Creating Life

The Primordial Mystery within

Both
Chinese Medicine & Western
Astrology
(Here there would be a graphic showing a scene of the primordial sea when life was being
created. Sitting in the primordial soup is the spherical pattern with the character of De, virtue,
inside it. Around the sphere and in the soup are the characters for Yi, intent, and Yuan Qi and
placed on a plant growing out of the soup is the character Zhi, will.

Edward T. Lambert
 Introduction

Life was created a long time ago on planet Earth. At that time life was confronted with
extreme climates and hostile environments. The sun blazed through a hot atmosphere. The
Earth being barren of plants was exposed to the harsh elements. But against all odds life took
hold and as we see now it entirely covers the Earth: from sea to land to air.

Since the beginning there has been an unseen power that coalesces life. This power makes
life relentless: nothing can stand in life’s way as it spreads over the Earth.

Throughout history humans have sought power from the forces that destroy life: lightning,
thunder, floods, wind, earthquakes, fire. These forces of nature instill fear and respect in
people. Yet the unseen power that creates life is greater and more powerful, because life has
overcome all these destructive forces.

The power that creates life is called Primordial Power. To experience Primordial Power is
rejuvenating. This power does not struggle or fight against the forces of nature, it merely
infuses a potent force into life in its ongoing journey.

The secret of the Primordial Power is that it harmonizes all the destructive forces of nature
within itself. The Primordial Power is total harmony. It harmonizes everything it touches. It
incorporates every destructive force within itself in a positive way producing an enduring
power.

Each living form will struggle and fight to survive. Some live, some die. But the Primordial
Power, which feeds life, always remains. It is preserved through the diversity of all life, no
matter how small or intelligent. Primordial Power remains constant through the process of
adaptation.

To know others is wisdom,

To know oneself is enlightenment,

To dominate others requires force,

To dominate oneself requires power.

One who remains where one is, lasts.

To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

Tao De Ching, chapter 33

To see the unseen Primordial Power that creates and sustains life requires wisdom and
insight. It is subtle and silent but is always expressing. It takes in everything but remains
empty. It dreams in sleep yet stays conscious. It lives a life that looks like death. It moves
through the changes of life neither affirming nor denying anything. It forgets nothing and yet
forgives everything. It is the great mother of life always giving, always nourishing.

This unseen Primordial Power is itself being relentlessly attacked in the world today. The
power is being infested by economic fevers and fears. Most people have taken Primordial
Power for granted and believe that their personal power can overcome all the destructive
forces of nature. The power of technology has quietly undermined our Primordial Power.
People don’t realize that their Primordial Power is fading away.

People have put themselves into a very vulnerable position by choosing technological power
over natural harmony. Natural harmony is enhanced with peace and quiet, but the world gets
noisier everyday.

New paradigms of disease are becoming epidemic: depression, allergies and fatigue. The
great seriousness of these diseases is recognized when one realizes that Primordial Power
itself has become diseased.

The key to effective medicine is to determine the cause and rectify the imbalance of
the Yuan/primordial Qi of the body.

Yellow Emperor’s classic, Chapter 77

This ancient passage is true in the modern world. Anything that helps us rectify imbalances of
the Primordial Power is going to be of great use in healing.

The spherical flow, which merges astrology and Chinese medicine, takes metaphysics to an
advanced level of detail. It is extraordinarily comprehensive. Not only has it reawakened an
ancient teaching of Primordial Power, but it also offers a fresh insight into the illusive unified
field theory of physics. Even as the mathematics of the spherical flow are profound, its
wisdom is fathomless.

This book will explore progressive understandings and applications of Chinese medicine with
the spherical flow. Yet it is up to the reader to sense the mysteries of Primordial Power. The
reader may well find these mysteries useful in the practice of Chinese medicine, astrology or
in the practice of daily life. Ultimately the idea is to cultivate new insights for treating
Primordial Power wherever it is diseased; be it in an individual, in a relationship, in a family,
in a group, in a culture or in a world.

Edward Thomas Lambert, 2005

 Chapter 1 - Primordial Power

Stand silent in nature and become aware. Listen to the wind. Smell the fertility. Taste the
aroma. Touch the texture of the ground. Look around at the plants, rocks, insects, animals,
sunlight, shadows, whatever is natural. Feel the eternity. Know that many of the things
around you were there before life appeared on this planet, like the sun, mountains, wind, and
clouds. And know that many things only appeared after life was created, like plants and
insects.

It is said that life appeared when the Earth was young. But actually the Earth had
matured once water accumulated. It was the abundance of water that stabilized the climate.

Imagine the time when there was no life on this planet. There was only fire, volcanic ash,
rocks, mountains, harsh gases and blazing sunlight. It was very inhospitable. Through time an
atmosphere gathered, which could carry water vapor high into the air. Clouds formed in the
cold altitudes of the sky. The clouds dropped rain. The rain gathered and flowed across the
hot dry land. Water changed between ice, liquid and vapor.

Water flowed and penetrated the land to gather elements, molecules. At first puddles
formed and then evaporated. But water accumulated little by little until permanent lakes and
seas formed. Only then did water generate its own cycle through the atmosphere to replenish
its flow in the wells and springs of the mountains, from which it continued to gather elements
off the land.

Life could not begin in the water that flowed across the land. The conditions in this water
were too inconsistent. Life began only when water settled into a low place where it remained
calm and steady for an extended period of time.

This calm water became the primordial soup, the place where life was incubated. There
the elements of Earth were gathered. There the forces of nature would be harmonized.
Surrounding the quiet incubation of life in the primordial soup was the chaos of destructive
forces, which could end the formation of life.

A vision permeated the primordial soup; a vision of what life would become. In that
meditation were pictures, sounds, smells, tastes and textures. The vision saw what life would
become. Molecules interacted in accordance with the vision. The primordial vision guided the
molecules into life forms. The vision had a power, a power that resonated with the movement
of the molecules. The molecules responded naturally to this power. The power was patient.
Patience generates and accumulates life power.

Who can wait for the mud to settle?

Tao De Ching
 The creation of life is the way of nature and is not forced or manipulated. All that is
required is that the elements come together in a relaxed state of peace and quiet. Such
conditions allow the Primordial Power to generate life.

Permanence and calm put things in order in the Universe.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 45

The primordial soup was like a seed; a seed from which all life would sprout. When one
looks at a seed, can one see the entire plant with roots, leaves, flowers and fruits? No. One
takes it on faith that the whole plant is in the seed somehow. Just add water to a seed and
watch it grow. That which is inside the seed will manifest itself.

If one were to sit at the side of the primordial soup and look at it, it would look like a mud
hole or murky water. Yet within the muddy water is a power nurturing life. That power
eventually manifested life around the Earth. Without Primordial Power there is no life. Yet
the power is so subtle, that it can’t be seen by the naked eye.

The lotus plant and its seeds are considered the most sacred of all Chinese herbs. Even
though the lotus has a beautiful flower and scent, it chooses to grow in the most murky and
swampy of waters, like the primordial soup. The beauty of the lotus is in stark contrast to the
murkiness of the water. This contrast allows one to meditate on the nature of Primordial
Power that created the beauty of life in mud.

Ask yourself, would you be able to notice the Primordial Power in the primordial soup
with your naked eye or any of your senses? What would it look like? How could you
distinguish it from anything else?

Does it make a sound? No. Does it have a particular smell? No. If you touch it does it
move? No. Does it move at all? No. Does it have a certain color or form? No.

To see Primordial Power one first looks for calmness, because it is only with calmness
that the Primordial Power can exist. Chaos, turbulence and noise drain Primordial Power.

Silence is power, for when we reach the place of silence in mind, we have reached the
place of power…Diffused power is noise. Concentrated power is silence.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

The Primordial Power gets stronger with calmness and silence. Primordial Power sits
within silence. The primordial vision becomes clear in silence.
 Over the millennium life has spread over the Earth with great complexity and diversity.
Life adapted to the different climates and geographies of the Earth. Life now permeates the
land and mists. Life flourishes through day and night, summer and winter. Still wherever life
has spread to, the inner calmness and silence of the Primordial Power went with it. If life
found itself separated from Primordial Power, it was only a short matter of time before it
began to disintegrate

Realize that every living being can be traced back to the original primordial soup, the
original silent power. Ants as well as humans. Apples and bacteria. Starfish and polar bears.
Algae and honeybees. Then realize that every living being still carries that original Primordial
Power within itself.

When you sit and look at nature, you can sense Primordial Power. It is within every living
being. It is the silence that permeates everything.

In healing, a practitioner learns to sense Primordial Power within a person. The

practitioner learns to hear the silence within a person. Clearly every person is a mixture of
noise and silence. It is healthy that the silence generates the noise. Yet, it is unhealthy when
the noise disrupts the silence of the Primordial Power. The practitioner learns to quiet the
infectious noise. An obvious sign that noise is weakening the Primordial Power is when a
person no longer wants to live in this world.

The Forces of Nature; Creative and Destructive

The theories of traditional medicine look to nature for guidance and wisdom. It is through
following the forces of nature that the principles of healing are formed. The core of all
traditional medicine was a keen observation of nature. The idea is that as one lives in
harmony with nature, one incorporates the powers of nature, thus living a long healthy life.

In ancient cultures, their medicine reflected their way of life. They lived closer to nature than
we do in the modern world. To them everything from plants to seasons, from stars to colors,
from animals to spirits had meaning; and the meaning had power, which was used in healing.
In Tibet, the traditional medicine doctors say that everything that exists is a medicine if used
properly. That is if someone understands the power within an object they could use it as
medicine. Even such things as snake venom, gold and bat feces heal if used appropriately.

It is clear that modern society has removed people from nature to a great extent. The food we
eat does not follow the seasons like it used to. We don’t walk as much. We have lights that
reduce the darkness of night. We have air-conditioning when we’re hot, and heating when
we’re cold. Modern medicines seek to mimic and improve natural substances.

Even though modern people aren’t affected as much by the forces of nature anymore, they
can still live healthier lives by incorporating the powers of nature. The key to health for
traditional peoples was to incorporate the powers of nature into their lives. That way they
would be in harmony with the powerful forces surrounding them; forces that destroy as well
as grant long life. Being in harmony with nature was crucial to their way of life and their
medicine.
It has been taught that one must first learn to kill before one can heal. This view is based on a
fear of the destructive forces of nature. As one learns to destroy like the destructive forces of
nature, one can control life. This traditional view of healing seeks to emulate the chaotic
forces of nature; the view is in sharp contrast to the view of healing with Primordial Power.

Healing with Primordial Power says that one must first learn to love before one can heal.
Primordial Power only nourishes life. Primordial Power never destroys life or harms it in any
way ever.

To learn to heal with Primordial Power, one relinquishes killing all together. Killing has
nothing to teach about the essence of Primordial Power. Primordial Power stays empty in its
pulsating silence during killing and death. All it knows is to nourish and love life incessantly
and unconditionally. Because of Primordial Power’s love, life will always continue someway,
somehow, somewhere. Primordial Power does more than heal, it creates life.

The sage never tries to accumulate things.

The more he/she does for others, the more he/she has.

The more he/she gives to others, the greater is his/her abundance.

The way of Heaven is penetrating but does not injure.

The way of Heaven works without effort.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 81

The Primordial Power is a resonating energy that is quiet and formless. The fruits of its work
are visible. The fruits are always life, never death. The power only knows how to create and
nourish life. It does not get caught up in the trials and tribulations of the life it nourishes.

The strong is the root of the light

The calm is the master of excitation

Thus, the sage, journeying all day,

Does not lose sight of his/her possessions

Although there are beautiful things to see

He/she remains unattached and in calm

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 26

Healing with Primordial Power is not a healing where a doctor takes control of an illness and
focuses his/her own will to get rid of the pain of another person. It is a healing that respects
the lessons of pain, and the wisdom pain brings. It is a healing that affirms the challenges of
life that we all face. It is a healing that acknowledges the consequences of our actions and
experiences. It is a healing of forgiveness that sees the perfection within another, and then
creates a moment to manifest that perfection anew. Being renewed, the desire to live is
revived.

Primordial love is not a selfish love. It is a love that penetrates yet remains unattached. It is a
love which is actively excited yet remains calm. It is a love, which creates an environment to
inspire others. It is love without judgment, without fear, and without sympathy. It is a love
that pays no attention to how ugly or beautiful you are. It appreciates all living consciousness.

The healing with primordial love frees the soul. Pain and distress are forgiven. Disease is
baggage one can carry around or leave behind. The beautiful freedom of perfect life is
affirmed. The soul is cleansed. One is refreshed and the spirit is lightened.

Be alive.
 Chapter 2 - Six Element Theory

Snowflakes and honeycomb are natural forms of a six-pointed star. The six branches of
snowflake crystals are infinitely beautiful. The hexagons of honeycomb are a marvel of
natural engineering. The basic symmetry of a six-pointed star is found throughout nature.

Originally there were six elements in Chinese medicine. The sixth element was known as
Grain or Seed. Also there were six Shu-transporting points, instead of five. The sixth Shu-
point was the Yuan source point. Ancient texts talk of six Essences and six Breaths. The very
ancient hexagram of the I-Ching is based on six elements. The dating of all these shows that a
tradition of six-elements predated the first written record of five-element theory, which
occurred during the Warring states period (476-221 BC). Around that time, six-element
theory disappeared from the public eye and went into the secret shadows of advanced
meridian teaching.

When I was young I refused to begin studying acupuncture unless I found six-element
theory. Deep in my soul I knew six-element theory had survived somewhere in the world all
these long years, even though there was no trace of it in modern books.

Eventually I found the teachings of Jiro Murai who lived in Japan in the early 1900’s. His
work included some basic six-element theory along with five-element theory. Although much
of his research was in the library archives of the Imperial Palace in Japan, I have not been
able to ascertain where he learned six-element theory. Certainly many of those ancient
records have roots in China and elsewhere.

The six-element theory taught by Jiro Murai was very basic. It seemed to me a skeleton of
its ancient form. Much of its understanding had faded from lack of use. It is my work to
rekindle the fires of the ancient six-element tradition and to fan its flames into the brighter
blaze of the spherical meridian theory, which is the much more advanced study of six-
element theory.

The spherical meridian theory will be presented in a later chapter. Yet before the
spherical meridian theory can be appreciated, it is essential to first shed light on six-element
theory.

Yin & Yang of Six-element Theory

Six-element theory is represented by a six-pointed star. Its symmetry is stable and

balanced. In order to create life, a stable design is required. When a structure is built using
triangles it is very strong and resilient.

The theory starts off with two separate triangles. One triangle is pulsating the Essence of
Yin and the other is pulsating the Essence of Yang. The Yin triangle of Essence gives us
three Yin elements. The Yang triangle of Essence gives us three elements of Yang.
 In six-element theory there is an interaction between Yin and Yang at every level. This
inescapable interaction permeates the whole theory from start to finish. Any imbalance
between Yin & Yang opens the door to disease.

All Chinese medical physiology, pathology and treatment can, eventually, be reduced to
Yin-Yang.

Giovanni Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine

The Qi of Yin and Yang may be lesser or greater. That is why there are three Yin and
three Yang.

Chapter 66 of Plain Questions

In six-element theory, the elements are separated into three Yin elements and three Yang
elements. The three Yin elements are rooted in Yin Essence. The three Yang elements are
rooted in Yang Essence.

Yin and Yang elements do not share a common Essence. They each have their own
independent Essence. This is an extremely important principle of six-element theory to grasp.

All Yin substances and expressions in life have their root in the pulsations of the Yin
triangle of Essence. All Yang substances and expressions in life have their root in the
pulsations of the Yang triangle of Essence. Each triangle is an independent unit onto itself.

These two triangles of Essence are rooted in the one Heavenly Essence that feeds them
both. Yet Yin Essence and Yang Essence become unique and independent. They are totally
distinct. They behave differently; one is active, the other is passive. Yet they resemble each
other and in this way, Yin and Yang complement each other perfectly.

The two pulsating triangles of Yin and Yang Essences must come together and embrace.
As they do, the duality of Yin and Yang commingles and life begins.

Certainly, in the creation of life, Yin and Yang must merge. This means that they are
separate before life begins. And that life begins when they merge. It also means that at death
Yin and Yang will separate. Thus Yin & Yang are destined for each other. As long as they
remain separate, there will be no life. As long as they stay together, there will be life.

The Essences, doubled in harmony, are the Yin/Yang.

Huainanzi, Chapter 3

The embrace of the two Essences indicates the Spirits.

Lingshu, Chapter 8, Line 22

The stability of a triangle is inert. But another triangle is able to activate its sleeping
energy. Triangles are more stable and more dynamic as they bond with one another. The
successive linking of triangles builds strong resilient structures. Yin and Yang first take on
form as triangles. The infinite dance between Yin and Yang is ultimately a dance of
interconnecting triangles.

Yin Essence manifests as Yin substances. Yang Essence manifests as the Yang functions
of transformation. Therefore the basic relationship between Yin and Yang is the relationship
between substance and the transformation of that substance. Yin substances are inert, passive
and must be transformed by Yang activities. No life can be formed unless Yin substances are
given shape. Otherwise Yin substances will forever sit there and never become anything.

Likewise, the activities of Yang Essence can achieve nothing unless they have Yin
substance to work with. Yang activity is inert unless there is Yin substance accessible.

The Yang wind blows across the ocean and carries water vapors high into the air. The
wind by nature is active and very dry. The wind lifts water vapor to form clouds that drop
rain across the dry land. But without oceans there would be no clouds. The Yang wind must
have Yin water to form clouds.

So Yin and Yang commingle at every level to transform the cycles of life.

The Yin Triangle

The triangle of the three Yin elements eventually gives all the manifestations of Yin
Essence in the body and mind. Yin substances are calming, cooling, formless, useful, settling
downward, supporting, moistening and nourishing. Yin by nature is relaxed, inert, passive,
patient, content and as satisfied as a nail, which holds up a picture on the wall.

The three elements of the Yin triangle are Earth, Water and Wood. These three Yin
elements govern and express the potential energy of Yin Essence. They are rooted and
amalgamated in Yin Essence. Yin Essence can only be expressed by these elements because
they reflect the nature of Yin.
 The nature of Earth is to be an uncarved block. It is raw substance that can be molded or
used to build anything. The substance of Earth holds tall trees and keeps them from falling
over. The firm nature of Earth gives it heaviness, resiliency and stubbornness. Earth passively
guides the movement of water. Rivers flow according to the contours of the land. Earth is
shaped by exterior forces that erode, dissolve and bind it.

The nature of water is to settle downward and penetrate. It flows wherever the path of
least resistance takes it. Water is passive and takes the shape of any container. Water
moistens and cools. Water is extremely efficient at storing heat. Water dissolves structure and
forms. Moving water carries a momentum to move heavy objects and to erode mountains.
Water receives the richness of the land and holds within it the building blocks for life.

The nature of Wood is to nourish, support and moisten. The sap of a tree, which is raised
from the roots, is a Wood-Yin substance. The element Wood is fuel; fuel is a Yin substance
with potential energy. Wood stores pure energy that can be ignited by fire. Fuel passively
holds energy that when harnessed will actively drive chemical reactions and the activities of
life. Wood is the Yin substance that fuels the growth and formation of life.

Each of these three elements reflects the passive nature of Yin. They each contain a form
of potential energy. The three Yang elements then have the function of releasing, harnessing
and using their potential energies.

The sequence of the Yin elements in their triangle is from Earth to Water to Wood back
to Earth. The Yin elements support each other in this sequence.

Earth supports and guides Water by containing it. Examples are a glass holding water and
a river flowing across the land. Earth gives a foundation to Water. Without a foundation to
contain it, Water would dissipate and never coalesce. Earth allows the rain to form into rivers,
and then gives the ocean a place to rest.
 Water supports Wood by receiving the richness of the land that will be transformed into
potential energy for life. Examples are found in the primordial soup and the plants that grow
near an oasis in the middle of the desert. Water supports lifeblood.

Wood supports Earth by being the raw energetic substance that is transformed into
physical objects. The relationship between Wood and Earth is that of energy and matter. The
Yin energy of Wood is the foundation for the Yin matter of Earth.

For example, the Wood-Yin energy of the sun became the substance-matter of the planets
in the solar system. Likewise, red-hot molten lava is the blood of the Earth. When a volcano
erupts, the Earth bleeds. The lava-blood becomes the land and mountains. Wood is the
energetic substance of Yin Essence. Earth is the solid physical substance of Yin Essence.

The three Yin elements show three manifestations of Yin Essence. Earth is more dense
and inert. Water is more fluid and forgiving. Wood is more creative and energetic. Even
though they are all different in nature, the 3 Yin elements are all nourished by Yin Essence.

Yin Substances

The three Yin elements each originate a Yin substance

 Earth originates Ying-Nutritive Qi.

 Water originates Body Fluids.

 Wood originates Blood.

 The element Earth is related to Ying-Nutritive Qi. Ying-nutritive Qi is the substance used
to build the body tissues and nourish the functions of muscles, organs, skin and all chemical
processes. Just as in fertile soil, the earth holds the minerals to nourish plants. Nutritive Qi is
extracted from digested foods by the Stomach and Spleen/pancreas, the Earth meridians.
Nutritive Qi is the Earth substance in a body. Nutritive Qi forms the landscape of a body.
Muscles and tissues have flexibility and strength, because Earth Nutritive Qi nourishes them.

The element Water is related to Body Fluids. This is seen in how water flows across the
land and floats through the sky. Water permeates everything and so doing blends everything
together. Water is the great mediator of the whole body, because it is the means of
communication within the body. Water links and integrates every aspect of the body by
flowing freely throughout it. The Kidney and Bladder work together to balance the amount of
water in the body. These are the Water meridians. Body fluids moisten the dry areas, like the
throat, stomach and intestines. Body fluids carry all kinds of substances around the body like
rivers do on land.

The element Wood relates to Blood. This is like the sap in a tree. Sap and blood are both
creative energy flowing through a living being. The more appropriate term is Lifeblood,
which is a substance that animates life. Lifeblood is the energy and substance to animate a
body. Wood and Lifeblood reflect courage and the free-flow of empowered Qi. These Wood
attributes constitute the nature of Blood. Liver is the meridian most associated with Blood. In
six-element theory, the Liver and Gall Bladder are taught to be the primary source of Blood
in the body. They maintain, store and govern the Essence of Blood. These are the Wood
meridians. When Gall Bladder Qi is weak from fear, timidity or indecisiveness, Blood seems
weak, even if one’s diet is perfect. Their face will look paler. The Lifeblood is diminished.

Nutritive Qi secretes Body Fluids; these enter the blood vessels and are transformed
into Blood.

Spiritual Axis, Chapter 71

This quote affirms the sequence of these three substances around the Yin triangle.
Nutritive Qi, Body Fluids and Blood are the Yin substances of the body. They support each
other to build tissues, organs, muscles, marrow, bones, and every other tangible structure of
the body. They support each other to carry nutrients and waste materials around the body.
They support each other to fuel chemical processes and the activities of body and mind.

Yin Essence expresses through its three elements of Earth, Water and Wood. Every Yin
substance in the body is rooted in one of these three Yin elements. Nutritive-Ying Qi, body
fluids and Blood comprise all the Yin substances in the body and mind. This is the teaching
of six-element theory.
The Yang Triangle

The triangle of the three Yang elements eventually gives all the manifestations of Yang
Essence in the body and mind. Yang Qi activates, stimulates, warms, raises upward, defends,
transforms, organizes and actively builds structures. Yang by nature is active, impatient,
ambitious, discontent, energetic and as restless as a hammer pounding away to build a house.

The three elements of the Yang triangle are Metal, Seed and Fire. These three Yang
elements govern and express the Yang Essence. They are rooted and amalgamated in Yang
Essence. Yang Essence can only be expressed by these elements because they reflect the
nature of Yang.

The nature of Metal is to carve an uncarved block. Metal has the function to define the
exterior shape and form of every part of the body, be it a cell, organ or skin. The shape of the
eyes, the length of the arms, the structure of all organs is controlled by the activities of Metal.
Metal controls and manages the boundaries between the internal and external. Metal governs
the skin, which is the boundary to the exterior. Metal also governs the boundaries of organs
and the blood-brain barrier. Metal defends against external pathogens, like the atmosphere
protects us against harmful rays from the sun. Metal manages the inflow and outflow across
boundaries. Metal safeguards and secures the internal integrity of a living form.

The nature of the element Seed is to hold the vision of the living being. All the functions
and activities of Yang Qi are then guided by the transformative vision of the element Seed.
The vision holds set parameters within which life can exist. Seed acts to keep life within
those parameters. As long as life stays within those parameters, Yin and Yang stay
harmoniously united. Seed seeks to regulate the metabolic processes and achieve
homeostasis. Seed regulates Yin substances by transforming them into a homeostatic balance.
Seed monitors the balance between internal physiology and external conditions.
 The nature of Fire is to stimulate and initiate. Every activity in the body is activated by
Fire. It is ambitious and eager to work. Fire produces heat. Fire energizes and drives every
metabolic process. Fire rises upward. Fire brings activity to the mind and muscles. Fire
pulsates like a drum. Fire has a strong will to live and survive. Fire must have Yin substances
to fuel its actions and heat. Without Yin substance, Fire is only an invisible desire. Fire is so
energetic that it must be balanced by moderate amounts of Yin substance, otherwise it tends
to get out of control and to upset the homeostatic balance between Yin and Yang.

The nature of these three elements reflects Yang. They are all active elements that
transform and harness the potential energy within Yin substance. Yin substances would never
change or amount to anything specific if it weren’t for the vision and activity of the Yang
elements.

The sequence of the Yang elements is from Metal to Seed to Fire back to Metal. The
elements support their activities in this sequence. One activity will further the activity of the
next one in line.

Metal supports Seed by defending against the external forces that seek to disrupt the
internal regulation of Seed. Metal manages the boundaries, which are the foundation within
which Seed is then able to function. The nature of Seed is formless and nebulous. It has
function but no form. Without boundaries, the activity of Seed would soon dissipate and leak
away. Seed requires the external form and boundaries established and managed by Metal in
order to focus its permeating nature.

Seed supports Fire by creating the fuel and synergy that Fire requires to ignite the
activities of life. Seed helps Fire by maintaining a state of homeostasis. Fire is then able to
function constructively within the balance of homeostasis. Otherwise Fire would tend to be
destructive if it were not regulated within certain limits of function. The activities of Seed to
regulate homeostasis allow Fire to burn slowly and safely. But if the Fire needs to explode in
a fight, it can safely do so for a short period of time, then the body-mind will return to
homeostasis. It is only in this way that Fire can be incorporated into a life form.

Fire supports Metal by generating movement. A primary function of Metal is

transference, the movement of objects from one area to another. Transference describes
Metal’s action of dispersing and descending body fluids around the interior of the body as
well as releasing the exterior with sweat. The heat and activity initiated by Fire set the
foundation for Metal’s function of transference and dispersion. For example, the warming of
the surface of the Earth is what generates wind patterns in the atmosphere. The wind relates
to Metal. The wind then moves water around the globe.

The three Yang elements show three manifestations of Yang Essence. Metal is more
oriented to the exterior and transference. Seed is more oriented to the interior and regulation
of homeostasis. Fire is more crude, uncultured and aggressive in its ability to initiate actions.
Even though they are all different in nature, the 3 Yang elements are all empowered by Yang
Essence.
Yang Functions/Activities

The three Yang elements each originate a Yang substance.

 Metal originates Wei-Defensive Qi.

 Seed originates Yuan Qi.

 Fire originates Fire and heat.

The element Metal is related to Wei-Defensive Qi through its focus on the exterior.
Defensive Qi is traditionally related to the lungs, skin and all surfaces that contact an exterior
environment. Wei-defensive Qi circulates through the boundaries of the body-mind. The
lungs circulate Defensive Qi. The lung also disperse and descend body fluids around the body
and through the pores, just as the atmosphere carries water across the land. The Lung and
Large Intestine meridians regulate the exterior and defend against external pathogens. These
are the Metal meridians.

The element Seed is related to Yuan Qi as the alchemical magic that created life in the
original primordial soup. Yuan Qi is called the ‘source’ and ‘primordial’ Qi of the body. The
key concept here is that Yuan Qi is generated by the activity of the element Seed to regulate
homeostasis. Homeostasis produces a synergistic increase in energy through harmony.
Homeostasis allows Yuan-primordial Qi to flourish abundantly. The San Jiao carries Yuan Qi
around the whole body. Yuan Qi is the harmonizing force for all the body’s physiological
activities. Pericardium monitors the Yuan Qi of the body. San Jiao and Pericardium are the
Seed meridians.

The element Fire is related to the Fire in the body-mind in the obvious way. Fire is Fire.
The heat and transforming actions of Fire in the body speak for themselves. Fire is used to
drive every physiological activity in the whole body. Energy must be harnessed and directed
to achieve this. Fire harnesses and releases energy, which was originally produced by the
homeostasis of the element Seed. The Heart pumps blood and activates physiology. The
Small Intestine meridian channels and focuses Fire activity to specific areas of the body
through vessels and tubes. These are the Fire meridians.

The sequence of the Yang elements is used to understand how external pathogens
penetrate the body. Within the Yang triangle, Metal proceeds to Seed which then proceeds to
Fire. An external pathogen will hit the Wei-Defensive Qi first. If it penetrates further it is
most likely to go to the Pericardium meridian of the Seed element. If it penetrates past the
Pericardium it can then reach the Heart meridian of the Fire element. This process shows the
principle that exterior pathogenic factors entering through the Wei Qi are not directed toward
the Heart, but toward the Pericardium first. This principle supports the sequence of the three
Yang elements through the Yang triangle.

Yang Essence expresses through its three elements of Metal, Seed and Fire. Every
functional activity in the body is rooted in one of these three Yang elements. Wei Qi, Yuan
Qi and Fire express all the Yang activities in the body and mind. They transform Yin
substances to activate the body, build the body, regulate the body, move the body and secure
the boundaries of the body.

The Embrace of Yin and Yang

In six-element theory when the Yin and Yang triangles merge, life begins. They embrace
each other completely through the Jing-Shen axis. (Jing-Water and Shen-Fire). It is essential
to see their embrace as two individual triangles united and bound together. Each triangle is
sustained by its own unique Essence, Yin or Yang, but it is through the interaction of their
elements that the Yin and Yang Essences can manifest the complexities of a living being.
 The purpose of the elements is to organize the proper interaction between Yin and Yang
Essences. The elements allow the Essences of Yin and Yang to mix, in such a way that
creates and sustains life.

The embrace of the triangles forms the complete six-element pattern. The overall cycle of
elements around their embrace proceeds as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water then Seed. This
cycle of elements alternates between Yin and Yang elements. This alternation allows Yang
elements to transform Yin elements in a natural process.

Wood supports Fire by giving fuel to Fire. The heart meridian of Fire receives the Blood
of Wood and pumps it. The muscles are full of potential energy stored there by the blood.
Fire releases that energy to contract a muscle. Most heat in the body is created by muscle
contractions.

Fire transforms the potential energy and nutrients of Wood-Blood into tissues and organs.
Fire pumps Blood around the Body to sustain the physical structure. Fire gives heat to the
digestive process of Earth. The Blood carries Nutritive-Ying Qi, which is used to nourish and
sustain the tissues and mass of the body. Earth receives the warmth from Fire in order to be
transformed. The Earth aspect of the body is built through the actions of Fire, reminiscent of
the way that through history molten lava from the Earth’s core formed landmasses.

Earth supports Metal by providing substance that can be carved and molded. Earth opens
up to Metal. The breath of Metal penetrates and moves about the substance of Earth. This
allows Earth to breathe. There is an ancient teaching that “Man’s form is created from the
dust of the ground and into this form is breathed the breath of life.” Metal transfers life force
into Earth substance through breath. This is how life takes root. It is similar to aerating soil
with a shovel so that the roots of plants can breath. Compacted soil does not support life, but
aerated soil will. As the atmosphere of Metal breathes around the Earth, life will continue to
flourish. As well it is taught that Nutritive-Ying Qi nourishes the Wei Qi of the body.

Metal supports Water by creating an environment in which water will form. This is seen
in how clouds form in the atmosphere and then drop rain across the land. This is the way the
atmosphere of Metal supports Water. The Wei Qi of Metal disperses and descends the fluids
of Water around the body. The amount and quality of Water that circulates in the body is in
large part determined by the ability of Metal to carry water vapor around the body. Metal
then allows this water vapor to condense and moisten areas that would be dry otherwise, like
the throat and lungs.

Water supports Seed by nourishing its transformations. Water is the foundation upon
which Seed thrives. It’s like when we soak a seed in water, the seed will sprout. Water is the
environment in which Seed is able to perform its transformations. Water contains particles
and molecules, which move freely within the liquid environment. Seed regulates this free
movement within water in order to achieve its purpose of creating life. Seed enters Water and
begins the transformations that create life. The harmonizing transformations of the element
Seed are best accomplished in peaceful waters. That is where the incubation of life best
occurs.

The Yuan Qi of Seed regulates homeostasis by way of the various fluids that circulate
around the body. The element Seed originates Yuan Qi and “Qi Transformations” in the
body. The ‘Yuan Qi of Seed’ is closely linked to the ‘Fluids of Water’ and the ‘Blood of
Wood’. Yuan Qi transforms water into blood. There is a teaching in Chinese medicine that
Yuan Qi transforms fluid essence into Blood. Somewhat similar to when Jesus turned water
into wine.

When all the bodily liquids are in total, perfect harmonious composition there is
change and transformation; it becomes red and thus this is blood.

Essence Spirit Blood and Qi, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 69

 We can see that in pathology an emptiness of Qi can lead little by little to an
emptiness of blood due to this lack of transformation and production of the basic
substance of blood.

Essence Spirit Blood and Qi, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 77

Seed supports Wood by generating the potential energy within Blood. Yuan Qi facilitates
the transformation of Blood. Seed creates the fuel potential in the element of Wood, and then
Fire uses that fuel potential to drive every metabolic process that builds life. The metabolism
of the body is heightened from the homeostatic actions of Seed.
 Chapter 3 – Perspectives on Six-element Theory

Element Oppositions

There is still one aspect remaining that describes how the elements relate to one another.
Each element has an opposite. There are three opposite pairs of elements around the six-
element cycle. Fire is opposite Water. Earth is opposite Seed. Wood is opposite Metal. In
these pairs, one element is always a Yin element and the other is a Yang element. It is very
common that a disease of one element will actually manifest in its opposite element.

These element pairs are as close as six-element theory comes to the controlling-Ke cycle
seen in five-element theory. In six-element theory it is not that these elements control each
other or keep each other in balance. They complement each other. They complete each other.
In fact, it is always the other elements surrounding these pairs that keep them balanced
indirectly. The surrounding elements form feedback loops that naturally transform one
element into its complementary opposite.

Fire and Water

First, it is a core principle of acupuncture that Fire and Water struggle for control of the
body-mind. Their natures are diametrically opposed to one another. They each sit at extreme
spectrums of the cycle. Fire is not able to transform Water directly. Fire cannot burn Water.
Water cannot moisten Fire. Yet every aspect of the body-mind involves a balance between
Fire and Water. Fire and Water purely represent the Yin-Yang relationship more than any
other pair of opposite elements.
 Water is transformed into the lifeblood of the element Wood by the element Seed. The
element Fire is then able to activate and ignite the lifeblood. So through the element phases of
Seed and Wood, Water is able to interact with the Fire of the body-mind.

Fire will interact with Water by way of Earth and Metal. Fire heats up the Earth, which
produces movement in the atmosphere of Metal. This movement then allows Water to form.
So Fire is able to stimulate the production of Water thanks to Earth and Metal.

All the elements need to work as a team in order to achieve balance between the
complementary elements. When an element is said to overact upon its opposite, it is only a
matter of time for the other elements to restore balance. When the Earth was young, the Earth
was hot. Fire was prevalent. The sun was blazing. Through time the Earth produced gases
that formed an atmosphere. Water vapor was produced in the hot climate. High in the cold
layers of the atmosphere rain eventually formed out of the water vapor. Water could not have
been produced on the hot ground in such abundance. Again through time, water cooled down
the hot temperatures of the Earth’s climate. Water is now abundant enough to moderate the
hot temperatures of the Earth to within livable limits.

As water became more abundant, life was created by the element phases of Seed and
Wood. These elements instilled the internal fire within a living being, a fire that would
balance the over-sufficiency of water that saturated the creation of life.

In six-element theory, Fire is not said to control or overact upon Water. Relative excess of
one over the other upsets the homeostatic parameters within which life can exist. Relative
excesses are brought back into balance by supporting the element phases between Fire and
Water.

Earth and Seed

Earth is diametrically opposed to Seed. Earth is heavy, solid and resistant to change. It is
hard for Seed to work with Earth. Seed requires the free movement within fluid in order to
function. Seed cannot function in a concrete block, where there is no freedom for molecules
to interact while they find a homeostatic balance. In the element Earth, homeostasis is pre-
established in the structure and cannot change.
 Still Seed has a vision, a blueprint, of the life that it wants to form. Wood and Fire take
that vision and bring it to fruition in Earth. Earth is the completion of Seed’s vision. Earth
completes Seed in this way. As well, Metal and Water work upon the Earth to create a place
for Seed to thrive. The Earth is what holds the water in which Seed does its magic of
transformation. Seed completes Earth, because Earth gives the needed substrate to Seed.

It is common that an emotional upset adversely affects one’s comfortable routine in life.
An emotional upset affects the Seed element, but the problem will manifest in an area
governed by the element Earth, like a stomachache in the digestive tract for example.

Metal and Wood

As for the opposite pair of Wood and Metal, we can look at the point combination of the
Four Gates, Lv3 and LI4. These meridian source points belong to the elements of Wood and
Metal respectively. This is a powerful combination to activate the Qi and Blood and ensure
their free and smooth passage throughout the body. In six-element theory, Metal moves
things and Wood is lifeblood. These points move and disperse lifeblood, which leads to the
expansion of life. Through inspiration and optimism, the combination eases the burdens of
life. One’s boundaries are expanded. One’s vision expands to the horizon. One’s life is less
closed in upon itself. It is in this way that Wood and Metal complement each other.
 Wood is able to flourish to the outermost edges of the planet through the dispersing effect
of Metal. Fire and Earth allow lifeblood to flow to the outermost edges of a being so that it
can be dispersed by Metal. Metal completes the potential of Blood to walk and breath on the
surface of the planet.

From Metal the process returns back to rejuvenate Wood. Through the element phases of
Water and Seed, Wood is rejuvenated. Wood then through the actions of Water and Seed
completes Metal. From the outermost edges of a being starts the process to produce the inner
lifeblood. As well, the lifeblood then starts a process to produce the outermost edges, where
the Wei Qi of Metal reigns.

The complementary relationship between Wood and Metal is seen in the teaching that
blood is the basis of the Wei-Qi in the skin. Even though blood cannot reach the epidermis
layers of the skin directly, many skin diseases result from problems in the blood.

All the elements together form a complete feedback loop amidst the three opposite
element pairs. These feedback loops function to maintain balance. When these feedback
loops become blocked, then it is probable that one element will become predominant and go
into excess, while its opposite becomes weak. It’s not that an element is struggling or acting
upon its opposite. It’s more that the feedback loops between the opposites aren’t functioning
well.

The Four Levels of Interactions between Yin & Yang

The cycle of the six-elements explains all the processes of the body. It explains how
individual Yin substances are transformed by certain Yang elements. It explains for what
purposes this is done. When the interaction between Yin and Yang is harmonious and active,
life will flourish. If the interaction breaks down at any point, the door is opened to disease.

A tradition of harmonizing the embrace of the Yin and Yang triangles and the six
elements is found in an ancient quote.

“The General of the Clouds said: The Breaths of Heaven being without harmony, the
Breaths of Earth being smothered, the Six Breaths being in disorder, the order of
the Four Seasons being irregular, I would like to re-make the joining of the
Essences of the Six Breaths to insure maintenance of the numberless numbers of
the living. What must I do?”

Zhuangzhi, Chapter 11 (400 BC)

 This quote affirms the merging of Yin and Yang through six elements. To stay alive it is
essential to keep the Yin/Yang triangles and their six elements joined together in harmony.
When Yin and Yang are in a harmonious embrace, there is life and power. When stress and
chaos undo the Yin and Yang triangles and their six elements, there is death.

The relationship between the Yin and Yang elements within six-element theory is
understood by using the four levels of interaction between Yin and Yang. The four levels of
interaction are; 1) opposition, 2) interdependence, 3) mutual consumption and 4) inter-
transformation. These levels are usually applied in a general way to Yin and Yang, but they
also define the interaction between Yin and Yang elements perfectly. When the Yin/Yang
triangles embrace, their unique natures commingle consistent with these four levels of
interaction

Opposition

The Yin/Yang triangles are opposite. They are mutually exclusive of each other. They can
exist independently of each other. They each have their own source of Essence, which powers
them.

The Yin elements only express Yin attributes and the Yang elements only express Yang
attributes. So to say that some aspect of the Yin triangle has a Yang function contradicts the
first level of ‘opposition’.

For example, Spleen is a Yin substance from the Yin element Earth. According to this
level of opposition, Spleen has no Yang function. The Yang functions solely belong to the
Yang triangle. So when it is taught that Spleen has its own function to transform and
transport its own substance, this contradicts the first level of opposition. Spleen Yin
substance must be transformed and transported by a Yang element. The current use of the
term Spleen-Yang contradicts this level of opposition. In six-element theory, the term Spleen-
Yang refers to the ability of Yang elements to transform and transport the Yin substances of
Spleen.

To say that a Yin substance can transform itself is very much like saying that a woman’s
ovum has the capacity to fertilize itself. If Spleen could transform its own Yin substance, then
Yin and Yang would have no need for each other in the first place. There would be no need
for them to embrace. Yet Yin must be embraced with Yang in order to be transformed.

Interdependence

With Organ patterns in six-element theory, it is necessary to clearly separate the Yin
substances from the Yang transformations. The second level of ‘interdependence’ between
Yin and Yang further clarifies this.
 To follow with the Spleen example, the pattern of ‘Spleen Yang deficiency’ is a disorder
of Yang not transforming the Yin substance of Spleen. In six-element theory, the Spleen does
not have its own Yang function. Spleen Yang deficiency would not be attributed to a weak
Spleen-Yang but to weak Yang elements, which are not transforming Spleen substance.

Spleen-Yang deficiency is also known as ‘Fire Not Generating Earth’, which is the failure
of Fire in providing Heat to the Spleen to transform and transport. This perspective affirms
that Spleen-Yang is actually a function driven by the element of Fire. Spleen-Yang is a term
that describes the ‘interdependence’ between the Yang elements and the Yin substance of
Spleen.

All the Yang elements, Fire as well as Metal and Seed, transform Spleen’s Ying-Nutritive
substance to warm, nourish and moisten the body. Likewise, Spleen needs the Yang elements
to transform its Nutritive Qi. If the Yang elements are deficient, ‘proper’ warming and
moistening won’t happen and then Spleen substance will accumulate.

Symptoms of ‘Spleen Yang deficiency’ and ‘Fire Not Generating Earth’ are chilliness,
edema under the skin, loose stools, cold limbs, heaviness of limbs, bloated abdomen and
tiredness. These symptoms show that Spleen substance, which is cooling, moistening,
solidifying and calming, is accumulating. According to six-element theory, Spleen-Yang
deficiency means that Yang elements are not transforming and transporting Spleen substance.
Treatment would be directed at supporting the Yang elements and reducing the accumulation
of Spleen’s Yin substance.

The 2nd level of interdependence between Yin and Yang elements also clarifies Lung-Yin
deficiency. Lung-Yin deficiency results most often from deficiencies of Stomach and Kidney,
which are both from the Yin elements of Earth and Water. The Lung itself is from a Yang
element, Metal. In Lung-Yin deficiency, the Lung is losing its ‘interdependence’ with Yin
elements. When the Lung functions without the support of Yin elements, it will develop
dryness and empty-heat conditions. Treating Lung-Yin deficiency is done by supporting the
Yin substances of Stomach and Kidney, and of reconnecting Lung Qi to these Yin
substances.

Mutual Consumption

The third level of ‘mutual consumption’ between Yin and Yang is a two way street. An
excess of Yin will consume Yang, while an excess of Yang will also consume Yin. So there
needs to be a balance between them. Yin has to balance Yang as much as Yang has to
balance Yin.

The terms ‘Kidney-Yang’ and ‘Heart-Yin’ reflect this level of ‘mutual consumption’.
Kidney-Yang is a way of describing Kidney’s ability to accept and be transformed by the
Yang elements. The cold and wet pathology of Kidney-Yang deficiency shows that Kidney
substance is not being consumed by the Yang elements. The Yang elements are weak and not
transforming Kidney substance. Therefore Kidney substance is accumulating due to weak
transformation and consumption by Yang elements.
 The Heart meridian is from the Yang element of Fire. The term Heart-Yin describes the
Heart’s ability to be moderated by Yin substances. The empty-heat and restless nature of
Heart-Yin deficiency shows that the Heart is losing its dependence on Yin substances, either
because they are not sufficient enough to consume Heart’s heat or because they are losing
contact with the Heart. Yin substances must be sufficient enough to calm, cool down and
moisten the Heart.

All the Yin substances can settle the Heart one way or another. The Blood of Wood can
give the restlessness of the Heart a place to rest and quiet its Spirit. The Nutritive-Ying
substance of Earth can calm the Heart by nourishing the body. This helps the responsibility of
the Heart to push Nutritive Qi around the body. The Yin fluids of Water cool down and
moderate the heat generated from the Heart.

In effect, Yin substances are needed to consume excesses of Yang, while Yang activities
are needed to consume excess Yin.

Inter-transformation

Inter-transformation describes the phases of transformation between the Yin and Yang
elements. These phases follow the element order of Fire, to Earth, to Metal, to Water, to
Seed, to Wood and back to Fire. For example, molten lava spewing from a volcano is
represented by the element Fire. But as the lava flies through the air and lands, it cools down,
hardens, and turns into a rock, which is then represented by the element Earth.

As the rock cools down, it releases gases that through time produce an atmosphere
represented by the element Metal.

As the atmosphere builds higher and higher into the sky, there appear altitudes where
water vapor can form out of the air. Clouds form and water will fall in the form of rain or
snow represented by the element of Water.

As the water flows and gathers into the low places, it feeds the fertility of the soil and it
becomes absorbed into the seeds in the ground. The water is absorbed into the roots of plants
and drunken by animals. The water supports the homeostatic synergy pulsating within living
beings, which is represented by the element of Seed.

The pulsating homeostatic synergy within life becomes the blood and sap associated with
the element Wood.

The activating and channeling of the life energy in Blood and sap activate a living being.
The energy pouring out of the Blood is now reminiscent of the lava spewing from the
volcano, which is represented by the element of Fire. The Fire of the original volcano is now
expressing within a living being. The cycle begins again but this time the cycle continues
within the body and mind.

At each phase an element is transformed into the next element. Lava became the rock.
The rock became the air. The air became the water. The water became the pulsating life. The
pulsating life became the blood. The blood became the fire within the body. The energy of
fire becomes the matter of the body. And the cycle of inter-transformation continues on and
on, producing finer and finer details to living creatures.

The level of inter-transformation between Yin and Yang elements simply follows the
cycle of the six elements. As these elements alternate between Yin and Yang around the six-
element cycle, Yin transforms into Yang, and then Yang transforms into Yin. This agrees
with the level of inter-transformation.

