increase of thin&ing acti!ity, a circle of light de!elo#s within the body's Tai%i Pole. The indi!idual's innate intelligence 5Euan 4hen6 is re#resented by the intensity of light. The degree of accumulated s#iritual energy is reflected by the number of light circles de!elo#ed within the Tai%i Pole. These circles of light can be best obser!ed when first wa&ing. "y #lacing slight #ressure of the e$ternal eye lids the inner light of the Tai%i Pole is #ro%ected onto the o#tic ner!es, reflecting an image of the circle of light. If the circle of light is com#lete, it reflects a

strong, healthy condition. If the circle of light is dar& within its center 5similar to a doughnut6, this reflects a Feficient condition. If the circle of light is bro&en or interru#ted, it reflects an e$treme Feficiency. The 3memory )one,3 as well as the 3thought center3 are also located in the cerebral corte$ and will not de!elo# until the Kidney Channels tra!el through the s#ine, along with the +i!er Channels, to reach the corte$. 0hen the 1i of these two channels is abundant, the memory function is &een.

The Kidneys house the body's will #ower 5Khi6. They control short.term memory and store data. The Kidneys #ro!ide the ca#acity and dri!e for strength, s&ill and hard wor&. ( #atient with strong Kidneys can wor& hard and #ur#osefully for long #eriods of time. Conse=uently, when the Kidneys are in a state of disharmony, the #atient can sometimes be dri!en to a state of e$cessi!e. com#ulsi!e wor&ing habits 5a wor&aholic6. ( #atient with wea& Kidneys will lac& strength and endurance. The Kidney's #ositi!e #sycho.emotional attributes are wisdom, rationality, clear #erce#tion, gentleness, and self. understanding. The negati!e attributes are fear, loneliness, insecurity, and shoc& 5which attac&s the ,eart first then descends into the Kidneys to become fear6.

The *idney Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

This channel begins under the little toe, near the end of the bladder channel, and crosses through KF.8 to the inner edge of the foot. It loo#s behind the inside an&le bone to the heel, then rises along the inner as#ect of the leg, intersecting the s#leen channel at 4P.C, before continuing u# the calf and the inner thigh. ,ere its #athway becomes dee#er and goes to the base of the s#ine, where it %oins the go!erning !essel. Aising internally in line with the lumbar s#ine it enters the &idney, descends to the bladder, and surfaces at the #ubic area. It connects with the conce#tion !essel in the lower abdomen and then rises o!er the body to the collarbone. Internally a branch lea!es the

&idney to enter the li!er and lung, and continues u# to the throat and tongue. 'rom the lung another branch flows to the heart and chest and %oins the #ericardium channel.

nternal Tra!ectories of the *idney Meridian

The &idney meridian begins below the small toe, then comes across the foot to the 3heart of the sole3 5near KI.86, then to KI.2, and u# the leg along the &idney meridian #athway. (t the thigh it goes interior: IItJ #asses u# the s#ine, #ermeates the &idneys, and s#irally wra#s the bladder. (ccording to most sources the &idney meridian has a com#le$ series of tra%ectories. *nce the meridian goes internal at the thigh, it #asses to the s#ine at ?:.8, then u# the s#ine 5an indefinite distance6, bac& down the s#ine and out to KI.88. 'rom KI.88 it su#erficially #asses u# to KI.8C. (t KI.8C an internal tra%ectory circles bac&ward between the s&in and the #eritoneum, almost following the dai mai 5girdle !essel6 tra%ectory. The meridian then enters and #ermeates the &idneys. Then, #assing downward through the ureter to the bladder, it s#irally wra#s the bladder. This #ath also #asses out to C:.- and C:.@.