Treating Yin & Yang

With six-element theory the main objective for treatment is to harmonize the relative
excess or deficiency between the three Yin and the three Yang elements. Harmony between
Yin and Yang strengthens the embrace of the triangles.

Because Yin Essence only exists within the Yin triangle, a Yin deficiency must indicate a
deficiency within the Yin triangle, Likewise, a Yang deficient condition indicates a
deficiency within the Yang triangle of elements.

For example, ‘Empty-Heat’ results from a deficiency of Yin substances, e.g. body fluids,
Blood and Nutritive Qi. Yin substances are cooling, moistening and calming. So indications
of empty heat are feelings of heat, dryness and restlessness. Treatment would seek to tonify
the Yin elements, e.g. Earth, Water and Wood.

‘Empty-Cold’ results from a deficiency of Yang activities, e.g. Wei Qi, Yuan Qi and Fire.
Yang activities are warming, drying and stimulating. So indications of empty cold are
feelings of coldness, extra fluids and tiredness. Treatment would seek to tonify the Yang
activities of the Yang elements, e.g. Metal, Seed and Fire.

In six-element theory Yin elements support each other. Therefore Yin elements can be
used to treat other Yin elements. Nourishing any Yin substance will eventually strengthen all
Yin substances. Strong blood will lead to stronger Nutritive Qi. Strong Nutritive Qi will lead
to better body fluids. Balanced body fluids will support strong blood.

As well Yang elements support each other. Therefore Yang elements can be used to treat
other Yang elements. Strengthening any Yang element will eventually strengthen all Yang
elements. Active Wei Qi will fortify Yuan Qi. Active Yuan Qi will bolster Fire in the body.
Active Fire will encourage stronger Wei Qi.

These treatments are effective ways to strengthen either Yin or Yang.

Many times in order to strengthen an element, whether it is Yin or Yang, the interaction
between Yin and Yang must be encouraged. When the Yin and Yang triangles come together,
new bonds are formed between the Yin and Yang triangles to hold them together. These
bonds are ultimately more vulnerable to stress, because most stress comes from imbalances
between Yin and Yang in lifestyle and physiology. Harmonizing the bonds between Yin and
Yang is ultimately more meaningful.
 Chapter 4 - The 6 Shu Points

Nowadays acupuncturists use 5 Shu-transporting points. These are the Jing-well, Ying-
spring, Shu-stream, Jing-river and He-sea points. However, a long time ago the understanding
was that there were 6 Shu points. The 6th Shu point was said to be the Yuan source point.

When the breaths rise in counter-current, then the Six Shu are no longer in free
communication, and the warming breaths no longer circulateÂ…

Lingshu, Chapter 66

Shu points relate to how water flows from a well in the mountains down via streams and
rivers to the ocean. The water is then taken back up to replenish the wells in the mountains.

GodÂ’s love is like a pure spring that gushes from the mountain. At its source it is
pure but as it flows on its course it becomes clouded and polluted until it enters
the ocean so impure it does not even resemble that which emerged from the
source. As it enters the ocean it begins to drop the mud and slime to the bottom
and again rises to the surface as a part of the glad, free ocean, from which it
again can be taken up to refresh the spring.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 2, Ch. 5

So the water has to go all the way to the ocean where it can become pure again. In the
ocean, the impurities settle out and purity rises to the surface. The wind then comes along and
carries the pure water back up to the mountains to refresh the wells and springs.

In 5-element theory the He-sea points precede the Jing-well points. The He-sea points are
represented by a delta or estuary. Deltas and estuaries are places where water is just returning
to the ocean.

The Qi of the He-sea pointsÂ…runs deep and broad like an estuary flowing into the
sea, preparing for its entry into the deepest levels of the body.

Peter Deadman, Acupuncture Points, p. 31

 With its springhead at the fingers and its delta at the elbowsÂ…

Giovanni Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese medicine, p. 335

However, it is actually from the open ocean that water is taken back up to replenish the
springs in the mountains. The settling out of impurities does not happen in a delta or estuary.
The water there is too turbulent and not yet ready to be taken back up to the mountains.
Impurities are still mixed in the water. Thus He-sea points do not represent the purification
process of the ocean. In this regard, the He-sea points do not directly precede the Jing-well
points. Thus, a sixth stage representing the deep open ocean actually exists between the He-
sea and the Jing-well points.

The water in an estuary is too turbulent to support the nature of Yuan Qi. Water entering
the ocean is not at rest. In order for water to return back to the mountains it must have a place
to rest and settle out its impurities. The ocean is the only place where water can be
rejuvenated. The deep resting stage of Qi in the ocean is the sixth stage of the Shu points.

So in the cycle of transporting Qi through the Shu points, the deepest levels of the body
must represent a sixth stage.

That sixth stage used to be found in the Yuan source points of the channels. The Yuan
source points are where the Yuan source Qi enters a channel. The San Jiao has the
responsibility to bring the Yuan source Qi to the Yuan source points. So the relationship that
San Jiao has with Yuan Qi will shed light on the sixth stage of the Shu points.

San Jiao is a meridian of the element Seed. The Yang activity that originates from Seed
is the Yuan-primordial Qi. Yuan Qi is generated within the peacefulness of the primordial
soup, which represents the glad, free ocean from which pure water can refresh the mountain
springs. Yuan Qi created life. Yuan Qi brings life out of the mud by purifying it.

The primordial soup is just like the ocean in that it is the final resting place of water that
flows and gathers across the land. The He-sea points still refer to water flowing and gathering
across the land before it enters the ocean. Once in the ocean, the water is allowed to relax and
take a break in deep repose and peace. Within this peace is the magic to rejuvenate flowing
Qi of life. The mud settles out and life is reborn through purification.

The sixth element Seed represents the stage where the Qi of the body-mind comes to rest
and to rejuvenate itself. This stage must exist between the deltas and the mountain wells. If
this sixth stage is left out and the water is directly returned to the mountain wells from the
estuaries, then the water returned to the wells still has impurities in it. True healing has not
been accomplished until the Qi has gone through the peaceful and cleansing stage of the sixth
element.

In sixth element theory the sixth Shu points can be called ‘deep calm water’ points.
These points allow the Qi to rest in deep places in the body. A practitioner can use the Yuan-
source points as the deep calm water points if desired, but there are other points available too.
The points are located near where the arms and legs meet the torso of the body. The points
are where the tissue under the skin sinks into the body. These points give rest to the Qi before
it is taken up to replenish the mountain wells at the tips of the fingers and toes.

WOOD SEED
jing well Deep calm water

Jing-well
FIRE WATER
 He Sea
Ying spring

EARTH METAL
Shu stream Jing river

The ‘deep calm water’ points used in six-element theory are:

Gall Bladder 30 Liver 11 Small Intestine 9 Heart 1

Stomach 30 Spleen 12 Large Intestine 16 Lung 2
Bladder 36 KidneyÂ11 San Jiao 15 Pericardium 1

Note: Palpate around each of these points until you find a soft deep depression in the skin
tissue. That will be the spot where the Qi sinks in deeply. Laying a hand or the tip of the
fingers on these points is relaxing and stress reducing. This technique allows the Qi in the
channels to rest and calm down. The result is that the Qi rejuvenates at a deep level.

Many of these ‘deep calm water’ points are underused in the modern practice of
acupuncture, mostly because they are sensitive to needle. Instead using a light penetrating
touch is a good alternative way to use them.

Many times one will see children in school sitting on their hands. Their hands are actually
holding Bladder 36, which relaxes the mind and calms down hyperness. The Bladder
meridian is called upon when one does a lot of thinking like in school. Bladder 36 has the
ability to settle and relax the mind, which allows the mind to process information that it has
gathered.

In times of burden or stress, one often hangs a hand over the shoulder. The fingers will
touch San Jiao 15. Many times a person will place their hands in their armpits. This
maneuver touches the Heart and Small Intestine deep calm water points, Ht1 and SI9. It is a
defensive gesture that emphasizes oneÂ’s own desires and self-determination. These points
calm down ambition over-drive and the feeling of carrying the weight of the world on oneÂ’s
shoulders.

To combine these ‘deep calm water’ Shu points with the Jing-well points is a
technique to recycle the circulation in the whole channel. It is best done once the Qi has had
time to relax. This point combination helps someone who is under stress and overburdened
by a load of impurities, whether they are emotional, social or physical. Another technique is
to combine these Shu points with the influential points. The influential points affect various
tissues and functions that actually correspond to the elements.

For examples,

  Combining the Seed meridian points of Pc1 and SJ15 with Ren17, the
influential point of Qi, supports the balancing of Yuan Qi when someone is on
the verge of exhaustion or collapse. Slow rhythmical breathing during the use of
these points enhances the effect.
  Combining the Wood meridian points of Lv11 and GB30 with Bl17, the
influential point of Blood, supports the resting of tired blood. This condition
results from someone losing hope and optimism about life. Courage is lost and
timidity follows. Sexual urges weaken. The person needs to rest the blood.
  Combining the Water meridian points of Kd11 and Bl36 with GB39, the
influential point of Marrow and Essence, supports nourishment of the sinews and
bones. This condition shows up as atrophy or pain of the limbs. The pain can be
felt in the bones as well. It is waterÂ’s nature to penetrate to deep areas. When
pain is felt deeply in the body, like at the marrow level, water is flowing too fast
to penetrate deeply. For example, if snow melts too fast in the springtime, the
water runs off the land and wonÂ’t soak into the ground as well. The water needs
to slow down and rest. Then it will soak deeply into the body.
  Combining the Earth meridian points of Sp12 and St 30 with Ren12, the
influential point of the Fu and food assimilation, supports the Nutritive-Ying Qi
when a person is stressed over eating too much or too little. Many times a harmful
self-body image is the cause. The stress ends up in the Stomach and SpleenÂ
meridians, which begin to lose the ability to properly assimilate nutrients around
the body. Menstrual functions can be adversely effected.
  Combining the Metal meridian points of Lu2 and LI 16 with Bl11, the
influential point of bones and rigidity of the spine and joints, supports the
dispersing and free circulation of stuck Qi, which limits movement and flexibility.
This condition results many times from being stressed over having to be friendly
with another person or even being afraid of relationships. These points allow one
to relax and open up. Arthritis can result from stress to the Metal element.
  Combining the Fire meridian points of Ht1 and SI9 with St32, the
influential point of arteries and veins, supports the smooth circulation of Qi and
blood from the chest to the periphery of the extremeties. When someone tries too
hard or works too hard, angina or hypertension can develop. This point
combination eases the blood pressure due to excess pressure around the heart.

These give some ideas of how to use the ‘deep calm water’ Shu points of six-element
theory.
 Chapter 5 - Distinguishing 5 and 6 elements

The distinction between six elements and five elements is found in a quote by Zhang Jiebin.

When the Great Ultimate (Tai ji) begins movement, yang is produced; when it comes
to rest, yin is produced. Each of the two Yin/Yang breaths has its Essences.
These Essences are the One of Heaven and the Six of Earth. Heaven, through the
One, produces water. Earth, through the Six, completes water, and this water is
the very first of the Five Elements…

Zhang Jiebin

From this quote we see that six Essences precede the five elements. Six-element theory
teaches that the six Essences represent unmanifested Essence. The five elements on the other
hand represent life Essence in its manifested form.

In this light, the six Essences relate to the more subtle underlying structure of unmanifested Jing-
Essence, which is unseen within the body-mind. Jing is not a formless energy. Jing has a structure
and serves as a mold for the physical body. The physical body draws its shape, function and form
from the Jing mold.

The Six Essences represent a template. The five elements use them as their ideal mold to draw
out the form of the body.

The pure and clear Essences are the template for each life.

Little by little the body draws out its form from the work of the Essences.

Rooted in Spirit, Larre and Rochat de la Valle

The structure of Jing is a perfect template and remains unchanged and unscarred by life. This
structure is an invisible body, which is always perfect. This is an advanced understanding of what
Jing-Essence is.

The body that manifests from this perfect template of six Essences is the physical body of the
five elements. This body is subject to the ups and downs, illnesses and scars of life. It is the body we
all see everyday. The perfect template unseen within our bodies though remains intact, without a
scratch.
 As the body of the five elements experiences growth and decay, the template of the Six Essences
remains perfect and pure. As illness appears in the manifested body of the five elements, the
template of the Six Essences can be used to return the body back to its original perfection. This
perfection is always available to rebuild and restore the visible body.

This knowledge is a deep spiritual way of healing that much of oriental medicine and shamanic
medicine is rooted. It involves contacting the perfect template of the Jing and its six Essences,
whether consciously or unconsciously, visualizing the perfection, and then manifesting the
perfection in the material body. The material body then changes back to its original perfection. Blind
eyes see again. Paralyzed legs walk again. Leprosy gives way to beautiful skin.

I visited a mystic in Cyprus, Stylianos Atteshlis, in 1993. He spoke of an etheric double. From the
viewpoint of six-element theory, the etheric double relates to the Jing of the six Essences. The body
of the Etheric double, which exists amidst the physical body, is perfect and unchanging, and cannot
separate from the physical body. When seen the etheric double looks just like the physical body, but
perfect in every aspect. The Etheric Double is the mold or template for the whole body. The physical
body should reflect its wholeness and purity.

The etheric vitality of the Etheric Double holds the whole body together, maintains it and
coordinates its growth. Etheric vitality is understood the same way as is the Jing-Essence in Oriental
medicine. The Etheric Double, also called Etheric Template, is constructed from the image contained
within what Atteshlis called the Permanent Atom, which he said is spherical. The Permanent Atom
directly relates to the spherical matrix to be presented later on. The permanent atom is the origin
and center for all meridians and Essences of the whole body.

Illness and problems arise when the etheric double is unable to impart enough etheric
vitality to a location in the body, as a result of fearful, aggressive or stressful
lifestyles. The body then fails to reflect the perfection of the etheric double…

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, mystic

From this quote, any type of energetic healing, be it therapeutic touch, Reiki, stones, Jin Shin
Jyutsu, Tui Na, etc., can be understood as channeling etheric vitality or Jing-Essence back to locations
in the body that are diseased. The etheric vitality of the Six Essences flows back to the physical body
and re-manifests wholeness and perfection, in effect curing disease.
 Chapter 6 - Climatic Factors in the 6-element Cycle

In six-element theory there are six basic climatic factors; heat, cold, wetness, dryness,
lightness and heaviness. In current element theories these kinds of factors may be seen as
pathogenic. It is true that they can harm life when found in extreme. But at the same time
they all naturally express within a healthy living being.

These six factors come in opposites. Heat counteracts cold. Wetness counteracts dryness.
Heaviness counteracts lightness. In actuality there are only 3 factors, Fire, Water and
Heaviness. The amount of Fire determines whether a condition has hot or cold. The amount
of water determines whether a condition is wet or dry. And the amount of heaviness
determines whether a condition is heavy or light.

In space, everything starts out cold, dry and light. Life on Earth gives heat, wetness and
heaviness to everything in various degrees.

The balance between Fire and Water is fundamental to every physiological process. In
six-element theory the Fire of the Yang triangle co-penetrates with the Water of the Yin
triangle. Each enters the realm of the other triangle. This co-penetration is extremely pivotal,
because it forms an axis between Fire and Water through the center of the six-element model.
This axis is the manifestation of Jing-Shen. The embrace of the Yin and Yang triangles
revolves around this axis. Thus Fire and Water give heat and wetness to life. Heaviness
results from their co-penetration.

In nature, heavy objects sink below lighter objects. Heavy objects also push lighter
objects upward. Heaviness is the density of an object. Earth and water are both heavier and
denser than air. Yet, water is lighter than Earth. Everything has its own weight and density in
comparison to everything else.

Fire and water have light and heavy states. Heat from the sun beats down on the land and
sea, which warms the air. The heat is then carried on the rising thermals into the atmosphere.
Water vapor is carried up into the atmosphere and then becomes heavy enough to drop as rain
or light snow. The balance between heaviness and lightness determines much of the
interaction and movement between the elements in nature.

Heat & Cold

Heat is a Yang pathogen. Within the Yang triangle heat is generated between the Seed
and Fire elements. Seed begins the warming up process by generating an activity that creates
life. The activity has a synergy that produces energy. Seed produces potential energy that
becomes stored in the element Wood.

The element Fire has the function of releasing the potential energy in Wood that was
originally put there by the element Seed. Thus Fire tends to be the hottest element, but not the
one that actually creates the energy for heat in the first place. Seed creates the energy first.
An example is seen in how prostaglandins produced in the base of the brain control fever and
inflammation. The base of the brain is governed by the meridians of the element Seed.

The element Wood is between Seed and Fire. Therefore Wood ends up being warmer
than Water in the interaction between Yang and Yin elements. The blood of Wood always
feels warm. It is natural and expected for blood to feel warm. Water on the other hand is more
natural to feel cold.

The element Water precedes the energy-producing phase of the element Seed. Seed takes
the cold Water and begins infusing energy and heat into it. The heat transforms the water into
the substance of blood at the element Wood.

Cold is a Yin pathogen, so it has an affinity with the Yin triangle. Within the Yin triangle
cold is developed between the Earth and Water elements. Earth begins the cooling process by
taking the heat of Fire and turning it into matter. The Earth’s crust surrounds a molten lava
core. The Earth’s crust is certainly cooler than the core.

Earth is a strong element for cooling down Fire. Earth has an intense cooling process even
though it is warm to the touch most of the time. In fact Earth is able to directly cool down the
element Fire by condensing it. When Water comes in contact with Fire, they fight and
struggle to dissipate each other. Earth simply and directly harnesses Fire inside of it. Earth
stays intact in the presence of Fire. Earth is warm because the Fire energy is still fresh inside
it, but it is cooler than Fire. Water is the coldest of all the elements, but not always the most
effective for cooling down Fire in the body.

Metal cools down the Earth further by releasing its exterior and carrying away the heat on
the Earth’s surface. Metal sits between Earth and Water and because of this, Metal is not as
warm or hot in nature as Seed or Fire. Metal’s Yang function of releasing the exterior is
actually cooling in nature.

Water is able to condense in the vaporous activities of the element Metal. Water
continues the cooling down process even further with fluids that absorb all remaining heat.
Water absorbs heat better than any other element. Water grabs heat and carries it away. Water
drains heat from the body either through the urine or perspiration.

In effect Heat is generated in one half of the six-element cycle, namely from Seed to
Wood to Fire. Cold is developed in the other half, namely from Earth to Metal to Water.
These two halves oppose and at the same time complement each other. This relationship
gives the body the ability to warm up or cool down as the need arises.
 For example, if cold attacks the body, the body can generate heat to counteract the cold
through the interaction of Seed, Wood and Fire. However, if the cold is too much for the
body to counteract, the body can slow down its circulation and metabolism in order to
harmonize with the cold. The body has its options to survive a cold pathogen.

If heat attacks the body, the body can release excess heat from the exterior with the aid of
the element Metal. The body can carry away the heat through urine also with the aid of the
element Water. The body can also stabilize the pathogenic Heat with the aid of the element
Earth. The body has its options to survive a heat pathogen as.

Heaviness & Lightness

Heaviness is a pathogen that most modern acupuncturists are familiar with. Heaviness is
usually called dampness. But dampness is a combination of heaviness and wetness.
Heaviness though can exist without wetness. In actuality, heaviness is a state of inertness,
weight, sluggishness, blockage, accumulation and thickness.

Let’s take a river that is running smoothly through the land. A landslide suddenly breaks
loose from a mountain and comes down to block the flow of the river. The landslide is heavy
and dams up the river. The water will accumulate behind the landslide dam. This
accumulation would be seen as dampness, but in actuality the real pathogen is the heaviness
of the landslide material, which is related to the element Earth.
 Most treatments for this condition would seek to drain the accumulation of water, but
what is really needed is a land-mover or many shovels to remove the earth of the landslide.
Once this heavy material is removed, the water will flow smoothly again. If the water is only
diverted around the heavy earth, it is likely that the accumulation of water will persist for
some time.

Indications of heaviness in the body are; down-bearing sensation, heavy limbs, heavy
muggy feeling in the head, slowed or blocked circulation, fullness, nodules, masses, welts,
numbness, swelling and even the distension of Qi stagnation. Diseases of heaviness are; food
stagnation, urinary stones, scleroderma, uterine fibroids, Qi obstructions, clogged vessels,
plum-pit Qi and muscle weakness.

So it is important in six-element theory to distinguish between heaviness and dampness.

Dampness is most always heavy in the body. But heaviness is not always damp in the body.
Damp-heat is a combination of wetness, heat and heaviness. The main idea is that heaviness
is a more basic pathogen than dampness.

Phlegm is also a form of heaviness, because it is heavy. There are various forms of
phlegm in the body. There is dry-phlegm, damp-phlegm, cold-phlegm, hot phlegm, wind-
phlegm, Qi phlegm and watery phlegm. These are all examples of how heaviness combines
with other pathogens to effect problems in the body. Phlegm by its very nature is reminiscent
of the landslide example above. Phlegm clogs, blocks and weighs down circulation.

Just as phlegm can cause wetness to accumulate and lead to dampness, in practice,
phlegm can also generate heat. Heat, like fluids, moves through the body with Fire, blood and
normal metabolism. Phlegm obstructs the circulation of heat. Heat then accumulates in and
around the phlegm blockage.

Heaviness is a Yin pathogen, so it has an affinity with the Yin triangle. The solid nature
of Earth makes it the heaviest of all Yin elements. Earth by nature is stubborn and inert. Earth
restricts movement by being immovable and through its own inertia. Earth tends to clump up
and form landmasses. In this regard it relates to the formation of nodules and masses in the
body.

Spleen is above all seen as the cause of dampness and phlegm in the body. Stomach 40,
Fenglong, is the primary point for phlegm. These meridians belong to the element Earth and
show Earth’s strong relationship to heaviness in the body. Whether the heaviness is felt in the
limbs, head, lower abdomen, joints, jaw, eyes, throat, stomach or wherever, the element Earth
has an affinity to this climatic factor. Earth feels comfortable with the feeling of heaviness.
The problem is that other elements don’t feel comfortable with excessive heaviness.
Heaviness is essential but it must be moderated so that it doesn’t interfere with other
activities of the elements in the body.

The body needs some heaviness to sustain itself. For example, there is an animal in the
sea, which is called the sand dollar. It looks like a little plate, which is hollow. When the sand
dollar is small, it puts sand inside its shell in order to give it weight. That way it won’t float
away. But as the sand dollar grows and gets bigger, it becomes heavier. And so the sand
dollar gets rid of the sand inside it over time, because it doesn’t need the sand.
 Lightness is the opposite pathogen to heaviness. When one thinks of lightness, they
usually think of air. Light things are usually said to be ‘lighter than air’. Air is the standard
for lightness. Whereas heavy objects sink and push downward, light objects rise and float
upward.

The pathogen that most acupuncturists would say corresponds to lightness is Wind. Wind
tends to rise and float. The lightness of wind allows it to move freely, to come and go. When
the wind pathogen floats to the head, one gets a feeling of being lightheaded. Dizziness is a
form of lightness. Just as the limbs can feel heavy, they can also feel light and spacey.

When a person is said to be ungrounded and spacey, that person is experiencing the
pathogen of lightness, which is unbalancing the body-mind. The person feels the need to
ground themselves back in the body or some kind of task. They actually need a little more
heaviness. They are deficient in heaviness.

Lightness is a Yang pathogen, so it has an affinity with the Yang triangle. The lightness
of Metal contrasts the heaviness of the element Earth. Metal corresponds to the air of the
atmosphere. There is a great difference between the heaviness of Earth and lightness of
Metal’s air. And yet, these elements interact so closely. They infuse each other and transform
into each other. Earth breathes in air. Soils have to be aerated in order to grow plants. The
leaves of plants exchange gases with the atmosphere.

Metal initiates the experience of lightness. Without lightness water would not form and
life could not be created. And yet, lightness needs the heaviness of substance to hold it and
root it. Only then can lightness create life.

Water vapor rises on the winds of Metal high into the atmosphere. There it collects into
clouds, which are light and floating in themselves. The Yin nature of Water develops
heaviness in order to fall as rain, but fortunately water has the capacity to allow itself to
become light and float upwards. Once the water falls as rain, it continues to flow effortlessly
across the heaviness of the land. As long as the land doesn’t completely obstruct the flow of
water, water will continue to flow.

Water reaches a special place where it rests. Here the element Seed infuses into the water
with its transparent vision. Seed is the lightest of all elements. It is the element that has no
form, no substance only function, only presence. Seed is as light as a thought. It has
substance but that substance is so ethereal in nature, that its lightness is profound.

The pathogen of Wind in the body-mind normally attacks the Liver. The Liver Essence
circulates gently and freely in the blood. The blood needs some heaviness to nourish and root
the body. If the blood becomes too light and begins to move like wind, the blood will lose
touch with the organs, nervous system, sense organs and skin. Problems will begin to arise.

The wind easily attacks the Liver when the integrity of the Seed element has been
dissipated. The Seed’s lightness leaks into the blood, and the blood begins to float away from
the body.

In six-element theory, wind mostly results from a weakness in the element Seed. Seed has
an affinity for lightness, the kind of lightness that penetrates deeply and quietly. So when
wind attacks the body, the wind moves with the lightness of the element Seed. Overtime the
wind can progressively dissipate the integrity of Seed, if one does not firm up the boundaries
of their homeostatic comfort zone.

When the element Seed begins to dissipate from the body-mind due to the presence of too
much lightness or wind, this most directly effects the element Wood, which follows Seed in
the six-element cycle. Wood is unable to thicken and incorporate the potential energy of
Seed, because Seed has become too diffused. Some describe this feeling as euphoric, because
the Primordial Power of Seed is being dissipated. But the power is actually being drained by
too much lightness.

When the Primordial Power of Seed becomes drained, the blood becomes weak. The
same principle is applied to Yuan Qi. When Yuan Qi becomes weak, the blood is weakened.
This leads to tremors and tics, mostly noticed around the eye.

Also wind results from blood deficiency. This happens when the element Wood is
deficient, thus meaning that blood is deficient. The power and energy of the element Seed
cannot strengthen the blood, because there is not enough blood to receive it. This excess
power from the element Seed is light in nature. As the excess energy of Seed dissipates away,
this excess power feels like wind in the body, because the presence of Seed is very light and
needs to be rooted.

In six-element theory, the lightness of wind will also undermine the element Seed
overtime, which then undermines the integrity of the blood, associated with the element
Wood. So in effect blood deficiency and the pathogen of lightness go hand in hand. One can
cause the other.

Heaviness is generated from Wood to Earth. Lightness is developed from Metal to Seed.
These two climatic factors oppose and at the same time complement each other. This
relationship gives the body the ability to accumulate mass or lighten the spirit as the need
arises.
 The body seeks to maintain a harmonious balance between its heaviness and lightness.
Still this balance can be upset. When the person feels too light, there eventually comes the
need to ground oneself. When a person feels too heavy and stuck in a rut, there eventually
comes the need to be free again. It is wonderful to float away yet still be rooted in the
physical body.

Dryness & Wetness

The last pair of pathogenic factors involves the abundance or the absence of fluids.
Wetness is a condition of abundant fluids in the body. Dryness is the absence of fluids in
some part of the body.

Wetness is mainly associated with the element Water. Dryness results as the Yang
elements express their activities of warming, drying, dispersing, and stimulating. The Yang
elements use up water in the body. In some respect however, Metal can actually produce
water.

The element most in struggle with Water is Fire. Fire causes dryness in the body. Fire
uses up and evaporates water leaving an area dry. This dryness is seen after a fever. Wetness
must return to the area in order for life to continue there. But without the interaction between
Fire and Water, there would be no life. The struggle between Fire and Water is the most
predominant struggle between Yin and Yang in the body-mind.

Dryness is a Yang pathogen, so it has an affinity with the Yang triangle. Within the Yang
triangle dryness develops between the elements of Fire and Metal. Fire most intensely leads
to dryness. Fire starts the consumption of wetness. The heat produced by Fire pulls and
pushes fluids out of an area. This is a necessary consequence of Yang activities. Yang simply
consumes Yin substances. Water is the most fundamental Yin substance. Fire happens to be
the most raw and fundamental Yang substance. These two elements consume each other more
than any other.

Fire goes into the viscosity of blood and consumes its fluids. The element after Fire is
Earth. Earth is the driest of the Yin elements as it comes after the intense drying effects of
Fire. Earth actually likes to be moistened by other Yin substances, namely blood and fluids
from digesting food and drink.

After Earth comes the element of Metal, which has a further drying effect on wetness.
Metal blows across the surface of an object, which pulls moisture out of it. A strong wind can
dry up the soil just as fast as the hot sun baking it. Sweat is more effective when there is a
wind blowing. As the sweat dries off the skin, the skin cools down. The metal element
controls the releasing of the exterior of the body.

Metal has the nature of being the driest element, but it is not the element that most creates
dryness; that element is Fire. Still very dry air may enter through the nose and mouth, which
are areas controlled by the element Metal. The moist tissue and mucous membranes in the
breathing passages is damaged by severe dryness.

Wetness is a Yin pathogen, so it has an affinity with the Yin triangle. Within the Yin
triangle wetness is developed between the elements of Water and Wood. The element Water
most strongly creates fluids out of dryness. The fluids created can be extremely abundant.
Just look at how much of the Earth’s surface is ocean. We live on a very wet planet. Still
there are places that haven’t seen any moisture for decades. The sun bakes down on these
places and pulls moisture out of the ground.

Eventually the rain must fall. Water will return. It is the cycle of nature in which we live
on this planet. Water has permeated every place on this planet at some time. Which is in stark
contrast to the time before water existed on this planet. At that time, every place on Earth was
completely bone dry and hot.

Too much water leads to flooding. In the body this is experienced as edema or even
diarrhea and incontinence. Dampness is a result of too much fluid. This kind of dampness
needs to be distinguished from the dampness caused by heaviness. Flooding can overburden
the Yang energies of the body and consume them. Weakened Yang energies then exacerbate
the accumulation of fluids in the body. However weakened Yang energies will contribute to
increased urination, sweating and diarrhea.

Water flows into the element of Seed. Seed is awakened by water, just as a seed sprouts
once it is wetted. Seed is the wettest of all the Yang elements due its position between Water
and Wood in the six-element cycle. Seed has a need for wetness in order to fulfill its function
and purpose.

In the physical body, the element Seed functions through the interstitial fluids between
cells and in the blood. This will be discussed in more detail in the chapter on San Jiao and
Pericardium.

The element Wood has a thick viscosity. Wood is actually the wettest element in the
sense that water is extremely concentrated within it. Blood is a form of thickened and
concentrated water. Blood has increased potential energy because Yin is concentrated within
it. The element Seed performs the function of concentrating wetness into the blood. Blood is
the very special substance. Water by itself cannot support life. Blood has the unique quality
in that it only exists to support life.

Blood is wet. It is taught that Blood and fluids have the same source. If one is low on
blood, one should not be made to sweat. This will aggravate the blood deficiency. The
common root that blood and fluids have is in the Yin triangle of Essence. Blood depends
upon an abundant wetness.

It is good to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning to replenish the fluids in the
blood that have been removed during the night. When we drink water, it goes straight from
the digestive tract into the blood. Some blood deficient symptoms result purely from not
enough water in the daily diet. The quantity of blood decreases causing a blood deficiency. A
general rule on how much water to drink daily is 0.3 liters per Kilogram of body weight.
Drinking this much water helps the body cleanse itself, and keeps the blood tonified.

To sum up, dryness is more found in one half of the six-element cycle, namely from Fire
to Metal. Wetness develops in the other half, namely from Water to Wood. These two halves
oppose and at the same time complement each other. Within the full cycle of the elements,
the body has the ability to moisten tissues and wash away toxins, as well as dry up
accumulated wetness.

The body seeks to maintain a harmonious balance between wetness and dryness. The
wetness is moderated by Yang elements. The dryness is moderated by Yin substances.
 Chapter 7 – The Meridians of Seed, San
Jiao & Pericardium

The meridians, San Jiao and Pericardium, are not completely understood in modern
theory of acupuncture. Six-element theory really develops the understanding of these
meridians, because a clear and definite distinction must be made with the meridians of the
Fire element, Heart and Small Intestine. Modern five-element theory overlaps these four
meridians under the one element Fire.

In Chinese Medicine the elements originally referred to ‘phases of transformation’ in

nature. The phases show how elements transform into each other in a cycle of creation. For
example, in the sequence of elements, Earth comes after Fire. This is seen as molten lava
(Fire) shoots out of a volcano as a red-hot flaming ember. Then as it flies and lands, it cools
down turning into a rock (Earth). As the rock cools, it gives off gases (Metal). And so on.

Once elements are created and exist side by side, then they interact with each other in
many various ways. Lava will flow into the ocean. Sea spray from waves breaking will rise
into the atmosphere. The sun shines into all elements on the Earth. Within barren deserts, we
find oases of life.

Of all the elements, Wood is the only one that is organic, meaning that wood represents
living tissue; it symbolizes the appearance of lifeblood. Lifeblood is defined as the blood
necessary to life and as the vital element for animating life.

Fire, Earth, Metal and Water are the four raw elements that existed before life began on
Earth. Wood appeared after life was created. But Wood did not just magically appear amidst
these other 4 elements. There was another phase of transformation that allowed Wood to
develop among the 4 raw elements; this other phase of transformation harmonized and
incubated the creation of life. It was from this ‘incubation’ that life appeared in the form of
the element Wood.

It is essential to realize that life did not just appear out of water. Wood did not just sprout
out of the water flowing across the land. The water had to come to rest and sit for a long
period of time. The water had to go through a maturation process wherein the elements went
through a phase of transformation that allowed them to coalesce into life. The elements had to
go through this resting phase in order for Wood to sprout and for life to start flourishing
across the land.

The element phase of maturation that occurred before the appearance of Wood is Seed.
The element Seed symbolizes the powerful yet quiet transformations that took place within
the primordial soup. Understanding this Seed phase is what separates six-element theory from
five-element theory.

Seeds are essential to the cycle of life, and represent a distinct phase in the cycle of the
elements. There would be no wood, nor trees, without seeds. There would be no offspring.
There would be no evolution. There would be no life.
Yuan Qi & Seed

I feel that Yuan Qi is not sufficiently understood and appreciated in modern acupuncture.
Some regard it as a sacred Qi that is always perfect; that it is always in a state of grace. In this
sense, Yuan Qi has an enduring potential throughout life.

The Yuan Qi is the seed of true nature that Heaven plants deep within at the moment
of conception. We must nurture the potential of this seed to fulfill our destiny.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p. 103

Yet at the same time, others say that Yuan-Qi can be diseased.

The key to effective medicine is to determine the cause and rectify the imbalance of
the Yuan/Primordial Qi of the body.

Yellow Emperor’s Classic, chapter 77

Yuan Qi is the primordial-Source Qi of the body. It is extremely fundamental to the

development and growth of life. Yuan Qi incubates and develops life from the embryo all the
way through old age.

While in the womb, the Yuan Qi guides the entire differentiation of the embryo and
fetus. During life, the Yuan Qi serves as the inner fire that fuels all developmental
processes such as making blood, the growth of bones, emotional psychic
development, and the ascent of the spirit.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p. 81

The embryo of all life was developed in the primordial soup by Yuan-primordial Qi. The
nurturing of an embryo in a woman is the same process that happened in the primordial soup
to create life. The protected stillness of the uterus is the best way to understand the primordial
soup. Yuan Qi is extremely strong in the uterus. When Yuan Qi is not strong, the fetus will
suffer.
 (Qi has)… the role of animating and setting in motion. This is not only for the various
kinds of circulation in an adult, but also the strength leading to the development
of the embryo into the child, and from the child to the adult. This process is also
due to the vitality of the Qi, not just the original-Yuan Qi, but all the expressions
of Qi and the real continuity of life through the Yuan Qi with the cooperation of
all the other kinds of Qi and Essences.

Essence, Spirit, Blood and Qi, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 50

Most acupuncturists would say that birth defects are the result of a problem with the Jing-
Essence. However, since Yuan Qi guides the development of the embryo, many birth defects
are caused by problems with the Yuan-Qi. Yuan-Qi and Jing-Essence work together to
develop the embryo.

Yuan Qi is like the main contractor that uses a blueprint to build a building. Other kinds
of Qi, like Wei Qi and Nutritive Qi, are like subcontractors. Yuan Qi manages and organizes
the whole construction. Jing, Essence is the blueprint that is used to guide construction. The
mother’s blood gives the materials needed to grow an embryo. If the building does not come
out perfect, was it poor construction, an imperfect blueprint or poor materials? The quality of
the materials is important. Ultimately the quality of the building reflects the quality of the
contractor who uses the materials. So for birth defects, Yuan Qi is most often accountable for
the problem.

But the emergence of one thing (Yuan Qi) in the ocean of nothing (Jing-Essence)
provoked the conversion of nothing into something…

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p. 48

We see that Yuan Qi plays a major role in creating and forming life. The actions taken by
Yuan Qi are not always perfect from our worldly critical eyes. But it may be that from a
spiritual perspective, even imperfections have a perfect reason as to why they manifest. That
is a deep perspective to ponder; one beyond human reason.

Yuan-original Qi is nothing but Essence in the form of Qi, rather than fluid. It can be
described as Essence transformed into Qi.

Giovanni Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, p 41

Yuan Qi is the Qi produced from total unification. This is the most profound mystery of
Yuan Qi. When all the Essences, Spirits and the visions of life come together in one unified
whole and when all the elements unify into that one whole, a power begins to pulsate and
resonate. This power, which is Yuan Qi, expresses the unification holographically. Essences,
Spirits and Yuan Qi make up the 3 treasures of Chinese Medicine.

The three energies together are unified in the One. There is Essence-Jing, there is
Spirit-Shen, and there is energy-Yuan Qi. These three are originally one. They are
founded in Heaven and Earth and form the root of all human energy. Human
beings receive spirit from Heaven, essence from Earth, and energy from the
middle harmony of Heaven and Earth. Joined together they are the one…The
three support each other and form an integrated whole.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p 79

To clarify this quote, the three were not originally one. Yuan-Qi begins once Jing and
Spirit unify in the middle. Before that, only Jing and Spirit exist.

Yuan Qi is the great unifier of Heaven and Earth. The unification of Heaven and Earth in
the middle is where Yuan Qi is. Yuan Qi is the final step that leads to what we would call
“Qi” in all its forms, kinds and distinctions. Yuan Qi is the original and primordial Qi. With
Yuan Qi, life in all its diversity and oneness begins to express. It is the fundamental Qi that
forms life. All other living forms of Qi are rooted in Yuan Qi.

The element Seed governs the Yuan Qi of the body. Through unification, Seed transforms
independent elements into a synergistic living being.

Yuan Qi is the original force that initiates all activity in the body-mind. Yuan Qi is the
fundamental Qi that awakens all other expressions of Qi. Through the transformations done
by Yuan Qi, the body-mind obtains Qi. This concept is essential to understanding the
relationship between Seed and Yuan Qi. The meridians, San Jiao and Pericardium, govern the
expression of Yuan Qi in the body-mind.

Many have come to understand that the element of San Jiao and Pericardium is Fire. But
they say that this Fire is a mixture of Fire and Water. That nuance is used to distinguish them
from the normal Fire meridians of Heart and Small Intestine.

It is inaccurate to say that the Yuan Qi is as a mixture of fire and water. In the above
quote Heaven and Earth join together in the middle where the Yuan Qi is. Heaven can
symbolically represent the Fire of Shen. Earth can symbolically represent the Water of Jing.
But Yuan Qi in the middle is not a mixture of Heaven and Earth. Yuan Qi presides over the
meeting of Heaven and Earth. Heaven, Earth and Yuan Qi are three unique expressions that
form an integrated whole. Fire, Water and Yuan-Qi are all distinct and unique in their own
rights.

The nature of Yuan Qi is distinct from any mixture of fire and water. Basically fire and
water do not mix. Yet they must coexist in a living unification of elements. Living unification
refers to the complete and total unification of the elements of nature as a requirement to
create a living being. The coexistence of Fire and Water is maintained by the Primordial
Power of Yuan Qi that presides over the living unification of elements. Yuan Qi is the
cohesive and transforming power that creates life out of the dangerous and fragile joining of
Fire and Water.

Homeostatic Synergy

The power of Yuan-Qi expresses with homeostasis. Homeostasis seeks total harmony and
then seeks to maintain that harmony. The more harmony there is, the more Yuan-Qi there is.

Through the harmony of homeostasis a synergy is produced that drives and activates the
Qi of the body-mind. Imagine an orchestra with dozens of musical instruments. If the
instruments play off key the sound is dull, chaotic and resistant. Now imagine the difference
when the instruments play in tune. The sound amplifies and resonates with greater clarity and
openness. The sound penetrates and focuses. Glass may even break with the focused
resonance.

Homeostasis creates the same kind of amplified resonance when different parts of the
body are brought into tune. Synergy is increased with unified resonance. This synergy is a
power that appears when independent and discordant sounds are transformed into a harmonic
unification of beautiful sounds. Essentially the different parts of the whole come to resonate
with each other. When all parts vibrate together, a powerful synergy results.

The element Seed is the power to unify and harmonize distinct and discordant parts. Seed
brings these parts into tune so that they resonate with each other. This is the nature of
Primordial Power in the primordial soup. The resonating harmony is called Homeostatic
Synergy.

In six-element theory, San Jiao and Pericardium promote homeostatic synergy in the
body-mind. The synergy of Yuan Qi awakens the Qi of all other meridians. This awakening
can only happen through the unification of all Qi within a being. This synergy of unification
is the best way to understand the element Seed and the primordial Yuan-Qi. The homeostatic
synergy activates all the Qi of the body.

The element Fire does not have the patience to sit quietly for eons upon eons waiting for
harmony while life is created in water. The Heart meridian does not understand homeostasis.
The Heart only knows the will to live and take action. And yet it was the Yuan Qi in the
primordial soup that brought fire safely into the water by creating lifeblood within the water.
Fire then had a home within the water. Yuan Qi oversaw this process.

The Pericardium is distinct from the Heart meridian because it knows how to care for a
child, nurture and protect that child. The Pericardium meridian oversees the production of
mother’s milk. The Pericardium knows the patience required to cultivate the development of
life.

The basic idea is that Yuan Qi is generated by the synergy of homeostatic unification.
Homeostasis means that extremes are brought together in harmony and common purpose.
Extremes become one diversified and balanced being. The power that is created in this
unification is extreme and possibly infinite. This power must be regulated or it could destroy
itself. The extent to which the extremes can be harmonized determines how much power will
resonate in the unification. This means that as one is more able to discipline their energies
and their way of life, so as to better balance the extremes of Yin and Yang, then more power
will generate from their Yuan Qi. These are steps towards immortality and wisdom.

The ancients knew this. The ancients lived long lives because they developed ways to
balance the extreme transformations of Yin and Yang. Their way of life maintained the
balance of original homeostatic unification. This ‘Universal Truth’ of how to live is
elucidated throughout the first chapter of the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine. A wise
and regulated homeostasis in body and mind is key for living a long healthy life. Homeostasis
allows our primordial-original Qi, the Yuan Qi, to flourish abundantly.

Homeostasis in all organisms is continually attacked by stress, internal and external. It is

a fact in physiology that without homeostasis there is disease and death. Stresses to
homeostasis weaken Yuan Qi and threaten life. The ancients lived long healthy lives because
they minimized stress and knew how to cultivate their Yuan Qi by harmonizing Yin and
Yang. They knew how to live in harmony with themselves, with the external environment,
and with the other people.

San Jiao

When one looks into the primordial soup, the Primordial Power is not visible to the naked
eye. The power is silent and can’t be heard. It is only self-evident through the fruits of its
transformative power and presence. The fruits are the life forms that grew out of the
primordial soup and now move on the Earth.

There is a wonderful story to illustrate the great function of the Three-Heater (San
Jiao) as spacemaker, peacemaker, homemaker, and caretaker, for all the rest of
life. The story is from a little book called The Sermon on the Mount According to
Vedanta by Swami Prabhavananda:

In one of our monasteries there were a number of young postulants, not yet trained,
fresh from school. When they had been together a short time, their old
tendencies began to assert themselves, and the boys formed cliques and
quarreled. A senior swami of our order went to investigate. He questioned
everybody and soon discovered the ringleaders. Then he wrote to Swami
Brahmananda, who was the head of our order, that these boys were unfitted for
monastic life and should be expelled. My master answered: “Don’t do anything
about it. I am coming myself.” When he arrived at the monastery, he did not
question anyone. He just started living there. He insisted on only one thing –
that all the boys should meditate in his presence regularly every day. The boys
soon forgot their quarrels. The whole atmosphere of the place became uplifted.
By the time Swami Brahmananda left, two to three months later, perfect
harmony had been established in the monastery. No one had to be expelled. The
minds and hearts of the postulants were transformed.
 All Sickness is Home Sickness, p 154

This story describes the quiet and subtle power of the San Jiao. Just the presence of the
San Jiao is transforming. The story also points out that it is good to regularly meditate on the
Primordial Power of the San Jiao in the body-mind. In this way, one’s actions, thoughts and
emotions become aligned with the harmony of a mature wisdom.

Primordial Power itself has no form like the other elements. Even the element Fire can be
seen in its blazing flame. Even Metal can be seen in the exterior image and canopy of the
atmosphere.

Primordial Power has no form but only function; it has the function of transformation.
But this function is illusory, because the function has no form. Primordial Power is a
presence that cannot be sensed with the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
If one tries to touch it, nothing is felt. If one tries to see it, nothing is seen. If one tries to
define its shape and form, one finds that the Primordial Power dissolves its own form, always
being formless. While it has no form, it has presence. Its presence permeates completely. Its
presence can only be sensed with the sixth sense called resonance. Only by resonating with
the Primordial Power can one sense it.

The five colors blind the sight.

The five sounds deafen the hearing.

The five flavors dull the taste.

The sage is guided by what is sensed within

and not by what is seen.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 12

Chinese doctors for centuries have debated whether the San Jiao has a form or not. It is
said that the San Jiao has no form, but only function.

The San Jiao ‘has a name but no form’.

Classic of Difficulties, Chapter 66

 The San Jiao is just like Primordial Power; neither has form, they only have function.
Still, it is possible to sense the Primordial Power in a human being because the Primordial
Power had to take on a physiological form in order to function in an individual being.

In the primordial soup, all elements were brought into a special balance. The process of
bringing the elements into balance is overseen by the 6th element, Seed. Outside of that
balance was a chaos that would destroy the life forming there.

Ever since the actual primordial soup, physical bodies could never lose total contact with
the power in the primordial soup. Even as life evolved to move out into the chaos, the
primordial soup had to go with it. If the connection to the original soup were lost, the
integrity of an organism would disintegrate.

The main function of the 6th element, Seed, in the physical body is to sustain the original
power of the primordial soup, despite the chaos in nature. The body does this by regulating
and adjusting the concentrations of various substances in the interstitial fluids, lymph and
blood plasma. The interstitial fluids are the key to homeostasis in the body. Essentially, the
interstitial fluids are primordial soup, which is still flowing through us.

In physiology the interstitial fluid is referred to as the "internal environment”. This fluid
surrounds all the cells and organs of the body. Interstitial fluid flows outside of all cells. Cells
are bathed in this fluid. For the body's cells and organs to survive, the composition of this
fluid must be precisely maintained at all times. A body has homeostatic balance when its
internal environment has the optimum concentrations of gases, nutrients, ions, salts,
hormones and water, and has optimum temperature and volumes. These concentrations
reflect the ancient conditions in the original-primordial soup.

One of the functions of the San Jiao meridian is to transport Yuan Qi, as well as body
fluids through the 'Cou' of the body. The oriental medical term ‘Cou’ refers to all the spaces
in between cells and organs. Obviously the Cou is where interstitial fluid flows. Yuan Qi is
transported with the interstitial fluids. Therefore, the homeostatic control of the interstitial
fluids is the power of Yuan Qi. San Jiao and its connection to Yuan Qi correlate perfectly to
the homeostatic fluids that flow through the Cou of the body.

In six-element theory, San Jiao commands the fluids of the internal environment, which
surround the cells and organs and harmonize the 3 Jiao’s. The interstitial fluids are the
primordial soup in the body. These distinctions are of great help to understand San Jiao
better.

The Hypothalamus & San Jiao

The homeostasis of the internal environment is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus is the main center of control for homeostasis in the body. When one
speaks of homeostasis, one has to speak of the hypothalamus. So there would have to be a
connection between the hypothalamus and the Seed meridians, San Jiao and Pericardium.

The hypothalamus is traversed by the San Jiao channel and the divergent channel of
Pericardium. San Jiao transports primordial Yuan-Qi through the homeostatic concentrations
of the interstitial fluids. This is exactly what the hypothalamus does through its regulations of
hormone concentrations in the blood plasma and interstitial fluids.

In six-element theory the hypothalamus is the corresponding organ to the San Jiao
channel. The hypothalamus has exactly the same functions as San Jiao. These are:

1. To harmonize all three Jiao’s and all organs of the body by way of the water
passages.

The hypothalamus harmonizes all parts and organs through hormonal control.
Primordial Power harmonizes whatever is permeated by its presence. San Jiao
permeates all parts of the body the way that Primordial Power permeated the
primordial soup. With this complete permeation all parts can be harmonized.

2. To perform “Qi Transformation” around the body.

The homeostatic synergy of Yuan Qi transforms all Qi throughout the body-mind.

The synergy of Yuan Qi transforms and empowers activity in all the meridians. The
hypothalamus regulates metabolism and bodily functions.

3. To transport Yuan Qi and fluids through the Cou of the body.

The hypothalamus makes adjustments to the interstitial fluids, which flow through
the Cou spaces between the cells. The adjustments produce the homeostatic synergy
of Yuan Qi. Thus, the hypothalamus produces the Yuan Qi that flows in the
interstitial fluids.

By itself, the hypothalamus monitors and regulates a wide variety of physiological and emotional
activities;

 Temperature of blood

 Core & peripheral body temperature

 Osmotic pressure for thirst

 Hunger and satiety

 Moving food through the GI tract

 Waking and sleep patterns

 Rage, aggression and fear

 Hormonal concentrations
 Secretions of other glands

 Heart rate

 Emotional states

 Sex drive

 Contraction of the urinary bladder

 Sound, smell and taste receptors

 Growth, development and metabolism

 Reproductive cycle, menstruation

 Gamete production

Modern physiology has revealed that the hypothalamus is at the center of many health
problems, like migraine headaches, depression and weight problems. It is important that the
hypothalamus be recognized as a major organ in Oriental Medicine. The hypothalamus
regulates hormones throughout the body. Obviously regulating hormones is an extremely
important function.

Six-element theory completely incorporates hormonal control of homeostasis by the

hypothalamus into the 6th element, Seed, and its meridians, San Jiao and Pericardium. Seed
bathes the organs and the other 5 elements in Yuan/primordial Qi. Without the homeostasis
of interstitial fluids and without the transformational phase of the 6th element, there would be
no life.

The basic correspondences and principles of six-element theory provide a solid

framework for assessing and treating homeostatic disorders. When Qi flows smoothly in the
San Jiao and Pericardium channels, homeostasis can endure the stresses impacting our health.
Treatments unblock and circulate Qi in the San Jiao and Pericardium channels to secure Yuan
Qi.

The ultimate message of six-element theory is “Living in homeostatic harmony gives life
an enduring power and serenity”.

Pericardium

Physiological Homeostasis in the body is regulated by numerous feedback loops. A

feedback loop has 3 basic parts. First part monitors any changes affecting homeostasis and
then sends this information to the control center. Second part is the control center, which
determines what needs to be done to maintain homeostasis. The main control center in the
body is the hypothalamus. Third part, which is any part of the body, receives a message from
the control center to take a specific action that will return the body to homeostasis.

The first aspect of the feedback loop, monitoring homeostasis, is the job of the
Pericardium. If homeostasis is not quite right or could be better, the Pericardium will relay
that message.

Homeostasis is the power of Qi in the body. When the body has perfect and smooth
homeostasis, there is an aliveness to the functions in the physiology; fluids are transported,
muscles have tone, the heart beats with rhythm, the nervous system has responsiveness and
breathing is regular.

The San Jiao and Pericardium have been severely under represented in modern
acupuncture teachings and literature. For example, five-element theory teaches that the
Pericardium does not have any pattern syndromes of its own. This lack of understanding
about the Pericardium in current theory is a real weakness. In six-element theory, the
Pericardium has its own patterns of pathology.

The following are the basic syndrome patterns of Pericardium.

Deficiency of Pericardium Qi

When Pericardium is weak, there is weak monitoring of homeostasis. Thus regulation of

homeostasis lags behind. Inefficient homeostasis leads to sluggish physiology and wishy-
washy mental processes. The person will readily have an unbalanced homeostasis. They
won’t know exactly what’s wrong with them. They won’t be able to make right decisions.
They don’t feel as good as they think they should and don’t know why. They are vulnerable
to what other people say. They are unable to maintain balance to their homeostasis.

An example of deficiency of Pericardium Qi is found in Post-partum depression. This

condition stems from the mother’s giving of Yuan Qi to develop the embryo and fetus during
the months of pregnancy. Much of the mother’s own Yuan Qi goes to the fetus. Once the
child is born, the Yuan Qi is in a depleted state. The best treatment is for the mother to
receive help from others not only in taking care of the child, but also of the mother’s needs.
This will secure and nurture her own Yuan Qi.

Another manifestation of deficient Pericardium Qi is chronic low-grade fevers. Over the

years physicians have discussed what causes low-grade fevers and how to treat them. These
fevers are related to a weakening of the Pericardium and San Jiao to maintain the homeostatic
temperature of the body. By being weak the temperature floats above the perfect temperature.
The fever is caused by deficiency, and the key to treatment is to tonify the basal-source Qi of
the body. Once the source Qi is stabilized and secured, the temperature will be regulated
normally. The temperature floats upward due to two reasons; Seed meridians aren’t strong
enough to regulate how the Fire element warms the body, and Yin is not transformed by the
actions of the Yang Yuan-source Qi, which leads to empty heat.
Excess of Pericardium Qi

This condition is indicated by one who over-monitors homeostasis. This person over-
regulates and micromanages every condition in life. They try to keep things the same or they
try to improve everything. They hold onto what they have and easily feel threatened. They
are hypersensitive to external factors that affect homeostasis even in a slight way. These
people show hypersensitivities to pollutants, and even perceived pollutants in the
environment. They are actually unwilling to change their lives or adapt to extremes because
they set very limited ranges of homeostasis. They don’t give themselves room to breath.

An example of excess Pericardium is Obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition

indicates an excess of Yuan Qi. The person is trying too hard to keep things perfect. Yuan Qi
is a natural manager. It oversees that everything is running smoothly and efficiently. Yet
when a person over-manages too many details and doesn’t allow room to breath, the Yuan Qi
is over-powering the functions of other meridians. The Yuan Qi has to let things go to some
extent. When in excess, Pericardium tends to over-protect and over-nurture. Of course
Pericardium means well in its actions, but when it is in excess, it is stifling the free-flow of
life to adapt and interact. When Pericardium is in excess, someone will dominate and control
another person, because they are uncomfortable with the other person’s differences. The best
means to treat such a condition is with patience and understanding. It is counter-productive to
battle or criticize someone who has Pericardium in excess.

Scattering of Pericardium Qi

This person has no consistency in their life. There is no routine. They have no guidance
from others, and no clear idea what the path of their life is. They drift never finding a pattern,
never finding a way of life. They are constantly having to adjust to external factors beyond
their control. They wait for others to make decisions for them. They’ve lost a sense of right
and wrong. Their homeostatic balance wavers in and out of synergy. They tend to be
lethargic and scattered.

An example of scattered Pericardium Qi is Post-traumatic Stress syndrome. This

condition results from a shock to one’s homeostatic boundaries or also from continual stress
to one’s own homeostatic comfort zones. Yuan Qi needs to have secure boundaries and set
parameters. Once these boundaries are disrupted, distorted and damaged by violent or
stressful events, Yuan Qi leaks and loses its definition. Just like a leg can be broken, Yuan Qi
can break too. The broken Yuan Qi needs to be splinted and secured, and then one needs to
stay off of it for a while as it repairs. Treatment of scattered Pericardium is a process of re-
patching and nurturing the boundaries of the Yuan Qi. It’s almost as if the person has become
a little child in a grown-ups world. They lose the ability to make decisions and set things right
in their life. It is harmful to expect someone with this condition to stand on their own two feet
and live the right way, because their Pericardium Yuan Qi has not been nurtured and secured
properly. Their spirit has been broken and needs repair. Some people with Post-traumatic
Stress syndrome never find anyone who can nurture them. They drift along with a broken
spirit. It is actually quite hard in this world to find people who nurture and love in the gentle
way of the Pericardium and primordial Qi.

This person is buffeted by forces that disrupt their emotional stability. These people need
to be removed from those forces and allowed to mend. Many need to be taken away from the
protocols of modern life to a place where life is simpler.
Stagnation or Constriction of Pericardium Qi

These people are close-minded and unwilling to monitor external factors. They close
themselves off from the world. This is a coping mechanism when someone loses the ability to
adjust to external factors. They back off in order to give themselves time to understand what
is happening. They are unable to monitor changes in their life without getting upset. The
stagnation blocks the whole flow of Qi in the body-mind. They lock themselves into a limited
way of being and when the reality around them contradicts their view of how things should
be, they resist and don’t adjust. This resistance blocks the free-flow and flexibility of Qi. Qi
stagnates internally.

The ways that this can manifest range from simple frustration to debilitating phobias,
from fear of intimacy to hopelessness. Stagnation of Yuan Qi is so common in this world,
because this world requires so much conformity from people. People need to be who they are,
who they want to be and who they are meant to be. When a person gives up a personal dream,
or a personal love they lose inner fulfillment. Their Yuan Qi stagnates, because it isn’t able to
fulfill itself. When a cultural way of life deteriorates under the pressures of globalization,
people lose a sense of right and wrong. They lose a sense of contentment. They lose a sense
of tradition. They lose a sense of who they are and how to live. The current increase in
frustration and depression around the world relates to constriction of Pericardium Qi. Support
systems break down and change. Yuan Qi stagnates because self-determination is not being
respected nor supported. People must define the perfection of their own lives, their own
culture and their own personalities. Yuan Qi guides self-determination. When people are
blocked from determining their own way of life, Yuan Qi stagnates. Treatment focuses on
supporting self-determination in order to find what really makes the person happy. Treatment
is that simple but may require changes in family and social relationships.

I have found that the Pericardium channel is related to one’s ‘feeling of belonging’ and of
‘feeling at home’. It embodies an instinctive longing to feel connected to one’s home
environment, which for every living being on Earth was originally the peaceful power of the
primordial soup.

As modern life gets less homeostatic, the desire to “go home” is getting stronger among
people. Home is a place of personal power, where one is rejuvenated and nurtured. If we
could all return to the original primordial soup just for a moment, we would be rejuvenated
by the vast nurturing power there.

Contrasting Pericardium from Spleen

When the radical for plant is added onto the top of the character for Intent, the new character
is for the heart of the lotus seed, which is the most sacred of all Chinese herbs. The lotus
plant grows in the muddiest and swampiest waters and yet produces a most beautiful flower.
The lotus grows in water that would be very similar to the waters of the primordial soup.

. The heart of the lotus seed is one of the few herbs that enter the Pericardium channel, which
affirms the connection of the Pericardium to Intent, Yi. As we see from the character for
Intent and its transformation into the character for the heart of the lotus seed, Intent relates to
the resonating seed power of the Pericardium within the primordial soup

In modern Chinese medicine, Intent,Yi, is taught to be associated with the Spleen. In six-
element theory, Intent is associated with the Pericardium. When one understands Pericardium
with the knowledge of Primordial Power and the element of Seed, many of the associations
given to Spleen actually relate better to Pericardium.

Another example of how Spleen is confused for Pericardium relates to the acupuncture point
Gaohuangshu (Bl43). The name of this point is “vital energy point”. It is taught that the vital
energy of the Spleen, called Gao, and the vital energy of the Kidney, called Huang, meet at
this point. However, just as Pohu (Bl42) relates to the Lung point of Feishu (Bl13), and
Shentang (Bl44) relates to the Heart point of Xinshu (Bl15), Gaohuangshu (Bl43) relates to
the Pericardium point of Jueyinshu (Bl14). Gaohuangshu is used for Pericardium issues like a
broken relationship and phlegm.

Even though Gaohuangshu is taught to be related to Spleen, it is more directly related to

Pericardium by association with Jueyinshu (Bl14), the Pericardium point. The vital energy
produced by Gao is related to the vital energy of the Primordial Power, and the Yuan Qi that
circulates in the chest. This is the Qi associated with the Pericardium in six-element theory.

When the source Qi or basal Qi of the body goes weak, there are symptoms like laconic
speech, tendency to curl up, shortness of breath, intermittent or chronic low-grade fever,
aversion to cold and worsening of symptoms upon exertion. This is currently attributed to
Spleen Qi deficiency and weakened Yang. The Yang is said to have sunken and needs to be
raised. All the symptoms point to a deficiency of Yang activity. Pericardium is Yang in
nature. Weak basal Qi actually refers to weak Pericardium and San Jiao Qi.

When the source Qi is strong as maintained by Pericardium and San Jiao, the
transformational processes from homeostatic synergy are healthy. The body energy is
uplifted. The source Qi is a Yang Qi that stokes the inner fires and builds activity in the body.
This function is provided by Pericardium and not Spleen in six-element theory.

The herbal treatment of weak Pericardium Qi uses relatively light herbs to raise and
strengthen its Qi. The formula Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is mostly used. Huang Qi, Chai Hu and
Sheng Ma are the relatively light herbs that raise the Pericardium Qi. Chai Hu enters the
Pericardium channel. In the chapter on the six climatic factors, it was noted that the element
Seed is the lightest of all elements. This is why light herbs are used to support weakened Seed
Qi of Pericardium and San Jiao.

These examples show us that Pericardium and Spleen need to be clearly differentiated
because modern teachings are confusing them. Once one understands the true nature of
Pericardium, many of the associations to Spleen will be returned to the Pericardium. Plainly
put, Pericardium is not deeply understood by modern teachings. This is where six-element
theory is so invaluable because it is able to clarify the difference between Pericardium and
Spleen.
Contrasting Seed from Earth

Making proper distinctions between the elements of Seed and Earth is important. Most of the
concepts that relate to the element Seed have been relegated to the element Earth in five-
element theory.

Seed and Earth are both stabilizing expressions. The element Earth seeks physical stability, which
is the stability of solid, dependable and unchanging ground. Earth seeks a life of comfort and ease. It
is happiest when it is working the least. Earth is resistant to change.

The element Seed seeks metabolic stability, which is the stability of homeostasis amidst the
changing environmental conditions. Seed seeks a life that is comfortable and meaningful. Seed is
happiest when it is doing work it enjoys. Seed stabilizes changes.

The stability of Seed is much more dynamic than the stability of Earth. Seed seeks to activate
functions and processes, whereas Earth seeks to maintain a status quo. The stability of Seed is light
and flowing, whereas the stability of Earth is heavy and anchoring.

When life takes a lot of effort to maintain, then Seed works hard to make things right. Seed
seeks to maintain the homeostatic power. The energies of Seed wear down when life is always a
struggle.

Earth will break down, when resources are lost. As long as one has ample food, supplies, money
and resources, the element Earth can deal with any stress. If one is poor and lacking food and the
roof is leaking, their Earth element will be under stress. If one has a loving and supportive family
amidst the poverty, one’s Seed element will be strong and able to deal with the challenges. But the
discipline and fortitude to effectively manage the challenges of life depends on a well-developed
Earth element.

On the other hand, even when a person has total physical abundance, if they struggle to
maintain a happy and meaningful life, their Seed element will be under stress. In this case, the Earth
element is in excess and is weakening the need to have a strong Seed element. Earth is being over-
indulged by having too much and the need for family support that develops out of hard times has
become almost unnecessary. This is part of the reason why in Christianity the rich are asked to give
up their possessions. It is through giving up the earthly possessions that the Primordial Power within
us love and heal is awakened again.

The complementary relationship between Earth and Seed is a key aspect to living. Seed is happy
when life is supportive and harmonious. Earth is happy when life is abundant and prosperous. Seed
is more focused on developing security. Earth is more focused on maintaining security.

Spleen meridian relates to a passive security, which is the Yin type of security. Passive security is
where physical abundance gives one the sense of stability. Spleen will take a rest once the harvest is
done. Pericardium relates to an active security, which is the Yang type of security. Active security is
always seeking to monitor and manage the sense of stability. Pericardium never rests; it is always on
the lookout for stresses and pressures to homeostasis.
 Pericardium relates to the nesting instinct in a pregnant woman. Pericardium is interested in
finding a place that provides an emotional safe haven. The woman wants to find a secure spot that
feels comfortable and safe. Spleen is more interested in a place that can provide for physical needs.
A place may provide all the physical needs, but the element Seed wants it to feel safe and secure.
Earth and Seed work in a complementary way to find a safe and secure place that will also provide
for one’s physical needs. But if a woman feels that safety and harmony are more important she will
forego physical comfort. As well, a woman may feel that physical comfort, Earth, is more important,
and she will forego love and the true desire of her heart, Seed.

New Modern Disease Paradigms

Modern life is disrupting homeostatic synergy around the world. Forests and animals are
being uprooted. Cultures are being fragmented and replaced through globalization. There is a
“disconnect” being created between people and their ancestral lands. Economic growth is
continually consuming the cultural heritage and resources around the world.

The modern diseases of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) syndrome and Toxicant-
induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) represent a new disease paradigm. They’re associated with
increases in asthma, migraine headaches, depression, allergies, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The theory of homeostatic synergy explains these diseases in the following way. Chronic
stresses ultimately undermine homeostatic synergy, to the point that eventually there is a
breakdown or collapse of the internal mechanisms that regulate homeostatic synergy.
Common symptoms of this disease paradigm reflect this internal collapse; fatigue, loss of
concentration, depression, memory loss, dizziness, headaches and heat intolerance.

Modern life is getting more and more separated from the harmony of nature. The
connections to the original homeostatic synergy are becoming thinner and thinner. Our
modern way of life and technology is pushing an unhealthy limit. Health can only tolerate so
much separation from the primordial source before it breaks down. Modern society has
eroded the connection to that source.

Modern life is not as much a struggle to provide for the physical needs of people as it was
in the past. Now life is more a struggle to find the roots that give us life. The technological
abundance that has been created is ‘out of balance’ with the simple joys that inspired us to
improve the world in the first place. It is those simple joys that spark creative power. Creative
power is a healing power within the body also.

The desire to “go home” is getting stronger among the native peoples around the world.
Home is a place, where one’s spirit is nourished. The original home for all life was the
primordial soup. The element Seed is being severely stressed in the people of the modern age.
This is creating new disease paradigms.

The humble power of homeostatic synergy is the most powerful living force in nature; one
that modern people would do good to incorporate back into their way of life.
Chapter 8 – Intro to the Spherical Meridian
Theory

The acupuncturists of the past examined the mysteries of the meridians for thousands of
years, but even to this day their work has not been completed,. It is the responsibility of each
generation to continue the work of exploring the mysteries. There is still so much yet to
discover.

Each generation builds upon the knowledge of the past. By moving forward with new
discoveries we honor those who have worked before us. They gave us their very best. So we
give our best to the future generations. They are the ones who will know things that we could
never imagine.

The Spherical World of Meridians

500 years ago, people thought that the world was flat. They talked about the 4 corners of the
Earth like the 4 corners of a flat tabletop. It was very hard to imagine a spherical world. To think that
there were people living underneath you was a hard concept to grasp.

Eventually it was proven beyond any doubt that the world is a sphere. This is common
knowledge now, but it is very hard for many people to visualize. Are you personally able to visualize
the world as a sphere? Can you see the world as a ball spinning in space around the sun?

Some mathematicians now say that the universe has spherical boundaries, similar to the
pentagons around of a soccer ball. It is interesting because we understand more about the universe
everyday.

It all comes down to how deeply you can perceive the true nature of something even when it is
not readily apparent. One has to allow the mind to go beyond the limits of the eyes or what the
world states as truth. The eyes tend to only see the surface of an object. But the mind can penetrate
an object through imagination and consciousness to know its deeper unseen dimensions. The eyes
can’t readily see that the world is a sphere, but the mind can imagine it with reason and evidence.

So a theory comes along stating that meridian theory is spherical. To everyone this perspective is
unfamiliar and different, because it is not the way meridian theory has been viewed for 1000’s of
years. Yet once meridian theory is perceived as spherical, then the mind has a chance to understand
it. The outer world ended up being spherical, so maybe it will be no surprise that the inner world is
spherical too.

The spherical nature of meridian theory is revealed to an open mind. The spherical perspective
of meridians is profound. If you are an acupuncturist, who wants to explore the vast horizons of the
meridian world, then it is useful to know that ultimately your journey will be spherical, just as the
Earth is spherical. This will help you know where you are going and where you have been.

Formation of the Spherical Meridian Flow

We will start by just looking at the spherical meridian flow. As you can see it is spherical in 3
dimensions. The 12 meridians are arranged in 3 dimensions.

The arrows in the graphic show

some of the interactions between
the meridians, but not all. We will
explore all the interactions in the
chapters that follow..

The spherical flow shows the

total unification of all meridians.
The spherical flow is extremely
symmetrical. We will explore its
intricate symmetries one by one,
but before we do just look at it.
Let your own mind wonder what it
is. Sense the quiet power that it
resonates.

The spherical flow generates a power that creates life. It is good to sense that power before you
study the detailed intricate symmetries. You can always return to the wholeness of the pattern and
be guided by its unified power. The power only exists in complete unification. If any part is separated
from the whole, the power vanishes. The only way to know the power of the spherical flow is to
always remember its unified wholeness.

There are abundant pathways through and around the spherical flow. Everything is related.
There is a specific relationship between every single meridian. The many pathways increase its
strength and resiliency. Stress to any part of the flow can be redirected in many ways, balanced in
many ways, and restricted in many ways.

This spherical matrix sits at the center of the entire meridian system. All meridians, even the Ren
and Du, are rooted in this matrix. They flow outward from it. They receive their Essence and
lifeblood from within this matrix. The interactions of all meridians are controlled and organized by
this spherical matrix. The spherical matrix knows the wholeness of meridian dynamics.

The Heart is sovereign and master of the five zang. It regulates and permits the
activity of the four members. Through it the blood and the breaths (Xue Qi) flow
and circulate.

Huainanzi, Chapter 1

The Heart is alive, and it possesses knowledge; it knows and from knowing makes
distinctions. To make distinctions is to know all parts of the whole at once.

Xunzi, Chapter 21, Jiebi

The spherical matrix knows all parts of the meridian system because its own design is the
complete unification of all meridians. To understand this spherical matrix is then the key to
understanding all meridian dynamics.

We must understand that every man is fully alive only through this inner structure of
the Heart, intelligent and willing, capable of determinations and decisions.

Rooted in Spirit, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p 51

The best way to know the spherical flow is to see it as a living, breathing organism. It is alive,
intelligent and wise. Its ability to support life is unsurpassed. There is a life-giving love that emanates
from the spherical matrix.

We do what we have to do in order to survive in this world. The spherical matrix does not judge
our actions. Instead it makes the appropriate changes to support our way of life. Yet if we choose a
life against our own nature, the matrix will not support us and we begin to be sick.

The spherical matrix can give infinite power to us. But that power is regulated by our
thoughts, feelings and the choices we make. The secret is to know who you are. What is your
nature? What is your destiny? How can you live that truth?

When you live according to your own nature, the spherical matrix is the eternal seed that
awards you life Essence.
 Chapter 9 - Spiritual Creation of the
Spherical Heart Matrix

What is built first is the matrix, which is also known as the permanent atom. The
permanent atom, which is spherical, contains the shape of the human form, just as
a seed contains the form of the tree or the plant to which it gives rise.

(The permanent atom) is situated in our etheric Heart, whose position in the bodies is
exactly the same as that of our material heart.

(The Heart Center is)… not simply the physical organ but the spiritual center of
Mankind’s being. Man made in the image of Absolute Beingness as reason and
love, our truest self, our inner sanctum, through which the mystery of the union
between the Divine and mundane is consummated. ‘Heart’ has thus an all-
embracing significance. Prayer of the heart means prayer not just in the emotions
and affections, but of the whole person. We should strive to purify this Heart.

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, mystic, 1992

This point of light or central nucleus is the central spark or son, The Christ of
humanity around which all humanity revolves. This is determined Spirit force.
This Law prevails throughout all units of humanity. The central spark is a point of
pure white light, the Christ which penetrated the first cell. Then it expands,
divides, and gives off that light to another cell, which is born of its division but
held together by a co-existing and cohesive force which is called LOVE.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 3, Ch. 7

A spherical matrix of Heavenly Essence and Light resides near our physical hearts but it is
unseen to our physical eyes. It exists in an unseen dimension of the soul. Our lives and bodies
form around this spherical matrix of light. This Heavenly Heart is not the heart organ (zang),
nor is it the heart official or meridian. It is much deeper and more comprehensive. It exists in
its own right, with its own structure made of Heavenly Essence (Jing).

Mystics have talked about this matrix for 1000’s of years. Long ago, in the time of Osiris, it
was called the Seed of Life. It is the Heart center of the kabala. It is the Sacred Heart of
Christianity. In the tradition of Chinese medicine, it is known as Xin, the Heart; which is the
pivot point of all Chinese spirituality.

The Essences…flow into the space of Heaven and Earth and we call this the Spirits of
Earth and of Heaven. When they are stored in the middle of the chest, we call the
person who stores them a holy man.

Guanzi, Chapter 49 (400-100 BC)

In the sacred Heart matrix, the union of the divine of Heaven and the mundane of Earth is
consummated. This is the center of our whole being. The Heavenly Heart being made of pure
Essence is eternally perfect and divine in form, image and function. It is the eternal core of
our beings. To consciously know the Heart and express its truth and power with absolute
wisdom is enlightenment.

Jesus never allowed himself to dwell in the external after his illumination. He always
kept his thoughts at the central part of his being, which is the Christ. In Jesus, the
Christ or Central Spark, which is God in us all, living in everyone today, was
drawn forth to show itself perfectly ruling the material body or flesh man. It is in
this way that he did all his mighty works, not because he was in some way
different from you. He had no greater power than all have today. He was not in
some way a Son of God and we only servants of God. He did these works because
this same Divine Spark, which the Father has implanted in every child born, was
fanned into a brighter flame by his own efforts in holding himself in conscious
communion with God, the source of all Life, Love, and Power.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 1, Ch. 21

Chapter 8 of the Lingshu

The mysteries of the Heavenly Heart are mentioned within chapter 8 of the Lingshu: lines 18-
30. The Lingshu was part of the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which is the
fundamental text of Chinese medicine. The Lingshu presented esoteric understandings and is
usually excluded from translations that seek to give a scientific image to Chinese medicine.
We now go through these lines to gain insight into the Heart center.

Lines 18-20

Heaven within me is Virtue.

 Earth within me is the Breaths.

Virtue flows down, the Breaths expand, and there is life.

As life comes into being, Heaven and Earth merge.

The Virtue of Heaven is a moving and conscious awareness. It is the intelligence that guides
and forms the expression of life. The Breaths of Earth are the power and substance, which
manifest the awareness and intelligence of Virtue.

In a physical body, Virtue flows down from the upper Dan Tian in the center of the head. The
Breaths expand from the lower Dan Tian below the umbilicus. They meet in the Heart center
in the middle of the chest where the spherical Heart matrix unifies them.

The Heavenly Heart is where we find our original Virtue (De).

Our body can be produced only by the Tao, and life can shine only through Virtue,
De.

Zhuangzhi, Chapter 12

Line 21

The coming forth of living beings indicates the Essences.

As life comes forth, the Essences appear. The Essences determine the form of the living
being that will eventually be manifested from the spherical Heart matrix. Just like within a
seed one will find the design of the tree or plant that will grow from it. The Essences
establish the perfect shape of the form.

The Essences may define a turtle, or an elephant, or a honeysuckle bush or a human. The
great wisdom and intelligence that defines the Essences is beyond description here. It is a
very deep mystery of life.

Line 22

The embrace of the two Essences indicates the Spirits.

The two Essences are one Essence that embraces itself. The one Essence becomes two
Essences through reflection. Thus, these two Essences complement each other perfectly. The
two Essences come to be known as Yin and Yang.

The Essences, doubled in harmony, are the Yin/Yang.

Huainanzi, Chapter 3

When the Heavenly Essence moves and rises upward, Yang Essence is produced. When it
settles downward and comes to rest, Yin Essence is produced.

When the great ultimate (Tai Ji) begins movement, Yang is produced; when it comes
to rest, Yin is produced. Each of the two Yin/yang Breaths has its Essences. These
Essences are the One of Heaven and the six of Earth.

Zhang Jiebin

This passage affirms that the One Essence of Heaven becomes the two Yin/Yang Essences. It
also affirms the six elements.

Once the Yin/Yang Essences embrace, a structure is produced, which is the beginning of the
spherical Heavenly Heart matrix. The 12 Spirits now come into this structure and take up
residence. The 12 Spirits fit into the structure perfectly according to their Heavenly harmony.

The Spirits …guarantee

the rotation that assures life,
and the effectiveness of its
subtle mechanism. To maintain
the Spirits is to arrange their
stay in a Heart that is
peaceable and empty.

Rooted in Spirit, Larre

and Rochat de la Vallee, pp. 31,
33

In their nature, the Spirits are

separate and distinct from the
Yin/Yang Essences. This is a very important concept to grasp. The Yin/Yang Essences create
the structure that the 12 Spirits will move into. The 12 Spirits each have an individual nature.
Each of the 12 meridians of acupuncture is rooted in one of the 12 Spirits.

The Spirits bring to the matrix what the Yin/Yang Essences could not; the many flavors,
colors and perceptions of life. The Yin/Yang Essences are substance, while the Spirits are
expression. The Essences determine the form of the living being like a blueprint that is used
to be a building. But in the building each apartment is decorated differently: different colors,
textures, and styles. The 12 Spirits guide this decoration. They determine the nature of one’s
personality.

The Spirits are required so that our consciousness can make sense of all the things we
experience in life. Without the Spirits, the world would be garbled noises and splashes of
color. As well there would be no means by which we could express ourselves. In a way, the
Spirits limit one’s personality by defining it. In another way, they give create the diversity of
the world.

The Spirits radiate out from the Heart to the smallest nooks and crannies of a being.
They are everywhere, in the zang, in the mind, wherever the life force shows.

Rooted in Spirit, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 32

From the spherical Heart matrix, the Yin/Yang Essences united with the 12 Spirits flow out
into a living being. The Essences and Spirits radiate out to fill the body completely.
Meridians are the pathways of animation (Mai) upon which the Essences and Spirits radiate
outward.

The immortal ideal must always include a portion or spark of the Central Fire of that
which brought or projected it into existence. This projection was the first cell that
finally became man’s body and is the spark of life that always endures and never
dies. This cell is, in name, the Christ. This cell, although divided and repeated
many millions of times, retains the image of the Divine Spirit projected and
implanted in it and cannot be perverted by man’s thinking. Thus Man is always
divine.

This cell projects its divinity into every cell created by the multiplication of itself,
unless perverted by man’s thinking. The collection of these cells finally assumes
unto itself a container or cover, which is called the human body. The spirit or
essence, still in unmodified form, has the intelligence to see all changes going on
around it. By always standing in high dominion, people are Spirit and Spirit is
God.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 3, Ch. 10
Once the spherical matrix is built from Essences and inhabited by Spirits, it is ready to create
life. Within the matrix are; the Virtue of Heaven with its consciousness and intelligence, the
Breaths of Earth that provide power and substance, the Yin/Yang Essences that define a
specific harmonious duality of the living being and the Spirits that radiate and organize life
experience.

Line 23

That which follows the Spirits faithfully in their coming and going indicates the Hun.

The Hun describes a specific expression from the Heart matrix.

Traditionally there are 3 Hun. They relate to the three bodies that many Mystics talk about
and describe in teachings.

The human form, in order to manifest itself, requires 3 bodies; (noetical, psychic and
material) ... What is built first is the matrix…

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, mystic, 1992

A mystic, Stylianos Atteshlis, names the 3 bodies as the material, psychic and noetical
bodies. These bodies can be individually experienced with deepened awareness. These 3
bodies project from the Heart matrix. They allow us to experience thought, emotions and
physical sensations; everything we require to live and experience life as an individual. It is
taught that in astral projection, the bodies become separated, and one’s consciousness follows
the more ethereal bodies.

The 3 Hun bodies follow the Spirits as they move and experience life. They are vehicles with
which the Spirits can travel through the many dimensions of life. The 3 Hun bodies allow the
12 Spirits to organize perceptions and experiences.

Line 24

That which associates with the Essences in their exiting and entering indicates the Po.
Traditionally there are 7 Po. To understand these one must understand how Essences flow
from the Heart matrix. The Essences are a precious and powerful substance. They can be
used to manifest anything. If the Essences flow more strongly than what one is capable of
handling, one stands the risk of insanity. Essences are that powerful. The Essences carry
visions that can blow one’s mind apart if not controlled properly.

The Essences are allotted according to one’s consciousness. Therefore the state of one’s
consciousness restricts or frees up the flow of Essences as the case may be.

Mystics traditionally teach about the 7 sub-planes of existence in the non-material dimensions
of life. Each sub-plane is a world onto itself with buildings, landscapes and other people. A
person with a limited consciousness will find him/herself in one of the lower sub-planes. The
light that shines in the lower sub-planes is dull and subdued, because the flow of Essences is
severely limited. Troubled souls migrate to the lowest planes.

In the higher planes, the light shines brighter and more radiant. There the Essences flow
much more freely. Souls with less emotional blocks and unencumbered Hearts migrate to
these higher planes.

As the 7 Po determine the exiting and entering of the Essences, they control the flow of
Essences into and out of one’s life experience. As one frees the Mind and Heart, forgives sins
and purifies the body, the 7 Po increase the healing balm of the Essences that flows
throughout one’s being.

The 7 Po are crucial in allowing a soul to progress safely from the corporeal mundane
experience of life to states of enlightened consciousness. They do this by regulating the flow
of Essences.

Line 25

When something takes charge of the beings, we speak of the Heart.

The Heart is the center of everything in Chinese medicine. The Heart takes charge of the
whole being from the Spirits to the Essences, Hun and Po.

Traditionally in Chinese medicine the Heart is given dominion over all the other functions of
the body. Yet, it is not the heart meridian or zang organ that is being referred to. It is the
Heavenly Heart that is unseen; the one that holy men store in the middle of the chest, the one
that is the ‘spiritual center of mankind’s being’. The Heart that is spoken of in the Lingshu is
the spherical Heart matrix, which unifies all the Essences, Spirits, Breaths and the
expressions of life.

The Heart of Heaven and Earth – Where is it stored? Yin and Yang stimulate it to
manifest a sphere of light.
 Li Daoqin

Chinese medicine developed from mystical experiences. The Heavenly Heart becomes
known through mystical states of awareness. The Heavenly Heart has an ‘all-embracing
significance’ according to the mystic Stylianos Atteshlis. The original mystics of Chinese
medicine knew about the Heavenly Heart and described it deeply and appropriately. They
communicated with it and observed it.

The Heavenly Heart (Xin) is the great pivot upon which all of Chinese medicine and
spirituality turns. The Heavenly Heart takes charge of a living being and becomes the center
of life. Heaven and Earth embrace in the Heart. The Essences embrace in the Heart. The
Spirits come to reside in the Heart. The Heart has the ‘all-embracing significance’.

The Primordial Power is known in Chinese medicine as Yuan Qi, original-primordial Qi.
Deep within each living being the power of Yuan Qi resonates with the spiritual Heart. This
Heart has a describable structure and form. Spirit moving through the Heart gives rise to
Yuan Qi, the Primordial Power. The Heart’s structure resonates the Primordial Power as an
instrument vibrates to produce music. This resonating power then creates life.

The Heart is alive, and it possesses knowledge; it knows, and from knowing makes
distinctions. To make distinctions is to know all parts of the whole at once.

Xunzi, Chapter 21, Jiebi

In every case where the Heart is encumbered by formalized knowledge, life is lost.

Guanzi, Chapter 37, Xinshu, The Art of the Heart

These passages teach that if any knowledge isn’t holistic by not seeing all parts of the whole
or simply contradicts the Heart’s free and unifying potential, such knowledge will encumber
the Primordial Power resonating from the Heart. Formalized knowledge can be noisy with
chatter or quiet in its hidden bondage of the mind and heart. Such knowledge will keep one
from knowing the Heart. As well, such knowledge will keep one from knowing Tao.

How can a person know the Tao?

By the Heart.

How can the Heart know?

 By emptiness, the pure attention that unifies being and quietude.

Xunzi, Chapter 21, Jiebi

Still, the Primordial Power becomes weakened and vulnerable when fear, worry, anger and
other upsetting emotions creep in. How we experience life affects the Heart’s Primordial
Power. We can become the destructive force in our own lives. This teaching runs through
many of the ancient Chinese texts.

In the case of preoccupation and oppression, all the Heart’s connections (Xin xi)
tighten (ji); The Heart’s system being tight, the ‘ways’ of the Breaths (Qi dao) are
closed off; and being closed off, there is no more ease (Bu li).

Lingshu, Chapter 28

The key to effective medicine is to determine the cause and rectify the imbalance of
the Yuan/primordial Qi of the body.

Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Chapter 77

So living life in a way that keeps the Heart’s system from being closed off is wise and
healthy. Such a life is powered by Yuan-Primordial Power. Such a life flourishes in
uncomfortable situations

Palmistry developed from the understanding that the palm and the Heart are closely
connected. When something resonates in our palm, its power is true to our heart’s original
vision. True healing power of the heart is expressed through the palms. Palmistry is the art of
seeing the original vision of our heart-seed in the palm, the place where the original vision is
held by the 6th element. The Pericardium meridian traverses the palm.

The Heavenly Heart is a seed, just like any seed holds the original vision of an entire plant
within it. A seed holds and protects that original vision. As a plant grows, the seed’s vision
guides its growth. In the same way, the Heavenly Heart holds and nourishes the original
vision of a living being.

Line 26

When the Heart applies itself, we speak of Intent.

In meditating upon the spherical Heart matrix, one can sense the Primordial Power that
creates and sustains life. In the Chinese character for Intent (Yi), there is the Heavenly
harmonizing note, Yin, over the heart radical. The musical note shows a resonating music
from the Heavenly Heart. This is the music that creates life. It is the music that organized the
molecules in the primordial soup to form living beings.

When the radical for plant is added onto the top of the Intent character, the character becomes
the heart of the lotus seed, which is the most sacred of all Chinese herbs. Intent is the
resonating seed power of the primordial soup that creates life.

Primordial Power is a quiet pulsating rhythm and hum. Its music is as harmonious as the
perfect symmetry of the spherical Heart itself. Primordial Power is the Heart applying itself.
To sense the music of the spherical Heart is to sense Primordial Power. Intent is the power
resonating from the spherical Heart matrix.

When something resonates with the original vision in the Heavenly Heart, it becomes our
Heart’s intent. It is completely and wholly our Heart’s Intent to create and nourish our lives.

In acupuncture needling many practitioners will say that intent is everything; what your
intention is determines the effects of the treatment. In the Heart there is only one intention; to
create and nourish life. In the mind there can be numerous intentions, like to move Qi in a
certain direction, to call upon various forces of nature, to drain excess, to tonify deficiency,
cool down or warm up a channel.

Many acupuncturists will point to their head when they say that intent is everything in
acupuncture. They say what you think determines the results. But true intent comes from the
Heart, and true thought comes from the Heart also. There is no true thought which is separate
from the true intention of the Heart in the spiritual practice of acupuncture.

One of the major principles of Primordial Power is that the creation of life is not forced or
manipulated. The creation happens naturally. Healing with Primordial Power is the same.
There is no specific intention other than nourishing and loving life. There is no specific
manipulation of life forces. The healing happens naturally.

Man follows the Earth.

Earth follows Heaven.

Heaven follows the Tao.

The Tao follows what is natural.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 25

The character for Intent is based on the radical for Heart. Therefore true Intent comes from
the Heart. Intent from the mind manipulates life and is not true Intent. Intent from the Heart
nourishes life towards its own original harmony.

Intent is the power to take right action according to the Heart. When the action is in harmony
with the Heart’s Intent, the Spirits move with more ease, the Essences flow more abundantly,
the Hun are thrilled with harmony and the Po breath better. Life is being created and
liberated.

Line 27

When Intent becomes permanent, we speak of Will.

As the power of Intent builds and stabilizes, it becomes the foundation of Will (Zhi). The
Chinese character for Will shows a plant over the Heart radical. Will is life beginning to grow
and flourish from the Primordial Power resonating around the Heavenly Heart. The Intent of
Primordial Power generates a surging of life.

Line 28

When the persevering Will changes, we speak of Thought.

Thought is adaptation. The Chinese character shows the brain over the Heart ( ). Thought is
the ability to use the brain in order to maintain the Heart’s Intent. If Will were so stubborn
that it would never alter its course, a living being would die. The persevering Will must be
able to change. Thought leads to adaptation and figuring out how to overcome obstacles to
the Will. Through adaptation Primordial Power preserves its strength and survives.

The Will changes to sustain the Intent of the Heart. In other words, when the Will cannot
express because conditions in the world are antagonistic, the resonance of Intent will
diminish.

Line 29

When Thought extends itself powerfully and far, we speak of Reflection.

The character of Reflection (Lu) shows tiger stripes over the character of Thought (Si). The
tiger is maybe the most observant of all animals as it can watch without blinking for hours.
The ability to observe and concentrate allows a living being to reflect upon life and itself.
Through Reflection a living being can come to know its own Heart and the Spirit within it.

Our first concern in looking within must be the progressive formation of a

comprehensive understanding of what we are. It is not enough only to work out a
theoretical comprehension of this matter, but we must primarily choose to
undergo experiences, which will be of sufficient significance to lead us into the
worlds of truth.

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, mystic, 1992

Line 30

When reflection can have all beings at its disposal, we speak of knowing-how.

The Chinese character for Knowing-how (Zhi) shows knowledge and awareness above the
radical for sun. When knowledge allows one’s light to shine forth, that one has conquered the
world. That one will persevere, because they know how to adapt, observe and live in a way
that fulfills the destiny of their Heart’s Intent.

Knowing-how is the ability to gather and preserve Primordial Power within any situation, no
matter how challenging. Total natural harmony between the outside environment and the
internal Heart’s Intent is maintained. Knowing-how allows one to walk through fire, walk on
water and stay warm in freezing temperatures. Knowing-how allows a total harmony with
the forces of nature, but the key is found in knowing how to preserve the Primordial Power of
the Heart, mind, emotions and physical body.

In Knowing-how, one lives Primordial Power. One’s Heart is at peace and empty, and full of
resonating power. One’s Heart is calm in movement. One’s Heart is open and unencumbered.
One has mastered the accumulation and adaptation of Primordial Power. One goes where one
wants to and no longer competes for anything. One holds no grudges and forgives everything.
One’s Heart perfectly radiates the Spirits and Essences. Yin and Yang are balanced. One’s
Heart is at total peace, the point of total Primordial Power.

(About Knowing-how) When one has considered everything profoundly and

intelligently, and when each thing and each being has been appreciated at its true
value and is in its place in thought and in the plan, the Heart is at ease. It can
express itself and radiate its light.

When one really knows, one knows what to do and how to do it. One makes a just
decision and acts efficaciously, and life is powerful.
 Rooted in Spirit, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 179

Chapter 10 - Astrological Roots of the

Spherical Meridian Theory

The spherical meridian theory is a breakthrough in the evolution of meridian theory. Many
centuries have passed since such an advancement has occurred. Acupuncturists still refer
back to texts 2000 years old in order to define modern theory.

Current meridian theory reflects the same understanding that existed over 1000 years ago. Yet
even back then physicians were still learning and debating. Knowledge was a developing process.
Still there were basic insights that are still timeless. These fundamental truths of life will always form
the core of all acupuncture knowledge into eternity. Any new insights must always respect them.

The president of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Zheng Shou Zeng, told me that nobody
in China researches actual meridian theory anymore. He gave no reason, but it is likely that actual
clinical practice takes precedence over theory.

In situations when theory doesn’t adequately explain what is observed in clinical practice, the
physician learns by experience. Thus the experience from years of clinical practice becomes hidden
theory that can only be understood with experience. So theory has been researched and advanced
but it has been in the secret recesses of the minds of experienced physicians. Yet this theory has
never been adequately formulated, because no advances in theory have happened for well over
1000 years. There is no place to put new clinical advances in the framework of element theories that
are still outdated.

The experiences of actual clinical practice are outside the box of theory. This shows a weakness
in theory. For a freethinker any weakness in theory gives cause to think and question. A freethinker
is one who forms opinions independently of tradition, authority or established belief. A freethinker
steps out of the box of conventional perception in order to follow a new idea, wherever it leads,
while respecting the work of past generations.

A theory has an important advantage if its basic concepts and fundamental

hypotheses are “close to experience,” and greater confidence in such a theory is
certainly justified. There is less danger of going astray, particularly since it takes
so much less time and effort to disprove such theories by experience. Yet more and
more, as the depth of our knowledge increases, we must give up this advantage in
our quest for logical simplicity and uniformity in the foundations of physical
theory.
Albert Einstein, Scientific American, 1950

The spherical meridian theory did not originate within a study of acupuncture theory. The
spherical meridian theory could never have been seen in five-element theory. The 5-element
correspondences simply would never take one there. It was essential to completely step out of the
box of conventional acupuncture theory.

Real scientific breakthroughs come from the combining of 4 unrelated fields of study.

Nobel prize winner for work on transistor.

The spherical meridian theory originated out of an exploration into the symbolism of western
astrology. This may be confusing to some and astonishing to others, but many breakthroughs
throughout history came by applying principles from other fields to a subject matter.

Western astrology comes from a different part of the world and has different ways of describing
the world. Ancient peoples all around the world had a wide variety of ways to describe the patterns
of life. There are common threads in the differences. For example, western astrology uses 12 signs
of the zodiac. Acupuncture uses 12 main meridians. There is a common factor of 12.

Western astrology uses 4 elements, while meridian theory uses 6 elements. Here one finds a
stark difference. Many would think that it is not possible to combine or blend such a difference. Yet
it was possible. The 4 elements of astrology each have 3 different ways to express; cardinal, fixed
and mutable. This makes for 12 total. The 6 elements of meridian theory each have 2 different ways
to express; Yin and Yang meridians. This also makes 12 total.

Each is looking at the fundamental expression of 12 characteristics and arriving at two different
ways to understand them. Can they both be right? If it can be shown that they are both right, then
we have a powerful insight into the true nature of these 12 fundamental characteristics. Both these
traditions are outside of each other’s box. Combining their views would be a breakthrough in
understanding the true nature of the 12 fundamental symbols.

Western astrology and acupuncture are like two eyeballs. Each eyeball is looking at the same
thing, but each has its own perspective. A person can look at an object with one eye closed and the
other open. This will give a 2-dimensional and partial perspective of an object. But when the eyeballs
are both open and brought into a common focus on an object, they reveal a 3-dimensional depth
and clarity.

Western astrology and meridian theory both observed the same world and the same human
nature. The people who constructed these traditions watched nature and people’s interaction with
nature. They both looked deeply into the spiritual energies and patterns of living beings. They both
developed theories to explain the ways of life. Their theories both ended up describing the
manifestations of life, but their true goal was to describe the fundamental and universal structure
from which all life expresses.

In treating illness, mai (meridians) and medicines have a primary importance that
must not be neglected; but he who seeks to grasp the deep natural structure (Li)
must, little by little, succeed in understanding the changes (Yi).

Zhang Jiebin

There is a universal structure behind all of life. The structure is real and exists. It can be
mystically seen and described. We can only hope to perceive it and describe it the best we can for
others. Knowledge of it can be helpful for some and irrelevant for others. Still knowledge of the
universal structure exists. It is as profound, in as much as it is basic.

Western astrology and meridian theory seek to explain the deep natural structure underlying
the manifestations of life. They both see it. Yet they both present 2-dimensional views of it. The
zodiac is a 2-dimensional circle. Element theory is a 2-dimensional hexagon. Since both of these
views are distinct, they are not integrated. Therefore they are not complete. Only when these two
views can be brought into a common focus and combined, will the deep natural structure underlying
life become clearer. The structure itself must be complex enough to allow the possibility of both
views.

The spherical meridian theory has the perfect complexity to validate both views. The spherical
geometry represents the one unified structure underlying the manifestations of life. The deep
natural structure of the spherical Heart matrix unifies the 12 Spirits. Western astrology views this
structure with four elements. Meridian theory views it with six elements. And yet they are both right
in the limited perspectives they choose. The whole and integrated truth is greater than the partial
truths. The whole truth is outside the box of each theory.

Astrological Perspective

Western astrology is based on two things, tracking the movement of the planets and observing
the changes seen in the world. The more important one is that of observing the changes in the
world. The movement of the planets is then noted to reflect changes in the world. Yet it is primarily
the understanding of life that is the basis for interpreting the planets.

Basically astrologers saw the changes in life in the movement of the planets. As one comes to
understand these changes, the deep natural structure underlying life becomes clearer and clearer.
Therefore astrology was not originally a science of planetary influences, but of self-knowledge. The
symbolism given to the planets reflects the knowledge of the self and the knowledge of the universal
structure within the self.

So to really understand astrology one needs to focus on the spherical Heart matrix within a living
being. That Heart is what the symbolism of the planets is made to explain. The symbolism of the
planets reflected the inner reality and truth.

When we look at the symbolism of the planets and of the zodiac we see it as a way of describing
the spherical Heart matrix. The matrix allows a system of universal laws and patterns that are
consistent. Life becomes organizable and definable. Symbolism seeks to emulate that fundamental
matrix, which by nature seems to have infinite complexity.

The deep natural structure of life is way beyond the symbolisms that seek to emulate it. Its
colors, vibrations, radiations and energetics may some day be approached by very advanced
mathematics and physics. But until that day, ancient symbolisms preserve our connection to the
Heart matrix.

The Astrological Permutation

The symbolism of astrology is based on the 3 qualities of the 4 elements. The 3 qualities are
cardinal, fixed and mutable. The four elements are Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

If a person has a preponderance of the Cardinal quality in their personality, they will tend to
initiate activities. They will tend to be direct and consistently busy. Cardinal quality associates with
the Hand-Yin meridians, Heart, Lung and Pericardium, and the Small Intestine meridian.

If a person has a preponderance of the Fixed quality, they will tend to resist change. They will
tend to fortify, protect and accumulate what already exists. This quality associates with most of the
Yang meridians, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Large Intestine and San Jiao.

If a person has a preponderance of the Mutable quality, they will tend to seek change and new
experiences. They are more forgiving, flexible and adaptive. This quality associates with the Foot-Yin
meridians, Kidney, Liver and Spleen, and the Bladder meridian.

If a person has a preponderance of Fire, they will tend to creative, energetic, willful, enthusiastic
and passionate. They like to express their dreams, feelings and desires. The meridians that associate
with Fire are Heart, Gall Bladder and Liver.

If a person has a preponderance of Earth in their personality, they will tend to be practical,
traditional, constructive, and productive. Achieving something substantial is important to them. The
meridians that associate with the element Earth are Spleen, Stomach and Small Intestine.
 If a person has a preponderance of Air, they will tend to be intellectual, sociable, communicative
and concerned with friendships. They live by social principles and the laws that govern social
interaction. The meridians that associate with Air are Lung, Large Intestine and Bladder.

If a person has a preponderance of Water, they will tend to be emotional, sympathetic, caring
loving and sensitive. They seek what is relevant, real and personal. They also seek harmony. The
meridians that associate with Water are Kidney, San Jiao and Pericardium.

The qualities and elements combine to give the 12 unique expressions of astrology; for
example, Cardinal-Fire and Mutable-Water.

Fire Earth Air Water

Cardinal Cardinal-fire Cardinal-earth Cardinal-air Cardinal-water
Fixed Fixed-fire Fixed-earth Fixed-air Fixed-water
Mutable Mutable-fire Mutable-earth Mutable-air Mutable-water

These basic expressions then correspond to all 12 signs and the 12 planets. For example,
Cardinal-Fire relates to the sign of Aries and the planet Mars. When one understands what Cardinal-
Fire symbolizes then one can extrapolate the meanings of the sign Aries and the planet Mars.

The 4 elements of western astrology have the same nature as the corresponding elements in
meridian theory. For example, the Fire element in meridian theory has the same
understanding as the element Fire in western astrology, except astrology expands the
expression of Fire with the 3 qualities. Western astrology has a more diverse explanation of
how each element expresses. The element Air in western astrology corresponds to the
element of Metal in meridian theory.

The 3 qualities describe the way that the 4 elements express. Cardinal describes the moving
and activating of an element. Fixed describes the storing and preserving of an element.
Mutable describes the distribution and adaptation of an element.

All existence, including our bodies, is constructed within a mould of ether. We speak
of four conditions of ether: creative, sensate, kinetic and imprint. (note: These
relate to the elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, respectively.)

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, p 190

Within the gross material body of a living existence there exist currents of energy,
which we call ‘ether’. The flow, distribution and storing of this energy takes place
within a field which surrounds the body.
 The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, p 115

The mystic, Stylianos Atteshlis did not believe in the preoccupation of modern astrology
upon the influences of the planets. He focused on the more subtle inner realities of a living
being. The fact that those inner realities reflect the symbolism of astrology indicates the
original mystic roots that formed astrology.

The zodiac cycle is a 2-dimensional circle. The symbols progress from Aries to Pisces,
namely cardinal-fire to mutable-water. The progression of the elements through the cycle is
always Fire, Earth, Air then Water. The progression of the 3 qualities is always cardinal,
fixed then mutable. The zodiac cycle looks like this.

Zodiac Sign Quality Element

Aries Cardinal Fire
Taurus Fixed Earth
Gemini Mutable Air
Cancer Cardinal Water
Leo Fixed Fire
Virgo Mutable Earth
Libra Cardinal Air
Scorpio Fixed Water
Sagittarius Mutable Fire
Capricorn Cardinal Earth
Aquarius Fixed Air
Pisces Mutable Water

In 1983, my original discovery in western astrology was a unique order for the planets. The
progression of the elements through the order is a variation of the sequence of Fire, Earth, Air
then Water. The progression of the 3 qualities has an overlapping symmetry with cardinal,
fixed and mutable. The order of the planets looks like this.

Planet Quality Element

Sun Fixed Fire
Mars Cardinal Fire
Earth Fixed Earth
Venus Cardinal Air
Mercury Mutable Air
 Moon Cardinal Water
Jupiter Mutable Fire
Saturn Cardinal Earth
Chiron Mutable Earth
Uranus Fixed Air
Neptune Mutable Water
Pluto Fixed Water

When this order is laid next to the cycle of the zodiac a permutation appears. A permutation
shows a pattern for how an order gets rearranged to form another order. The arrows between
the orders show how the symbols are rearranged.

When this permutation is continued, two new orders appear before returning to the original
order of the Planets.
 Thus there are four distinct orders connected by a specific pattern of permutation. These orders
form an endless cycle of transformation. The diversity of life is found developing within and from
these four orders.

In 1992, I discovered that the four orders could all be condensed down into one simple pattern.
That pattern is the six-element theory. I realized that the permutation pattern had been hiding the
code for six-element theory. Thus, even though astrology uses four elements, contained within its
system is the expression of 6 elements. Within western astrology is the six-element theory of
Chinese medicine. The ramifications of that are freeing, such that western astrology and Chinese
medicine can truly be combined as one system, without compromising the integrity of either one.
In the fall of 1992, I then discovered that the four orders held an even deeper secret. In a flash of
insight, I saw that the whole pattern of the four orders
could be condensed down even further to a spherical
flow. Amazingly, the four orders held a hidden spherical
code, which turned out to contain all the vast diversity of
Chinese meridian theory.

The rest of this book explains the inner symmetries

and dynamics of the spherical flow as it relates to
acupuncture. Even though the symbolism of astrology opened the door to the spherical flow, it is the
meridian theory of China that thoroughly confirms it. How the spherical flow can be applied to
western astrology is a very different subject matter, because western astrologers don’t have the
theoretical background to understand the spherical flow. On the other hand, Chinese medicine has
all the theoretical principles to already understand and apply the spherical flow.

Ultimately it would be easier for meridian theory to incorporate the insights of western
astrology into its theoretical framework, whereas, the field of astrology would have to incorporate
the theoretical principles of meridian theory, which are complex. The field of astrology would have
to rewrite much of its basic understanding. Chinese medicine only has to expand its view of meridian
theory.

The 12 meridians match up to the 12 expressions of astrology. From this correspondence, an

acupuncturist can begin to expand his/her application of acupuncture using astrology. We will
explore this correspondence in the next chapter.

Astrology Meridians Elements

Fixed Fire Gall Bladder Wood
Mutable Fire Liver Wood
Cardinal Fire Heart Fire
Cardinal Earth Small Intestine Fire
Fixed Earth Stomach Earth
Mutable Earth Spleen Earth
Fixed Air Large Intestine Metal
Cardinal Air Lung Metal
Mutable Air Bladder Water
Mutable Water Kidney Water
Fixed Water San Jiao Seed
Cardinal Water Pericardium Seed

Chapter 11 - Approaching the Mind with Meridian Theory

The spherical meridian flow came from the symbols of western astrology. Thus, a strong
connection has been made between western astrology and meridian theory. This connection could
advance both philosophies.
 Meridian theory is advanced because the 12 personality traits of astrology can now describe the
meridians. The meridians are normally described with Constitutional Types in modern acupuncture.
There are 5 Constitutional Types, which relate to the 5-element system that predominates
nowadays. But now the Constitutional Types can be expanded to 12 Types and can incorporate the
insights of astrology, which fill in many psychological gaps that Chinese medicine has not developed.

It is a widely held understanding that each of the 12 meridians has its own personality and
consequently its own job to play in the body-mind.

The twelve officials may be conceived as constituting a family of interrelated

functions. So long as each family member does his or her assigned job efficiently,
harmony in the personal household of being is maintained.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p 141

Western astrology has an ancient history of defining 12 personality types and has even made a
lot of progress recently with the development of humanistic psychology. So to merge the
astrological tradition with the 12 meridians would greatly expand our understanding of the 12
meridians and their various disease patterns. The spherical meridian flow is the link that makes that
merge possible.

One of the most powerful aspects of acupuncture treatments is counseling.

The fourth failing (of a physician) occurs in counseling. When a physician lacks
compassion and sincerity, when a physician is hasty in counseling and does not
make the effort to guide the patient’s mind and moods in a positive way, that
physician has robbed the opportunity to achieve a cure. So much of all illness
begins in the mind and the ability to persuade the patient to change the course of
perception and feeling to aid in the healing process is a requirement of a good
physician.

Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Chapter 77

Constitutional Types are used to guide the counseling in much of modern acupuncture.

The patient’s constitutional type offers a framework for making suggestions that are
particularly effective and meaningful.
 Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p 161

To treat the mind of a person is to treat them at a deep level, because so much of an illness
begins in the mind. The mind organizes life according to the predominant personality traits, which
express from the mind. Those predominant personality traits then determine the course of a
disease, because they control the reactions to the disease.

…only a constitutional approach allows the practitioner to diagnose and revive the
innate influences, which are the foundation of life itself. Without assessing the
qualities of a patient’s constitutional type, it is impossible to arrive at an
integrated diagnosis that empowers the discernment of what aspect of being is
most important to address in a given patient at a given time. An assessment of the
patient’s constitutional type allows the practitioner comprehension of what
constitutes truth in the patient’s life. Truth, in a therapeutic context, is that which
empowers the presence of one’s virtue and thus the fulfillment of destiny.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p 166

Western astrology seeks to apply the same principle in its counseling. By having a way to
distinguish the prevalent innate nature of a person, a deep healing of the mind and emotions
is more attainable. If a fish complains about not being able to fly in the sky, it may be
harmful to try to convince the fish that with positive thinking it can fly. By knowing the
limits and nature of a fish, one knows that a fish simply is not made to fly. Once the fish
understands its own limitations, then flying can be put into perspective, and the fish can then
live more true to its nature. The fish will relax and stop struggling to attain the frustratingly
impossible.

The practice of astrology has an important place in the clinical setting of an acupuncturist. Some
diseases respond better to herbs. Some diseases respond better to needling and meridian massage.
And then other diseases simply respond better to astrological insights and counseling. Herbs work
for weaknesses in the physiology of the body. Needles work for blocked Qi movement in the
meridians, the Mai-pathways of animation.

Astrology works for natural periods of change in one’s personality. These periods are normal just
like the changes in seasons and weather. Yet many people are unprepared to handle or understand
the normal changes within their own mind. So they become stressed or confused.

When a storm passes overhead, one may decide to stay in the house. The storm brings essential
rain. But when a storm passes through one’s personality, the power is inescapable. The person
becomes the storm. The question is whether one can handle its power constructively?
 In the counseling of astrology, the idea is not to get rid of the storm as if it were some sort of
disease, but rather to help the patient integrate the storm as an opportunity to replenish and renew
life experience. Because after a storm passes and the sun comes out, the freshness is wonderful.

Just as the six elements have their phases of transformation, a personality and its meridians
have their cycles of change and transformation. Astrology watches these natural changes. People
will continue to stress over natural powers that bubble up out of their soul. Yet people can learn to
prepare for these powers constructively. That is the goal of astrological counseling.

It is healthy to follow our own nature. But to know what our nature is can be challenging. One
may find oneself to be so different than everyone else that it is very hard to clearly define and then
openly express one’s true nature. If a person sticks out like a sore thumb, they may be self-
conscious. Diseases can then result from troubled emotions. Stagnation of Qi and disturbed Shen are
two common pathologies. The key to healing is to reintegrate this person with his/her own true
nature and then empower its expression.

It is the concept of constitutional type that empowers the practitioner to hit the mark
of original nature with every therapeutic suggestion made.

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett, p 166

The art of counseling to reach a person’s true nature is sophisticated, intuitive and intricate.
There is a long tradition in the orient with martial arts, which defend against physical attack, as well
as build internal Qi. However martial arts do not emphasize the powers of the personality, which can
be used to disarm and persuade through interpersonal communication.

By training your own personality to express various forms, rhythms, styles and moods, you
develop personality arts, which are like martial arts. You may have noticed that many practitioners
of martial arts don’t have a wide range of emotional expression. Many are tight and restrict their
own emotional expression. They have focused more on control of the physical body and have not
developed their personality. Then look at an actor who has developed the ability to express many
moods. They are able to function much more freely in the “modern age of communication”.

The monks of ancient China meditated in silence and developed fighting arts to protect
themselves against periodic attacks. They had very little need to develop interpersonal
communication. The world has changed. Monks aren’t attacked like they used to by. But they
have become more involved in political movements and counseling. Interpersonal
communication is now more important than physical fighting.

There are many ways to physically battle someone. Yet there are as many ways if not more to
battle another through a force of the personality. One can insult, cry, scream, criticize, flatter, lie,
manipulate, twist words, condescend, disrespect, whine, nag and intimidate. This is only a short list.
And yet each person has a unique way to do each one. Some people are better at nagging, and
others are better at flattering.

To know the nature of what another is saying and why they are saying it is important in human
communication. It takes skill to protect oneself and disarm the attack through words, thoughts and
actions. But now put yourself in the position of a healer who penetrates the defenses of a patient in
order to explore the root cause behind a patient’s behavior. Not only do you defend yourself, but
you also assist the patient to overcome thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are harmful to their
well-being. You must do this without hurting them or yourself. And your main tools are words, facial
expressions, and body movements.

The more you know about different personalities and the ways they express, the more ways you
can communicate with a patient. The more you develop different ways to express your own
personality, the more tools and skills you have available to reach another’s mind. When you can
reach another’s mind without having hurt them, that’s when the trust comes. Trust allows you and
the patient to work together from then on, as long as the trust is not broken.

Meridians and Personalities

Not all meridians respond to needling in the same way, because each meridian has its own
personality. It is taught by some teachers that the Kidney and Pericardium meridians do not like to
be needled. Astrology would agree with this because they both relate to the element water,
mutable-water and cardinal-water respectively. Some schools teach that the Liver meridian should
not be moxaed. Astrology explains this as the Liver corresponds to mutable-fire, which already
exhibits a fire tendency.

When you needle a meridian, you are needling an archetype, a unique expression of personality.
Therefore how you approach that archetype will determine the results of your interaction. You can
expect certain reactions from each meridian. The Small Intestine meridian has its own way of looking
at things and is not easily persuaded to change its point of view. Whereas the Kidney meridian is so
comprehensive and open to anything that it is not easily confined by your intention. These meridians
respond in two completely different ways to needling. The Pericardium meridian is so sensitive that
some doctors teach not to needle it.

When you become familiar with the personality of each meridian, you will be able to see
changes in the overall personality that correspond to the treatments. The overall personality is a
unique mix of all 12 archetypal personalities. Blending and harmonizing the 12 archetypes is a
spiritual and magical process in itself. A personality that has internal conflict will seem edgy, rough,
fragmented, nervous and anxious. When the treatments harmonize the personality, the personality
becomes smoother, fuller, softer, more radiant, more comfortable, more at ease, more unified and
more whole.

In the treatment of multiple personality disorders, the goal is to integrate the different
personalities one by one into each other. Each personality begins with its own brain wave pattern.
When two personalities integrate into one, the brain wave pattern will be a mix of the original two
separate wave patterns. The resulting personality is a mix of the previous two. With a perceptive
eye, one can see the mysterious way that two personalities can mix.

When two meridians that have been at odds with each other for a period of time blend and
make peace, there is a change in the overall personality of the person, which is not unlike blending
two distinct personalities in a multiple personality disorder. It is one of the most beautiful and
mysterious things to experience in giving acupuncture treatments.

Reintegrating a person back into their wholeness is a great goal of acupuncture. An

acupuncturist does not only use needles and herbs to treat, but also counseling and
sociopsychological skills. In this way the healing is holistic.

When the sages practiced medicine, they were certain to have understood the laws of
nature and principles of disease, to have mastered diagnosis, to have
accomplished techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, to have been well
learned in herbal medicine, and to have attained insights into human relationships
and individual temperament. As a result, they delivered their medicine in a
thoroughly holistic way.

Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Chapter 77

Blending Meridians & Astrological Symbols

This section will briefly cover the symbols of western astrology and how they relate to the
meridians. The knowledge and insights of western astrology could fill a small library. An
acupuncturist who would like to study the symbols of astrology more will have ample books
available. The important thing in this section is to just get some basic ideas that can be applied in
practice.

Harmonizing our emotions with the opportunities and challenges of life is a day-to-day and year-
to-year process. Life is ongoing. Even though a planetary transit is seen to happen a year into the
future, the changes and preparations that one makes beforehand determine everything about how
that transit will be experienced.

How astrology works will be debated forever and ever. One thing is clear; its use can truly help a
person to understand their life and illnesses. Astrology can precisely explain an illness. For example,
at the end of this chapter are some case examples. Case example #3 describes a woman who
experienced a dramatic month in her life, where she could no longer function mentally in the world.
Nobody could explain why. The experience nearly destroyed her, because she was not prepared for
it. Astrology pinpointed and explained the crisis years later by knowing how the particular planets
involved related to the affected meridians. With the proper preparation and support, she could have
integrated the power of that month into a much more positive experience. Instead she suffered
through it in a state of despair.

The key to using astrology properly is to have insight into a person’s fears and desires. The
person must move through the fears and nurture their desires. There is a process to doing that.
Astrology can help set a timeline for that process. It is important to go through the day-to-day
process of releasing fears and affirming desires no matter when transits are said to happen. Transits
will happen when they happen, but what you sow is what you reap. The sowing is the day-to-day
preparation for the crisis periods in one’s life. The reaping is the fulfillment and accomplishment of
being well prepared.

Astrology Meridians Elements

Fixed Fire Gall Bladder Wood
Mutable Fire Liver Wood
Cardinal Fire Heart Fire
Cardinal Earth Small Intestine Fire
Fixed Earth Stomach Earth
Mutable Earth Spleen Earth
Fixed Air Large Intestine Metal
Cardinal Air Lung Metal
Mutable Air Bladder Water
Mutable Water Kidney Water
Fixed Water San Jiao Seed
Cardinal Water Pericardium Seed

We now explore the individual temperaments of the meridians as related to the insights of
western astrology. The purpose is to clarify and elucidate the meridians so that they take on a more
definite personality. They become more real and familiar.

Heart Meridian & Cardinal-Fire (Zodiac Sign: Aries Planet: Mars)

Some common attributes of Heart meridian and Cardinal-Fire are:

 Both initiate action.

 Both relate to the beating of a drum like a heartbeat.

 Both relate to the spark that ignites transformations in the body-mind.

  Both relate to the initial moment of self-awareness. This is the realization of ‘I am’.

 Both relate to passion.

 Both relate to the color red. (Red face, red hair, red eyes, etc.)

 Both fight against obstacles and threats.

The key word for Cardinal-Fire is passion. Cardinal-Fire is the basic force that initiates the soul.
The soul cries out, “I am, I exist, I am a point of light, alive.” The individual as individual has begun.

Cardinal-Fire is the desire to exist as a separate entity. If anything threatens the integrity of that
separateness, Cardinal-Fire will fight back. This is the will to be an individual. It is also the will to
express as an individual. The expression is simple and direct, just like a heart that beats continuously.
The heart is the most independent organ in the body because it has its own electrical regulation.

Passion and zeal represent Cardinal-Fire in the personality. When one is motivated and is taking
action, Cardinal-Fire is strong. When one is lethargic, passive, unmotivated or introverted, Cardinal-
Fire is weak or lacking support.

Passion drives every emotion, whether it is hate, love, rage, fury, enthusiasm, lust, sexual desire,
or ambition. Passion is the will of the self to express itself in any way it can. Passion is the will to
survive and keep on living at all costs.

Anger is the most direct and excessive emotion of Cardinal-Fire. Anger shows that the self is
battling for survival. The self has the right to live and the right to ensure itself. Anger is formed
around a battle of personal wills. Anger can also simply be that one person enforces their will upon
another in an angry way.

It is actually quite easy to see the expression of Cardinal-Fire in a personality. One is spirited,
self-determined, independent and outgoing. One likes to meet people. One acts upon their desires.
They feel free to express themselves.

Cardinal-Fire is childish and naïve in many ways. It simply wants to act and doesn’t think about
consequences or the overall wisdom of the actions. It simply wants to do something, and doesn’t
really care what it is, as long as the self is recognized and expressed. Its actions can seem impulsive
and spontaneous. Its actions can seem random like popcorn popping. When the energy wants to
express, there is the force to express.

On the sun, solar flares burst forth from the reservoir of the sun’s energy. These flares extend
many miles away from the sun. They explode outward and then fall back into the sun. The explosive
nature of these flares portrays how Cardinal-Fire expresses from the reservoir of creative energy
within a person. The reservoir just sits there and nothing is ever done unless something definite can
express from it. Cardinal-Fire is the definite word and action that creates something unique and with
a definite form.

All these things might have been thought of by God, infinite power. God might have
wished during an indefinite time that they were formed and made visible. Had not
the definite spoken word been put forth into the formless ether, nothing would
have been created or brought into visible form. In order to establish in visible
results the thought and desires of even an infinite omnipotent creator and bring
orderly forms out of actuality, it took the definite, positive “Let there be.”

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 1, Ch. 7

Cardinal-Fire represents that definite word and action that brings self-expression out of formless
substance.

Gall Bladder Meridian & Fixed-Fire (Zodiac Sign: Leo Planet: Sun)

Some common attributes of Gall Bladder meridian and Fixed-Fire are:

 Both relate to the mane of a lion. The meridian flows over the head and shoulders like a
lion’s mane. The lion is the zodiac animal for Fixed-Fire.

 Both relate to courage and gallantry.

 Both relate to the radiating of light and spirit.

 Both relate to the essence of blood.

The key words for Fixed-Fire are courage and self-sufficiency. Fixed-Fire relates to the grand
reservoir of life energy within us. When this reservoir is healthy and abundant, one feels eternal.
One’s inner light shines from this reservoir. It is a feeling of having the life energy to live forever.
When one feels the life energy within them, one feels self-sufficient. One has all that they need right
within themselves.

The sun is a massive body that generates its own energy and light. The sun is the ultimate
reservoir of light energy. The sun is the reason why our grouping of planets is called a solar system.
Everything in the solar system revolves around the sun. The sun’s light and weight is the center of
our solar system. Equally, within us is the reservoir of light energy around which our whole being
revolves. Without the reservoir of Fixed-Fire, there is no life.
 The life energy in the reservoir of Fixed-Fire is undefined, formless. It is raw energy that has not
yet been defined. As we saw in the previous section on Cardinal-Fire, Cardinal-Fire is the definite
expression from the formless. On the spherical meridian flow, Fixed-Fire feeds and supports
Cardinal-Fire. So it can be seen that the formless energy of Fixed-Fire allows for the definite
expression of an individualized and definite expression in Cardinal-Fire.

When Fixed-Fire recognizes its importance, one tends to feel pride in their self-sufficiency. Pride
is an emotion that feeds the self-ego. Pride is not necessarily bad in this sense as the self-ego is the
definite expression from the indefinite, formless reservoir of Fixed-Fire. Pride is a natural part of
forming an individual being. The problem with pride only comes when others are debased or put
down for being somehow less regal than oneself. A healthy Fixed-Fire recognizes that every other
being has this abundant light within them, which gives them the rights and powers to live life as
destiny sees fit.

Recognizing one’s self-importance is healthy. Confidence is instilled. Generosity and inspiration

follow. When one starts to compare one’s own self-importance with the importance of others, a
problem arises. Primarily we are all equal as living beings. Yet some get lucky or seem more
deserving of praise, while others struggle in despair and poverty. These differences only come about
in the definite manifestations of the formless life energy. Yet our inner reservoirs of life energy all
have the same formless potential. There is no difference between anyone’s reservoir and another’s,
because there is no definite form to compare.

The key to enhancing a weakened Fixed-Fire in a personality is to arrive at a recognition that first
one has within oneself all the potential powers of life. Then second is to recognize that all other
living beings have within them all the same potential powers of life. A gentle smile of confidence in
this truth awakens the potential of Fixed-Fire again in a personality.

Many people lack self-esteem, which is so critical to a healthy personality. Without self-esteem
one cannot generate one’s own unique personality. Self-esteem is rooted in the formless reservoir
of Fixed-Fire. Self-esteem feeds and supports the unique qualities of one’s personality. Self-esteem is
probably the best indicator of how healthy Fixed-Fire is in a personality.

Actors have to have a strong Fixed-Fire reservoir within them in order to go out on stage and
project a personality to an audience. The projection must be large enough for everyone to see and
feel the character being played. Now it is clear that not all actors have healthy self-esteems. Playing
a role on stage is different than living one’s own life. An actor can have tremendous self-esteem
while projecting a fictitious character, but have no self-esteem when they go back to the dressing
room and look themselves in the mirror. The root of this problem is not in Fixed-Fire, but in the
personal parts of the personality that seek a definite expression; parts like Cardinal-Fire, Cardinal-Air
and Cardinal-Water. These parts can feel sorry for themselves that they are not grand enough to due
justice to the enormous reservoir of life energy that feeds them.

Many actors know how much they are really capable of, and simply can’t find a way to express
this greatness in their own limited personality. The way to resolve the inner conflict is to recognize
that personalities have inherent limitations. Personalities are limited and simply cannot radiate all
the light from the great reservoir that feeds them. Then one can forgive oneself for falling short of
expectations. It’s the same as looking at the sun. The sun is too bright to look at directly. One
becomes content to look at all the little individual things, which reflect the grandeur of the sun’s
light.

Liver Meridian & Mutable-Fire (Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius Planet: Jupiter)

Some common attributes of Liver meridian and Mutable-Fire are:

 Both relate to a free-flowing spirited nature.

 Both have an urge to expand one’s horizons.

 Both have an exuberance for life.

 Both enjoy visiting and sharing with new cultures.

Some key words for Mutable-Fire are adventurous, enthusiastic and inspiring. The creative
potential of Mutable-Fire expands and promotes life. This personality loves philosophy because it
opens up horizons of life and creates room to breathe. The healthy expression is friendly and
outgoing.

Mutable-Fire is carefree and does not like to be fenced in. This personality trait does not like to
be pinned down either. There must always be a sense of freedom and opportunity. Avery common
herbal formula used to encourage and strengthen the free-flow of Liver Qi is Xiao Yao San, Free and
Easy Rambling without a destination. The name of this formula describes the nature of Liver and
Mutable-Fire perfectly. The formula enhances open-mindedness and the freedom to breathe, as well
as relieve stagnated Liver Qi.

In relationships, Mutable-Fire enjoys the freedom to love anyone. Mutable-Fire opens up to

other people outside of a marriage, because it looks at everyone as a unique and beautiful
expression of life. Liver-blood has the desire to enrich every part of the body, and does not select
which parts will be nourished more and less. Mutable-Fire does not live life according to traditions
and societal rules, but rather by openness and generosity to all.

The problems that Mutable-Fire faces in society are the rules and expectations placed on
individuals to behave certain ways. The freedom of Mutable-Fire gets constrained by rules. The
freedom of Liver is naturally restricted so that it does not over-expand and weaken. Yet the nature
of Liver is to keep on expanding and giving, and can reach a point where it resists constraint.
Mutable-Fire becomes irritated.
 Honesty is one of the special traits of Mutable-Fire. Honesty is based on openness and an
appreciation of truth. Honesty supports life and appreciates its diversity. To allow social freedom is
to allow diversity. Mutable-Fire fights for social freedoms, because an open and free society
promotes the fulfillment of different destinies in each person. Everyone has a different purpose and
destiny. Different destinies can only be fulfilled when a society allows diversity.

Mutable-Fire is the expression of a gypsy or nomad traveler that crosses borders. These people
link places and cultures through diverse contact.

The negative expression of Mutable-Fire is arrogance. When freedom is stifled and the ego
becomes involved, Mutable-Fire sits on a high horse to defy and rebel against the dominating forces
of the authorities. Arrogance is an emotion of rising above the mundane constraints and limitations
that the masses have to deal with. Mutable-Fire rises above the downtrodden and looks down on
them, because they have lost their freedoms and potential. Arrogance looks down on those who
have lost control of their own destinies.

Mutable-Fire will fight for freedoms and rights in order to insure that life can expand and grow.
Mutable-Fire is the freethinker and visionary who see a more fulfilling future.

Small Intestine Meridian & Cardinal-Earth (Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Planet: Saturn)

Some common attribute between Small Intestine and Cardinal-Earth are:

 Channeling and concentrating of fire energy. This channeling is done by the intestines,
the blood vessels and the bones.

 Both are related to swelling.

 Both associate with skin growths like warts.

 Both patrol borders like the intestinal lining during digestion.

 Both establish order and enforce the laws.

The key word for Cardinal-Earth is discernment. Discernment is the ability to recognize
differences in things. Discernment leads to judgment, because judgment must know what the
differences are between two or more things, and then have a way of placing value on the things.

Discernment requires authority, because one must have authority to fulfill their destiny. The
path of life requires decisions and judgment calls. The best path must be chosen. If a wrong path is
chosen then destiny may not be fulfilled. Discernment is the critical step of choosing the right path.
 Purpose is a large aspect of the Cardinal-Earth personality, because with purpose one’s drive and
ambition can be directed to a specific goal. That is the most common trait of Cardinal-Earth. This
personality strives to be the best and attain authority. Purpose is the concentration of will and
energy that moves one toward authority.

Cardinal-Earth needs to have integrity in order to validate and rationalize its decisions. Integrity
allows Cardinal-Earth to move towards its ambitions and authority. Cardinal-Earth most often
conforms to societal expectations because it understands the need for order. Therefore Cardinal-
Earth can climb the ladder of success quite readily. Cardinal-Earth seeks conformity and tradition. It
is the authority that lays down rules and regulations so that there will be order in society.

Two negative expressions of Cardinal-Earth are criticism and discrimination. Criticism seeks to
discern the weaknesses in someone else. Stating another’s weaknesses affirms one’s authority and
righteousness. Criticism shows that Cardinal-Earth is able to discern and make the right choices. Yet
criticism most often involves placing one’s own values and beliefs upon another person or group.
Each person and group needs to make their own judgment calls in order to fulfill their own destinies
in life. Therefore it is natural that people will be different. Criticism does not value differences but
rather says that another is not meeting the accepted and prevalent set of standards by which all
should meet.

Cardinal-Earth needs respect. Underlying much of the behavior of Cardinal-Earth is a fear of

inadequacy. Without respect Cardinal-Earth feels as though its decisions have been called into
question. Its authority relies upon respect. Many times we hear people state they need to be
respected. This is the Cardinal-Earth part of the personality talking.

Cardinal-Earth is patient and practical. It follows a plan diligently. In many ways it is the patience
of Cardinal-Earth that stagnates the freedom and looseness of Liver Qi. Still in order to accomplish
something, a thorough plan must be followed step by step. Cardinal-Earth is associated with the
mountain goat that can take very careful steps to reach the top of the mountain. This shows the
ability to reach goals and fulfill ambition.

Cardinal-Earth is also prudent and cautious by exercising sound judgment in practical matters.
Cardinal-Earth takes care of business in a conservative way. This is an aspect of the integrity of
Cardinal-Earth.

Stomach Meridian & Fixed-Earth (Zodiac Sign: Taurus Planet: Earth)

Some common attributes between Stomach meridian and Fixed-Earth are:

 Both are concerned with body mass and weight.

 Both relate to food intake, digestion and assimilation.

 Both are stable and dependable.

  Both are resistant to change.

 Both seek ample storage of reserves.

 Both aid in producing mother’s milk

Some key words for Fixed-Earth are firmness and stability. Fixed-Earth associates with solid
ground, and there can’t be anything more firm and stable as the ground we walk on. Fixed-Earth
appreciates anything of value. Status and financial wealth are valued by Fixed-Earth because there is
power in having more things than someone else.

Fixed-Earth is concerned with maintaining a stable place for a fetus to sit during pregnancy. The
Fixed aspect wants to root the fetus in place. The Stomach meridian plays an important role in the
development and nourishment of a fetus just like Fixed-Earth.

The negative expression of Fixed-Earth is possessiveness. It is very important for Fixed-Earth to

have ample resources and things in order to feel comfortably secure. At times the need for things
will turn into possessiveness. Fixed-Earth will be reluctant to let go of something or another person if
their security depends on them.

Fixed-Earth is closely associated with the senses, especially smell and touch. Senses keep a
person in constant contact with the physical world. Fixed-Earth is usually a good cook and has an
extraordinary sense of smell. They know how to blends tastes when cooking.

The fixed nature of Fixed-Earth leads to stubbornness. Fixed-Earth can be very adamant about its
ideas, emotions and opinions. There is a real inflexibility and a resistance to change. The
stubbornness is rooted in the desire for stability. Some things in life have to change but some things
have to stay the same. Otherwise life would drown in not knowing what will happen next. Routine
and regular habits keep life constant, which requires less energy. Adapting to change requires a lot
of energy. Fixed-Earth is interested in conserving energy.

Many times Fixed-Earth can live a boring life with little change. It settles into a set pattern, which
doesn’t change. It is like a tall tree that fixes deep roots in the soil. The stability of the roots allows
the tree to grow tall and not fall over. So when people have a very constant and stable life, they are
many times the foundations upon which others can depend. The stability allows others to reach for
the sky.

Spleen Meridian & Mutable-Earth (Zodiac Sign: Virgo Planet: Chiron)

Some common attributes of Spleen meridian and Mutable-Earth are:

 Both are resourceful.

  Both aid the thinking process of thought.

 Both develop resiliency and flexibility with strength.

 Both guide the flow of water. This attribute relates to Spleen’s ability to move water.

The key word for Mutable-Earth is purity. Purity presents cleanliness and refinement. In order to
obtain pure substance elements must go through a process of refinement. Spleen Nutritive-
substance is pure and refined, the pure substance to build the body. Mutable-Earth in western
astrology associates with the virgin who is chaste and pure.

Mutable-Earth seeks perfection. This is a result of purity. Perfection shows refinement at a high
level. The purest most fertile substance must be refined. Fertile soil is cultured and matured over
many years. Once the soil is perfect, crops can be grown abundantly.

Mutable-Earth seeks strength, because strength is the goal of purified substance. The best
quality materials should produce the highest quality products.

A personality trait of Mutable-Earth is that of being of service to others. When others are weak,
Mutable-Earth knows the techniques and methods to repair and heal. Mutable-Earth wants others
to be strong. Mutable-Earth wants to nourish and strengthen others.

Mutable-Earth uses logic to a high degree. Logic is a tool for assessing strengths and weaknesses,
whereby the mind can understand and systematically arrive at higher levels of refinement in the
thinking process. One of the more salient traits of Mutable-Earth is that of testing for strengths and
weaknesses. It measures and compares one thing against another.

Mutable-Earth is very focused on techniques and methods. The small details of how something
is accomplished are important. Paying attention to the small details keeps mistakes from occurring,
which would undermine the overall stability. The detailed work of Mutable-Earth magnifies the
physical stability of anything.

The negative expression of Mutable-Earth is perfectionism. In the search for perfection and
purity, Mutable-Earth can sometimes develop a very high standard. Mutable-Earth can become
obsessed with perfection, because life depends on things being clean, ordered and refined. Sloppy
and dirty materials won’t support the body being healthy. When things fall below perfection, then
waste and dirtiness undermine the overall strength.

One dysfunctional trait of Mutable-Earth is that of enabling weakness. Mutable-Earth tends to

cover-up for others who are weak and going through a tough time. The hope is that the weaknesses
won’t overshadow the strengths, which would make the other person vulnerable.
Lung Meridian & Cardinal-Air (Zodiac Sign: Libra Planet:
Venus)

Some common attributes of Lung meridian and Cardinal-Air are:

 Both initiate the act of breathing.

 Both relate to the beauty and health of skin and hair.

 Both relate to the exterior portion of the body where the Wei Qi circulates.

 Both are concerned with social relationships and forming bonds with other people.

 Both relate to the shared breaths between people.

 Both are concerned with one’s image.

The key word for Cardinal-Air is congeniality. Any relationship with another person is initiated at
some point. We say Hi, how are you? My name is “so and so”, and the conversation starts. We first
seek to find some common interest with the other person in order to build a bond. Once the bond is
made, then the relationship can grow and develop. Cardinal-Air has the function of initiating
relationships.

Cardinal-Air is related to beauty and being attractive. It is important to attract new people into
one’s life. The key to attracting others is that we want to attract others that agree with our way of
life. This strengthens our position in the world. Therefore when Cardinal-Air puts on an exterior
image, as many do with make-up, clothes and style of speech, the image is designed to attract
certain people. The image is very critical to finding the right person.

The connection between Cardinal-Air and the exterior body image is close. This is just like the
relationship between Lung meridian and Wei Qi. The exterior of the body is the image we present.
Cardinal-Air does not only relate to the Wei Qi of the body, but also the clothes, make-up, hairstyle,
jewelry, and accessories that adorn the body. They are also part of the Wei Qi of the body. Many
people feel more powerful and less vulnerable when they where the right clothing for a particular
occasion. The wrong clothing makes one feel almost naked and vulnerable. Defending against
external pathogenic forces is connected not only to the strength of Wei Qi, but also adorning the
body appropriately.

One aspect of Cardinal-Air is that it tends to be shallow. It is only surface oriented. Once a
relationship is found, then the people can go further into exploring who they are and what kinds of
things they can really accomplish with each other. The shallowness is necessary because it is
dangerous to let someone in too fast.
 When Cardinal-Air is weak, a person becomes alienated. They feel like they can’t bond with
anyone else. Breathing becomes constricted. They can’t move freely and confidently in the world.
They lack the ability to engage others. As one feels more and more alone, one’s power wanes. One
feels less supported and understood. They withdraw into a shell that protects them from the outside
world.

The key to having a healthy Cardinal-Air expression is to feel that you have something to share
with others and that you want to experience what others have to share with you. Cardinal-Air will
simply make the connection so that the sharing can begin.

Large Intestine Meridian & Fixed-Air (Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Planet:

Uranus)

Some common attributes of Large Intestine meridian and Fixed-Air are:

 Both relate to the integrity of the exterior portion of the body where the Wei Qi
circulates.

 Both are concerned with letting go of things no longer needed. They dispose of
unwanted and outdated materials.

 Both are concerned with incorporating the changes brought on by evolution.

 Both oversee the boundaries that protect one’s being.

The key word for Fixed-Air is conduct. Everyone has a code of conduct, by which they establish
their morals, beliefs and notions of right and wrong. The code makes it possible for people to
interact socially. On a larger scale, codes of conduct become the laws of the land that hold society
together. People then agree in general on what the laws are, because the laws reflect their own
codes of conduct.

Fixed-Air can then be the expression of the lawyer who upholds the laws or the criminal that
chooses to live by his/her own laws. When Fixed-Air is strong in a personality, there is a strong sense
of moral code, even in anti-social behavior.

Fixed-Air relates to the atmosphere that surrounds the Earth. As humans we live in the air more
than any other element. We don’t live in water, we don’t live in the soil like worms and we don’t live
in fire. Air represents relationships between people and things. The exterior form of anything relates
to Fixed-Air.

A strong expression of Fixed-Air can be seen in uniforms. Many professions wear uniforms,
police, soldiers and healthcare professionals. Even politicians, lawyers and business people wear
appropriate suits for the work they do. The clothes worn in Cardinal-Air are meant to attract
another. But the clothes worn in Fixed-Air are meant to express the role and function someone has
in society. Fixed-Air clothes show a more permanent social niche for the person. After work the
person may put on their Cardinal-Air clothes and go dancing. Cardinal-Air clothes have a more
personal significance. Fixed-Air clothes have a broader social significance.

Fixed-Air seeks to stabilize social behavior. It would like everyone to live by the same rules, but
Fixed-Air likes to set the rules. Thus Fixed-Air enjoys the privilege of having everyone else live by its
own rules. The criminal type anti-social behavior seen in Fixed-Air stems from the individual wanting
to establish their own set of rules and codes of conduct. They want the privilege of living by their
own rules. They feel they have the right to live they way they best see fit. Since society is not perfect
and fair for everyone, discontent is a natural result. Fixed-Air can have strong opinions on the way
things should be.

Fixed-Air has a little know expression. It likes to test people to see what metal they are made of.
Most of the tests are indirect and subtle. The other person does not realize that they are being
tested and in a sense judged on whether they can be trusted to live by the rules. Fixed-Air wants to
trust others, and that depends on whether they can play by the rules of the game. The testing of
another person’s ability to know and understand the rules is designed to stabilize social
relationships. Fixed-Air observes and takes note of another’s behavior.

Fixed-Air tries its best to stabilize its own social behavior, but there are other personal
expressions within a personality, like Cardinal-Fire and Cardinal-Water. These expressions drive one
to behave in ways that aren’t socially acceptable, but they satisfy emotional and egotistical needs.
Fixed-Air balances the more personal and egotistical needs with a broader sense of social
responsibility. So there is always a dance between the personal and the broader social relationships.
Fixed-Air regulates the broader social behavior the best it can.

The social perspective supports the link between Fixed-Air and the exterior Wei Qi of
acupuncture. The Wei Qi is where the individual comes into contact with the external world. On this
note, Fixed-Air relates also to being on the frontier of social movements and change. Fixed-Air lives
on the cutting edge of knowledge and technology. The frontier of knowledge in a sense is the Wei Qi
of society, in that it is the boundary beyond which we haven’t gone yet as a people. So Fixed-Air
expresses inventiveness and ingenuity. The frontiers of knowledge are expanded through Fixed-Air.

Another expression of Fixed-Air is eccentricity, which blend the individual needs of personal
expression into a broader social role. One becomes known for their eccentricity. Certainly the
eccentric is outside the regularly accepted norms of society, but they exist within a subculture,
which has its own set of rules. The eccentric has a broader role and purpose in society. The eccentric
is only dangerous in the sense that they challenge and test the norms of society. This is a strong
expression of Fixed-Air. The eccentric makes others question their own reality and social beliefs. This
questioning brought on by eccentricity can undermine the stable fabric of society, but it serves to
enhance the understanding of what it means to live in a society and still fulfill ones own personal
needs and dreams. Society needs to have the ability to evolve spontaneously. There must be room
for change as circumstances in the world change. Eccentricity keeps alive the awareness that the
forces of evolution can appear at any moment. As they say in France, “Vive la difference!”

Bladder Meridian & Mutable-Air (Zodiac Sign: Gemini Planet: Mercury)

Some common attributes of Bladder meridian and Mutable-Air are:

 Both are concerned with a free-flow of communication.

 Both interconnect systems of the body-mind.

 Both are related to the nervous system of the body.

 Both are related to coordination and balance.

 Both are related to mental processing.

Some key words for Mutable-Air are communication and intelligence. Mutable-Air is the ability
to think and transfer data. Thinking is quick and adaptable. Information flows like a river. Mutable-
Air commands the flow of information.

Thinking, observing and talking all represent the action of Mutable-Air. It loves to ask questions
and has a great curiosity to gather information and even the slightest trivial piece of data. Mutable-
Air simply loves information. It loves also to small talk and chit-chat. Mutable-Air can be quite
superficial and shallow, because it is more mental than emotional. Water symbols are more
emotional. Air symbols are more mental.

Mutable-Air controls coordination, balance and dexterity. These all give free movement to the
body-mind comes. The mutable aspect gives flexibility and quickness to coordination. The body uses
reflexes and quick muscle movements to coordinate balance and body positioning. Much of the
movement of the body is unconscious. Mutable-Air controls these instantaneous movements.

One aspect of Mutable-Air is that it enhances mindfulness. An active and alert mind is able to be
more aware of the surroundings and probe the inner depths of the soul. The power of the mind and
thought are able to develop higher states of spiritual consciousness.

There are many who teach that the mind must be quieted in meditation in order for the inner
powers to awaken. There is a fine balance between having an alert and open mind, and having a
mind that is quiet. As the mind enters the subconscious in meditation, huge amounts of information
begin to be contacted. The mind can respond by displaying images, scenes, memories, concerns and
general psychodramas. These scenes disrupt the pleasantness of meditation, causing stress and
more effort to relax.
 It is destructive to try to deny the subconscious during meditation. The key is to enter the
subconscious with a quiet mind and observe. Mutable-Air can penetrate the subconscious to gather
useful information. So when one tries to stop thinking during mediation, one is denying the process
of entering the subconscious with the mind. The stress one feels over the images from the
subconscious comes from emotionally reacting to what is there. Calming down the mind during
meditation is more a process of calming down the emotional reactions.

It is through the power of our own mind or thought action that we are able to bring
forth or realize…(higher states of consciousness). Through the power of process
of thought we can transmute and evolve our bodies, or our outer conditions and
surroundings…

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 1, Ch. 9

It is not wise to rush things

Controlling breath produces effort

If one uses too much energy, exhaustion will follow.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 55

The key to entering the subconscious in meditation is to quietly observe all that appears. Allow
revelations to form on their own accord. The emotions are controlled. The mind is open. The breath
is not controlled but flows on its own accord. Energy is expended but not so much that stress
ensues.

I have seen many, many people who have weakened their Water element meridians, Kidney and
Bladder, by years of meditation. They thought they were quieting their mind and relaxing their souls,
when in actuality they were constraining and struggling against their Water nature. Water wants to
flow everywhere freely. Water wants to encompass all that is unseen. By constraining the mind and
fighting against any thought that pops into the mind, the Water meridians are stressed and blocked.
Most meditators I have seen really don’t know how to meditate effortlessly. Most seem to damage
their Water meridians to some degree.

The improvement of our subconscious, our character and our personality starts when
we become masters of our own thoughts and gain control over our emotions and
desires.
 The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, p 162

Effortless meditation is like a sugar cube dissolving in a glass of water. The meditator is the sugar
cube being dissolved. The water that dissolves the meditator is the power of the Water meridians to
free the constraints of one’s Heart and soul. When a meditator resists the dissolution of the mind
and its separate integrity, a battle ensues. The key is to allow oneself to become dissolved and then
become the glass of water.

The reason most people resist being dissolved is because they have a concern that once the
mind is dissolved, it won’t be able to re-coalesce and then be able to function again in the world. The
mind works very hard to stay in contact with everything, organize everything and make sense of the
world. They think that if the mind dissolves, one becomes a confused mass of blubbering ramble. Yet
there is a center within the mind that always anchors the mind. That center is the spherical Heart
matrix.

The space between Heaven and Earth

is like a bellows

The shape changes but not the form

The more it moves, the more it remains

More words detract.

Hold onto the center.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5

When Mutable-Air gathers too much information that one cannot handle it all, one becomes
confused. Words and thoughts race in circles and don’t reach any conclusions. The mind spins and
babbles disconnected thoughts. Mutable-Air does not have the function of assessing and logically
analyzing information. It simply gathers and transmits data. Mutable-Air is very open-minded by
nature.
Pericardium Meridian & Cardinal-Water (Zodiac Sign: Cancer Planet: Moon)

Some common attributes of Pericardium meridian and Cardinal-Water are:

 Both are concerned with keeping close relationships. Pc7 is the main point for when one
has ended a close relationship.

 Both are concerned with a sense of belonging and feeling at home.

 Both have emotional sensitivities.

 Both relate to the nesting instinct.

 Both relate to the establishing of harmony and comfort.

The key word for Cardinal-Water is intimacy. We all have personal needs that need to be met.
We come to depend on people and places that meet are needs. We become intimate with them in
order to maintain a close relationship, which insures that are needs will continue to be met.
Cardinal-Water seeks to establish bonds of intimacy and dependency.

The most intimate and dependent relationship is that between mother and child. Cardinal-Water
is the expression of motherhood. The child receives sustenance and care from the mother in every
aspect of its life. The bonds formed are strong and deeply emotional. The cardinal aspect of
Cardinal-Water initiates and forms bonds. The Water aspect develops emotional closeness.

Cardinal-Water shows up in all the things that we feel familiar. We all have a need to belong to
something, some place or some people. We feel a special affinity for these things. We gravitate to
these people and places because they resonate with our style of living. We feel comfortable with
them. Cardinal-Water seeks to establish comfort zones. We truly feel ourselves when inside a
comfort zone. We are in our element and feel empowered by familiar forces.

Cardinal-Water forms habit patterns in the personality, since it seeks to develop familiar
patterns of behavior. The goal is to create consistent patterns of behavior that make it easier to
meet our needs on a daily basis. Habits are comfort zones onto themselves.

Cardinal-Water becomes extremely energized when one feels lost. One looks around and
nothing is familiar. Cardinal-Water freaks out and begins to look for anything vaguely familiar in
order to find its way back again. Cardinal-Water has a strong ability to bond and maintain closeness
to the familiar. When close relationships are broken, Pericardium points are mainly used because
they help us heal the trauma to the Pericardium, which needs close, intimate and supporting
relationships.

Cardinal-Water also has a tendency to micro-manage the environment. It has its own idea on the
way things should be, and expects others to have the same ideas. So when others do things that
don’t agree with the expectations of Cardinal-Water, there is an attempt to change the behavior of
the other person. The goal is to keep things from changing and developing too fast, which might
cause Cardinal-Water to lose familiarity with the way things should be.

Emotional upsets strongly affect the Cardinal-Water nature of ourselves. Cardinal-Water

expresses like those snow bubble toys, the ones that when you turn them upside down, the snow
begins to fall. That slow motion falling of snow as it settles down is the movement of Cardinal-
Water. Cardinal-Water wants things to settle down and relax into comfortable patterns. When it is
agitated, it wants to calm down again. Cardinal-Water does not like to be agitated. When it is calm,
we have more power.

Who can wait for the mud to settle in water?

Let it alone and you will see how

upon calming down, by itself,

it will become transparent little by little.

Observers of the Tao don’t look for fulfillment,

By not looking for fulfillment you will not be influenced

by the desire for changes…and you will change.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 15

A healthy Cardinal-Water calmly brings a person to the realization of their desires. It is through
calming down that clarity of vision is created. Cardinal-Water took the first step in creating life in the
primordial soup by bringing calmness to the forces of nature. It is through that calmness that
changes were made.

Cardinal-Water seeks calm within agitation. It is not that Cardinal-Water itself is agitated, but
that it responds to the agitation by calming it down. When a person is not able to calm down their
emotions, Cardinal-Water is weak or confused. The action of Cardinal-Water is always to calm things
down. It is the force to create homeostasis in the body mind. Homeostasis is the result of Cardinal-
Water finding comfort zones of familiarity. When the comfort zone is healthy, life is powerful.
San Jiao Meridian & Fixed-Water (Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Planet: Pluto)

Some common attributes of San Jiao meridian and Fixed-Water are:

 Both influence balance and harmony from behind the scenes. They are unseen
influences on power.

 Both harmonize the other elements.

 Both seek homeostasis of the body-mind.

 Both are concerned with putting things in the appropriate place.

The key word for Fixed-Water is relevance. Relevance is the path to fulfill and realize truth.
When a prayer is answered, it is because the prayer is relevant to the progress of the soul. Many of
our prayers are subconscious. They reside in the deep mystery of the mind and emotions. They
affect and influence the decisions we make and the reactions we take in circumstances.

Many people look at their lives and don’t understand how they got to where they are. Their lives
seem irrelevant. Yet when you look into their subconscious, you see the desires that led them to
where they are. Once the desires are fulfilled, they are no longer relevant. It is at this point that the
person sees their life as irrelevant. New desires take shape and begin to guide the soul into the
future.

Fixed-Water meets others with a stare that penetrates to the subconscious. When you
communicate with Fixed-Water, you feel like it doesn’t hear what you are saying. In reality it is
hearing what you are praying deep within you. Fixed-Water in a sense disregards your words and
thoughts as a dance around the truth. Fixed-Water is more concerned with the truth at the core of
your words and complaints. Fixed-Water is strong in psychotherapists.

Fulfillment of truth is the goal of Fixed-Water. Fixed-Water penetrates to the core of your life
where the vision of your life sits. Fulfillment of that vision is the goal. Once the vision is fulfilled,
Fixed-Water is satisfied. People who have Fixed-Water strong in their personalities tend to work and
influence power behind the scenes. They maintain a connection to the core vision, while others
speak and act in various ways that don’t seem to connect to the core vision. They are there to always
remind others of the purpose behind their actions, so that the mission is not lost.

Fixed-Water keeps people strongly focused on a common path. A good leader is one who does
the will of the people. This leader must penetrate to the heart and soul of the people and cherish
what is found there. Many of the problems in society are subliminal. If there are problems in the
heart and soul, then the leader must work to rectify them. A wise leader knows how to recognize
illness in society and to rectify those illnesses without creating new ones. Most leaders have
someone close to them who keeps their hand on the pulse of the people. This person then
communicates with the leader.
 The most dangerous leaders are the ones who champion the illnesses of society, and then
manipulate policy to their own self-interests and desires. This is a desperate situation where the
people are in desperate need of some kind of help. It is relatively easy for a leader to take advantage
of such a situation. The collective subconscious of society is unhealthy and allows such leaders. The
society will only experience more pain before their subconscious ills are cured.

When the health of Fixed-Water becomes disrupted, one experiences the feeling of guilt. Guilt
comes about when something happens that is not according to plan. Someone messed up and they
are being blamed. Something happened that was wrong. It is only wrong because it does not agree
with the original vision. If someone says that they will never do something again for whatever
reason, and they end up doing the same thing over, they feel guilty because they were not able to
stick to their convictions. The desires in the subconscious are more powerful than the convictions of
the mind. This is hard for many to grasp. To really heal the Fixed-Water part of a person, you have to
get into their subconscious, and rectify their desires.

Many desires can never be fulfilled because they are addictive in nature. These desires can never
be permanently satisfied because they require the experience over and over. To rectify a
subconscious addiction is one of the most powerful healings possible. Self-destructive behavior
stops. Many times acupuncture can calm down a subconscious desire and mitigate its effect on a
person, but the addictive desire returns to bring the person back to square one.

The subconscious addictive desire must be brought out into the light of day and recognized for
what it is. When people are said to be confronting ‘their demons’, they are struggling to bring their
subconscious desires to the light of day.

Illness, be it physical or psychic, arises within a personality when an uneasy

subconscious mental-emotional climate fosters an environment that will nurture
and proliferate a destructive energy. Conversely, an illness can be eradicated, or
cured, when the elementals that fostered the problems have been resolved and
removed. Illness is instructive in this light, because it requires that we address
unhealthy subconscious forces (elementals) that plague the personality.

The Esoteric Teachings, Stylianos Atteshlis, p 161

To look for the subconscious Fixed-Water in a personality, look for the subliminal patterns of
behavior. Many call this behavior Karmic. The patterns are habitual and uncontrollable. It’s like when
a woman says she keeps ending up with the same kind of dysfunctional man. Fixed-Water is
controlling her actions from a subliminal area of the mind. Fixed-Water is focused on the purpose
and closeness of relationships. It is through relationships that desires are fulfilled. Yet it is through
cleaning up the subconscious that the desires are made healthy.
Kidney Meridian & Mutable-Water (Zodiac Sign: Pisces Planet: Neptune)

Some common attributes of Kidney meridian and Mutable-Water are:

 Both relate to the water of life. The water that sets the foundation for life to be created.

 Both are passive by nature.

 Both flow to the most humble spot no matter wealth, status or circumstance. Water
flows everywhere.

 Both relate to the power that overcomes fear.

 Both dissolve separateness, which leads one to see the unity of all things.

The key word for Mutable-Water is faith. Faith is the ability to go wherever life takes you
without hesitation. The movement of water through the land shows the essence of faith.
Water flows everywhere. It soaks into the low places and comes from the high places. Water
fears nothing and touches to everything.

The highest good is like water.

Water gives life to everything and does not struggle.

It flows through places that humans reject

And in this way is like the Tao.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8

Faith is to accept and forgive everything and everyone. Faith washes sins clean. There is no part
of the world in the eyes of Mutable-Water that is outside the scope of life. Water sees everything as
together. Water freely flows within the one universe. Nothing is rejected. Nothing is scorned.
Mutable-Water embraces every part of a person.

When Mutable-Water is strong in people, they see the needs and deep desires of others.
Mutable-Water flows into the subconscious of others. The fears of others become known. Mutable-
Water awakens the collective unity of life experience in everything.

Mutable-Water dissolves the personal ego. One becomes more concerned about the interests of
others. The desires of others are more important than one’s own desires. One’s ego wants to be
defined by the desires of others. Yet when one’s own personal desires are denied for too long, the
ego will react in an effort to create balance. An example of this is seen in priests who live secret lives
of sexual promiscuity.

A blockage of Mutable-Water leads to fear. When the personal ego is threatened, fear arises.
However, a healthy Mutable-Water is able to supersede the fears of the personal ego by accepting
the threat. This acceptance returns one to the all-inclusive whole of life, thus neutralizing the
concerns of the personal ego.

There is no death. There is no loss. There is only change in manifestation. Mutable-Water knows
this truth. It balances the fears of death and loss of the personal ego.

The separation from unity is the descent of the angels on the ladder of consciousness.
The return to unity is the ascent of the angels upon the ladder. The descent is
good, for unity then becomes expressed in diversity, but in diversity there need be
no concept of separation. That which is diversity has been misconceived from the
personal, or external viewpoint, to be separation. The great work for each soul is
to lift the personal viewpoint to such heights in consciousness that it becomes one
with the whole.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Kidney meridian has a special and powerful role in the tradition of acupuncture. Kidney is the
ability to reconnect to the source of life power. When we disconnect from that power in
consciousness, we weaken over time. Take a drop of water out of the ocean, and it becomes a drop
of water, vulnerable to the forces of nature. Return that drop to the ocean, and it becomes as
powerful as the ocean again. A healthy and free Kidney meridian allows us to live in the ocean of life
and to still think that we are a drop separate from that ocean. This keeps us connected to the power
that sustains our personal living experience.

When discrimination, prejudice and intolerance separate us from others, the Kidney meridian
weakens and we lose life power. Many of the reasons why the Kidney meridian gets weak as one
ages, is because one has taken on so many judgments, fears and discriminations through life. The
key to growing old and to maintaining a healthy Kidney meridian is to follow the nature of Mutable-
Water. Accept and forgive everything. Embrace all people, their beliefs, their transgressions, and
their differences. To return to unity is the power behind Mutable-Water. It is this power that keeps
us young as we age.
Case Studies of Astrology

The use of astrology in oriental medicine goes back 1000’s of years. The following case studies,
from my personal experience, will give a general sense of how astrology is used in a clinical setting.

#1

I had a patient who had been trying to get pregnant for at least 3 years using many kinds of
medicine, including transplantation of fertilized eggs, hormone therapy, acupuncture, herbs and
many other forms of alternative medicine. She had had allergies all her life. The medical reason
given to her was that her body was attacking the fertilized egg in an allergic response. This caused
the egg to be expelled from her body. She was told that her chances of having a baby were very slim.
She also had eczema as a symptom of the allergies. The eczema related to how the uterine lining
would become irritated and reject the embryo.

I began to treat her in late summer with herbs and acupuncture to support the retention of
Essence in her body and to contain the Yin fluids that seemed to be leaking out of her body-mind. I
looked at her astrological chart and saw that the best time for her to conceive a baby was going to
be in the following winter or early spring. So I did not expect her to get pregnant in the fall even
though she kept on trying to get pregnant.

I advised her to “bath herself in her own Essence”, because her Essence was leaking out as
shown by the allergies. She also seemed to allow other people to infiltrate her energies. Her
protective Wei Qi was vulnerable from the allergies. She also started to drink colostrum, which is
new mother’s milk from cows. Colostrum helps with asthma and certain allergies.

The result was that she became pregnant through normal sex with her husband in the winter of
the next year, exactly at the time her astrological chart indicated. In this case, astrology helped to
clarify when she might get pregnant. That was a big help in determining the success or failure of the
treatments. It was also a big help in allowing a time frame of 6 months or so in which she could
properly prepare herself for a pregnancy. She prepared her mind and body during those 6 months
with good results.

Now whether it was the movement of the planets, the perception of her mind or the
accumulation of medicine that allowed her to become pregnant is always up for debate.

#2

A woman came to see me because she was anxious and upset. She did not tell me why. I looked
at her astrological chart and saw that transiting Mars was opposing her natal Sun. As I looked at her
chart I mentioned that this would make her feel aggressive, restless and irritated, and that she might
have an argument with somebody. She looked at me and said that she had just had a huge argument
with her new husband. They had never argued before and this really upset her. I counseled her that
the effects of the transiting Mars would only last a week and that she should not see this as a long-
term problem, but only a glitch in time. Once Mars moved on, the feeling of restlessness would
dissipate and they could get back to normal.

One week later everything was back to normal. They had had great make-up sex. She was
smiling and the restlessness was gone.

I could have treated her irritability and restlessness directly with acupuncture, but I knew the
affect was only going to last a few days anyway. It was more advantageous to counsel her that the
energies were going to dissipate. When they did, she understood why and found it easier to get back
to a normal relationship.

Astrology told me there really wasn’t a problem. It was a natural rhythm of the emotional cycle.
More that anything, the doubt she carried about the argument was healed through the counseling.

#3

A woman came to ask me about her life. I looked at her chart and saw that a few years ago in a
fall season, transiting Neptune had stopped in the sky right exactly on top of her natal Mercury for a
complete month. This is a very powerful transit and indicated that something big had happened. I
simply asker her what happened that month. Her eyes rolled and said that was the most stressful
month she had ever lived. She could not function. There was this pressure pushing down upon her
head from above that was driving her into insanity. She had to leave and go away for a month to
meditate. She separated from her husband and family that month. They eventually divorced.
Nobody understood what was going on with her.

Mercury related to her Bladder meridian. The alignment of Neptune over her Bladder meridian
(Mercury) indicated the pressure that she was feeling on top of her Bladder meridian. Her Bladder
meridian was under great stress from Neptune. She could not think, because the pressure was so
great. So she went into a deep meditation until the feeling somewhat subsided.

It was a relief for her to finally know that there was an explanation for why she stepped on the
edge of insanity.

During the crisis, acupuncture and herbs could have helped to relive the stress upon her Bladder
meridian. She did not have to suffer so much. Actually she ended up getting a sort of post-traumatic
stress syndrome from the problem. The energy of the transit was too strong for her. Treatment
could have minimized the confusion and make it easier for the pressure to be incorporated into her
psyche. The process that she was going through needed to be supported, not denied. Her family
withdrew their support, which caused her to eventually separate from them.

Astrology would have offered a useful perspective to treat the illness at the time of the crisis. As
well, astrology would have guided the treatment to harmonize her Bladder meridian. The big lesson
from astrology is that illness and healing are a process of time and circumstance. To have a grasp of
the process of time and circumstance is powerful when combined with acupuncture needling and
herbs.

#4

Once I was researching how to assess health and illness in an astrological chart on an internet
discussion group. A person would post their birth data and give no additional information. I would
analyze the chart according to the principles of the spherical meridian flow, which blends the
principles of astrology and Chinese meridian theory. I would then reply on the discussion group with
what I thought would be their health problems. The idea was to test the capacity of spherical
meridian flow to pinpoint illnesses, and to test if western astrology could really be blended with
Chinese meridian theory.

On one occasion, the person posted their birth data and asked if anything was apparent in the
next few months. I saw in their chart that their heartbeat was fast. Mars relates to the Heart
meridian and Mars was in a fast type connection because of Quintile aspects to other planets. I saw
a natal stress between Mars and Moon. Natal means the person was born with the stress. This stress
was going to be transited soon there after. I suggested this looked like heart trouble and even when
so far as to mention a possible operation.

They replied that they had had tachycardia for many years and may have to go back into surgery
soon. The person had had surgeries for this before. The astrological chart showed that the surgery
was probably going to need to happen again. In this case, astrology not only confirmed the illness,
but also was able to determine the aggravation of the illness using only the chart, without prior
knowledge of the illness.

These tests on the internet discussion group confirmed the strength of blending western
astrology and Chinese meridian theory through the spherical meridian flow.

#5

On another occasion on the internet discussion group, a woman posted her birth data and said
she had had an illness for 7 years that the doctors could not determine. That is all she told me. I
looked very carefully at her astrological chart for days and eventually decided that the illness must
be between the Gall Bladder and the Liver. There was a conflicting connection between the Sun/Gall
Bladder, Jupiter/Liver and Saturn/Small Intestine. It seemed as though the Liver was too loose and
the Gall Bladder was too tight. I posted this opinion and waited for a reply. She finally replied a
month later and apologized for replying so late. She said she had been in the hospital to undergo
surgery to have her gall bladder organ removed. Astrology had pinpointed the illness without prior
knowledge.
 However, one can ponder that even though she had her gall bladder removed, the stress still
existed in her personality and her meridians. Obviously, the surgery did not remove the Gall Bladder
meridian, nor the Liver meridian, nor the innate stresses in her astrological chart. Through time
those stresses will show up somewhere else in her body. Due to the surgery she will have to take
nutritional supplements for the rest of her life and she won’t have proper control of her digestion. It
could be that the stress of that is how the innate stress in the chart would then manifest.

#6

A woman, 31, came because of abdominal pain around ovulation that would last for almost 2
weeks. In the first visit, she said that she had never had sex before and as she said, “she needed a
man to validate her”. She really wanted to have sex but had developed a big fear around it. She
would visit pornography sites on the Internet to learn about sex. She had been sexually frustrated
for a long time. Her abdominal pain was similar to the kind in Irritable Bowel syndrome.

Acupuncture and herbs helped calm down the pain, but only a little. Instead she needed to
resolve the fear of having a sexual experience. Her birth chart indicated a week that it looked as
though she would have her first sexual experience. Transiting Chiron was going to retrograde over
her natal Mars. The week of this transit was still over a month away and she had no man in her life. I
could not see how she was going to have sex when she didn’t have a man in her life. Still her
astrological chart was indicating it would happen.

About two weeks before the transit, she met a man out of the blue. Two weeks later they had
sex in perfect alignment with the planetary transit. It was one of those mysterious moments that
make one wonder if life is fated from the stars. Then I realized how much effort and work she had
put into herself in the past year. She had fought her way back and found supportive friends so that
she could attract a man into her life. She had also invested a lot of thought power into manifesting
it. When the moment came she had already prepared herself. In a sense, she had earned her own
destiny.

The sexual experience though was very traumatic. She felt tremendously guilty. She felt as
though she had let her parents down and compromised the relationship with a future husband,
whoever he might be. She felt that she had given away her sexual virginity to someone, who didn’t
deserve it.

As well, she was very relieved and proud of herself for having had sex. She would smile when
thinking about it. She said it was important for her to have sex. She was experiencing the extremes
of happiness and despair at the same time. It was a very powerful moment in her life: one that
would take some time to totally make sense.

All of her reactions were consistent with retrograding Chiron over natal Mars. She was impulsive
and driven sexually. Her sense of reason and modesty were undermined. There was no stopping her
once that man came into her life. He said the right things to interest her sexually. The only hope was
to ease her frustration with counseling and support.
 #7

A woman came to see me specifically for astrological advice. I saw in her chart that in the year
before she had had some stress. There was a transit over her ascendant of Neptune. I said it was in
the months of September and October. She said yes that there had been a problem at her job. She
asked me if I could specify the date. She wanted to know if the chart could specify the date on which
the problem took place. I looked at the chart, and the only indication I could find was the date that
the Moon crossed the ascendant, the same spot where Neptune was. So I said that the date was
October 21, because that was the date that the Moon crossed her ascendant. She said that was the
date, but she never specified what happened on that date.

Chapter 12 - The Spherical Meridian Flow

and the Yin-Yang Symbol

In six-element theory we see how two triangles merge to form the overall pattern of six
elements. This is the convergence of Yin and Yang in the Heart center.
The spherical meridian flow is a 3-dimensional form, in fact, the spherical flow is simply six-
element theory unfolded into 3-dimensional space. It is not surprising that we will now see
Yin and Yang merge in 3 dimensional space. This unfolding reveals the deeper complexity of
meridian theory and of how Yin and Yang merge.
We see that the two cones are actually separate before they unify in the spherical model. A
cone is a 3-dimensional triangle.

Each cone is a representation of the two Yin and Yang triangles in six-element theory. One
cone only consists of meridians from the Yin elements. The other cone only consists of
meridians from the Yang elements.
When one looks closely at the merging of the two cones into the spherical flow, one begins to
see a great resemblance to the well-known Yin-Yang symbol. The spherical flow is actually a
much more detailed view of the Yin-Yang symbol.

The Heart meridian is at the point of one cone. The Kidney meridian is at the point of the
other. These are the only two meridians that enter the space of the other cone. They become
the Yin within the Yang, and the Yang within the Yin.

The two dots of the Yin-Yang symbol correspond to the Heart and Kidney meridians. These
correspond perfectly to the Heart and Kidney meridians at the points of the two cones.

The spherical meridian flow is the Yin-Yang symbol in 3-dimensional detail. The spherical
flow reveals a deeper mystery of the Yin-Yang symbol.

Take a moment to realize that the Yin-Yang symbol is encoded into the permutations of the
four orders of western astrology, because those permutations become the spherical flow. It’s
a powerful connection between Chinese medicine and western astrology.

It has been hypothesized by current mathematicians that the universe actually has the shape
of the dodecahedron. So the universe is looking to have the same shape as the inner Heart
matrix of life. This comes as no surprise when one understands the deep truth of the spherical
matrix flow. It would be no surprise if someday the unified field theory of physics conforms
to the spherical mathematics of the spherical flow.
 Chapter 13 - The Four Triangles

Let us remember that in six-element theory two triangles merge together. One triangle is
rooted in Yin Essence and the other in Yang Essence. As the triangles merge Yin and Yang
intermingle. Life begins.

To form the spherical meridian flow, four triangles merge together. That is right, four.
Because of this, the spherical meridian flow is very stable and very dynamic, much more so
than six-element theory. The four triangles are very basic, such that all acupuncturists are
very well acquainted with them already.

The four triangles correspond to:

1. The 3 HAND-YIN meridians.

Heart of Hand-Shaoyin

Lung of Hand-Taiyin

Pericardium of Hand-Jueyin

2. The 3 HAND-YANG meridians.

Small Intestine of Hand-Taiyang

Large Intestine of Hand-Yangming

San Jiao of Hand-Shaoyang

3. The 3 FOOT-YIN meridians.

 Kidney of Foot-Shaoyin

 Liver of Foot-Jueyin

 Spleen of Foot-Taiyin

4. The 3 FOOT-YANG meridians.

Bladder of Foot-Taiyang

Gall Bladder of Foot-Shaoyang

 Stomach of Foot-Yangming

Each of these well-known groups of meridians forms a basic triangle. In the spherical
flow, each is considered a basic building block. These four groups merge with each other to
form the complete spherical meridian flow.

They are, in an abstract sense, analogous to the 4 bases which make-up DNA, adenine,
guanine, cytosine and thymine. When these four bases are combined and strung together, the
genetic foundation of life is laid.

Each triangle reflects one of the two triangles of six-element theory; that is the Yin
triangle of Essence, or the Yang triangle of Essence.

 The Foot-Yin triangle represents the Yin meridians of the Yin triangle of Essence.

 The Foot-Yang triangle represents the Yang meridians of the Yin triangle of
Essence.

 The Hand-Yin triangle represents the Yin meridians of the Yang triangle of
Essence.
  The Hand-Yang triangle represents the Yang meridians of the Yang triangle of
Essence.

This is one of the beauties of the

spherical flow; in that it absolutely
recognizes the difference between the
Yin and Yang meridians. Neither six-
element nor five-element theory does
that. For example, take a moment and
realize that the Yin triangle of Essence
in six-element theory is made up of
three elements, Earth, Water and
Wood. Each of these elements has two
meridians. Therefore there are six
meridians in the Yin triangle, yet the
triangle doesn?t show distinguish
them. In actuality, there are two
triangles within the Yin triangle of
Essence of six-element theory; one is
Yin and one is Yang in nature.

The same can be said for the Yang triangle of Essence of six-element theory. The triangle
represents three elements, Metal, Seed and Fire, but each element has a Yin and a Yang
meridian. Therefore there are actually two triangles within this triangle too; one is Yin and
one is Yang in nature.

Once you separate out all these four distinct triangles, the door opens to the much more
sophisticated theory of the spherical flow. And more depth of meridian theory is revealed.
The discovery of the spherical meridian flow is a hefty quantum leap in understanding.

Fundamentally, Yin and Yang must embrace for there to be life. That is a fundamental
truth of meridian theory. The spherical meridian flow is a complete and intimate embrace
between the four manifestations of Yin and Yang, as represented by the four triangles above.

All these four triangles will merge with each other, just as in basic six-element theory. The
next six chapters will explore the ways that these four basic triangles merge. The merging of
these basic four triangles will define every single relationship between every individual
meridian.
Author?s notes and comments:

 The point combinations that are given in this book come primarily from the work of
Peter Deadman, Manual of Acupuncture, and many are from my own experience in
the practice of acupuncture. The point combinations from Deadman?s book are
 interpreted and explained in this book using the understanding that results from
blending western astrology and meridian theory in the spherical flow.

Chapter 14 - The HAND-YIN Triangle

The 3 Yin meridians of the hand are Pericardium, Heart and Lung. Each corresponds to one of
the three Yin divisions, Jueyin, Shaoyin and Taiyin respectively. Therefore Pericardium is meridian of
Hand-Jueyin. Heart is meridian of Hand-Shaoyin. Lung is meridian of Hand-Taiyin. They are all Yin
meridians whose channels connect with the hands.

These three
meridians form one of
the four core triangles.
These three meridians
support and generate
each other.

Two more ways to

look at this triangle is by
element and division.
Seeing how the
elements flow through
the triangles shows the
connection to six-
element theory. Also it
is very useful to see how
the divisions correlate
to the triangles.

Pericardium is a
meridian of the Seed
element. Heart is a meridian of the Fire element. Lung is a meridian of the Metal element.

The sequence of elements through the triangle exactly corresponds to the Yang triangle of six-
element theory. Seed supports Fire, Fire supports Metal, and then Metal supports Seed. Since these
3 meridians are from the Yang elements, they all activate and transform Yin substances. These Yin
meridians of the Yang elements are the most actively transforming of all meridians. They are the
engines behind all physiological activity. However, the Yang meridians of the Yang elements seek to
stabilize and maintain the activity of these Yin meridians.

Panic attacks, also called anxiety disorders, are a clear pathology of this triangle. Emotional
stress, internal or external, precipitates an attack. Symptoms include a sense of fright and impending
doom. The body experiences tachycardia, hyperventilation, palpitations, sweating, dizziness, nausea
and stomach queasiness. The symptoms all affect the normal function of Heart, Lung and
Pericardium. Normal rhythms are lost. Homeostasis collapses.

In a panic attack, this triangle goes into hyper-drive, and loses its balance with the other
triangles. The body gears up for a confrontation, which never comes. The other triangles usually
calm down and guide the reactive meridians of this triangle, but that relationship is lost in a panic
attack.

A panic attack shows how this triangle would react in any given stressful situation if it were not
balanced by the other triangles. These meridians are assertive, reactive, energetic, instinctual, quick,
habitual and automatic. They react before they think. Thinking is a function of the Yang meridians. In
panic attacks, the Yang meridians fail to guide these meridians with reason and mindfulness. The
goal of treatment is directed at Heart, Lung and Pericardium to calm them down and bring back a
sense of harmony. Then the Yang meridians, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder and San Jiao
are strengthened to manage the raw and seemingly naïve energies of the meridians of this triangle.

Each of these meridians relate to Cardinal energies in western astrology. Cardinal energies
activate, initiate, and pulsate like the beat of the heart, the inhalation-exhalation of the lungs, and
the rhythms of low tide and high tide in the Pericardium ocean.

When this triangle collapses, there arises a major Yang deficiency in the body-mind. Circulation
and active Yang transformations decrease. It is a serious condition. The heart rate decreases,
breathing slows down, body temperature decreases, unconsciousness looms and organ systems
begin to shut down. Death becomes imminent. This triangle keeps fluids, energies and blood moving
around the body. When circulation slows down, there is stagnation, and eventual shut down of
organs.
 When this triangle is weak, Yang deficiencies are still indicated, but not so severely. There is
lethargy, palpitations, shortness of breath, weak voice, paleness, edema and cold limbs. Heaviness
and sluggishness develops in the body because fluids aren’t circulating smoothly. Fluids pool and
accumulate around the body. Homeostasis loses its ability to keep the body running efficiently.
Energy wanes. Passivity sets in. The person becomes introverted and less spontaneous.

This triangle of Heart, Lung and Pericardium is the motive force to activate the body-mind. It
gives the ability to assert one’s will and take on life. This is the triangle of vital signs: pulse, breath,
blood pressure and temperature. These signs are necessary to life and show that the body-mind still
has the will to live.

Heart supports Lung

The Yang activity of the Heart propels the body into life. The heart of a fetus pumps early on in

pregnancy and when the heart stops beating death is indicated. The Heart meridian asserts its

eagerness to live from the beginning to the end. The heart organ pumps blood.

The Lung also has Yang activity. In the way that the heart pumps blood, the lungs inhale and
exhale air. The Heart circulates blood internally. The Lungs circulate air and Wei Qi externally.
Together they circulate all Yin substances like blood, interstitial fluids and Nutritive Qi.

The beating of the Heart sets the foundation for the Lung to gather a rhythm and breath. When
the heart beats stronger, the breathing increases. When the heart slows down, the breathing slows
down. It is very common to see Heart and Lung deficient at the same time. They go hand in hand.

The Gathering Qi, Zong Qi, of the chest is closely related to the relationship between Heart and
Lung. The Zong Qi nourishes the rhythm and activity of both Heart and Lung, so that they both
circulate Yin substance. Zong Qi is treated by needling the Heart and Lung meridians. The intimate
bond between Heart and Lung is the Zong Qi.

The key factor of Heart supporting Lung is the activation of dispersing fluids and Qi in the body.
This gives impetus to the body-mind.

Point combinations:

 Lu7 & Ht7 to release desires and make one’s dreams known to others.

 Lu9 & Ht7 for belching due to weakness in circulating Zong Qi.

 Lu10 & Ht7 for sadness and fear that affect the Zong Qi.
Lung supports Pericardium

Whereas the Lung circulates fluids, the Pericardium transforms fluids by perfecting them. The
Pericardium has a rhythm in adjusting the fluids of the body in its function of establishing
homeostasis. The sensation of homeostasis has a rhythm. It is a quiet and subtle rhythm, like the
tides of the ocean. Many forms of meditation seek to achieve a slow and almost imperceptible
breath. This type of breathing harmonizes the conscious mind to the rhythms of the Pericardium.

The way a person breathes sets the foundation for the rhythm of the Pericardium. The
Pericardium is calm when the breath is slow, calm, comfortably deep and consistent. When
breathing is shallow or restricted, the Pericardium will feel edgy, irritable, nervous and stressed. The
Lung must properly circulate fluids and Qi around the body-mind so that the Pericardium can do its
job of harmonizing the body-mind.

The breath is so important in meditation because it is the most direct way of influencing the
Primordial Power of Yuan Qi, since Yuan Qi is related to the Pericardium. The beating of the heart
will eventually coordinate with the breath because the Pericardium and Lung form a triangle with
the Heart.

Point combinations:

 Lu7 & Pc6 to lift mood. Helps a person express emotions and tune into sadness and grief.

 Lu9 & Pc8 to calm and regulate breathing in meditation.

 Lu7 & Pc7 for frequent laughter due to nervousness and not feeling comfortable.

 Lu11 & Pc7 for coughing and difficult breathing due to emotional stress or the loss of an
intimate relationship.

 Lu5 & Pc7 for shortness of breath due to weak Yuan Qi. The person may feel as though
he/she is out of sync with life and doesn’t belong. The person may feel turned off by the
world and unmotivated to continue living.

Pericardium supports Heart

The Pericardium also has a rhythm like the beating of the heart and the breathing of the lungs.
The Pericardium’s rhythm is slow and consistent. When one feels a sense of peace and harmony, the
heart beats slowly and the breathing is calm. When one loses peace, the heart and lungs become
erratic.

The Pericardium produces Yuan Qi, which is the energy to sustain life. Heart feeds off Yuan Qi to
keep on beating. Pericardium works with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to
regulate the heart rate. The Pericardium determines heart rate by regulating hormones like
norepinephrine and acetylcholine, in response to stress or the lack of stress respectively.

The heart organ is very independent in the body, because it produces its own electrical impulse
to stimulate its heartbeat. This impulse is regulated by the Pericardium though, which balances the
heart rate with the level of metabolism in the rest of the body. The Pericardium is thus responsible
for a regular and consistent heart rhythm.

The Pericardium assists the Zong Qi to circulate Qi in the chest. The Pericardium creates an
environment that induces the Zong Qi to circulate more freely by feeding Yuan Qi into the Zong Qi. It
is a principle of meridian theory that Zong Qi descends to assist the Yuan Qi, and that Yuan Qi
ascends to assist heart rhythm and respiration. The relationship between Yuan Qi and Zong Qi is
found in the triangle of Pericardium, Heart and Lung.

Point combinations:

 Pc9 & Ht6 for heart pain and agitation.

 Pc5, Ht6, LI2 & St45 for excessive fright and panic attack due to Yang meridians not
guiding the impulsive and reactive nature of Heart and Pericardium.

 Pc6, Ht5, Bl14 & Bl15 for irregular heart rhythm due to Pericardium not regulating the
homeostasis of the heart rhythm.

 Ht1 & Pc4 for heart pain and agitation due to Qi blockage in chest.

Chapter 15 - The HAND-YANG Triangle

The 3 Yang meridians of the hand are San Jiao, Small Intestine and Large Intestine. Each
corresponds to one of the three Yang divisions, Shaoyang, Taiyang and Yangming respectively.
Therefore San Jiao is
meridian of Hand-
Shaoyang. Small
Intestine is meridian of
Hand-Taiyang. Large
Intestine is meridian of
Hand-Yangming. They
are all Yang meridians
whose channels
connect with the hands.
 These three meridians form one of the four core triangles. These three meridians support and
generate each other.

Two more ways to look at this triangle is by element and division. Seeing how the elements flow
through the triangles shows the connection to six-element theory. Also it is very useful to see how
the divisions correlate to the triangles.

San Jiao is a meridian of the Seed element. Small Intestine is a meridian of the Fire element.
Large Intestine is a meridian of the Metal element.

The sequence of elements through the triangle exactly corresponds to the Yang triangle of six-
element theory. Seed supports Fire, Fire supports Metal, and then Metal supports Seed.

The meridians of this triangle oversee the

activities of all other meridians. They are the politicians, governors and heads of state. They are the
one’s with knowledge, reason and direction. They strategize and organize. They lay down laws and
rules of conduct. They establish principles by which the meridians should live by. They are the
authorities and managers.

Structure is necessary in life. Imagine driving across a high bridge that has no railings. As you
look over the side, you know that there is nothing to keep you from sliding off the bridge. One
normally feels an uneasy feeling in the stomach. Having boundaries and safeguards help one handle
the realities of life. The meridians of this triangle are the railings of the bridge. They provide
safeguards and a framework in which one knows who they are and what their role in life is. They
provide security.

These Yang meridians have the action of channeling Yin meridians much like plumbing channels
water through a city to where it is needed. The meridians of this triangle are like architects in the
way they design the systems of the body. These meridians organize the flow of vital activities and
substances around the body via the cardiovascular system, nervous system, endocrine system,
respiratory system, skeletal structure and immune system. The heart organ dutifully pumps blood
but has no idea where that blood is going or why. The meridians of this triangle determine where
the blood goes and why. These meridians have the knowledge to organize the structure and network
of all the body’s systems.

These meridians are mature and businesslike. They are dependable but stern. They set high
standards of conduct and expect the other meridians to follow those standards. If the other
meridians and vital activities of the body don’t follow the rules, there may be chaos and anarchy
leading to a breakdown of functional activity.

On the other hand, these meridians at times can restrict and contain the other meridians too
much, which creates stagnation and obstruction. An example is when a person has a driving
ambition and works very hard and long hours trying to achieve a goal. This person channels all their
energies in a very strict and disciplined way. They are more likely to achieve their goal because of the
focus and diligence in doing what is necessary, but the person runs the risk of shutting out the bigger
picture of his/her life. They miss the beauty and travails of people and things outside of what he/she
is focused on. The person narrows and directs their energies at the expense of enjoying life. They
don’t become fulfilled unless they achieve their goal.

There are many people in the modern world that have to work very hard to keep things
together, and to make ends meet. The meridians of this triangle get overused because there are so
many rules and requirements to meet, which seem to multiply as the years go on. When these
meridians overplay their hand and set too many limits on the other meridians, even though their
intention of taking care of business is necessary, the other meridians tend to rebel, resist and at
times explode. The other meridians can be so restricted and contained that they build up pressure
internally; a pressure that can explode in due time.

The key to keeping these meridians healthy and in balance with the other meridians is to set
realistic goals and to include time off while working to attain those goals. Working 40+ hours per
week is unhealthy for most people. Having only 2 weeks off for vacations per year from work is also
unhealthy. Be smart, work in a relaxed manner, take time off and let things blossom as a natural
consequence of the work you do. Plants don’t have to work hard to make flowers bloom. It is a
natural process that they are designed for.

Small Intestine supports Large Intestine

The Small Intestine concentrates energy. If energy is scattered and has no direction, Small
Intestine gives it direction. When the heart organ pumps blood, the Small Intestine directs the blood
through the system of arteries and veins of the cardiovascular system. The Large Intestine is the
architect that designs the best system for delivering blood to the body. The Small Intestine is the
channeling system but the Large Intestine is the force that defines the channeling. These meridians
direct the action of pumping the blood by the heart.
 The Large Intestine is associated with the integrity of the Wei Qi, which covers and circulates
around every organ and structure in the body. The Large Intestine oversees the boundaries and
surfaces. When substances enter or leave a structure, the Large Intestine oversees the exchange.
This is how the Large Intestine meridian is associated with the excretion of wastes from the body,
but it is also associated with proper assimilation.

The Large Intestine governs the boundaries of the body. Everything has its place in the body
where it belongs. If something gets out of place, some process will be disrupted. The boundaries
help to keep things in their place.

The relationship between Small Intestine and Large Intestine is analogous to a border station of
a country. In a border station there are border guards, which check passports and belongings and
then decide if a person can enter the country or not. There are guidelines and requirements for
someone to enter. The person must meet those requirements to pass the border. The intestines
decide which food enters and which food should be excreted. It is as though there are border guards
along the lining of the intestines. The borders are there for protection and security of the country’s
populace and assets.

Emotional defense mechanisms are closely associated with the relationship between Small
Intestine and Large Intestine. These meridians want to protect the vulnerabilities of the emotions.
They will allow only certain emotions to be expressed and then allow only certain emotions to be
felt in other people. These meridians establish the parameters of a comfort zone in order to protect
homeostasis. Yet they can set unrealistic and unfulfilling parameters that keep a person from
experiencing life to its fullest.

These meridians can be hard to change because they have to understand the change or be faced
with a situation that makes them change. The first instinct of these meridians is to doubt and
mistrust what is exterior to the body-mind. They are good at simply resisting the change that comes
with healing by protecting the status quo. Yet they can change with patience and perseverance, once
trust and respect are garnered.

Point combinations:

 LI4 & SI5 to help one focus on a direction and ambition. Helps one set a standard to live
by.

 LI4, SI6 & Bl4 for dimness of vision due to narrowing field of vision and loss of peripheral
vision.

 LI4, SI3 & Pc5 for sudden mania and acute anxiety disorder due to unrealistic reaction to
a false threat, which temporarily subdues rational thinking.

 LI1, LI10 & SI8 for agitation of the heart due to hardening of the arteries.
Large Intestine supports San Jiao

The Large Intestine maintains the integrity of the Wei Qi, which protects the exterior of the
body. A strong and healthy Wei Qi is a primary defense against attack of pathogenic forces. Once the
interior of the body can be guarded and protected, the interior can then stabilize itself. The San Jiao
has the function of stabilizing the interior energies of the body so that the body-mind functions at
the most optimum level. The synergy of homeostasis empowers the body.

If the Large Intestine can establish definite parameters for one’s comfort zones, that will insure
that optimum homeostasis can be achieved. This is because San Jiao functions within the limits set
by the Large Intestine. Just as the atmosphere (Large Intestine) pulls the vapors of the ocean (San
Jiao) upward to form clouds, the Wei Qi helps the cycle of Yuan-Qi around the landscape of the
body.

Point combinations:

 SJ5, SJ10 & LI11 for numbness and atrophy of arm due to weakness in the Wei Qi and
lack of integrity to the circulating of external Qi.

 LI4 & SJ3 for changing the parameters of a comfort zone in order to allow an
improvement in homeostatic levels.

San Jiao supports Small Intestine

San Jiao produces the highest level of homeostasis possible in the body-mind. The synergistic
energy created goes into the blood and all organs. The body lives at a stronger and healthier level.
Yet the energy produced by San Jiao must be preserved and conserved in order that the energy is
not squandered and that it is channeled properly around the body-mind. The Small Intestine seeks
to maintain the power achieved by San Jiao’s homeostatic harmony.

The relationship is analogous to the rise to power by a leader of a country. The San Jiao garners
and attracts power that can be used to one’s political advantage. By forging alliances, agreements
and common interests, a leader becomes more powerful. Power builds in the hidden conversations
out of the public eye. This is how San Jiao works, behind the scenes. Yet that is where power builds
that can catapult a person into being the leader of a country.

The Small Intestine uses the power of San Jiao to achieve goals and physiological functions. Small
Intestine must have a power base in order to exert its authority. The power base gives Small
Intestine the license and authority to lead the country.

The Small Intestine seeks to do the will of the people. But just as the Small Intestine is like
plumbing, which directs water to every household, or like blood vessels, which deliver blood to every
area of the body, the Small Intestine must serve the needs of the people. It is disastrous if the
agenda of the Small Intestine is at odds with the agenda to insure the prosperity of the people. This
is a misuse of power and can happen even in a person. The person can use their body to achieve
things which will in the long term destabilize homeostasis and eventually cause disease. This is very
common. Many people do things, which really are not in the best interest of their health, but that
they do just because it garners them power, prestige or financial wealth. This behavior destabilizes
the overall harmony of the total meridian system in the long term. Greed is a common symptom of
such a condition.

Overall the San Jiao produces power that tempts the Small Intestine to achieve larger goals than
is healthy. That is a common fault and temptation of modern society. The key to balancing San Jiao
and Small Intestine is found in the gentle and generous flow of the Liver meridian. The Liver seeks
freedom and the Small Intestine seeks security. When true freedom and security are balanced, there
is a good chance that the will of the people will be done and that homeostasis can be maintained.

Point combinations:

 SJ5 & SI3 for pain in head and eyes due to Small Intestine stagnating homeostasis and
the ability to adapt to changes in the environment.

 SJ5 & SI16 for deafness and tinnitus due to stagnation of Yuan Qi and stress on
homeostasis. Unblocks Small Intestine from controlling homeostasis.

Chapter 16 - The FOOT-YIN Triangle

The 3 Yin meridians of the foot are Liver, Spleen and Kidney. Each corresponds to one of the
three Yin divisions, Jueyin, Taiyin and Shaoyin respectively. Therefore Liver is meridian of Foot-
Jueyin. Spleen is
meridian of Foot-Taiyin.
Kidney is meridian of
Foot-Shaoyin. They are
all Yin meridians whose
channels connect with
the feet.

These three
meridians form one of
the four core triangles.
These three meridians
support and generate
each other.

Two more ways to

look at this triangle is by
element and division.
Seeing how the elements flow through the triangles shows the connection to six-element theory.
Also it is very useful to see how the divisions correlate to the triangles.

Liver is a meridian of the Wood element. Spleen is a meridian of the Earth element. Kidney is a
meridian of the Water element.

The sequence of elements through the triangle exactly corresponds to the Yin triangle of six-
element theory. Wood supports Earth, Earth supports Water, and then Water supports Wood.

Many people are not designed for the modern and rigorous world. They become artists of one
sort or another living on the fringe of society. They are free of many societal expectations. They may
not seem to accomplish as much as more mainstream people, but they are living a kind of freedom
that Yin meridians love. As humans we are designed to live either way, focused on security or
moving with freedom. Freedom struggles in a world of prejudice and expectations. As well security
struggles in a world of openness and lightness of being where one can’t cope unless there are
railings on the bridge.

The meridians of this triangle are free and unencumbered by nature. They are the artists, which
love to create and let the mind and spirit wonder. They need to be unfettered in order to be healthy,
because they flow freely.

These meridians all correspond to mutable energies of western astrology, which are changeable
in nature. They adapt extremely well and easily. They are easy going and carefree. They are like the
sap rising from the roots of a tree flowing upward to nourish and experience life. They are full of
optimism, hope and potential.

It is taught in the tradition of acupuncture that as long as the Foot-Yin meridians are kept
healthy, one will not experience critical and terminal diseases. This is how important they are to the
overall health. These meridians provide flexibility, nourishment, expansiveness, renewal and
rejuvenation. They are the meridians that allow cells to become as new again.

They are the meridians that foster immortality. A beautiful new flower can appear on a tree that
is 100’s of years old because the sap from the roots is the same sap as when the tree was just
sprouted. The sap can always become new cells and new tissue that look as young as newly sprouted
seeds. These meridians revitalize and rejuvenate the body.

The meridians of the Foot-Yin triangle are raw substance that has no form but only potential to
be anything. They are completely undifferentiated. They are like the stem cells of the meridian
system, in that they can become any cell in the body. They have complete potential to renew the
body. This is why they are so important to our health. They keep us young and sprightly.

The other meridians have the task of differentiating the substance of these meridians, but to
have abundance in these meridians is essential. It is taught that the Kidney cannot be in excess, but
it’s hard to imagine that any of these meridians, even Liver and Spleen, can become excessive. They
all give only what the body can use. If they have abundance, then that abundance will be stored in
the Foot-Yang meridians, which have the function of storing Yin substances. If one grows more food
than they can eat, they can simply give the surplus away to others who harvested short of what they
needed. It is the same with these meridians; if they flow in abundance then the person can become
more generous and giving to others. It is then a good thing that they go into excess.

It is only when the excess is harbored and greedily kept to oneself that stagnation and pain
result. The best way to keep these meridians healthy is to give, be generous, listen to others, serve
the needs of others, inspire others and help others. This will increase the strength and flow of these
Foot-Yin meridians.

All the Foot-Yin meridians are important in the menstrual cycle of women. The tissue and lining
of the uterus must be cleansed, dissolved, enriched, moistened, fortified and fertile. This is all done
with the Yin substances of the Foot-Yin triangle.

The Liver and Spleen are very important to preparing the uterus for receiving the fertilized egg.
The blood of the Liver first enriches and engorges the tissue of the uterine lining. The superficial
endometrium becomes vascularized with blood. This is the Liver action of blood supporting the
uterus. The tissue of the endometrium thickens with cell division and the growth of endometrial
glands. This is the Spleen action preparing the fertile tissue that will hold the fertilized egg.

After ovulation endometrial glands secrete uterine fluid, which is necessary for the development
and implantation of the embryo. The uterine fluids secreted are associated with the Kidney phase of
the fertilization. This phase is called the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. These uterine fluids
are critical for a woman to get pregnant and why the Kidney is so important to treat in cases of
infertility.

If the uterine lining does not receive a fertilized egg, reproductive hormones decrease and the
endometrial blood flow diminishes. The Liver’s role is then diminished. The endometrium, which is
the Spleen tissue, is then shed with the blood of the Liver.
 In the whole process of preparing the uterus in the menstrual cycle, there is the sequence of
Liver supporting Spleen, then Spleen supporting Kidney. If a fertilized egg does not arrive, then the
breakdown of the uterine lining begins with Kidney-fluids and hormones not supporting Liver-blood,
which then causes Spleen tissue to slough off.

The whole menstrual cycle follows the flow of the Foot-Yin triangle, Kidney to Liver to Spleen
back to Kidney. Treating infertility and menstrual pain focuses on harmonizing and circulating this
triangle.

Kidney supports Liver

The fluids and essence of Kidney provides the basis of all Yin substances in the body, but most
importantly for the building of blood. The blood contains creative potential energy to activate the
body but the Kidney first has to be strong for the blood to be strong. The Kidney gathers all that is
necessary to create life. The element Seed transforms the Kidney substance into Liver blood.

The Kidney diffuses throughout the body entering and exiting every space. However, the blood
does not flow everywhere like in lymphatic vessels. The blood-brain barrier keeps materials in the
blood separate from cerebrospinal fluids. The blood-testis barrier keeps immune response cells in
the blood separate from spermatozoa. The Kidney on the other hand is able to go everywhere
because it is not as specific as Liver or even Spleen. The freedom that the Kidney enjoys connects
every part of the body through a flow of fluids. It’s as if the whole body was floating and immersed
in a sea of liquid. All the organs share the same liquid base. The blood on the other hand uses the
sea of liquid from the Kidney as the basis for its journeys around the body. The blood is more specific
in that it has a function of providing energy to the body. The Kidney is less specific because it flows
everywhere unencumbered, which is the highest expression of water.

The freethinker and the artist tune into the Kidney and Liver meridians in order to allow the
mind to go beyond the familiar forms and images of the world. These meridians dissolve shapes and
textures into pure experience. The artist then seeks to reveal the beauty of the undifferentiated life
substance within life. By doing this, life is revealed and the mind is rejuvenated. The artist seeks to
unveil pure life within mundane life. It is only through the Kidney and Liver that this can be
accomplished because they transcend form and geometry.

The body is always in the process of breaking down and being rebuilt. Even the bones are always
being dissolved and rebuilt. The Kidney has a powerful ability to dissolve and break down. This is
essential to keep the body healthy. There is constant renewal and rejuvenation of the body tissue so
that it does not harden and lose its suppleness. As this process of dissolution proceeds, the blood
brings life and awakening to the tissue.

Point combinations:

 Kd3 & Lv3 to support blood and potential energy in blood. These points nourish blood.

 Kd2 & Lv3 to cool blood that is affected by internal emotions of heat like anger, revenge,
hatred, competition and jealosy.
  Kd6 & Lv1 for pain and stagnation in the external genitalia and for pain due to retention
of urine.

 Kd6, Lv1 & Lv8 for uterine prolapse due to insufficiency of Liver and Kidney substance.

 Kd1 & Lv2 for wasting and thirsting disorder due to insufficiency of Liver and Kidney
substance.

Liver supports Spleen

Traditionally Liver is given the action of aiding the ascent of Spleen substance in the body. The
Liver is comparatively warm and since heat rises, the Spleen is carried on the back of the Liver. The
Nutritive Qi of Spleen is carried in the blood of Liver. When Liver-blood passes through the spleen
organ, the spleen cleans the blood of worn out red blood cells and platelets. The Spleen function
receives blood from the Liver and cleans it.

The Liver brings energy to the body. The Spleen brings substance that builds the body. The Liver
has the energy that is used to build the body. The meridians of the Yang elements actually build the
body but they use the energy in the Liver-blood and the building materials of the Spleen-Nutritive
substance.

The relationship between Liver and Spleen in reference to the menstrual cycle was discussed
above. But the cramping and pain during menstruation is related to the ability of the Spleen to let go
of the endometrial lining. When the sloughing off of this tissue is hindered, pain, cramps and even
scar tissue can result. Using Sp6, Sanyinjiao, is a very commonly used to clear the Spleen channel in
order for the endometrial lining to shed.

Liver acupuncture points are more useful in the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle.
That’s when blood building and the vascularization of tissue take place. It is actually more likely that
a woman will want or have sex during the preovulatory phase, which is also related to the urge of
the Liver-blood.

Point combinations:

 Lv3 & Sp6 for liver detoxification from alcohol and chemical abuse. Also used for
diarrhea due to poor quality of Spleen substance.

 Lv3 & Sp3 for abdominal distension causing back pain due to weakness in the flow of
Liver and Spleen meridians.

 Lv3, Sp6, Kd8 & Kd10 for profuse uterine bleeding which is draining the substances of
the Foot-Yin meridians.

 Lv4, Kd6 & SI2 for swelling and soreness in the throat due to stagnation of freely
circulating substances in throat by Small Intestine.
Spleen supports Kidney

The Spleen supports the fluids of the Kidney by providing a substrate in which they can flow. The
Spleen is like soil. Water will penetrate and soak into soil. Soil will absorb and hold onto water too.
The soil of Spleen suspends water in a space that can be reached by the roots of plants as well as
allows the air of Lung to breath through the soil. The same happens inside the body. The Spleen
creates porous tissue that makes water as well as oxygen available to the organs and cells. Even
though the tissue is porous, it is still firm enough to support the body structure. The Spleen is one of
the bridges that assist the relationship between Kidney and Lung.

Another way that the Spleen supports the Kidney is in the spine. The Spleen forms the support
and substrate so that the Kidney can flow within the spine. The Spleen governs the muscles,
ligaments and tissues around the spine. When the Spleen supports the spine, the Kidney can flow
around the body, as it needs to. When the spine is weak and can’t hold its form, the Kidney goes
astray and does not circulate properly. The pain that is felt when Kidney goes astray is a dull ache
with stiffness and the inability to bend or extend the back. The back loses flexibility and suppleness.

The relationship between Spleen and Kidney in the menstrual cycle was discussed above. It can
be reiterated that Spleen points are mostly used for pathologies in the postovulatory and menstrual
phases of the cycle. Kidney points are most often used for infertility. Kidney points are also used
during the menstrual phase to help with the shedding of the endometrium, because the
endometrium needs to be loosened and in a sense dissolved away from the uterus.

Point combinations:

 Sp5, Kd1 & Bl32 for infertility due to cramping and stiffness in the uterine tissue. These
points assist the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.

 Sp9, Kd3, GB30 & Bl67 for paralysis of lower extremity due to failure of Foot-Yang
meridians to secure and contain Spleen meridian.

 Sp3, Kd6 & Lv13 for constipation due to insufficiency of Yin substances.

 Sp8 & Kd5 for painful and irregular menstruation. These points are specific and empirical
for menstrual irregularities.

 Sp5, Sp6, Ren6 & Kd13 for irregular menstruation and infertility.

 Sp2 & Kd11 for lumbar pain due to Spleen not supporting the Kidney. This is a weak back
condition where the muscles and tissues have lost firmness and tone.

 Sp3, Kd3 & Du2 for lumbar pain with stiffness and wind-dampness due to weakness of
lower back.
 Chapter 17 - The FOOT-YANG Triangle

The 3 Yang meridians of the foot are Gall Bladder, Stomach and Bladder. Each corresponds to
one of the three Yang divisions, Shaoyang, Yangming and Taiyang respectively. Therefore Gall
Bladder is meridian of Foot-Shaoyang. Stomach is meridian of Foot-Yangming. Bladder is meridian of
Foot-Taiyang. They are
all Yang meridians
whose channels connect
with the feet.

These three
meridians form one of
the four core triangles.
These three meridians
support and generate
each other.

Two more ways to

look at this triangle is by
element and division.
Seeing how the
elements flow through
the triangles shows the
connection to six-
element theory. Also it is very useful to see how the divisions correlate to the triangles.

Gall Bladder is a meridian of the Wood element. Stomach is a meridian of the Earth element.
Bladder is a meridian of the Water element.

The sequence of elements through the triangle exactly corresponds to the Yin triangle of six-
element theory. Wood supports Earth, Earth supports Water, and then Water supports Wood.

The meridians of the Foot-Yang triangle are considered the reservoirs of Yin substance. They
store and accumulate the substances of the Foot-Yin triangle. Being reservoirs their nature is to
receive and give out. They like to show off their abundance and resources.
 The Gall Bladder stores creative energy from the Liver. The Gall Bladder is full of courage and
confidence. It presents itself to the world as a great light that will inspire others. The Gall Bladder
meridian is like the sun, which is a huge reservoir of energy. The sun shines brighter than any star. It
is the center of the solar system. Everything turns and orbits around the sun. When the Gall Bladder
meridian is healthy, the whole being radiates a power like light on a darkened path.

The Stomach stores the Nutritive substance of Spleen. The Stomach is solid, substantial,
stubborn and dependable. The Stomach holds the resources that get one through life. It presents
itself to the world as a solid foundation upon which one can walk. The Stomach meridian is like the
planet Earth, which is a huge reservoir of physical matter. Everything physical that we need in life
comes from the Earth. The Earth is the center of life on this planet. We are all born on it and are fed
by it. When the Stomach is healthy, the whole being has enough stockpiles to meet the challenges of
a long cold winter or to provide for a family. The Stomach’s nature is to present itself as rich, wealthy
and abundant.

The Bladder stores the fluids of Kidney. The Kidney’s fluids flow everywhere in the body and
know everything. The storage of Kidney communication occurs in the nervous system and brain.
Therefore the Bladder amasses knowledge and information. It presents itself to the world as a great
scholar with quick wit and prose. The Bladder forms the foundation of thought and perception. Its
abundance forms the basis of logic and interaction with the world.

Life is based not only on the ability to store abundant energy and matter, but also on the ability
to store knowledge. The Gall Bladder stores energy. The Stomach stores matter. The Bladder stores
knowledge. The meridians of this triangle don’t really do anything. They don’t seek to impact the
world. They don’t seek to achieve anything specific. They don’t seek to take action on anything. They
only seek to be the foundations upon which we can live a life. They provide us with necessary
resources. They are self-sufficient by nature. They love to show off the beautiful things that they
store up. They are possessive by nature.
Bladder supports Gall Bladder

The Bladder opens up passageways through the physical body by extending the nervous system.
The spirit of the Gall Bladder moves through the body along these nerve passageways. The quality
and quantity of the Gall Bladder depends upon the openness and unobstructed flow of nerve
impulses through the nervous system. When the nervous system is open, the spirit of the Gall
Bladder can fill the body to every nook and cranny.

The Bladder and the Gall Bladder are important in the functioning of the head and brain.
Consciousness needs to circulate in the brain. Consciousness is based on the accumulated power of
Gall Bladder as well as the health of the nervous system. When the nervous system is calm,
unobstructed and aware, the power and scope of one’s consciousness expand.

The ability to perceive the world from one’s own point of reference depends on the Bladder
supporting the Gall Bladder. When people see the world from another’s point of view or when their
thoughts are determined by the opinions of others, they are not seeing the world from their own
truth. Gall Bladder is the center of a being. When one perceives the world from their center, one
remains in contact with their own truth. A healthy Bladder and Gall Bladder help to insure that a
person will live their own truth.

The strength of the Gall Bladder is essential to overcome depression. The Gall Bladder gives
confidence to keep on going and living. But the Bladder supports the Gall Bladder. So in many cases
of depression, Bladder points are treated first to strengthen and circulate the Bladder Qi. Once the
nervous system is circulating again, then the creative energy of the Gall Bladder can begin to
accumulate.

The mind allows expression of one’s being. The Bladder represents the mind. The Gall Bladder
represents the power base of one’s being. These are powerful and inconspicuous aspects of the
personality. All the thinking we do, all the desires we act upon and all the judgments we make, it is
all based on the undifferentiated power that makes up the core of our beings. This power becomes
differentiated by the action of the Yang element meridians. The integrity of that core power is
maintained and circulated by the Bladder and Gall Bladder meridians.

Point combinations:

 Bl62 & GB40 for swelling of neck due to Gall Bladder energy backing up into Bladder
meridian.

 Bl63 & GB40 for cramping when powering the muscles. This is due to weak strength of
Gall Bladder to handle the speed and power moving the muscles.

 Bl60 & GB43 for head wind due to lack of consciousness circulating in the nervous
system.

 Bl64, GB19 & GB43 for depression due to weakness of Bladder to support one’s
confidence.
  Bl10 & GB20 for dizziness due to lack of internal stability of the consciousness.

Gall Bladder supports Stomach

Energy becomes matter. This is the guiding principle by which Gall Bladder supports Stomach.
The Gall Bladder amasses creative energy that fills the spirit. This energy becomes the foundation
upon which the resources of the Stomach are created. The physical body is nothing unless it is filled
with the energy of spirit. The physical body represented by Stomach will be animated by spirit. This
animation is what the Gall Bladder gives to the Stomach.

The relationship between these two meridians deals with much more than just digestion and
bile secretion. The sturdiness of the body depends on these meridians. Endurance depends on them.
The ability to nurse and retain a fetus for a full term pregnancy depends on them. The ability to face
death with one’s head held high depends on them. The ability to go out on stage as an actor and
project a personality and charisma depends on them. The ability to overcome guilt and regret
depend on them because these meridians do not judge success or failure. These meridians only give
unconditionally. They are the true mother meridians.

Point combinations:

 St36 & GB34 to stabilize the reservoir of power and inertia in the body-mind.
Consolidates resources and reserves.

 St29 & GB27 for retracted testicle due to internal containment of Qi reservoir.

 St33 & GB31 for weakness of the legs due to weakened structural strength.

 St41 & GB35 for fear and pounding of the heart organ due to lack of courage and
structural confidence.

 St38, St42 & GB39 for atrophy and limpness of legs due to a weakening of the structural
base and physical reservoir of the body-mind.

 St44 & GB39 for fullness and distension due to accumulation of energy around Heart.

 St40 & GB40 for pain around heart due to accumulation and constraint of energy.

 St39 & GB40 for manic raving due to accumulation of creative energy inciting Heart.

 St34 & GB42 for breast abscess due to not nursing when mother’s milk is abundant.

Stomach supports Bladder

The physical body represented by the Stomach is animated by the energy of Gall Bladder. The
physical body then starts to move; the movement itself is a fundamental part of life. The ability to
move is governed by the Bladder meridian.
 The physical body develops coordination and dexterity with the Bladder meridian. Many of us
take the simple movements of the body and the nervous system for granted. In a way, all the Foot-
Yang meridians are taken for granted, because they don’t have any agenda of their own. The Bladder
gives us movement, coordination and the ability to process information. These attributes are
extremely important but they don’t drive the actions of our lives.

When the nervous system breaks down, then its importance becomes apparent because so
much of the body simply shuts down. A nervous breakdown stops one’s life. A person simply can’t
continue to function. The nervous system works hard while we are living and working everyday.
Most don’t notice how hard it is working. Actually the Bladder’s nervous system isn’t doing the work,
but rather it is being worked by the Yang element meridians. When the nervous system is relied
upon too much, it can break down.

The back-Shu points of the Bladder meridian found along the spine connect with every organ
system. This shows how the Bladder meridian is fundamental to every action and function in the
body. The whole body is integrated by the Bladder meridian. Many times in treatment the Bladder
meridian is treated first, because an organ can lose contact with the rest of the body and must be
reintegrated. The Bladder meridian reintegrates lost organs back into the whole. The Bladder then
frees up communication in the body so that problems can reveal themselves.

Point combinations:

 St36 & Bl67 to hasten delivery of a baby because the Stomach Qi in the uterus holds the
baby and the Bladder Qi will incite movement into the stability of the baby being held in
the uterus.

 St41 & Bl62 for madness due to ungrounded thoughts and spacey inclinations.

 St23, St24 & Bl58 for madness and manic disorders due to solidifying of the Stomach
meridian internally which undermines the smooth flow of the Bladder meridian causing
stagnation in the nervous system.

 Bl67 & St15 for painful itching due to the flow of Qi through the Stomach’s connective
tissue being obstructed. Bladder point will free up the movement of Qi through
connective tissue.

So all together we have four triangles. In the formation of the spherical meridian pattern all
these four triangles merge together as one. Each triangle merges with each of the other 3, thus
producing 6 different levels merging. When all triangles have merged, the result is the spherical
meridian pattern.
 Chapter 18 – The Unification of FOOT-
YANG and FOOT-YIN

These triangles both come from the Yin elements, Earth, Water and Wood. The Foot-Yang
triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yin elements. The Foot-Yin triangle shows the Yin
meridians of the Yin elements.

Each individual triangle shows the sequence of Wood meridian to Earth meridian to Water
meridian. Then when we follow the sequence of arrows around the outside of the merge,
again the elements proceed from Wood meridian to Earth meridian to Water meridian. So the
natural sequence of elements is maintained in the overall merge.
 The
meridians
alternate
between
Yang
meridians and
Yin
meridians.
This
reinforces the
embrace and
dependency
between Yin
and Yang
Essences.

The
relationship
between these
two triangles
focuses on
getting the
Yang meridians
to store and
maintain the
substances of
the Yin
meridians. Together they strengthen the Yin reservoirs and substances of the body-mind.

Kidney supports Gall Bladder

Gall Bladder is the power that accumulates from the transformations that take place in water.
The fluids and penetrating substances of Kidney form the foundation upon which Gall Bladder will be
sustained. Of course other meridians are involved in the transforming of Kidney-fluids to produce
Gall Bladder power, but the fact remains that Gall Bladder relies upon the presence of Kidney
substance.

Kidney represents faith and the ability to unite with things beyond oneself. Kidney dissolves
individual things such that they lose their separateness. Kidney keeps an individual from becoming
separate from universal substance. Kidney flows beyond one’s sense of self-ego, and transcends self.
Kidney allows one to feel what another feels.

Kidney is the power to overcome all fear. Fear stems from the possibility of losing one’s self and
uniqueness. Fear stems from a threat to one’s self-ego. Fear is a limited belief that the self-ego can
be destroyed. Yet Kidney’s power to dissolve is within the self-ego. You might think that Kidney
would dissolve the self-ego from within. Kidney’s power to transcend the self-ego empowers the
self-ego. Therefore Kidney has the power to overcome all threats to the self-ego.

Kidney knows no fear. In actuality, fear blocks the power of the Kidney. The self-ego is then
more vulnerable and fragile when Kidney power is blocked. Gall Bladder represents the courage to
live, the potential power to be an individual. The will of the self-ego depends upon the Gall Bladder
to empower it. But the Gall Bladder is nourished by the transcendence of Kidney power.

Point combinations:

 GB34 & Kd2 for anxiety and fear as if about to be attacked or apprehended.

 Kd6 & GB20 for blurring of vision due to dissolution of the personality or disillusionment
of the desire to live in the world.

 Kd6 & GB25 for dark urine due to blockage of water pathways.

 Kd1 & GB30 for wind rash due to Kidney deficiency and Fire excess.

Gall Bladder supports Spleen

Gall Bladder represents the power of the spirit-soul to inhabit a body and give it life. That power
is incorporated into a body. The Spleen accepts the creative power of the Gall Bladder and anchors it
into the body. Conditions of paralysis are related to the Spleen’s inability to ground the spirit-soul
into a body part. When amputees feel a phantom limb, they are feeling their Spleen energy wanting
to anchor the spirit-soul into the limb.

Gall Bladder relates to the sun’s energy. There is an obscure teaching in acupuncture that the
Spleen incorporates the sun’s energy into the body so that the body can use it. However if people
stay out in the sun too long, their Spleen energy will be weakened due to be overburdened. This is a
similar idea to how the Spleen incorporates the creative energy of the Gall Bladder meridian.

In the area of reproduction, the Spleen meridian is powerful in its ability to relieve cramping
during menses. During the menstrual cycle, blood and spirit accumulate in the tissues of the uterus.
Blood and spirit become nutritive and fertile tissue that awaits the arrival of a fertilized egg so that
they can nourish it. The Spleen has taken the creative energy of Gall Bladder and incorporated it into
the tissues of the uterus. When a fertilized egg does not arrive, the blood and spirit in the uterine
tissue will be released, as it can only be held fresh for so long. The Spleen substance is undone in
order to release the blood and spirit from the tissue. If the Spleen resists the release of blood and
spirit, there will be cramping. The Spleen meridian must then be unblocked.

Point combinations:

 Sp5 & GB40 for painful obstruction syndrome and especially for conditions of paralysis.
  Sp10 & GB26 for amenorrhea due to Spleen holding on and being blocked.

 Sp4 & GB34 for swelling due to blocked Spleen and excess Gall Bladder.

 GB41 & Sp6 for delayed or inhibited menses due to Spleen holding on to creative Gall
Bladder energy.

Spleen supports Bladder

The Bladder represents the remarkable capacity of different parts of the body to communicate
with each other through the nervous system. All separateness is overcome. The nervous system
interconnects a body. The nervous system must be grounded in matter and substance. It is like how
lightning is attracted to the Earth, which is represented by Spleen. Nerve impulses travel better
within a substrate.

A useful way to see the connection between Spleen and Bladder meridians is in the indications
for the point Taibai, Sp3. This point is used for enhancing and supporting mental processes. The
Bladder is the basis of mental processing because the nervous system is so highly relied upon. When
a person overworks the brain with excessive thinking and studying, the Spleen is burdened. This is a
standard principle in meridian theory. The understanding is that Spleen has to support the
processing that the nervous system does. Spleen is a substrate that supports Bladder.

Taibai is also used for straightening the spine. Spleen meridian is traditionally taught to control
the spine. The muscle channel of the Spleen meridian travels to the muscles of the spine. Bladder
meridian is intimately connected to the nervous system running in and out of the spine. Having a
straight and aligned spine allows nerve impulses to flow without being interrupted. Kinks and
crookedness in the spine cause pain and disruption of nerve flow. Spleen is important in supporting
the Bladder’s movement through the spine and nervous system.

Point combinations:

 Sp3 & Bl39 for stiff lumbar pain due to inability to adjust to the changes in life.

 Sp3, Sp9, Bl39 & Bl37 for lumbar pain with inability to extend and bend due to weakness
of Spleen meridian to nourish spine.

 Sp1 & Bl40 for severe and ceaseless nosebleed due to empty-heat in Bladder meridian
from weak support by Spleen Nutritive substance.

 Sp2 & Bl6 for vomiting due to excess heat in the digestion system which is being
expulsed from the body. Bladder helps to cool down heat.

 Sp3, Sp4, Bl22 & Bl25 for borborygmus due to unsettled digestion.

 Bl32. Sp5 & Kd1 for infertility due to weak Spleen not supporting and absorbing Water
essence in uterus.
  Bl35 & Sp7 for cold abdomen due to weak Spleen which is being drained of essence by
the Bladder meridian which is stealing energy from Spleen.

Bladder supports Liver

Both these meridians enjoy the freedom to move about. Bladder enjoys the quick freedom of
the nervous system. Liver enjoys the slower expansion of the blood freely flowing around the body.
The nervous system tends to be excitable, whereas the Liver tends to be calm by nature. When the
nervous system runs smooth, the body is coordinated, agile, responsive and quick. A healthy nervous
system is very important for supporting the calmness that the Liver requires for healthy expression.

Both Liver and Bladder meridians traverse the top of the head and integrate brain function. The
brain consumes a lot of blood compared to the rest of the body. Even though the brain is about 2%
of body weight, it will consume around 20% of the oxygen in the blood at rest. (A&P, p 411) Still the
nervous system itself supports the potential energy in the Liver’s blood by integrating body
functions.

Liver blood deficiency is many times only indicated by symptoms of weakness in the nervous
system. These symptoms would include numbness in the body, tremors, tics, dizziness and muscle
spasms and cramps. The blood itself may not be deficient, when the tongue is not pale and thin. The
pulse can be thready or thin superficially, but will have deep fullness. The symptoms show that the
Bladder’s nervous system is weak and that it will eventually weaken the circulation of the blood. Also
the blood invigorates the body, but when the nervous system is weak, even the presence of blood
cannot invigorate the body. The nervous system is one of the foundations for blood circulation and
invigoration.

Sexual activity, especially orgasms, requires the Liver to expend a lot of energy. The nervous
system of the Bladder supports the sexual expression of Liver. When sexual activity is excessive,
there is a drain on the Bladder’s nervous system, which can lead to nervous exhaustion. The Kidney
meridian also supports Liver sexual expression and can be depleted by excessive sexual activity.
When the Water element is depleted, some conditions which result are nervous exhaustion,
restlessness, dry mouth, weak legs and faint feeling. In such cases the body needs to be rested so
that the Water element can regenerate.

Point combinations:

 Bl63 & Lv6 for urinary discomfort related to the Liver meridian.

 Bl39 or Bl40 & Lv1 for involuntary erection with difficult urination due to excess in
Bladder meridian and obstructed blood flow in lower burner.

 Bl1 & Lv2 for night blindness due to heat in the blood. The blood doesn’t cool down
enough to see low light levels.
  Bl10 & Lv2 for inability of legs to support the body due to weak Bladder meridian which
is not circulating creative energy.

 Bl52, Bl64 & Lv3 for pain in the genitals due to excessive sexual activity with nervous
exhaustion.

 Bl44 & Lv4 for esophageal constriction due to nervousness which constrains free flow of
blood through chest.

 Bl67, Lv8 & Ren3 for seminal emission due to nervous weakness not supporting sexual
function. May be due to excess sexual activity.

 Bl11 & Lv8 for wind painful obstruction syndromes where blood and nerve stimulation is
not circulating freely.

 Bl32 & Lv13 for rigidity of lumbar spine with inability to twist due to lack of free
movement and flexibility. Treats constraint of waist from Liver stagnation.

Liver supports Stomach

Liver relates to blood and Stomach relates to the bulk of connective tissue around the body.
Connective tissue is highly vascularized so that there is a rich supply of blood flowing through it.
Blood feeds and nourishes the bulk of connective tissue.

The Liver has the attitude of abundance. It receives life power from the element Seed. This life
power grows and supports Liver. The attitude of abundance gets transferred into actual physical
abundance in the Stomach.

Many people are obese because emotionally the Liver feeling of freedom is abundant within
them, and that feeling of abundance gets stored up in the connective adipose tissues represented by
the Stomach meridian. These people feel content and happy on the inside, because they have plenty
of reserves.

When Liver is said to invade Stomach, in many cases it is actually the more aggressive Heart
meridian, which is excessive. Symptoms would include acid regurgitation, ulcers, and indigestion.
People tend to use antacids in these cases. When the Liver is excessive, there will be distension,
pain, bloating and fullness. In these cases the Stomach is actually becoming sluggish or dammed up,
which causes the influx of Liver substance to swell. The Liver needs to keep moving through the
middle burner area of the body. Any heaviness there will tend to accumulate Liver leading to
distension.

When the stomach organ is digesting food, more blood is sent to the stomach to support the
creation of gastric juices. The support of blood to the stomach reflects how Liver supports Stomach
function.

Point combinations:
  Lv14 & St36 for indigestion due to a weak stomach and strong liver Qi.

 Lv1 & St45 for somnolence due to bogged down and heavy feeling. Enthusiasm is
weighed down by heaviness and over-contentment.

 Lv14 & St43 for post-partum belching due to delay in re-stabilizing blood nourishment
within the mother’s own body.

 St36 & Lv3 for inability to walk due to lack of muscle tissue and atrophy of muscle.
Wasting away syndrome.

 St30 & Lv13 for insomnia due to accumulation of blood in abdomen, which makes the
Heart meridian restless, since Heart supports both Liver and Stomach.

 St29 & Lv1 for sagging and swollen testicle due to accumulation of blood in connective
tissue of testicle.

 St12 & Lv14 for heat in the chest due to constrained Heart fire in chest. Stomach and
Liver both receive heat from Heart meridian and settle it down.

Stomach supports Kidney

Stomach is the solid ground upon which the fluids of Kidney will flow. When rain falls from the
sky, the Earth is there to catch it. The Earth will carry it back to ocean. The presence of solid ground
becomes the foundation for rivers and the flowing of water upon the land.

Stomach is said to be the origin of fluids in the body. The Stomach receives fluids in food and
drink and offers it to the body. When Stomach fluids do not support the fluids of Kidney, there can
be Kidney-Yin deficiency.

The firm and solid nature of the Stomach allow fluids to gather and accumulate. Kidney power
easily dissipates because its nature does not know how to form its own boundaries. Without other
meridians giving it boundaries, Kidney would dissipate into a mist and return to the void. Yet Kidney
power must be isolated and then held separate from the void. This is how Kidney can be contained
within a living being. The Stomach gives a solid base and a firm boundary for Kidney to accumulate
within a body-mind.

Point combinations:

 St36 & Kd3 to tonify Kidney fluids when worry and impending loss allow Kidney Qi to
leak and weaken.

 St45 & Kd3 for somnolence due to stubbornness and withdrawal from social activities.

 St40, Ren22, Kd2, Kd7, Kd10 & Ht4 for loss of voice due to Kidney not receiving fluids
from Stomach resulting in dry and scratchy throat with empty heat indications.
  St36 & Kd10 for sudden turmoil disorder due to weakness of Stomach to hold and
contain Kidney fluids.

 St30, Kd2, Kd14 & Lv13 for stone edema in abdomen due to Stomach over solidifying
and damming up Yin fluids and substances.

Opposite Complements

Each meridian in the pattern has an opposite on the other side of the cycle. These opposites
form 3 pairs. These pairs all represent the internally-externally related meridians of the Yin
elements. The Wood-Yang meridian Gall Bladder is opposite the Wood-Yin meridian Liver. As well
the Earth-Yang meridian Stomach is opposite the Earth-Yin meridian Spleen. Also the Water-Yang
meridian Bladder is opposite the Water-Yin meridian Kidney.

Internally-externally related meridians are

complements of each other by element.
Complements are two things that complete
each other. One will complete or bring to
perfection the other. This is the nature of
opposites.

Liver completes and brings to perfection

Gall Bladder. As well Gall Bladder brings Liver
to perfection. Essentially these two meridians
perfect the element Wood by sitting as
complements to each other in the cycle. The
same goes for Stomach and Spleen, and
Bladder and Kidney. Both pairs perfect the
elements of Earth and Water respectively.

The perfection is achieved by all 6

meridians in the merge working together to support and generate each other. Yin and Yang must
always interact in order to complete each other. Gall Bladder and Liver must be involved in some
sort of interaction in order to complete each other. They can’t just sit as internally-externally related
pairs without interaction with other meridians. The element Wood would never be perfected. The
same goes for the Earth and Water pairs.

Because each of these pairs shares the nature of one element, they undoubtedly have a strong
basic connection. They come from the same element. One expresses the Yin aspect of that element,
the other the Yang aspect.
 This concept of complementation of element pairs is a profound one. Current meridian theory
does not teach that element pairs actually complement each other. For example, Stomach and
Spleen are both seen as Earth, but there is no teaching that I have seen that says there is a process
by which they perfect and complete each other. Not all elements pairs have reached a sufficient
level of distinction to allow their complementary nature to be clear. Mostly current teaching says
that element pairs relate internally-externally and that they communicate with each other’s organ.

Still the spherical flow clarifies the internal-external pair relationship. Wood has to be completed
and perfected by a process of interaction, which is achieved with other elements. Gall Bladder and
Liver even though they both come from the element Wood, must be separate and somewhat distant
from each other. This distance allows other meridians to perfect the nature of Wood in the body-
mind.

The complementary opposites allow for sophisticated feedback loops that develop each
element. The process of evolution requires interdependence between the elements in order to
perfect each element over time.

Gall Bladder complements Liver

Gall Bladder completes Liver by being the reservoir of lifeblood that gives courage and an
uplifting posture of confidence. The potential power of Liver-blood is stored in the Gall Bladder, and
then the Gall Bladder becomes empowered to support self-determination. Liver completes the Gall
Bladder by distributing the stored lifeblood around the body-mind.

The relationship between Gall Bladder and Liver is regulated by Kidney, Spleen, Bladder and Stomach. Gall Bladder, which is the king
of the meridians, sits between Kidney and Spleen, which serve the king. Kidney and Spleen are good servants that provide for the
basic comfort of the leader. Liver sits between Bladder and Stomach, which give the Liver access to free-flow around the body. As the
Liver flows free, the body fills with power, and the Gall Bladder releases its power.

Point combinations:

 GB37 & Lv3 to aid the eyes and expand the vision to see to the horizon.

 GB34 & Lv3 to stabilize creative energy, unblock pain in lateral costal area and relieve
distension from blocked Liver. Stabilizes free spirit and confidence to live life.

Stomach complements Spleen

The Spleen is raw physical substance ready to be used for constructing an object. The Spleen is
like thread before it is woven into a fabric. The fabric can then be cut and stitched together to make
an article of clothing. The Spleen can be made into many things. Once the thread and fabric becomes
an article of clothing, the thread is bound and stabilized into a pattern. The Stomach represents bulk
and stabilized Spleen substance. The finished clothing represents the Stomach, because it is
stabilized thread.
 Stomach completes Spleen by being the body mass and mature tissue that is built from Spleen
substance. Spleen completes Stomach by providing the nutritional substance that becomes the bulk
of Stomach.

The Stomach complements the Spleen because the destiny of Spleen substance is to become
stabilized into a larger mass. The Spleen simply cannot become stabilized into Stomach bulk without
the help of other meridians, especially meridians from the Yang elements of Seed, Fire and Metal.
The Yang elements take Spleen substance and fabricate it into something specific. The stabilized
mass of the finished product is represented by the Stomach meridian.

One difference between Stomach and Spleen is that the Stomach likes moistness, but the Spleen
likes dryness. Just in that principle we obviously see that one is complementing the other. The fluid
nature of Spleen likes dryness because dryness helps Spleen differentiate. The stabilized nature of
Stomach likes moistness because moistness maintains the stabilized mass of Stomach, which is
vulnerable to drying out.

The relationship between Stomach and Spleen is regulated by Liver, Kidney, Gall Bladder and
Bladder. Stomach sits between the wet Yin meridians of Liver and Kidney. Spleen sits between the
firm Yang meridians of Gall Bladder and Bladder. This clarifies how paired meridians of one element
will complement each other.

Point combinations:

 St40 & Sp3 for heavy phlegm conditions in stomach or anywhere in body and mind.

 St36 & Sp4 to regulate digestion and nourishing of body tissues. Treats excess in
Stomach or Spleen.

 St36 & Sp6 to stabilize tissues and blood especially in relation to the menstrual cycle.
Also for cold-damp legs due to lack of tone in tissue and muscles.

 St39 & Sp6 to reduce abdominal pain.

 St44 & Sp4 for stomach heat without any pleasure in eating.

 St36, St41, Sp4 & Ren12 for stagnation of food in abdomen due to accumulation of
heaviness and fullness from eating too much.

 St39 & Sp3 for pus in diarrhea due to Spleen substance not being properly processed for
digestion. Infection can be triggering immune response.

 St36 & Sp1 for hemorrhage due to lack of tone in connective tissue surrounding blood
vessels.
Bladder complements Kidney

Bladder completes Kidney by being the master of communication throughout the body. The
Kidney seeks to communicate and bring together all parts of the body. The nervous system, which is
governed by Bladder, transits information quickly between all parts of the body. The Bladder is the
Yang aspect of Water and as such opens and closes the gates of water passage. Bladder deficiency
can lead to incontinence. The Kidney completes the Bladder by bathing all parts of the body in a river
of fluids. Kidney holds all parts of the body in suspension, which helps the Bladder link them
together in one system of communication.

Bladder sits between Spleen and Liver, which help to connect and circulate the ethereal and
transparent nature of the Bladder in the body. Kidney sits between Gall Bladder and Stomach, which
stabilize and harness the movement of water.

Point combinations:

 Kd8 & Bl55 to control excessive uterine bleeding related to weakened Bladder meridian.

 Kd4 & Bl64 for sciatica.

 Kd10 & Bl63 to open water passages and relieve urinary pain.

 Kd3 & Bl23 to tonify Kidney.

 Kd10 & Bl54 for weakness in lower extremities from nervous exhaustion and excessive
sexual activity.

 Kd8 & Bl55 for diminished uterine bleeding due to deficiency of Kidney fluids being
secreted during secretory phase of menstrual cycle.

Chapter 19 – The Unification of HAND-

YANG and HAND-YIN

These triangles both come from the Yang elements, Metal, Seed and Fire. The Hand-Yang
triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yang elements. The Hand-Yin triangle shows the Yin
meridians of the Yang elements.
 Large Intestine Pericardium
Yangming Jueyin
Metal Seed
Heart
Small Intestine
Shaoyin
Taiyang
Fire
Fire
San Jiao Lung

Shaoyang Taiyin

Seed Metal
Here we see the unification of the two triangles
according to six-element theory. (Note that the
meridians of each element are opposite each
other.) Each individual triangle shows the
sequence of Seed meridian to Fire meridian to Metal meridian. Then when we follow the sequence
of arrows around the outside of the merge, again the elements proceed from Seed meridian to Fire
meridian to Metal meridian. So the natural sequence of elements is maintained in the overall merge.

The meridians
alternate between Yang
meridians and Yin
meridians. This reinforces
the embrace and
dependency between Yin
and Yang Essences.

The relationship
between these two
triangles is to establish and
fortify the structural and
functional activities of
Yang in the body-mind.

Small Intestine
supports Lung
The Lung is light and open. The Lung allows itself to be vulnerable to the outside world. The Lung
exchanges energies with the outside world. The Lung floats to the surface. The Lung requires a
tether or an anchor so that it doesn’t float away. The Small Intestine has the function of
concentrating Qi and substances. This concentration holds the Lung in place.
 All the ducts and vessels, which travel through the body, are constructed by the Small Intestine
in order to direct, channel and concentrate substances and Qi. All these ducts and vessels are lined
with epithelial cells, which are represented by the Lung Wei Qi function. The Wei Qi of the Lungs
covers the surfaces of organs, vessels and the body as a whole.

As the Small Intestine builds the structure and pathways through the body, the Lung begins to
finish them off with a covering of Wei Qi. Therefore the Small Intestine sets the foundation for the
activities of the Lung.

The Small Intestine has the tendency to harden. Emotionally the Small Intestine meridian sets
goals and ambitions and then works hard to achieve them directly. People who work hard and strive
to achieve a place in this world tend to get hardening of the arteries. This is because they are
emphasizing the tendencies of the Small Intestine to achieve security. The world is playing a trick on
most people by making it hard to get a solid foothold into security. Many people work overtime and
live paycheck to paycheck. This kind of environment makes the Small Intestine Qi work harder and
longer than naturally it needs to. Thus the artery walls become inflamed and harden.

The Lung is meant to soften and protect the structure of the vessels, but this function loses out
to the stress placed on the Small Intestine. Research has shown that tender loving touch and play
actually protect the blood vessels from hardening. Meridian theory would say that is because the
stress is being taken off of Small Intestine. When a person is secure and relaxed, they can play more
easily, but more importantly, they breathe much better. The lungs open up and blood gets
oxygenated. Many people say that they get so involved in their work that they forget to breath. They
realize for an instant that they are not breathing and have to consciously take a breath. Small
Intestine focuses and concentrates so much that it can even restrict breathing and consequently the
circulation of Qi and fluids.

A calm and healthy Small Intestine will support the Lung function of breathing and circulating Qi.

Point combinations:

 Lu7 & SI5 to help a person exteriorize a decision so that he/she can express to others
what their goal is.
 Lu5 & SI1 for restlessness due to greed and driving ambition.

Lung supports San Jiao

The Lung interfaces with the exterior environment. The Lung receives impressions about the
harmony of life. The interactions that the Lung has with the external environment are passed onto
San Jiao in the subconscious.

When a child is born it takes its first breath. The first breath opens the child to the post-natal Qi
in the world. The Qi of the world begins to mix with the original Yuan Qi circulating in the middle of
the chest. By mixing the Qi of the world with the primordial Yuan Qi, the vision of life held by San
Jiao is awakened and begins to develop on its own as an individual being separate from the mother.
That first breath activates the subconscious to become conscious.

The Zong Qi of the chest is where the breath of the Lung and the Yuan Qi of San Jiao meet and
mix. The chest is the meeting place of the subconscious and the conscious. The Zong Qi describes the
influence of ancestors. The Heavenly Heart matrix in the middle of the chest is where past life
memories are stored. Past life memories are a large part of the subconscious. Still people live
consciously in the present moments of life, so there is a reason for keeping memories and
experiences in the subconscious. The Lung allows the present life to interface and exchange
experience with the subconscious ancestors within. It is only in this way that the subconscious can
change over time. The Lung cultivates and empowers the development of San Jiao’s subconscious
Primordial Power.

The breathing of the Lung has a powerful influence on the circulating Yuan Qi of the San Jiao.
Rhythms are established. Exchanges between subconscious and conscious mind develop.
Transformations of Qi around the body are supported and enhanced.

San Jiao has a nature of being content in quiet solitude. San Jiao can easily isolate itself from the
world and live in its own dreams and visions. By doing this, San Jiao becomes self-absorbed and loses
touch with mundane reality. The Lung has the function of keeping San Jiao in touch with the world.
The Lung offers a continual stream of fresh views, thoughts and impressions by which the San Jiao
can see beyond its murky and shadowy meditations. When the Lung goes weak, a person has the
tendency to withdraw into the subconscious, because the subconscious loses contact with the outer
world.

Breathing, exercising, hiking in nature and talking with others are basic ways to keep the Lung
healthy and the San Jiao involved in the world.

Point combinations:

 Lu3 & SJ13 for phlegm nodules in neck due to Wei Qi being constricted by a blockage in
the harmonious flow of fluids and breath. An external pathogen can unsettle the
harmony of the body, which can affect the normal functioning of the Lung. The excess in
the Lung comes from a blocked San Jiao.
 Lu10 & SJ2 for throat pain due to inflamed heat to battle an external pathogen.
 Lu7 & SJ5 for releasing wind pathogens from the exterior. San Jiao harmonizes the
exterior, and wind pathogens obstruct the flow of Lung Wei Qi. San Jiao helps to
regulate and harmonize Wei Qi.

San Jiao supports Heart

The foundation that San Jiao gives to the Shen of the Heart is a core aspect of the mind. The
San Jiao resonates with deep impressions and memories of this life and past ones too. The
San Jiao is related to the subconscious, where the murky depths of the mind influence our
actions and desires. The Will of the Heart is rooted in the subconscious as shown by this
relationship. The Will of the Heart actively expresses itself in the world, but it is formed by
the state of equilibrium in the subconscious. The more a person can cultivate harmony, quiet
and stillness in the subconscious, the more settled the Heart meridian will be.

Problems with the Heart meridian lead to all kinds of insomnia. When the San Jiao upsets the
Heart, the cause of the insomnia is deep in the mind. When San Jiao is disrupted, there will be dream
disturbed sleep. The Shen of the Heart will be disturbed. SJ16 (Tianyou) and the extra point Anmian
are frequently used points for dream disturbed sleep stemming from an unsettled San Jiao. The
hypothalamus, which is the associated organ to San Jiao, governs waking and sleeping patterns. The
Heart meridian responds to the sleeping patterns of the hypothalamus, and allows sleep or not.

The hypothalamus is the center of rage, anger, fear and aggression. These emotions are mostly
related to the Heart meridian. But the Heart expresses these emotions straight from the
subconscious where they are rooted. There is a powerful and mysterious bond between San Jiao and
Heart. Karmic experiences tend to come from the subconscious and San Jiao. The Heart Fire is
greatly influenced by the state of Karma in the subconscious.

Point combinations:

 SJ16 & Ht3 for confused dreaming at night due to subconscious troubles.
 SJ10 & Ht3 for scrofula due to phlegm blockage and anxiety.

Heart supports Large Intestine

The relationship here makes one a warrior. The Large Intestine defines and protects the
boundaries of life. If a piece of food does not pass through the small intestine, the large
intestine will eliminate it. A warrior in the same way seeks to eliminate an unwanted presence
or threat. The Large Intestine meridian steps up and commands the unwanted thing to leave.
If it does not a battle will ensue.

There has to be a strength of will behind the commands of the Large Intestine. The Heart
provides that fundamental will to survive. When the Large Intestine, like a judge or warrior, lays
down the law, the Heart’s fervor feeds the enforcement. Self-preservation or self-aggrandizement is
behind every act of war. The Heart and Large Intestine make a connection that can express this
fundamental warrior aspect of human nature.

The Heart is the self-ego. Its primary interest is in self. The Large Intestine has the primary
interest of exterior things. In order for the Large Intestine to deal with exterior things for the good of
the self, the Heart supports and set the foundation for the actions of the Large Intestine. When the
Heart wants to force its personal will onto another being, the Large Intestine is the best meridian for
dominating the exterior.

The connection between Heart and Large Intestine is not just used for killing and execution. It
can be used for establishing and enforcing laws and traditions, which create cultural identity and
collective self-interests. It is the same connection that forms contracts and agreements between
people. Many times people would rather fight and kill their enemy but the Large Intestine can allow
room for negotiation and discussion. Behind any negotiation is always the Heart’s will to impose
one’s needs upon the other person. Fortunately life has allowed the capacity to negotiate.

Point combinations:

 Ht2, LI11 & LI15 for pain in shoulder and upper arm due to battle fatigue, especially
swinging a sword.
 Ht3 & LI10 for persistent numbness of forearms due to the action of hitting something
over and over like does a blacksmith or boxer.
 Ht3, LI4 & LI11 for manic raving and abusive behavior toward weaker people.
 Ht9 & LI11 for high fever due to battling aggressive pathogenic invasion.
Large Intestine supports Pericardium

The Large Intestine upholds principles and laws. It protects and maintains the boundaries of a
being or state. This ability is required for attaining homeostasis. Homeostasis exists within
the boundaries of a comfort zone. If those boundaries can’t be stabilized, homeostasis will
never even come close to occurring. The Pericardium develops homeostasis, but it requires
boundaries first. Then it can seek to achieve homeostasis within those boundaries.

The boundaries or parameters of homeostasis can shift suddenly. The shift happens in the
Large Intestine meridian. What happens is an epiphany that changes the perception of a
situation. In the epiphany, the comfort zone of homeostasis shifts.

An exterior pathogen must be kept from reaching the Heart meridian. If the Heart meridian
becomes infected, there can be intense heat and fever, enough to kill a person. The Large
Intestine protects the outside surface, and the Pericardium protects the Heart. A pathogen
would have to penetrate the Large Intestine Wei Qi to reach the inner presence of the
Pericardium. Then the Pericardium functions to protect the Heart meridian. The Large
Intestine supports and protects Pericardium.

Biology gives another way to look at this relationship. There is a principle in biology that
states when a balanced ecosystem becomes stressed; the ecosystem will change itself in order
to minimize the effects of the stress. The ecosystem has gone through an event of evolution.
The Large Intestine associates with the effects of an external stress. The required changes
associate with the action of the Pericardium to reestablish homeostasis. The Large Intestine is
like an antenna sensing the changes in the environment that effect the comfort zone of the
ecosystem. Large Intestine becomes a foundation for changes in the homeostasis, and
consequently for the evolution of comfort zones.

Point combinations:

 Pc5 & LI4 for sudden mania due to a feeling of not getting one’s way and a feeling of
having one’s boundaries violated.
 Pc5 & LI3 for obstruction of the throat due to an exterior invasion.
 Pc7, LI5, Lu7 & Du26 for frequent laughter due to relieving the stresses being put upon
homeostasis. Most comedy is based on making fun of the contradictions and irrationality
of comfort zones represented by Pericardium. Large Intestine meridian is the meridian
of comedy, because it deals directly with the forces of evolution which stress
homeostasis.
 Pc8, LI19 & Du27 for incessant nosebleed due to interior heat, heat in the blood, and
emotional anger and frustration.
 Pc9, Du26 & LI4 for loss of consciousness due to pathogenic heat and phlegm invading
the Pericardium. Large Intestine must be cleared and strengthened to aid heat to clear
from Pericardium.

Pericardium supports Small Intestine

The breasts are governed by the Pericardium meridian. The Pericardium relates to mothers
and mother’s milk. Normal lactation shows that the Pericardium meridian is unblocked and
healthy. When lactation is insufficient or when there is a breast abscess during lactation, the
cause is usually stagnant Qi or constrained heat. The Small Intestine is the major meridian
that stagnates Qi and constrains heat. The Small Intestine is comfortable with limiting and
constricting substances. One of the main points to treat breast problems is Shaoze, SI1. The
use of this point shows that Small Intestine can block and stagnate Pericardium function.

What many acupuncturists see as Liver stagnation is more precisely understood as Small
Intestine controlling the emotional sensitivities of the Pericardium. The Small Intestine takes on the
role of an authority making decisions, which are meant to provide security.

I was once in Mexico City on their Independence Day. There was a big fiesta in the central park
with games, fireworks and skits put on by local actors. There was a group of actors putting on a skit
about Mexican culture. They showed how different people in the community produced things of
value. Farmers produced food. Tailors made clothes. Carpenters built houses. And then a policeman
came on the scene saying he too was a productive part of society. There was laughter in the crowd
over this. Mexican people have a tradition of rebellious attitudes, and the strong hand of the police
is not always completely appreciated in that country. The farmer in the play taunted the policeman
asking him what the police produced. The policeman thought intently about it while the whole
crowd stayed quiet waiting for an answer. Then with the suspense building, the policeman said
optimistically, “producimos seguridad”, meaning “we produce security”. Everyone in the crowd
stayed silent, because it was ironically true. Security is a core need that goes to the heart of
communal life. Police have a vital role to play, one that cannot be eliminated all together. Yet
providing security is so necessary that police can at times abuse their power without impunity saying
it is for the common good.

The core reasons as to why a country defends itself or goes to war always involve the country’s
self-interests. A mother will most always defend her children. Even a religious person has a self-
interest in seeking to convert another culture. Pericardium represents one’s self-interests. These
self-interests always form the basis for making decisions, whether for war or conversion of minds.
The authority to defend or implement one’s self-interests is related to Small Intestine. If a leader of a
country says that war is necessary to liberate other people, it is not the true reason for war, unless
the sovereignty of the foreign people is intimate with our survival.

Some cultures do not emphasize the control of self-interests as much as other cultures. The
Hawaiian culture has the spirit of Aloha, which shares a respect and hospitality with foreigners. The
Hawaiians have learned to stand up for their rights and defend their traditions because the power
grab by missionaries and business people has almost decimated their connection to the land and
sacred sites. The Small Intestine function of defending self-interests is growing stronger in the
modern Hawaiians.

The Pericardium relates to the production of food, clothes and homes, all the things that support
family existence. The Small Intestine wants to protect and secure family life, which is the foundation
of the whole community. In the modern world, the cohesiveness of family traditions and cultures is
weakening. Stable family life is vulnerable now. The Pericardium relates to stable family life. So now
there is a tendency to seek more protection and security in order to insure basic values.
Conservative movements are growing that conserve traditional values.

The emotional sensitivities of the Pericardium must be protected. The Small Intestine provides
many self-defense mechanisms that hide a vulnerable Pericardium. These mechanisms include
denial, projection, lying, control, conversion and selective perception. The Small Intestine discerns
the best stance to take in order to secure the emotions, which is its primary role to play for the
Pericardium. In the same way, the small intestine organ guards the internal body from harmful
things that were eaten.

The relationship between Small Intestine and Pericardium is a very difficult one for people to
master, because it is dangerous to accept and then admit that one is wrong. One’s power can be lost
by such an admission. It is almost countless how many churches, governments and scientists through
history have condemned new theories as heretical, then rejecting, killing, silencing or imprisoning
the freethinkers who offered the new views. The main reason was to protect their own power and
their own views. And yet so many of those freethinkers turned out to be right requiring history to
apologize by recognizing their efforts.

There will be a chapter on comfort zones later in this book, because they relate to the new
understanding of the Pericardium meridian. The Pericardium gets comfortable with known and
familiar views and traditions. Small Intestine seeks to consecrate those values. There is a delicate
balance between defending ancestral values and the evolution of values. In order for human
understanding to evolve it has to be able to risk its comfort zone. That ability is very hard for many.

Point combinations:

 Pc7 & SI5 to help make a decision that will be good for homeostasis and cause one not
to over or under extend oneself. Helps to see an issue clearly and make a proper
decision for one’s own good and harmony.
 Pc5 & SI3 for sudden mania due to a feeling of having one’s self-interests threatened or
violated.
 Pc8, Du16 & SI16 for throat pain due to constrained heat in the upper back to lower
portion of brain. Also for ear infection. For pain with a tight and constricted feeling.

Opposite Complements
Each meridian in the pattern has an opposite on the other side of the cycle. These opposites
form 3 pairs. These pairs all represent the internally-externally related meridians of the Yang
elements. The Seed-Yang meridian San Jiao is opposite the Seed-Yin meridian Pericardium. As well
the Fire-Yang meridian Small Intestine is opposite the Fire-Yin meridian Heart. Also the Metal-Yang
meridian Large Intestine is opposite the Metal-Yin meridian Lung.

Internally-externally related meridians are complements of each other by element.

Complements are two things that complete each other. One will complete or bring to
perfection the other. This is the nature of opposites. The whole cycle between opposite
complements forms sophisticated feedback loops to progressively develop each element
through the millions of years of evolution.
 Large Intestine Pericardium
Yangming Jueyin
Metal Seed
Heart
Small Intestine
Shaoyin
Taiyang
Fire
Fire
San Jiao Lung

Shaoyang Taiyin

Seed Metal
Here we see the opposite complements of the
unification of Hand-Yang and Hand-Yin.

San Jiao complements Pericardium

San Jiao completes and brings to perfection Pericardium. As well Pericardium brings San Jiao to
perfection. Essentially these two meridians perfect the element Seed by sitting as complements to
each other in the cycle. The same goes for Small Intestine and Heart, and Large Intestine and Lung.
Both pairs perfect the elements of Fire and Metal respectively.

The perfection is achieved by all 6 meridians in the merge working together to support and
generate each other. Yin and Yang must always interact in order to complete each other. San Jiao
and Pericardium are involved in some sort of interaction in order to complete each other. They can’t
just sit as internally-externally related pairs without interaction with other meridians. The element
Seed would never be perfected. The same goes for the Fire and Metal pairs.

The understanding of why element pairs are opposite each other in order to complement each
other is given in the previous chapter.

Still the spherical flow clarifies the internal-external pair relationship.

Seed has to be completed and perfected by a process of interaction, which is achieved with
other elements. San Jiao and Pericardium even though they both come from the element Seed, must
be separate and somewhat distant from each other. This distance allows other meridians to perfect
their expressions. This is natural to the process of evolution.

San Jiao completes Pericardium by establishing guidelines of homeostasis that Pericardium will
then monitor for San Jiao. Pericardium completes San Jiao by giving those guidelines.

In order to perfect their function of homeostasis, other Yang-element meridians must be

involved. San Jiao sits between Lung and Heart, whose actions activate the body and initiate
metabolism. These actions must then be balanced. Pericardium sits between Large Intestine and
Small Intestine, whose functions are to protect, cradle and contain the most sensitive of all
meridians, namely the Pericardium.
 Point combinations:

 Pc6 & SJ4 to regulate homeostasis and calm the mind. Relaxes muscles and relieves
stress. Harmonizes comfort zones.
 Pc6 & SJ6 to regulate homeostasis, which is in disharmony due to stagnation. Treats a
feeling of oppression from emotional constraint.
 Pc6 & SJ3 to circulate homeostatic synergy and lift mood and emotions. Treats
depression and confusion.
 Pc7 & SJ3 to calm down homeostatic synergy and calm mood. Treats mania and
paranoia, which is expecting too much from life and upsetting balanced homeostasis.
 Pc7 & SJ5 for abdominal pain due to stressed comfort zones.

Small Intestine complements Heart

Small Intestine completes the Heart by channeling Fire energy through specified and determined
pathways. Small Intestine knows how to focus and direct Heart energy. Heart completes the element
Fire by being the energy that Small Intestine channels. Together they perfect the existence of Fire
within the body-mind.

Small Intestine sits between Pericardium and Lung, which help Small Intestine develop
meaningful pathways through the body in order to direct Heart energy. Heart sits between San Jiao
and Large Intestine, which both encourage and fan the flames of Heart energy.

Point combinations:

 Ht7 & SI5 to calm mind and spirit, aid concentration of actions, make decisions, and aid
discernment. Treats unfocused behavior and manic laughter. Helps to set goals and stay
on track.
 Ht6 & SI3 to treat night-sweating and restlessness from constrained heat in Fire
element.
 Ht3, SI4 & SI7 for manic raving and fighting with extreme anger and aggression.
 Ht4, Ren22 & SI16 for loss of voice with lockjaw due to constricting the urge to speak
one’s mind.
 Ht7, Ren15 & SI3 for epilepsy due to excessive and suddenly uncontrolled discharge of
brain neurons.

Large Intestine complements Lung

Large Intestine completes Lung by being the exterior structure that protects and contains Lung
function. Lung then completes Large Intestine by dispersing and descending energies and fluids
within the exterior protection. In the same way that Small Intestine channels Fire energy internally,
the Large Intestine channels and contains Lung energy externally.

Large Intestine sits between Heart and Pericardium, whose function is to rally and support the
troops in times of war. Large Intestine is associated with troops who protect the self-interests of the
people. Heart and Pericardium are the meridians most interested in self-interests. Lung sits between
Small Intestine and San Jiao, both of which define the internal structure and pathways that Lung will
travel in. The Lung opens up passageways for San Jiao and Small Intestine.

Point combinations:
  LI4 & Lu7 to release or consolidate the exterior, including invasions of wind pathogens.
Also used to strengthen defensive Wei Qi.
 LI4 & Lu9 to strengthen Wei Qi, regulate sweating and consolidate the exterior.
 LI4 & Lu11 to release wind-heat from exterior and relieve sore throat.
 LI11 & Lu5 to clear Lung heat from phlegm blockage. These points stimulate the Wei Qi
to move through the phlegm.

Chapter 20 – The Unification of FOOT-

YANG and HAND-YIN

The Foot-Yang triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yin elements, Wood, Earth and Water.
The Hand-Yin triangle shows the Yin meridians of the Yang elements, Seed, Fire and Metal. When
these two triangles merge the overall sequence of elements is just like in six-element theory, Wood
to Fire to Earth to Metal to Water to Seed.

Gall Bladder Pericardium

Shaoyang Jueyin
Wood Seed
Heart
Bladder
Shaoyin
Taiyang
Fire
Fire
Stomach Lung

Yangming Taiyin

Earth Metal
Here we see the unification of the two triangles
according to six-element theory.

The meridians alternate between Yang

and Yin meridians. The meridians also alternate between Yang and Yin elements. This reinforces the
embrace and dependency between Yin and Yang Essences.
 Bladder to
Pericardium
The Bladder
processes
information. This is
an important
foundation for the
work of
Pericardium to
build homeostasis.
The Bladder
processes so much
information that it
is unable to analyze
it. The Pericardium
senses the
harmony in the
information as it is
traveling back and
forth.

The Bladder learns how best to do things through a trial and error process. The Pericardium is
assessing and guiding the process. When things are done right, the Pericardium responds with
a surge of energy to reinforce it.

For example, give someone a spark plug. Let’s say they’ve never seen one before and don’t know
what it is for. The Bladder meridian will then try to gather information about the spark plug. It may
put the spark plug in a light bulb socket and realize nothing happens. Eventually the Bladder
meridian learns that the spark plug belongs in a car engine. When the spark plug is put in the engine,
everything feels right, the engine works better and power is enhanced. The Pericardium becomes
strong when the spark plug is put in car engine.

The Bladder meridian governs the nervous system running around the whole body. The nervous
system gathers information about the changes and actions being taken. The Pericardium monitors
that information to assess its harmony and correctness. If something is out of whack, the
Pericardium will raise a flag so that the body can correct it. Basically the Pericardium loves it when
everything is in its place and harmony abounds.

When there is a weakness or breakdown in the nervous system, the Pericardium will not have
the proper information to guide homeostasis. The use of recreational drugs, like methamphetamines
and cannabis, interfere with the nervous system and lead to such problems as poor memory,
lethargy, unbalanced appetite, paranoia and lack of motivation. Recreational drugs have a disturbing
effect on the homeostasis of the Pericardium meridian. The effects can be seen by weakened Gall
Bladder confidence and weakened Small Intestine ambition.

Point combinations:

 Pc5 & Bl40 for the four BIGS of excess sweating, fever, thirst and pulse. These points
work to harmonize the whole body and support the process of homeostasis.
 Pc7, Bl10 & Bl62 for clearing confusion and inability to arrive at a conclusion. These
points help the thinking to arrive at a specific conclusion and to stop the mind from
spinning in circles.

Pericardium to Gall Bladder

The Pericardium functions to monitor and cultivate homeostasis. Pericardium builds

homeostasis, whereas the San Jiao can be seen more as the storage and stabilization of
homeostasis. Pericardium actively produces the synergy of homeostasis, which becomes the
power of the Gall Bladder. The Pericardium directly feeds and supports Gall Bladder power.

The key factors to Pericardium’s homeostasis are harmony, simplicity and intimacy. Harmony
directly leads to synergy. Simplicity allows the Pericardium to settle into a comfort zone more easily.
When the Pericardium is constantly stirred up and disrupted, it does not function well and cannot
produce life power for Gall Bladder. Intimacy is important for confirming and reassuring one’s
comfort zone of homeostasis. The Pericardium needs feedback on its comfort zone. It needs to trust
the source of that feedback, so the Pericardium has a tendency to seek intimacy in order to develop
that trust.

The confidence and courage of Gall Bladder is best cultivated in a secure and loving family.
When a child receives nurturing, guidance and intimacy from parents, relatives and community, the
child is more able to grow up with confidence and power to act upon decisions and live life. When a
person’s Gall Bladder is weak, many times this is due to an unsupportive family environment as a
child and teenager. The Pericardium also supports Small Intestine. All in all, a healthy Pericardium
meridian is essential for developing the ability to take on the challenges of life.

The Pericardium can go weak at any point in a person’s life, which will have consequences for
the Gall Bladder meridian. Once homeostasis weakens, the life power of Gall Bladder weakens, and
then the door is wide open to disease, mental disorders and despair.

Point combinations:

 GB34 & Pc6 for pain around liver and gall bladder area of abdomen.
 GB16 & Pc7 for red eyes due to Heart fire ascending.

Gall Bladder to Heart

The accumulated potential power of the Gall Bladder expresses as courage. The Heart’s
ability to be active and strong depends upon the courage of Gall Bladder. When the Heart is
weak and unable to act upon a decision, many times in acupuncture the Gall Bladder is
strengthened. Indecisiveness and timidity are related to a weak Gall Bladder, even though it is
the actions of the Heart meridian that have lost their assertiveness and aggressiveness.
 The Heart meridian by itself is insufficient to be a leader. It has desires and the will to act upon
those desires, but it does not have the power within itself that is needed to back up those desires.
Gall Bladder gives the fullness of power. Just as the rain comes from the deep and wide ocean, so
the heat and light of the day come from the huge reservoir of the sun. The Gall Bladder relates to
the Sun.

Point combinations:

 Ht7 & GB40 to calm mind, strengthen ability and courage to act upon decisions.
 Ht7, Ht9, GB34 & Pc6 for fear and fright with heart pain due to lack of will and inner
weakness.
 Ht1, GB24 & Bl20 for loss of use of the four limbs due to soul not rooting in the body.
The soul carries the fire to activate the body.

Heart to Stomach

The impetus of the Heart meridian builds the mass of the body represented by Stomach, in
the way that energy becomes matter. The Heart pumps blood and Nutritive Qi to the whole
body. These substances build and energize body tissue. For the Stomach meridian to be
healthy for the body, the Heart supports it by pumping and activating substances, which build
it.

The stomach organ requires a very high acidic environment to breakdown food. The acid is
related to the Fire of the Heart meridian. The acid within the stomach is comparable to the
molten lava underneath the Earth’s crust. The Stomach houses this fiery mix in order that
there can be an Earth’s crust. The whole mass of the body is represented by Stomach
meridian, but at the heart of the stomach organ is the Fire and acid of the Heart meridian. The
Stomach is supported by the Heart meridian.

The Fire of the Heart is behind the impulse to activate muscle movements. Muscles exist
within the bulk of the body mass. Muscles are the fire and acid within body tissue. Muscle
activity produces acid as a by-product. The main way that the body produces heat is through
muscle contractions. Shivering produces heat through many small muscular contractions.
Acid and heat are both related to the Heart meridian. Muscles express the activity of the Fire
element.

Frustration and anger are emotions rooted in the fiery nature of Heart. When these emotions
are strong they tend to affect the stomach organ, leading to such symptoms as acid
regurgitation, irritability, bleeding and red gums, ulcers and indigestion. In these cases, the
Heart meridian is too strong to properly support the Stomach. When the Heart is weak and
the fire in the body is weak, the Stomach will be cold. Thus Stomach function will be weak.

The main idea here is that any Stomach function seen in the body has within it the acid and
heat of the Heart meridian.

Point combinations:

 Ht5 & St41 for head wind, redness of face and eyes due to fire not being rooted in the
earth of the body. The earth of the body refers to the actions and use of the body.
  Ht7, St42 & SI3 for mania and running around singing without clothes on. This is due to
fire of heart rising and spreading beyond the everyday practical duties that correspond
to earthly living and responsibilities.
 Ht7, St42 & Bl40 for enuresis due to Heart deficiency which is not activating the Yang of
the body. This leads to Yang type deficient enuresis.
 Ht8 & St36 for difficult urination or retention of urine due to excess of fire Yang, which is
constricting urination. Stomach point helps to absorb the excess fire relieving the
constriction.

Stomach to Lung

The Stomach represents the bulk of body mass, yet there needs to be a proper exterior
boundary to this mass. The exterior boundary is a layer that keeps things in, keeps things out
and manages the exchange of things between the interior and the exterior. The Lung
meridian has the function of building and managing the exterior boundary.

Physiologically the Lung relates to the actions and functions of epithelial cells and the Stomach
relates to the various types of connective tissue. Epithelium forms the outer layer of the skin and
some organs, as well as the inner lining of blood vessels and body cavities. Epithelium forms the
linings of the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. All these areas are governed
by the actions of the Lung meridian.

Connective tissue on the other hand binds and supports the body’s tissues and organs. Much of
connective tissue is made up of a matrix of fibers and amorphous substance. Basically connective
tissue is the bulk of the body that gives structure and support. Just as the Earth element is uncarved
substance, connective tissue is generally amorphous. The Stomach meridian governs body mass and
weight. Adipose tissue, which stores fat, falls into the category of connective tissue. The connective
tissue in blood is the liquid matrix plasma.

Epithelial tissue surrounds connective tissue and gives it an exterior form. There are many
functions that epithelial cells provide for connective tissues; lubrication, managed secretions,
absorptions, transportation and excretions. Connective tissue forms the bedrock and foundation for
epithelial cells to function. This goes along with the Stomach meridian supporting the Lung meridian.

Epithelial cells govern the same functions as the Lung meridian like, respiration, blood vessels,
dispersing and descending (lubricating), regulate water passages (transportation) and skin.

Point combinations:

 Lu9 & St36 to build and fortify the body strength.

 Lu7 & St36 for acute dyspnea due to closing down of sharing with the outside
environment. These points open up the body to breath again and circulate Wei Qi
between the body and outside environment.
 Lu7 & St42 for one-sided hemiplegia. These points return proper form to the body and
revive sensation.
Lung to Bladder
The traditional teaching is that Lung has the function of sending fluids down to the bladder
organ. When Lung does this, urination will be normal. The normal dispersing and descending of
fluids by the Lung is the process that supports Bladder function.

Bladder is most closely related to the nervous system, which is the vast communication
system of the body. The Bladder meridian receives information from the interior and the
exterior and then sends the information to be processed. Lung supports the nervous system by
managing the exiting and entering of Essences and Qi, controlling the exchange of Qi
between the body and the external environment, and ensuring the smooth movement of Qi
around the body. These functions of the Lung lay the foundation for the Bladder to
communicate Qi within the body and with the external environment.

Point combinations:

 Lu7 & Bl63 to open pathways of water and promote urination. Free movement of nerve
impulses around surface of body.
 Lu9 & Bl13 for lung distension due to lack of circulation of breath. These points open up
the lung and relieve distension.
 Lu6 & Bl31 for fever with absence of sweating due to restricted circulation, which is
unable to cool down body.
 Lu1 & Bl49 for fullness of the chest with esophageal constriction due to severe blockage
of circulation in the lungs. These points go deep to break up internal blockage of
breathing energies.

Opposite Complements
For the rest of the merges, Wood meridians will always be opposite Metal meridians. Earth
meridians will always be opposite Seed meridians. Water meridians will always be opposite Fire
meridians. This is pure and simple six-element theory. To see a discussion on how these elements
complement each, go to the chapter on six-element theory.

Whenever all six elements come together, as Yin meridians or Yang meridians, they always
arrange themselves according the sequence of elements in six-element theory. The six-element flow
is the original vision of the elements and this flow is held constant throughout the whole spherical
flow pattern.
 Gall Bladder Pericardium
Shaoyang Jueyin
Wood Seed
Heart
Bladder
Shaoyin
Taiyang
Fire
Fire
Stomach Lung

Yangming Taiyin

Earth Metal
Here we see the opposite complements of the
unification of Foot-Yang and Hand-Yin. .

Gall Bladder complements Lung.

When this relationship is perfected, one has confidence to circulate one’s energies. Lung sits
between Stomach and Bladder. Lung opens up passageways through the body mass, represented by
Stomach. Then the breath of Bladder innervates the body. The spirit lifeblood of Gall Bladder then
flows through the body channels giving life to the body. Gall Bladder in this way completes the
actions of Lung in the body. Gall Bladder sits between Pericardium and Heart. Gall Bladder is the
reservoir of creative energy behind the actions of the Heart. Gall Bladder gives confidence and
courage to the Heart. The willpower of the Heart to fight depends upon the quantity and quality of
the Gall Bladder Qi.

Point combinations:

 GB38 & Lu5 for wind painful obstruction syndrome with contracted and stiff joints due
to blockage of circulating energies.
 GB40 & Lu8 for swollen sensation in the chest due to internal accumulation of Gall
Bladder energy not circulating with breathing.

Stomach complements Pericardium.

Pericardium acts to stabilize the formation and expression of life. Stomach represents the
solidification of that stabilization. Thus stomach completes the actions of Pericardium. Many times
upset stomachs are due to a problem in the Pericardium, because the solidity of the stomach
meridian dissolves when the Pericardium loses the ability to keep life stable.

Pericardium sits between Bladder and Gall Bladder in this merge. Pericardium monitors the
communications of the Bladder meridian in order to support the creative power of Gall Bladder. The
stabilization of Gall Bladder energy is what eventually creates body tissue and structure governed by
the Stomach meridian. Stomach sits between Heart and Lung.

Point combinations:
  St40 & Pc5 to calm mind and open the orifices, when mind is obstructed by phlegm and
therefore confused or manic.
 St40 & Pc6 to regulate the middle burner and calm down rebellious stomach function.
 St36 & Pc6 to harmonize middle burner and calm down rebellious stomach function due
to emotional upset.

Bladder complements Heart.

The Bladder is the most cooling meridian for heat conditions. When there is heat in the head,
chest or upper body, points of the Bladder meridian work the best to disperse that heat. The activity
of the Heart creates heat. So Bladder balances that heat.

The Bladder represents the capacity of the different parts of the body to communicate. This is
done mostly with nervous system control. However, the heart organ is interesting in that it controls
the rhythm of its own heartbeat with its own electrical stimulation. The heart is the only organ in the
body, which has nerve function outside of the normal nervous system. Connections to the
autonomic nervous system and hormones like epinephrine modify heartbeat, but the heart
establishes its own fundamental rhythm.

The balance between hot and cold best defines the opposite relationship of Fire and Water. Cold
can settle into the lower back and lower burner of the body. There can be a cold sensation in the
back or even incontinence. A cause can sometimes be that the Bladder is not being warmed by the
Yang-heat of the Heart meridian.

Heart sits between Gall Bladder and Stomach, which incorporate the heat of the Heart into the
body. Bladder sits between Lung and Pericardium. The pathways opened up by the Lung help the
Bladder disperse heat around the body. The Lung also disperses fluids to the Bladder organ to be
eliminated from the body.

Point combinations:

 Ht7, St22 & Bl40 for enuresis. The use of Heart and bladder points helps balance the hot
and cold mechanisms, which relate to the control and function of urination.
 Ht7 & Bl15 for palpitations due to an inability to access the energies and activities of the
heart meridian in one’s daily activities. One feels overwhelmed and spread to thin. This
point combination brings the ability to choose a course of action when one is frozen into
non-action.

Chapter 21 ? The Unification of HAND-

YANG and FOOT-YIN

The Hand-Yang triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yang elements, Seed, Fire and Metal.
The Foot-Yin triangle shows the Yin meridians of the Yin elements, Wood, Earth and Water. When
these two triangles merge the overall sequence of elements is just like in six-element theory, Wood
to Fire to Earth to Metal to Water to Seed.

Liver San Jiao

Jueyin Shaoyang
Wood Seed
Small Intestine Kidney
Taiyang
Shaoyin
Fire
Water
Spleen Large Intestine

Taiyin Yangming

Earth Metal
Here we see the unification of the two triangles
according to six-element theory.

The meridians alternate between Yang

and Yin meridians. The meridians also alternate between Yang and Yin elements. This reinforces the
embrace and dependency between Yin and Yang Essences.

Kidney?
support
s San
Jiao

The San
Jiao?recei
ves water
in order to
perform
its Qi
transforma
tions, just
as the
ocean
receives
water
from the
rivers of
the world.
Kidney?gi
ves the foundation to San Jiao that it needs. Once Kidney power is contained it won?t
dissipate itself. Yet San Jiao sinks deep into Kidney?s power and becomes dissolved into it.
While San Jiao is dissolved within the fluids of Kidney, it performs its transformations.
Kidney becomes transformed into lifeblood.

The relationship between Kidney?and San Jiao?is a deep emotional experience of fulfillment.
Here is the power to unify and harmonize all life, all desires, all passions and all of the Heart?s
Intent. When someone enters the space of Kidney and San Jiao consciously they have entered the
realm of transformative transcendence. It is the realm of silent Primordial Power from which
generates abundant life. It is the realm that oversees the creation of life. It is the realm of Mingmen,
gate of vitality, where Kidney power is transformed by Yuan Qi?to be carried throughout the body.

The relationship between Kidney?and San Jiao?is essential to sexual maturation and the coming
of puberty for boys and girls. San Jiao oversees fertility just as Primordial Power oversees the
creation of life in primordial soup. Fertility is developed through a ripening process of the body, so
that when the body is developed enough, a person will come of age sexually. Normally this happens
in the early teens for both boys and girls. San Jiao draws upon the essence and substance of Kidney
to ripen the sexual organs. The process is patient and purposeful. The process is calm and
subconscious by nature. San Jiao and Kidney are both quiet and relaxed by nature. Anxiety, fear,
worry and stress all disrupt the quiet production of fertile power. When boys and girls come of
sexual age, it is important that they have guidance and support so that they experience the change
calmly and confidently.

Point combinations:

 Kd6 & SJ6 for constipation due to fluid imbalances.

 Kd2, Bl49 & SJ1 for wasting and thirsting with great thirst due to weak transformation of
Kidney?fluids.
 Kd3 & SJ3 for swelling of the throat due to blockage of Kidney?meridian at the point of
reaching the hypothalamus and base of head.
 Kd2, Kd3 & SJ6 for stabbing heart pain due to weakness in transformation of
Kidney?essence by San Jiao.

San Jiao?supports Liver

San Jiao?maintains the homeostatic synergy?that feeds the lifeblood in Liver. Liver is the
expression of lifeblood. San Jiao is the foundation of Liver?s lifeblood.

Physiologically San Jiao?governs hormone-producing glands. Hormones are glandular

secretions that alter the activity of other organs and cells in order for them to control the
effectiveness of their activities. The free-flowing blood of Liver?carries the hormones
secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary and other glands. The blood not only carries San
Jiao?s message, but embodies the power of Qi transformation.

Sexual activity requires energy from the Liver?meridian. In orgasm, the Liver meridian draws
energy and substance from other meridians and the body in order to send them to the sexual
partner. One of the source meridians for Liver is San Jiao, which plays a large role in
producing the ovum or sperm. Excessive loss of sperm can drain the San Jiao and leave a
male depleted and fatigued. A woman?s menstrual cycle requires the San Jiao to oversee the
development of the ovum. A healthy and normal menstrual cycle depends on the hormonal
regulation and Primordial Power of San Jiao to produce a fertile ovum. San Jiao is a meridian
of the element Seed, so its relation to sperm and ovum is natural. Sexual function in every
aspect, passive or active, is guided by San Jiao. San Jiao governs the act of creating life.
Excessive Liver sexual activity can deplete the Primordial Power of San Jiao.

Point combinations:

 Lv10, SJ8, SJ10, ST45 & LI3 for somnolence with no desire to move four limbs due to
Yuan Qi?exhaustion. The body-mind is not generating the internal power to manifest
life.
 Lv13, SJ6 & SJ5 for pain in the lateral costal region due to constraint of Qi
transformations in the body.
 Lv3 & SJ4 to stabilize sexual energies.

Liver?supports Small Intestine

The nature of the Liver?is to expand gently and effortlessly. Freedom is the way of the Liver. The
Liver flows without obstruction. However when the Liver overextends itself, its power is spread too
thin. So there has to be a mechanism that will limit the expansion of Liver. Small Intestine?puts limits
on the ever-flowing movement of the Liver. The result is that the power of the Liver can be retained
and conserved. Small Intestine channels the lifeblood of Liver throughout the body.

The action of Small Intestine?to constrict the flow of Liver?is the main mechanism, which leads
to Qi and blood stagnation in the body. When life or one?s own decisions enhances the control of
Small Intestine over Liver. The Small intestine can be like a dam, which stagnates the Liver. The
power of Liver will tend to build up behind the dam and create pressure to push through the dam.
Small Intestine works to channel that pressure for constructive means just like turbine engines in a
dam produce electricity.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a clear condition of Qi stagnation caused by the restricting
effects of Small Intestine?upon the Liver?meridian. The Liver meridian flows to the small intestine
where it can be stagnated resulting in pain in the bowels. IBS is often treated with hypnotherapy and
relaxation techniques to calm down the emotional constraint, which is associated with defense
mechanisms and fears. The Small Intestine meridian becomes excessive in order to deny and
disassociate from the fears. This creates stagnation and pain in the bowels.

As long as the will of the Liver?is not totally dammed up, pressure will not build up inside. By
nature the Liver is easy-going and carefree. The domineering tendency of Small Intestine?may seek
to take advantage of Liver. The important factor to consider is that the freedom of one?s spirit must
be felt.

Society many times places so many conditions and expectations upon an individual that
individual freedom is lost. The person may be a productive citizen but not feel individual freedom.
Liver?must feel individual freedom to express one?s own nature and destiny. That is how the original
vision within a person will be fulfilled. If individual freedom is not allowed or felt, Qi and blood will
stagnate and create pain.

Point combination:
  SI4 & Lv3 to regulate stagnant Liver?Qi pain extending from the hypochondrium to the
upper back.
 SI1 & Lv3 to regulate stagnant Liver?Qi in the breast.

Small Intestine?supports Spleen

The actions of Small Intestine?to harden and set limits establish a basic skeletal structure, which
supports the body. Muscles are able to move the body because they attach to bones. Small Intestine
tends to form structures, which are too rigid and consequently ineffective. The rigidity develops
flexibility with the Spleen meridian. Spleen?has a changeable and mutable nature. Spleen builds
joints between bones. Joints articulate the bones, which gives dexterity and fine motor abilities to
the body.

Rigidity of mind and body shows that the Spleen?meridian is not developing well. This will lead
to Liver?stagnation and excess Liver. Spleen is weak because Small Intestine?is not supporting it.
Liver is in excess because Small Intestine is damming up the Liver. The key to treatment is to relax
the Small Intestine?s control and constriction of Liver, which will allow the development of Spleen.
Qi gong and yoga are relaxing forms of exercise that develop the flexibility of Spleen.

The small intestine organ digests food. The small intestine discerns which foods the body should
absorb. This ability of small intestine to maintain a high standard of quality for digested food is the
foundation for better quality Spleen-Nutritive substance.

It is important that the Small Intestine?is not overloaded with too much food. It is also important
that food be kept simple but complete. This kind of food makes the job of supporting Spleen-
Nutritive substance so much easier for the Small Intestine. If the small intestine rushes food through
too fast onto the large intestine, diarrhea is likely. If food moves too slowly through the small
intestine, constipation is likely. Diarrhea and constipation are usually said to be mainly a Spleen
disorder, but Small Intestine meridian plays a large role too. Constipation and diarrhea indicate that
small intestine is not supporting the production of good quality Spleen-Nutritive substance.

Point combinations:

 Sp2, SI2 & SI3 for pain and heaviness in the bones.
 Sp3 & SI4 for pain in the bones, diarrhea, borborygmus or constipation due to rigidity of
emotions and inflexibility of body.
 Sp4 & SI3 for swelling of face or throat due to deficient Earth energies in the body. Once
the Earth Qi is supported, proper tone of tissue will return.
 Sp5 & SI7 for fright, mania-depression or sad heart due to inflexibility of the mind to
discern the truth.

Spleen?supports Large Intestine

Large Intestine?establishes boundaries and laws. Boundaries have to have the ability to
change and adapt. As well the foundation upon which boundaries are formed have the ability
to adapt. Spleen?gives flexibility to any structure. When the wind blows very hard, trees and
plants bend because of Spleen energy. If their exterior were too rigid, they would break.
 The Spleen?meridian connects to the large intestine organ. When the Spleen energy is weak, the
result can be diarrhea and/or constipation. The Spleen is very involved in the digestive processes of
the Small Intestine?and Large Intestine?meridians.

The integrity of the Large Intestine?is determined by the Small Intestine?and the Spleen. The
authority of the Large Intestine is founded on the determination and discernment of Small Intestine.
The intelligence of that authority is developed by Spleen. It is not enough just to be able to enforce a
law; one needs to know when a specific law applies and when it does not. Spleen gives the ability to
compensate for rigidity in law.

Stating one?s opinions associates with the Large Intestine. If the Large Intestine is founded too
much on Fire energy, Heart and Small Intestine, then one?s opinions become fanatical.

A fanatic is someone who won?t change the subject, and won?t change their mind.

Winston Churchill

The relaxed nature of the Spleen?allows one to change their mind with reason. Studying burdens
the Spleen if done too much, because the mind has to adapt its reasoning and logical assumptions
during studying. The mind bases its opinions upon information it has already come across. When
basic information changes, the mind redevelops its opinions. This mental process relates to how
Spleen develops and reshapes the opinions and beliefs maintained by the Large Intestine.

A Taoist master once read some of the material in this book and could not comment on it,
because, according to this particular Taoist master, a Taoist master can only teach what they have
been taught. In effect, this material was beyond their scope of vision. This is an example of how a
rigid authority based on Small Intestine?discernment, loses the ability to evolve when new
information is made available. When the Spleen?goes weak in a traditional body of knowledge, it
loses its fertility and new seeds will not take root.

A body of knowledge must continually evolve to withstand the forces of evolution. In biology,
when a stress is put upon a balanced ecosystem, the ecosystem will rearrange itself to a higher level
of development in order to incorporate and mitigate the impact of the stress. This process of
rearranging is the basic process of evolution. Life becomes stronger when it acknowledges stress and
adapts to it. Basically traditional knowledge needs to have the capacity to rearrange itself at a higher
level. The goal of knowledge is not to have knowledge to preserve, but to have knowledge to
preserve life.

Point combinations:

 LI11 & Sp10 to cool blood in skin diseases. The Spleen?s deep tissue in the skin, holds
onto the heat, and the Large Intestine?s surface skin tissue is not helping to release the
heat. This point combination is meant to release the heat through the exterior.
 LI4 & Sp8 for acute dysmenorrhoea due to epithelial tissue of uterus not sloughing off.
Tissue is being held on by rigid Wei Qi?of the Large Intestine.
Large Intestine?supports Kidney

The Large Intestine?establishes boundaries in which Kidney?power can be contained. Since

Kidney power tends to flow freely, it would readily leak from the body if there wasn?t an
exterior shell to contain it. As long as Large Intestine meridian is healthy and intact, Kidney
will be astringed.

Physiologically the large intestine organ completes the absorption of fluids into the body
from the digestive process. It is an important organ for maintaining the balance of water in
the body. Needed quantities of water can also be lost from the large intestine, which would
weaken the fluids of Kidney.

Point combinations:

 LI4 & Kd7 for regulating sweating when the Wei Qi?boundary of Large
Intestine?is not astringing the flow of fluids out the exterior of the body properly
or when the release of sweat by the Wei Qi is undermining other activities in the
body.
 Kd3, Kd4, Kd6, LI2 & LI13 for somnolence due to Leakage of Kidney?essence
through some boundaries of the body-mind.
 LI4, LI20, Kd20, Bl12, Du24, Bl2 & Bl67 for rhinitis with clear nasal discharge in
part due to leakage of Kidney?fluids through the external membranes of nose.

Opposite Complements
Liver San Jiao
Jueyin Shaoyang
Wood Seed
Small Intestine Kidney
Taiyang
Shaoyin
Fire
Water
Spleen Large Intestine

Taiyin Yangming

Earth Metal
Here we see the opposite complements of Hand-
yang and Foot-yin.

San Jiao?complements Spleen.

The Spleen?nourishes the body with all the things that it needs to exist. The Spleen makes the
body. Yet the vision for what will be made from the Spleen substance is governed by San Jiao. The
San Jiao completes the Spleen by overseeing the use of the Spleen?s materials. It is the relationship
between a building contractor and the materials that go into a completed building. The final product
from that relationship is a building. Once the building is complete, the contractor picks up the tools
and leaves. The materials are left in the perfected form of a building.

Spleen?represents the Nutritive Qi?obtained from eating, yet the hypothalamus, which is
governed by San Jiao, controls hunger. The San Jiao tells us when to eat. The impulse to eat from the
San Jiao ultimately gets completed by the act of digesting food to nourish Spleen substance.

San Jiao?sits between Liver?and Kidney. The free-flowing blood of Liver carries the hormones
secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary and other glands. The blood carries the messages of the San
Jiao glands throughout the body. These messages tell organs and cells what to do and how to do it.
Spleen?substance then is used to fulfill those messages. The Spleen sits between Small Intestine?and
Large Intestine, which both act like the carpenters that do the actual work on a building. They
directly transform and use the materials of spleen.

Point combinations:

 Sp4, Ren14, SJ1, SJ6 and St41 for sudden turmoil disorder due to maintenance of
body?s construction being undermined. Stability in digestive system is collapsing.
 Sp6, SJ6 & St36 for post-partum dizziness due to weakening of body power base.
Stable power building is weakened. Firmness and tone of body is undermined,
which hinders clear Qi from being raised to the head.
Large Intestine?complements Liver.

This relationship is seen in the common point combination of Lv3 and LI4. This is point
combination activates and ensures the free circulation of Qi and Blood throughout the body.
These points move and disperse lifeblood. Lifeblood is able to reach the exterior and
extremities of the body. Still there is not a rich supply of blood in the epithelial tissue related
to Large Intestine?because blood vessels do not reach there. Waste and other materials must
travel by diffusion to and from the underlying connective tissue. This separation between
blood and epithelial tissue reflects the complement nature of Liver?and Large Intestine.

Large Intestine?sits between Spleen?and Kidney. Spleen is the infrastructure of an object

that maintains the ideal form represented by Large Intestine. Once the ideal form is
established, Water begins to flow as a natural consequence. Water represents the substance
that lives within a form. Liver?sits between San Jiao?and Small Intestine. San Jiao maintains
the homeostatic synergy?that feeds the lifeblood in Liver. Small Intestine then channels that
lifeblood throughout the body. The perfection between Liver and Large Intestine helps a
person live freely as an integral part of society.

Point combinations:

 LI4 & Lv3 to regulate the smooth flow of blood and outward expression of
creative power.
 LI4 & Lv2 to expand Qi and blood, clear heat and treat eyes.
Small Intestine?complements Kidney.
This is another balance between Fire and Water. Small Intestine?functions like the pipes and
plumbing that carry water into a home. Small Intestine governs the ability to direct and channel
energies and substances to a specific place. Wherever we see pipes in the body, the Small Intestine
plays a major role. Arteries, intestines, spinal cord, bones and teeth are all structures that allow
substances to flow within them. Small Intestine governs these. The fluids of Kidney?flow within
these structures. Small Intestine completes Kidney by giving it a canal system by which it can flow to
where it is needed.

Bones is traditionally associated with Kidney, but by defining Small Intestine?more precisely, the
rigidity of Small Intestine is clearly associated with the bones. The bones and skeletal structure
balance and complement the unification process from Kidney power. When bones go soft as in
osteomalacia, the Kidney is dissolving the rigidity of Small Intestine in the bones. There is always a
balance between keeping the bones soft and rejuvenated and keeping them rigid and strong. Teeth
is also more related to Small Intestine, but the ability of the body to form teeth and keep them
healthy is related to the strength of Kidney power. Teeth show the completion of Kidney by Small
Intestine.

Small Intestine?sits between Liver?and Spleen. The free-flowing nature of Liver tends to expand
and keep on expanding. At some point that expansion must be controlled or the expansion will
dissipate its own self. Small Intestine limits the expansion of Liver thereby conserving and
concentrating the power in lifeblood. Small Intestine supports the Spleen by filtering out impure
food from the pure food. Spleen substance gains a higher quality by the actions of Small Intestine.
Kidney?sits between Large Intestine?and San Jiao. Large Intestine captures water from digesting
food. This supports Kidney fluids, which then form the substrate in which San Jiao can perform its
actions of transforming Qi and maintaining homeostatic synergy.

?Point combinations:

 Kd6 & SI17 to treat sore and swollen throat that feels constricted and choked.
 SI2, Kd6 & Lv4 for swelling of the throat due to Small Intestine?accumulating
Yin substance there.