'rom KI.8C an e$ternal meridian #asses u# to KI.28. ,ere, another tra%ectory goes internally to and through the li!er and u# through the dia#hragm into the lungs. There are two main inter#retations of the tra%ectory after it reaches the lungs. The first #osits that from the lungs the meridian #asses along the #ulmonary !ein to the heart and s#irally wra#s the heart. It further tra!els to the 3inside of the chest3, usually seen as C:.8>. C:. 8> is the refle$ #oint of the 3inside of the chest3 and may be a synonym for u##er =i hai. ( second inter#retation #ro#oses that the internal tra%ectory ends at the lungs and that from KI.28 the e$ternal meridian #asses u# to KI.2/. 'rom this #oint a tra%ectory #asses inward to s#irally wra# the heart and reach to the 3inside of the chest3, C:.8>. 4ince Eoshio Mana&a's research suggests that KI.2/ is a better refle$ #oint, or mu #oint, for the heart than the traditional #oint, C:.8@, the second inter#retation would thus be better %ustified. Aegardless of inter#retation, it is interesting to note that the &idney meridian has a tra%ectory that s#irally wra#s the heart, an energetic connection usually reser!ed for the cou#led yin.yang meridians. These &idney meridian de!iations from the usual relationshi#s ha!e ma%or energetic conse=uences and ramifications.

Organs Of The +ature Meridian

,all'ladder: )ood-energy yang organ
Known as the ',onorable Minister', the gall bladder is in charge of the 'Central Clearing Fe#artment'. It secretes the #ure and #otent bile fluids re=uired to digest and metaboli)e fats and oils, and its energy #ro!ides muscular strength and !itality. It wor&s with the lym#hatic system to clear to$ic by. #roducts of metabolism from the muscular system, thereby eliminating muscular aches and fatigue. In the Chinese system, the common tension headache is caused by obstruction in the gall.bladder meridian, which runs u# o!er the shoulders and bac& of the nec& to the to# of the head and forehead. ,ence such headaches are usually accom#anied by nec& and shoulder tension.

The gall bladder go!erns daring and decisi!eness. In Chinese, the word for 'daring' is da dan 5'big gall'6. The English language also ac&nowledges this #sycho#hysiological relationshi# with the #hrase 'a lot of gall'. (n old Chinese adage states: 'The gall bladder is daring, the heart is careful', which reflects the stimulating generati!e influence of 0ood to 'ire.

,all'ladder

Paired *rgan : +i!er Color : yellow green Pea& ,ours : 88#m.8am Mental 1ualities : resentment Physical "ranches : eyes, tendons, tears, nails 'unctions : stores and e$cretes bile, one of the 4i$ E$traordinary *rgans

,all (ladder: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The ?all "ladder is res#onsible for ma&ing decisions and %udgments, as well as #ro!iding courage and initiati!e. This organ is sometimes called the Court of Dustice or The ?eneral's (d!isor. (lthough the Kidneys control dri!e and !itality, the ?all "ladder #ro!ides the ca#acity to turn this dri!e and !itality into decisi!e action. The ?all "ladder has an influence on the =uality and length of slee#. If the ?all "ladder is Feficient, the #atient will often wa&e u# suddenly, !ery early in the morning, and be unable to fall

aslee# again. Patient's who are timid, indecisi!e, and easily discouraged by slight ad!ersity, are said to ha!e a wea& ?all "ladder con!ersely, decisi!e and determined #atients are said to ha!e a strong ?all "ladder.

The ,all'ladder Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

This channel begins %ust outside the outer corner of the eye, loo#s down and u# to the forehead %ust within the hair line, and descends behind the ear to the corner of the s&ull. It then returns to the forehead abo!e the center of the eye and contours the head to the bottom of the s&ull at ?".2;. It continues down the nec& behind the shoulder to connect with the go!erning !essel at ?:.8@, then crosses o!er the shoulder. The channel descends the side of the body along the rib margin to the waist and #el!ic crest before going dee#er to meet the bladder channel at the sacrum. (t ?".-; it re.emerges and continues down the outside of the leg, in front of the an&le, ending on the outside of the @th toe. Internal branches connect with the stomach channel 5on the %aw6 and the small intestine channel, and %oin the li!er and gallbladder organs.

nternal Tra!ectories of the ,all'ladder Meridian

,a!ing come down from the head, a tra%ectory #asses to 4T.82. IThenceJ it #asses to the inside of the chest and then down. It #asses through the dia#hragm, s#irally wra#s the li!er and #ermeates the gallbladder. Then it circles round the inside lining of the ribs and the side of the body and comes down to 4T.-; In this case, 3the inside of the chest3 is seen as the sides of the chest, around PC.8. In general, we should be aware that the inside of the chest has a wider meaning which de#ends on conte$t. It can be inside the chest, C:.8>, the sides of the chest, as well as some other less common referents. In coming down through the dia#hragm it #robably #asses through the eso#hagus and then the stomach, before it #asses to and s#irally wra#s the li!er. (fter this, it #ermeates the gallbladder. In circling around on the inside of the lining of the ribs and the sides of the body it #asses out to +:.8-, and then to 4T.-;.

Li-er: )ood-energy yin organ

The li!er is called the '?eneral' or 'Chief of 4taff' and is res#onsible for filtering, deto$ifying, nourishing, re#lenishing, and storing blood. The li!er stores large amounts of sugar in the form of glycogen, which it releases into the blood stream as glucose whene!er the body re=uires e$tra infusions of metabolic energy. The li!er recei!es all amino acids e$tracted from food by the small intestine and recombines them to synthesi)e the !arious forms of #rotein re=uired for growth and re#air of bodily tissues. The li!er controls the #eri#heral ner!ous system, which regulates muscular acti!ity and tension. The inability to rela$ is often caused by li!er dysfunction or imbalance in 0ood energy. +i!er energy also controls ligaments and tendons, which together with muscles regulate motor acti!ity and determine #hysical coordination. +i!er function is reflected e$ternally in the condition of finger. and toenails and by the eyes and !ision. "lurry !ision is often a result of li!er malfunction rather than an eye #roblem, and e!en 0estern medicine recogni)es the sym#tomatic yellow eyes of li!er %aundice. Through its association with 0ood energy, the li!er go!erns growth and de!elo#ment, dri!e and desires, ambitions and creati!ity. *bstruction of li!er energy can cause intense feelings of frustration, rage, and anger, and these emotions in turn further disru#t li!er energy and su##ress li!er function, in a !icious self.destructi!e cycle.

Li-er

Paired *rgan : ?allbladder Color : dee# green Pea& ,ours : 8am.-am Physical "ranches : eyes, tendons, tears, nails 'unctions : stores the blood, go!erns the free flow of =i

Li-er: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The +i!er is res#onsible for #lanning and creati!ity, as well as instantaneous solutions or sudden insights it is therefore considered The ?eneral in Charge of 4trategy. The +i!er houses the body's ,un and go!erns fright. Its #ositi!e #sycho.emotional attributes are &indness, bene!olence, com#assion, and generosity its negati!e attributes are anger, irritability, frustration, resentment, %ealousy, rage, and de#ression. The +i!er is also called the 3root of resistance to fatigue.3 0hene!er the +i!er is not functioning #ro#erly 5stagnate or e$cessi!ely ,ot due to su##ressed emotions6 the #atient can e$#erience fatigue as well as #hysical wea&ness.

The Li-er Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and nternal Tra!ectories

"eginning by the inside of the big toenail, the li!er channel crosses the to# of the foot, #asses in front of the inside an&le and u# the inner as#ect of the leg through 4P.C close behind the edge of the bone. It continues #ast the &nee along the inner thigh to the groin and #ubic region, where it circulates the e$ternal genitals. It connects with the conce#tion !essel in the lower abdomen and continues u# around the stomach to enter both the li!er and gallbladder. Connecting with two surface #oints on the ribs, the channel then di#s into the ribcage, runs u# through the throat, o#ening to the eye, and ends at the crown of the head where it connects with the go!erning !essel. ( branch circles the mouth. 'rom within the li!er, another internal branch reaches the lungs, and this restarts the cycle of =i.

nternal Tra!ectories of the Li-er Meridian

The li!er meridian rises u# the medial sides of the legs from the big toes. IIt thenJ comes into the yin organs Ise$ual organsJ and circles around the yin organs.