Chapter 22 – The Unification of FOOT-

YANG and HAND-YANG

The Foot-Yang triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yin elements, Gall Bladder, Stomach and
Bladder. The Hand-Yang triangle shows the Yang meridians of the Yang elements, San Jiao, Small
Intestine and Large Intestine.
 Gall Bladder San Jiao
Shaoyang Shaoyang
Wood Seed
Small Intestine
Bladder
Taiyang
Taiyang
Fire
Water
Stomach Large Intestine

Yangming Yangming

Earth Metal
Here we see the unification of the two triangles
according to six-element theory.

When these two triangles merge the

overall sequence of elements around the outside follows the normal order in six-element theory.
The normal order is Wood to Fire to Earth to Metal to Water to Seed.

The meridians alternate between Yang and Yin elements. This reinforces the embrace and
dependency between Yin and Yang Essences.

San Jiao
supports
Gall
Bladder
The Gall
Bladder is the
reservoir of life
energy. It is the
sun shining in
all its
magnanimous
brilliance. The
sun rises and
the Earth is
filled with light.
The sun gives
life to plants
and all living
beings.
Without the
sun, there
would be no Earth, no life. Within each person the sun of the Gall Bladder shines and enlivens. It is
the confidence that there will always be another day, another tomorrow. It is the confidence that
the power of life will outlast.

The great boxer, Muhammad Ali, once got onto an airplane and sat next to a lady, who had a
fear that the plane would crash. Mr. Ali reassured her that nothing would happen to anybody on the
plane because he was aboard. His faith and confidence in his destiny was so strong that he naturally
had an invincible attitude toward life. His Gall Bladder meridian seems to have been very strong.

San Jiao works quietly in the murky depths of deep water, where its vision creates the power of
the sun associated with the Gall Bladder meridian. The light and warmth of the sun is created from
the water’s of San Jiao. The sun can only penetrate the murky depths so far. From below San Jiao
gives power to the light within it. San Jiao continues its work in creating life. The power of life in
lifeblood is stored in the Gall Bladder, mostly by the Pericardium meridian.

Once the generation of lifeblood reaches a point where life power begins to be accumulated, the
process of generation accelerates. The cycle between San Jiao and Gall Bladder is a positive feedback
loop designed to generate more and more lifeblood through homeostatic synergy. The feedback
loop is regulated by the actions of Pericardium and Liver to maintain homeostatic conditions. The
synergy created from homeostasis is the life power stored in Gall Bladder.

Point combinations:

 SJ6 & GB31 to harmonize power, soothe stagnation.

 SJ4 & GB40 to boost courage, clear lateral headaches and harmonize creative
power.
 GB41 & SJ10 for chest pain and heart pain due to weakness of internal harmony.
 GB15 & SJ3 for visual dizziness due to murky thoughts when the light of Gall
Bladder is not reaching the dark recesses of the mind.
 GB34 & SJ6 for rib pain due to cold. Reservoir of life force has weakened
allowing cold to enter.

Gall Bladder supports Small Intestine

Gall Bladder represents the accumulation of creative energy, which is the energy used to create
and activate anything in the body. The main function of Small Intestine is to focus and channel
substances and energies. The accumulated energies of Gall Bladder are focused and concentrated by
the integrity of the Small Intestine Qi. The energies become more accessible if their accumulation
can be controlled. The proper discipline of Small Intestine will conserve vital creative energy.
Without this discipline vital energies will leak out, be squandered and weaken. The abundance and
stability of Gall Bladder’s creative power depends upon the extent to which Small Intestine can
conserve the use of one’s creative potential.

Gall Bladder and Small Intestine are often compared in the way they make decisions. Small
Intestine has the power of discernment, which allows one to make a clear and definite decision.
With discernment the decision is clear in the mind. Gall Bladder gives the courage and forthrightness
to carry through with a decision. Without having courage first, a clear and forthright look at a
problem can’t be made. Then when Small Intestine Qi is weak, a decision can sit in the mind forever
and never be acted upon. Without a clear path, the courage of Gall Bladder will never act upon
anything specific. Therefore Small Intestine and Gall Bladder will work together to make and take
decisions. Gall Bladder first shines its light down a number of paths, and then Small Intestine
chooses which path to take. The discernment of Small Intestine helps to wisely manifest the broad
radiance of the Gall Bladder.

Point combinations:

 SI5 & GB40 to resolve indecision, combine courage with the power to make a
decision, and to empower a person to take control of their own life.
 SI1 & GB41 for swelling in woman’s breast due to stagnation of Qi and lack of
confidence to provide mother’s milk.
 SI5 & GB43 for swelling of jaw with lockjaw due to timidity to speak one’s mind.

Small Intestine supports Stomach

The stomach organ receives food and there the food begins to be broken down for digestion.
The food is then sent to the small intestine organ to be separated into nutritive food and unwanted
food. The Small Intestine has the power of discernment, which gives the small intestine its ability to
filter out the unwanted food particles and absorb what is nutritious to the body. The nutritious food
then gets accumulated in the body’s connective tissues and storage tissues by the Stomach Qi.

Physiologically the matrix of connective tissue represented by the Earth element is the
foundation for the construction of ducts and vessels of all kinds, which are represented by Small
Intestine. Small Intestine relates to Cardinal-Earth in astrology. Ducts and vessels are a canal system
through the body. They organize the movement of fluids, food, blood, nerve impulses and lymph
flow around the body. This canal system is governed and constructed by Small Intestine Qi. The canal
system is constructed as a basis for the matrix of connective tissue that binds and supports the
structure of the body.

Small Intestine governs the construction of bone because Small Intestine forms hollow
structures within which substances can be organized and protected. Blood is produced within bones.
The Stomach’s connective tissue, which is the bulk of the body, is supported by the bones. Small
Intestine is associated with strength, uprightness, rigidity, hardened form and skeleton structures.

Teeth are more related to Small Intestine. The gums around teeth are more related to Stomach.
Stomach-fire is indicated by red, swollen and sore gums. The gums build around the teeth. Loss of
teeth can stem from a weakness in Stomach Qi. Stomach supports Kidney Qi. If Stomach goes weak,
then Kidney Qi, which strengthens teeth, can be weakened. This results in loose teeth. When Small
Intestine Qi is weak, then the hardness of teeth will be weakened.

Point combinations:

 St42, SI3 & Ht7 for mania and desire to run around without clothes on. Stomach
and Small Intestine points work together to control and get a grip on Heart gone
wild.
 SI18 & St6 for pain and inability to chew due to stiffness and contraction of jaw
muscles. Condition stems from an obstructed Small Intestine, which is stagnating
Stomach meridian.
Stomach supports Large Intestine
Stomach represents the connective tissue all around the body that binds and supports all organs.
The connective tissue is the mass and bulk of the body, even fat is stored there. Connective tissue is
highly vascularized in that it has a rich blood supply. The connective tissue of Stomach meridian is
focused on maintaining the overall internal stability of the body. The connective tissue of the body
provides the foundation for the epithelial tissue. The connective tissue must be protected from
external forces. Large Intestine provides that protection with the layer of epithelial cells that cover
all surfaces, internal and external, of the body.

The integrity of Stomach Qi supports the integrity of the Wei Qi related to the Large Intestine Qi.
The Wei Qi organizes and manages the inflow and outflow of substances. Without the outer layer,
the Stomach would lose form and function.

Point combinations:

 LI4 & St44 to clear heat from gums, teeth, ulcers and herpes simplex.
 LI4 & St36 to regulate digestion and to fortify body armor.
 LI10 & St36 to regulate middle burner and to fortify body strength. Aids in
atrophy syndromes.

Large Intestine supports Bladder

The Bladder represents the nervous system extending everywhere around the body. Large
Intestine represents the epithelial tissue covering the body and internal structures. The combination
of epithelial tissue with nervous tissue creates the special sense organs, like smell, vision, touch and
hearing. Consequently these meridians both branch to the ears, eyes and nose.

As the nervous system reaches out to sense the external environment, the Large Intestine is there to
organize the sensations. Basically the extension of the nervous system around the whole body forms
the foundation for the exterior covering associated with Large Intestine.

Point combinations:

 LI1, Bl19 & Bl27 for dry mouth and tongue with difficult ingestion due to
epithelial tissue of upper digestive tract being attacked by dryness.
 LI3 & Bl23 for pain of shoulder and back and wind-invasion. Also for chronic
painful Bi syndrome leading to weakness of Qi and Blood. These conditions are
due to exterior attack affecting the nervous system and free movement of the
body.
 LI5 & Bl19 for fright palpitations due to the nervous system’s inability to process
exterior stimuli.
 LI3, LI4, LI6, Bl60 & Bl66 for rhinitis with nosebleed due to exterior irritation of
epithelial tissue and mucous membranes of nasal passages.
 LI7, LI5 & Bl61 for manic raving and seeing ghosts. The nervous system is
unable to process exterior stimuli and one feels vulnerable to hidden and unseen
forces.
 LI5, LI8, LI9 & Bl60 for manic raving due to same reason as in previous
combination.
 LI8 & Bl40 for wind-damp Bi syndrome due to blockage of circulating exterior
Wei Qi.
  LI10, Bl62 & Bl63 for head wind, visual dizziness and stiffness of neck due to
exterior invasion affecting the brain and nervous system’s ability to process
external stimuli.

Bladder supports San Jiao

San Jiao governs the hypothalamus organ, which sits in the center of the brain. The
hypothalamus is the main control center for the functions and activities of the body-mind.
Supporting the homeostatic functions of the brain is the nervous system, which extends over the
entire body. Bladder meridian circulates the nervous system gathering and relaying messages to the
control center of the body-mind. San Jiao being the main control center requires the Bladder to
maintain the integrity of the nervous system.

Tremors and tics are little nervous twitches seen in many muscles, like around the eyes. These
twitches show that the Bladder meridian is weak and unsupported. The nervous system is losing its
rhythm and harmony. Tradition in Chinese medicine says that a problem with Yuan Qi can lead to
tremors and tics. Yuan Qi is related to San Jiao. Even though tremors and tics are usually said to
result from blood deficiency, a weakness in Yuan Qi can also lead to blood deficiency. But a
weakness in Yuan Qi can directly lead to tremors and tics without any apparent blood deficiency.
This happens when San Jiao is weak from an unstable nervous system. The Bladder meridian deals
constantly with the incredible ‘information age’ in which we live, and this undermines the integrity
of homeostatic synergy associated with San Jiao.

There are huge stresses put on the nervous system in the modern world. Yuan Qi and the
hypothalamus have to work overtime to keep up with these stresses. Any relaxation that supports
the nervous system of the Bladder meridian goes to support and tonify the San Jiao meridian. When
San Jiao harmonizes mood and actions of the body, an inner peace is created, which calms down the
tendency of the Bladder to become hyper and scattered.

Point combinations:

 SJ1, SJ16 & Bl60 for wind dizziness due to overtaxing the nervous system and
overthinking.
 SJ6, SJ8 & Bl66 for sudden loss of voice due to homeostasis being stressed. Inner
anxiety is obstructing the Bladder meridian.
 SJ10 & Bl59 for clonic spasm due to destabilized nervous system.
 SJ16 & Bl15 for suppressed emotional sorrows causing tears.
Opposite Complements
Gall Bladder San Jiao
Shaoyang Shaoyang
Wood Seed
Small Intestine
Bladder
Taiyang
Taiyang
Fire Water
Stomach Large Intestine

Yangming Yangming

Earth Metal
Here we see the opposite complements of Hand-
yang and Foot-yang..

Gall Bladder complements Large Intestine.

When we look at a person, we see their external appearance, which is represented by Large
Intestine. Yet within this appearance we look for spirit and aliveness, which is represented by the
inner glow and light of the Gall Bladder. A person is able to project and radiate their creative life
substance in the exterior form. They inner glow and the exterior form are very different but when
they exist together, it is a thing of real beauty. When they exist together, they have perfected and
completed each other. This is the relationship between the complements of Gall Bladder and Large
Intestine.

Large Intestine sits between Stomach and Bladder. The network of the Bladder’s nervous system
innervates the exterior of every surface and form of the body. Everything communicates its
condition and status. The Large Intestine supports the structure and solidity of Stomach by giving it
an image and form that fulfills the origin ideal of what form the living being will take. Gall Bladder
sits between San Jiao and Small Intestine. Small Intestine establishes the authority of the Gall
Bladder by conserving and concentrating the power of the lifeblood. The power of the Gall Bladder
then nurtures the function of the San Jiao to maintain homeostatic synergy, which builds and feeds
the inner power of Gall Bladder.

There is an interesting note to add about this relationship between Gall Bladder and Large
Intestine. In the deep understanding of Large Intestine, it is seen that it can smell fear from a long
way off. Large Intestine looks for fear and then seeks to attack fear. On the other hand, Gall Bladder
is the base of courage and radiates its own confidence when it is strong. When these energies are in
balance, Large Intestine and Gall Bladder have a stand off because Gall Bladder shows no fear. They
are complements and opposites in a pure sense. If one goes weak, the other will get stronger and
begin to overpower the other.

Point combinations:
  GB34 & LI11 for hemiplegia when inner light not radiating outward.
 GB34, GB41 & LI9 for fullness in the rib area due to holding creative energy
inside.
 GB40, GB39, GB25, LI4, & LI10 for fear due to lack of confidence or confusion.
These points also are used for a person who bullies others and attacks those who
seem weak in their eyes. The Gall Bladder points that are chosen support Kidney.
Kidney is a main mediator between Large Intestine and Gall Bladder.
San Jiao complements Stomach.
San Jiao seeks to stabilize the activities of life in order to create a specific living being with a
specific form. Stomach completes that vision by solidifying substance that can be formed into a
specific being. San Jiao complements Stomach by being the original force that starts the stabilization
of energies towards Earth substance that can be carved into life.

Stomach sits between Small Intestine and Large Intestine. These work together to carve and
form the Earth substance of Stomach. San Jiao sits between Gall Bladder and Bladder. Gall Bladder
supports San Jiao, which transmits the power of the Gall Bladder. The transmissions of San Jiao are
carried throughout the whole body by the communication pathways of the Bladder meridian.

Point combinations:

 SJ4 & St42 to strengthen uterus and stabilize body mass. This is a specific
tonification to aid the body in finding its perfect weight.
 SJ6 & St36 for constipation due to poor diet.
 SJ6, St36 & Sp6 for post-partum dizziness due to destabilized body and weakened
Yuan Qi.
The Small Intestine complements Bladder.
The most straightforward way to see this relationship is by looking at the spine. The Small
Intestine is the bone and tissue structure that protects and guides the central nervous system
running up and down the body. The balance between the structures and the nerve impulses within
those structures must be maintained. These meridians perfect each other’s functions. The point
combination that opens up the Du meridian, which runs up the spine, is SI3 and Bl632. This point
combination confirms the relationship between Small Intestine and Bladder to create the spinal
column.

Small Intestine sits between Stomach and Gall Bladder. Stomach is the reservoir of Earth
substance from which the Small Intestine creates hardened substances like bone and teeth. Stomach
also releases its contents into the small intestine organ. Small Intestine through its actions of
concentration, conservation and filtration empower the Gall Bladder The Bladder meridian sits
between San Jiao and Large Intestine. Bladder connects the primal center of the brain, the
hypothalamus, to the far reaches of the exterior of the body represented by Large Intestine. Bladder
connects the most interior part of the body-mind to the most exterior.

Point combinations:

 SI3 & Bl60 to clear upper back and neck and expel wind. This point combination
strengthens the resiliency of the body’s defense systems. The body is able to
maintain its integrity. These points are also used for making personal decisions.
 The ability to discern what is important amidst volumes of information is a
difficult process in the modern world because of information overload. These
points help deal with information overload.
 SI6 & Bl66 to clear upper back and neck and expel wind. Aids eyes where these
meridians meet.

Chapter 23 ? The Unification of FOOT-YIN

and HAND-YIN

The Foot-Yin triangle shows the Yin meridians of the Yin elements, Wood, Earth and Water. The
Hand-Yin triangle shows the Yin meridians of the Yang elements, Seed, Fire and Metal.

Liver Pericardium
Jueyin Jueyin
Wood Seed
Heart
Kidney
Shaoyin
Shaoyin
Fire
Water
Spleen Lung

Taiyin Taiyin
Here we see the unification of the two triangles
Earth Metal
according to six-element theory.

Note that the sequence of elements is reverse. This

will be discussed in the next chapter. When these two triangles merge the
overall sequence of elements around the outside is actually reverse to the normal order in six-
element theory. The reverse order is Water to Metal to Earth to Fire to Wood to Seed. The reversal
of the normal order of the elements is so extraordinary that the next chapter will be dedicated to
explaining why it happens.
 The meridians
alternate between
Yang and Yin
elements. This
reinforces the
embrace and
dependency between
the Yin and Yang
Essences.

Kidney?supports
Lung

Kidney?of the
Water element
nourishes the
Lung?of the Metal
element in a living
being. Since the
Lung becomes dry
through contact with
air, it must be pre-moistened by the fluids of Kidney in order to function properly. Otherwise,
the tissues controlled by the Lung would be too dry. Lung-Yin deficiency stems from
Kidney-Yin deficiency implying that Kidney fluids support Lung function. The Lung then
takes the fluids of Kidney and disperses them.

The Kidney?governs inhalation, and the Lung?governs exhalation. In this regard,

inhalation occurs first in order for there to be air to exhale.

The Kidney?s are traditionally said to grasp Lung?Qi, which would allow breathing to be
deep and normal. When Kidney?s aren?t able to grasp Lung Qi, conditions such as asthma
occur. It?s not that the Kidney grasps Lung Qi, but that Kidney is not supporting the Lung
function of breathing. When Kidney is weak and can?t support Lung, then breathing,
especially inhaling, becomes weak.? The Lung becomes weak and then is unable to receive
the fluids and essence of Kidney. The skin and mucous membranes become dry. Conditions
such as eczema occur and the Lung struggles to breath. The Kidney supports its mother, the
Lung in order for Lung to function properly in a living being.

Point combinations:

 Lu7 & Kd6 couple for the Ren and Yinqiao meridians. These points help to circulate the
Yin substances of the Kidney throughout the body. This moisturizes and soothes the
irritations of skin, mucosal linings, and tissue in general.
 Lu7 & Kd7 to reconnect Kidney?fluids to Lung?dispersing function. Treats asthma.
  Kd25, Kd27 & Lu3 for inability to catch one?s breath and for difficult breathing where
the Qi won?t descend. One is gasping for air.

Lung?supports Spleen

Lung?supports Spleen. Spleen substance is too heavy and dense to support life, so the
spleen is pre-aerated by the lighter nature of Lung. The Lung cultivates Spleen by moving the
fluids of the lymph system through breathing.

The Lung?moves through the pathways of the body. As the Lung breaths through the
tissues of the body, it is easier for the Spleen?to provide its nutritive substance to the body.

Lung?and Spleen work together to build the body and provide defense for the body. A
fort is designed to withstand attack from an enemy. The provisions and munitions within the
fort relate to Spleen. The walls around the fort relate to Lung. In battle, the wall protects and
supports the integrity of the provisions and makes it more effective to use the provisions
strategically. The provisions go to rebuild and repair the wall when it is damaged. In the
body, the Lung relates to the natural barriers against outside invasion, which are mainly skin
and mucous membranes. Fluids help the defense through tears, saliva, urine and discharges
from the lower orifices. The Spleen relates to nonspecific and specific barriers against
disease, which is the main work of the lymphatic system. Together natural barriers and the
immune system protect the body.

The spleen organ itself is not involved in digestive processes as is traditionally given to
the Spleen?meridian. The spleen organ is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body. Its
main function is to eat bacteria and worn out blood cells. Spleen is the housecleaner of the
body, a function that relates to the typical neatness of Virgo.

Point combinations:

 Lu9 & Sp6 to nourish Lung?with Yin substance and moisten dryness.
 Lu9 & Sp3 to fortify body and enhance endurance. These source points fortify the body
to maintain physical strength and to aid breathing to energize the physical body.
Defense mechanisms are strengthened. Tissue becomes more supple. The muscles and
body tissue vibrate a vitality and energy.
 Lu5 & Sp10 to cool blood in skin diseases. These points help circulate the heat in deep
skin tissue to move it to the exterior for release.
 Lu7 & Sp9 to treat heaviness in urine retention with or without pain.

Spleen?supports Heart

Spleen?supports Heart. The understanding here is that the richness and fertility of the
Spleen cultivate the Fire of the Heart. The muscles of the four limbs wait to be activated by
the Fire of the Heart. Nutritive substance in the body actually increases energy and activity.
The Spleen grounds and anchors Heart activity, so that it can be activated safely.

Normal tradition says that the Spleen?makes blood to support the Heart, but in six-
element terms the Nutritive Qi?of the Spleen circulates with blood in the blood system. The
redness of the blood fuels the Fire of the Heart, but the yellow part of the blood calms and
pacifies the Heart. The yellow part is Spleen Nutritive substance. The Chinese character for
Nutritive substance, Ying, shows a fire over an encampment. This character shows how Fire
is supported by Earth.

During early fetal development the spleen organ actually produces blood cells. When the
body is hemorrhaging, the spleen will actually squeeze like the heart pushing stored blood out
into the cardiovascular system. This is a special way that the Spleen?supports and encourages
proper Heart function.

Point combinations:

 Ht5 & Sp3 to stimulate the mind and increase intellect and concentration. Treats
stuttering and dyslexia.

Heart supports Liver

Heart supports Liver. The understanding here is that the potential energy in the blood of
the Liver cannot be consumed by Fire. The Heart cultivates the power of blood in order to
nourish its mother. So the Heart empowers the blood by pumping it around the body. In
nature Fire would burn Wood. But the heart organ doesn?t consume blood, it moves it,
spreads it around, makes it more available. By pumping blood the Heart insures its peaceful
co-existence with blood.

Fire is transformed into blood?Fire resides in the Heart where it generates blood,
which moistens the whole body.

Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Maciocia, p 49

Anger is usually associated with the Liver, but the Liver is gentle by nature. When the
free-flowing nature of Liver is blocked, energy in the body will back up into the Fire of the
Heart causing an increase in Fire energy. The increase expresses as anger. The Heart drives
and pumps Liver substance. Anger will then be put into the blood of Liver, making it look as
though the Liver is angry. In actuality, the Heart is riled up. The blood is pushed by the Heart.
Then the Blood of Liver will rise to the face causing red flushes on the skin.

Point combinations:

 Ht7 & Lv3 to calm the mind, settle anger, soothe anxiety, calm down anxious blood, and
expand the personal will. Relaxes one?s personal will to aid tolerance and generosity.

Liver?supports Pericardium

Liver?supports Pericardium. The understanding here is that the blood of Liver supports
the Yuan Qi?of Pericardium by rooting it. Otherwise the Yuan Qi would float away or
dissipate. The blood needs Yuan Qi so much that it devotes itself to Yuan Qi. Blood gives
nourishment to Yuan Qi.
 It is taught, ?Qi is the commander of blood, but blood is the mother of Qi?. Blood
nurtures Yuan Qi?in order to insure its co-existence with all other energies of the body. Yuan
Qi oversees the creation of life in a woman?s womb. Yuan Qi oversees the development of a
healthy baby. The power of Yuan Qi in a pregnancy must be nourished. Blood supports the
whole process by nourishing the fetus through the umbilical cord. In this way, Liver?blood
supports the Yuan Qi function of nurturing and forming a child.

The Liver?is free and confident. The Liver expands horizons, opens up opportunity. Liver
gives the sense of freedom with which to live. Through sexual intercourse, an egg is
fertilized. The Liver guides the substances in sex. After sex, the nesting instinct of a mother,
which is associated with the Pericardium, becomes an urge. The freedom of Liver to roam
independently has become the mother who seeks a home and stability to raise the young.

Point combinations:

 Pc6 & Lv3 for stagnation due to constrained and blocked emotions. Calm the mind.
 Pc7 & Lv3 to settle emotions after the break-up of a loving relationship.
 Pc3 & Lv3 to clear heat from blood in skin diseases. This condition is due to heat
accumulating in the blood because of a stagnation of Pericardium Qi. The Liver needs to
be reinforced, while the Pericardium needs to be unblocked.
 Pc6 & Lv13 for hypochondriac distension and fullness due to Pericardium Qi stagnation.

Pericardium?supports Kidney

The understanding here is that the fluids of Kidney?flow into the space of the
Pericardium. The transformative actions of Pericardium depend on fluids. The Kidney is the
mother of the Pericardium. Yet the Pericardium watches over the fluids and takes care of
them. The Pericardium monitors thirst levels, blood volumes and fluid levels. In this way the
Pericardium cultivates the fluids, which insure its existence.

The Pericardium?seeks to maintain the health of the personal needs of an individual.

Kidney?on the other hand, through its capacity to embrace everything, seeks to take care of
the needs of other individuals. The Kidney meridian can be drained in healing work, because
the healer through empathy uses Kidney meridian energy. In order for healers to effectively
support the compassionate giving nature of Kidney Qi, their own needs must be met and
taken care of. Pericardium will do this. Therefore when Pericardium supports Kidney, this
ensures that an individual will take care of him/herself before they seek to help others. In this
way, healers will be more effective.

Point combinations:

 Kd7 & Pc6 for insomnia from unsettled and confusing emotions. Helps to clarify vague
feelings and unclear commitments in relationships.
Opposite Complements
Liver Pericardium
Jueyin Jueyin
Wood Seed
Heart
Kidney
Shaoyin
Shaoyin
Fire Water
Spleen Lung

Taiyin Taiyin

Earth Metal
Here we see the opposite complements of the
unification of Hand-yin and Foot-yin.

Liver?complements the Lung.

It?s interesting to note that some physicians of acupuncture say that the Wei Qi?is originally
formed in the blood. This view describes the relationship between Liver?and Lung. Wei Qi is a
perfection of Liver?s lifeblood. Wei Qi can be seen as the external movement and expression of the
internal lifeblood. Lifeblood seeks to become something. Lung manifests the blood?s potential to
become something. Both these meridians want to manifest an outward expression of life. Liver
manifests a passive outward expression. Lung manifests an active outward expression. It is in this
way that these two meridians complement each other.

Liver?sits between Heart and Pericardium. The Heart supports its mother the Liver by pumping
blood around the body. The flow of blood then allows the heat of the Heart meridian to be available
throughout the entire body. Liver supports Pericardium. The blood supports the Yuan Qi?by rooting
it so that it does not float away. Blood gives weight to Yuan Qi. Lung?sits between Kidney?and
Spleen. Kidney moistens the dryness of Lung so that it can maintain and support the exterior surface
of the body. The surface has the risk of drying out so Kidney helps the exterior from being damaged
from outside forces. The Lung lightens the heaviness of the Spleen so that the Spleen is more
available to support life.

Point combinations:

 Lu11, Lu8 & Lv3 for rattling sound in throat due to excess in Wei Qi?as
compared to strength of blood.
Pericardium?complements Spleen.
These both want to manifest stability. Pericardium?wants to manifest an active stability, while
the Spleen?wants to manifest a passive stability. The active stability of Pericardium is seen in
homeostatic synergy. The passive stability of Spleen is seen in the tissue mass of the physical body.
These two meridians complement each other?s form of stability.
 Pericardium?sits between Liver?and Kidney. Liver roots and supports its mother the
Pericardium. The Pericardium then supports its mother the Kidney by guiding it and caring for it. The
Pericardium monitors the condition of the fluids of the Kidney. Spleen?sits between Lung?and Heart.
The Lung increases the availability of Spleen substance by aerating it. The Lung nourishes its mother
the Spleen. The Spleen then nourishes its mother the Heart by giving it a nourishing environment.
This is necessary for the heart because it expends a lot of energy. The heart is so selfish that it
requires the unselfish service of the spleen.

Point combinations:

 Pc6 & Sp4 are the coupled points for Chong and Yinwei meridians; Stabilizes
middle burner Qi; treats nausea, stomachache and abdominal pain. Treats chest
pain.

Heart complements Kidney.

This relationship centers on the balance between Fire and Water at the most rudimentary level.
Fire and Water complement each other by being so extremely different. The original blast of fire
energy that leads to life is perfected in the nature of water. Fire energy eventually becomes water.
Likewise through the transformational phases of Seed and Wood, Water will become Fire. Water
and Fire are the most basic fundamental elements that constitute life.

Heart sits between Spleen?and Liver. The heat of the Heart must descend to warm the lower
part of the body. As the Spleen nourishes the Heart heat, Liver spreads the warmth through the
blood. In this way, warmth is carried around the body. Kidney?sits between Pericardium?and Lung.
Pericardium nurtures and monitors the quality of Kidney fluids. The Lung then mists those fluids so
that they can be dispersed around the body.

Point combinations:

 Ht7 & Kd3 to harmonize Heart and Kidney?and reconnect their expressions.
 Ht6 & Kd7 to stop night-sweating and aid Kidney?Yin to settle a restless Heart.
 Ht7 & Kd9 to settle Heart and nourish Kidney?when emotionally unsettled.

Chapter 24 - Reversing the Cycle of the Six

Elements by the Yin Meridians

We need to take a special look at the previous chapter, in which the Yin meridians of the
Feet and Hands unified. When they unify, the normal sequence of the elements is reversed.
Even though this may seem improper, there is a tremendous wisdom behind it.
 Liver Pericardium
Aristotle saw a way to distinguish
Wood Seed ‘living’ from ‘non-living’ beings. He saw
that a living being can be defined as any
Heart Kidney thing that has the ability to change its
own form and function. On the other
Fire Water hand, a non-living being can be defined
as any thing whose form and function
can only be changed by external forces
Spleen Lung acting upon it. This distinction is a wise
one.
Earth Metal
When we observe all natural forces
like lightning, wind, rain, landslides, and
When Hand-yin unifies with Foot-yin, the sequence
volcanic eruptions, we see that they
of elements is reverse to the normal order found
behave like non-living things. They
within six-element theory.
change each other but don’t show the
ability to change themselves. The basic interactions between the elements in five-element
theory show that the elements act upon each other in the same way that non-living elements
do. This is seen in the control cycle of five-element theory, where balance is achieved by
forces acting upon other forces. Control cycles reflect how non-living beings are shaped and
formed by other external elements acting upon them.

But to understand how forces behave within living beings, we must come to understand
how the forces are able to change their own form and redefine themselves. This is a different
process than is described by 5-element theory.

All the natural forces of the environment become integrated within a self-sustaining living
entity. This is a prerequisite of life. The natural forces will no longer be independent of each
other once they are unified within a living being. They become dependent and integrated with
each other. They have to communicate with each other and work together to secure their
proper expression within the whole. The matrix of the spherical meridian flow shows this
integration of the elements.

In a living being a natural force must have the ability to determine its own form and
function in order to be considered alive. The spherical meridian pattern has unified natural
forces in such a way that allows them to live as one being.

In regards to the Yin meridians of hand and foot, it was seen that the normal sequence of
elements was reversed. The reverse sequence is Water to Metal to Earth to Fire to Wood to
Seed and back to Water. This reversal allows elements to control their formation.

The wisdom of reversing the element cycle is brilliant. The forces of nature are unified in
a way that allows these forces to control their own formation. By reversing the normal
sequence of the elements, each element can then cultivate and take care of its mother
element. By cultivating its mother element, each element is able to influence its own
formation. It is simple and brilliant.
 The mother element generates its child element. In living beings the child is able to
influence its own development. The child element communicates its needs to its mother
element. The mother element then responds by generating its child in a refined and living
way.

Even more, the child element is able to influence its own evolution. This points to a deep
mystery of evolution. Offspring actually have some control over the evolutionary process. In
this sense, there would be various degrees to which offspring can influence evolution. We
may find that at some point in the future, the offspring exert a tremendous control over the
evolution on this planet.

An example of how a child element influences its own development can be seen between
the elements of Wood and Seed in relation to Liver-Qi stagnation in premenstrual syndrome.
Liver-Qi relates more to the expression of the element Seed in six-element theory. Liver-
blood relates to the element Wood. In clinical practice Liver-Qi stagnation can be due to
Liver-blood deficiency. When Liver-blood is sufficient, Liver-Qi can move and regulate the
body. When Liver-blood is deficient, Liver-Qi lacks support to move, loses its root and
begins to stagnate from deficiency.

In this example, Liver-blood is seen as the root of Liver-Qi. Or in other words, Blood is
the root of Qi. This is just like saying that Wood supports Seed. This example shows the
reverse of the normal cycle where Seed is the mother supporting Wood. Yet in a living being,
there exists this mutual support and rooting between elements. This is a powerful way to
harmonize and unify the elements.

Once unified, the elements of nature come to know and respect their mother elements,
which generate them. And the mother elements come to know the children they support. In
this way their destinies are insured and evolution of living beings can progress wisely.

It is as if the rain has learned to cultivate the air that carries it; or that the mountains have
learned to cultivate the molten lava that creates them; or that the ocean has learned to
cultivate the rivers that feed it; or that the atmosphere has learned to cultivate the earth that
breathes it into existence.

The deep truth is that life learns to cultivate the Primordial Power that gave it life in the
first place. This special process is only found in living conscious beings.

The reversal of the elements is natural. It distinguishes a living being from a non-living
being. The reversal is made possible only by the special unification of the elements into the
spherical meridian flow.

The spherical pattern teaches a powerful lesson by reversing the normal flow of nature’s
forces. It is the ultimate lesson of life on Earth. It is a lesson of permanence, evolution and
immorality. It is a lesson that marks the difference between the independent chaotic forces of
nature and the wise unification of those forces to develop life. It is the utmost lesson of
wisdom; learn to be humble and to care for that which supports you. It is a lesson of how to
take good care of the planet and people that give us life. We should cultivate the Earth instead
of simply taking from it.
 By taking good care of the planet and the environment, a living being insures its
existence. If we ravage resources, we undermine the support for our lives. If we cultivate our
resources, we insure support for our lives and for future generations. If we don’t cultivate our
mother Earth, then according to the wise principle of the spherical flow, we head down a path
of lifelessness.

“Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.”

The meaning of this ancient saying is that we should support that which we would have
support us. That is the lesson of the reversing of the normal flow of nature’s forces. It is only
through this lesson that life and consciousness can form and change its own self. It is only
through this lesson that we can distinguish ourselves as living beings from non-living beings.
Either there is inner chaos, or there is peace within. The spherical matrix unifies the forces of
nature thus insuring that peace comes first.

From the first moment of existence, one’s Heart is in a place of the most absolute
calm (it is free of all desire); Heaven creates it in this state. Soon external objects
act on it and produce diverse movements; these are desires that add themselves to
its nature (to its original state).

In the presence of external objects, one has the faculty (or the desire) to know them;
when one knows them, one experiences feelings of attraction for some and feelings
of revulsion for others. If one does not master these feelings, one lets oneself be
drawn towards external things and becomes incapable of returning within oneself
(and regulating the movements of the Heart); one loses the good tendencies one
has received from Heaven.

Liji, Yueji, Rooted in Spirit, p. 47

This quote says it all. We must be conscious not to let external factors change our original
and pure nature. We must return to that which gives us life in order to insure our lives.
Returning to the source within is an essential part of the natural expression of life: just like
reversing the order of the elements with the Yin meridians is part of the natural harmony of
the spherical flow. There is much wisdom in all this.

If we allow the desires and forces of the external world to shape our own Hearts, we may
as well be lifeless. Only through cultivating our own Hearts and the spiritual source of our
lives, are we truly alive.
 Chapter 25 - The Polarity of the Six
Divisions

In meridian theory there are six divisions: Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin and

Jueyin. Each division is one long meridian that consists of two meridians linked together. The two

meridians that link up in each division are different than those that pair up in the elements.

Divisions Meridians from Yin Meridians from Yang

Elements Elements

Yangming Stomach – (earth) Large Intestine – (metal)

Taiyang Bladder – (water) Small Intestine – (fire)

Shaoyang Gall Bladder – (wood) San Jiao – (seed)

Taiyin Spleen – (earth) Lung – (metal)

Shaoyin Kidney – (water) Heart – (fire)

Jueyin Liver – (wood) Pericardium – (seed)

No element theory has ever been able to incorporate the unique meridian pairings of the six

divisions into its system of relationships. One cannot see the six divisions in the 5-pointed star of

five-element theory or in the six-pointed star of six-element theory. But the spherical meridian

flow displays the six divisions in a profound and impressive way.

 In the spherical meridian flow the two meridians of each division are seen as polar opposites of

each other. This means that the other meridian of the division is found on the complete opposite

side of the spherical flow.

This polar symmetry of the six divisions is completely hidden within the two-dimensional
geometry of six-element theory. By expanding six-element theory to the three dimensions of the
spherical flow, the hidden polar symmetry is revealed.

The discovery that the six divisions formed the polar opposites on the spherical flow was
unexpected and occurred a year after first seeing the spherical flow. Finding this polar relationship
within the spherical meridian flow was an enormous confirmation of the flow. It is simply fascinating
to see that the six divisions were completely and uniquely interrelated with the element
relationships. The detail is astounding. The polar relationship itself created a new understanding of
just what the nature of the six divisions is. They are not creative cycles as seen in element theories,
but they have their own expression, which can only be understood by contemplating on the nature
and origin of the polar relationships.
 In order to understand the polar relationship between the two meridians of each division, we
need to make sense of a contradiction. On one hand, the meridians are as far apart as possible on
the spherical flow. On the other, the two meridians of a division form one long meridian between
fingers and toes. For example the Taiyin meridian goes from the big toe all the way to the thumb,
because the Spleen and Lung meridians make one long meridian. So on one hand the meridians are
very separate but on the other hand, they are more intimately connected with each other than with
any other meridian.

If you hold a ball in your right hand and look in a mirror, the reflection is holding the ball in its
left hand. If you move, the reflection will move. If you throw the ball to your right, the reflection will
throw the ball to its left, but in the same direction you threw it.

If you place your right hand and your left hand in a prayer position with the palms together, then
take your right hand and put it on a mirror, the reflection forms the prayer position with your right
hand. This is how the polar relationships express on the spherical flow.

This reflective relationship gives new insight into the question, “what is the sound of one hand
clapping?” The six divisions each form one meridian but these meridians have two sides. For
example, the contrast between Spleen and Lung within the Taiyin meridian allows the Taiyin
meridian to clap. The Taiyin meridian is one meridian in itself. That must be understood. But it must
be understood that the two sides of the Taiyin meridian are distinguishable.

The two polar meridians of a division express as one meridian. One difference between them is
that one of them is rooted in Yin Essence, and the other rooted in Yang Essence. Another difference
is that they have distinct connections to the other meridians of the spherical flow. Even though the
two meridian halves of a division are distinct and independent, they are still the same meridian.

Take for example the Jueyin meridian. Here the Liver and Pericardium meridians join at the
breasts to form one meridian. In the course of the Jueyin meridian not only does the Liver flow
upward into the Pericardium meridian, but that the Pericardium also flows into the Liver meridian.
They share experience with each other as one meridian. The Pericardium behaves very differently
than the Liver, but their separate experiences can’t be isolated from each other. The Pericardium
responds to every experience of the Liver and vice versa.

The six polar opposites represent a developing truth about the universe. Some mathematicians
now say that the universe has an edge in the shape of a dodecahedron, which is similar to the shape
of a soccer ball. Opposite sides of the universe are connected. So if we were to reach pass through
one edge of the universe, we would reappear at the polar opposite edge. It would be like when one
reaches the extreme edge of Lung meridian; one reappears at the opposite edge of the Spleen
meridian, since they form the Taiyin division.

It is possible to state that there are only six meridians in the body, corresponding to each of the
six divisions. It can then be said that each of these six meridians has two halves; each half
diametrically opposed to the other. One half is rooted in Yin Essence and the other in Yang Essence.
The two halves meet in the middle forming one meridian.
 If one were to treat a disharmony in the Yangming meridian, the choice can be made to treat the
Yang Essence half, the Yin Essence half or both halves. According to the spherical flow, it is beneficial
to treat both halves, because this gives balance and unity to the meridian. As well this method
further strengthens the embrace of Yin and Yang Essences.

It is common practice that when treating a meridian, the meridian that is paired by division is
also treated. Pericardium is often treated for Liver stagnation. Large Intestine is often treated for
stomachache. San Jiao is often treated for hypochondriac Gall Bladder pain. Small Intestine is often
treated for back problems. This method of point selection confirms that each division is one
meridian and that both halves of the meridian affect each other.

In using the spherical model for meridian diagnosis, the polar reflection of the divisions through
the center of the sphere is combined with the Sheng generation around the surface of the sphere.
This integration greatly increases and enhances the meridian pathways that can be used for
assessing the movement of stress through the meridian landscape. This specific polar dynamic of the
six divisions plays an important role in applying the spherical model to acupuncture treatments.

In the previous section we saw how the four basic triangles of meridian theory merge into the
spherical flow. But the polar symmetry of the six divisions is a completely different perspective of
meridian theory all together. The fact that the six divisions have a unique and distinct symmetry
within the overall spherical flow not only is a confirmation of the spherical flow but also helps to
describe the precise mechanism by which the six divisions behave. That mechanism is one of stark
contrast, as it were. With diametrically opposed poles, the universe is unified.

Shaoyin - Heart & Kidney

This most basic of all contrasts is found in the constitution of a person. The contrast is between
fire and water. The creation of life must pass through the harmonizing of fire and water. If these two
cannot be harmonized, there will be no life. The fire of the Heart relates to the individual as a
separate entity able to survive on its own. The water of the Kidney relates to the non-separateness
of an individual. We are all part of one whole. In a sense none of us are separate from anything.
These two represent real aspects of a living being. The individual fire of the Heart is reflected and
contrasted by the non-individualistic mist of the Kidney. This is a huge contrast but one that must be
reconciled in order for there to be life.

Point combinations:

 Ht7 & Kd3 to balance Heart and Kidney and calm the mind.
 Ht6 & Kd7 to regulate night sweating and reconnect Yin and Yang.
 Ht7 & Kd9 to harmonize Heart and Kidney, nourish Kidneys and calm the mind. When
fire and water struggle for control of the mind and body, Heart and Kidney point
combinations help to calm the mind greatly.
Taiyang - Small Intestine & Bladder
The Bladder is easy-going and curiously open to all things. The Small Intestine is stiff and narrow-
minded in comparison. Their contrast is seen in the walking of one’s path. The Bladder tends to stray
from the path because it looks around to see what is going on. The Small Intestine tends to stay on
the path because it is focused on the path. This contrast actually makes it possible for someone to
walk their path through life. There is a difference between knowing one’s path and walking one’s
path. Knowing one’s path does not mean that one will walk the path. Walking one’s path does not
mean that one knows one path either. The contrast between Bladder and Small Intestine is made
when our life takes on a destiny or a purpose. Staying on the path to our destiny is as important as
being able to see the landscape through which our paths cross. The landscape determines the path
as much as the path flows with the terrain of the landscape. Going straight up a mountain is not
always the easiest or best way to reach the top. Finding the path through the landscape which leads
to our destiny is important. Bladder relates to reading the landscape. Small Intestine relates to
keeping the path oriented toward the destiny. The two make an important and basic contrast.

Point combinations:

 SI2 & Bl64 for superficial visual obstruction as it relates to seeing one’s path through the
confusing and ever-changing landscape.
 SI3 & Bl60 to harmonize the rising and descending of Qi and expel wind as it relates to
the effects of the outer landscape on one’s self-integrity and self-determination.
 SI6 & Bl66 for same condition as in previous example.
 SI3 & Bl62 for regulating the spine as the spine gives one the ‘Backbone” to stand their
ground and walk their path against the winds and forces that seek to take them off their
path. These points build resolve and the capacity to walk one’s path.
 SI5 & Bl58 for dizziness and eye pain that effects clarity and focus.
 SI6 & Bl10 for blurring of vision due to lack of discernment which is an ability governed
by Small Intestine.

Shaoyang - Gall Bladder & San Jiao

The Gall Bladder represents the depth of the light within the sun. San Jiao represents the depth
of the water in the ocean. The sun is bright. The depth of the ocean is murky. These are two extreme
contrasts of life, but they reflect each other. The extreme depth of one is reflected in the other’s
extreme depth.

Point combinations:

 GB31 & SJ6 to expel wind and eliminate stagnation when the deep powers of the body
are blocked and unable to support circulation of Qi and blood.
 GB44 & SJ1 for deafness due to one’s spirit being drowned in the depths of the soul. One
goes within themselves and loses contact with the world.
 GB15 & SJ3 for visual dizziness due to weakness of the light shining from the eyes. Gall
Bladder relates to the light that shines from the eyes in order to light up the world
around us.
 GB2 & SJ5 for impaired hearing and deafness due to one’s hearing being immersed in
the murky depths of the San Jiao.
 GB39 & SJ6 for wandering painful obstruction due to weakening resources of Qi and
Blood in the body.
Jueyin - Liver & Pericardium
The Liver likes to roam the world sharing in the many expressions of culture. Pericardium likes to
stay at home where it feels comfortable surrounded by its own familiar culture. These two
expressions make an extreme contrast. The freedom to explore the world is best contrasted by the
comfort of one’s own home. The two reflect each other.

Point combinations:

 Pc6 & Lv3 to move Liver Qi, release suppressed emotions.

 Pc7 & Lv3 to calm the mind so that there is balance in the energy and enthusiasm to live.
 Pc3 & Lv3 to clear heat and cool blood in skin diseases.

Taiyin - Spleen & Lung

The Spleen is the pure substance within any form. The Lung is the form that the pure substance
takes on. Form must have substance. Substance must have form. It is actually hard for some people
to see the difference between substance and form because they are so closely linked. But truly they
make a very clear contrast. For example, a sand castle is beautiful because it is pure form made from
the pure substance of the open sand of a beach. The sand relates to the Spleen. The form of the
sand castle relates to the Lung.

Point combinations:

 Sp3 & Lu9 to tonify Qi when substance and form are weakened. These points balance
the structural form of our body and our life so that we can function within our niche in
society.
 Sp10 & Lu5 to cool blood, especially when the skin is affected.
 Sp2 & Lu8 for fever with absence of sweating due to heat being tramped in the
substance of the body and not being able to move out through the skin.

Yangming - Stomach & Large Intestine

This is the contrast between structure and design. Stomach relates to structure. Large Intestine
relates to design. The structure of any object shows its internal integrity. The design of any object
shows its external usefulness and purpose. The structure must support the design. As well the design
honors and does justice to the quality of the materials used. These two reflect a basic contrast within
any manifestation of life.

Point combinations:

 St36 & LI4 to harmonize the rising and descending of Qi in digestion.

 St36 & LI10 as a general tonic combination for atrophy syndromes when structure and
design are being weakened.
 St43 & LI11 to expel wind-damp-heat painful obstruction syndrome.
 Chapter 26 - Unified Theory of Meridian
Dynamics
Unified Integration of Independent Principles

The spherical meridian flow describes the specific relationships between all 12 individual
meridians, whereas six-element theory is only able to describe the relationships between six
elements. In the spherical flow each meridian has its own place. Therefore the complexity of
meridian dynamics is much more all-embracing in the spherical meridian flow.

Apart from embracing the total complexity of meridian relationships, the spherical flow
integrates all the distinct aspects of meridian theory into one pattern: element sequences, six
divisions, Yin/Yang theory, meridian complements, Foot and Hand meridians, and more that
won’t be covered in this book. This integration is very powerful,

The spherical flow streamlines meridian theory by unifying all the diverse principles into one
seamless pattern. Current meridian theory is not integrated. I have seen students get so
confused in classes of meridian theory when they see that the diverse principles are not
integrated. And then when their questions are not answered clearly, they end up having to
rationalize the confusion.

The diverse principles of meridian theory are all