Then it #asses through the small abdomen then u# to and surrounding the stomach then it #ermeates the li!er. and s#irally wra#s the gallbladder. It comes u# and #asses through the dia#hragm, u# the sides of the ribs, u# behind the trachea, to behind the throat. Then it rises u# the chee&s, comes into the eyes, #asses u# the forehead and meets the du mai at the to# of the head. . . . ( branch se#arates from the li!er, #asses u# through the dia#hragm and goes to the lungs.

In this case, 3the inside of the chest3 is seen as the sides of the chest, around PC.8. In general, we should be aware that the inside of the chest has a wider meaning which de#ends on conte$t. It can be inside the chest, C:.8>, the sides of the chest, as well as some other less common referents. In coming down through the dia#hragm it #robably #asses through the eso#hagus and then the stomach, before it #asses to and s#irally wra#s the li!er. (fter this, it #ermeates the gallbladder. In circling around on the inside of the lining of the ribs and the sides of the body it #asses out to +:.8-, and then to 4T.-;. (fter circling around the se$ual organs it #asses into the small abdomen, the &idney refle$ area, and an area below the umbilicus described by or including C:.2, C:. -, C:.@. Then it #asses u# to and surrounds the stomach, #ermeates the li!er, and s#irally wra#s the gallbladder. 0hen it #asses u# and out to the sides, it surfaces at +:.8- and re. enters internally at +:.8@. The tra%ectory that #asses u# to and meets the du mai 5go!erning !essel6 %oins at ?:.2;. The branch #asses u# to the lungs, then comes down to the middles warmer and 3surrounds C:.823. *nce at C:.82, the cycle of the twel!e meridians is ready to start again, as the lung meridian has its origin at C:.82. This inter#retation if the meridians beginning at C:.82 and ending at C:.82 so that they ma&e a com#lete circuit is one that comes from the 4hisi Ding 'a ,ui.

The +ing 4hu contains another !ery different idea about the #athways of the li!er meridian which also brings it bac& full circle to the lung meridian. This inter#retation is #articularly interesting in that the tra%ectory includes the du mai and #asses u# the abdomen to enter the chest at 4T.28. The li!er meridian #asses u# to the li!er. I'rom the li!erJ it #asses u# through to the lungs, rises u# to the throat, to the nasal #haryn$, to the nose. ( branch s#lits and rises to the to# of the forehead, to the to# of the head. It then goes down around the s#ine into the sacrum.coccy$ this is the du mai. IIt #asses inside andJ s#irally wra#s the yin organs. It #asses u# to the lining of the abdomen, enters at 4T.82, #asses down into the lungs and comes out at tai yin Ithe lung meridianJ. This tra%ectory is #aralleled in com#le$ity only by the &idney meridian, and seems to be e!en more inclusi!e, as the du mai is seen as its branch. It is seen to s#irally wra# all the yin organs. It definitely #ro!ides an alternate route by which the =i #asses from the li!er to the lung meridian to com#lete the circuit. 0hiche!er inter#retation we acce#t, we can see that the internal connections of the meridians #lay an im#ortant role in the circulation of the =i through the twel!e meridians, beginning at C:.82 and ending at C:.82, or beginning and ending at the lung meridian ready to circle again. (ccording to the Chinese, the li!er 'stores the blood' and is associated with 0ood energy, which is an u#ward mo!ing force. This relates !ery much with 0estern #hysiology, as %ust about all the !eins of the gastrointestinal tract flow into the li!er !ia the ,e#atic Portal !ein. 'rom there the blood flows 'u#wards' through the li!er into the Inferior :ena Ca!a. ,ere's a schematic of the ,e#atic Portal system: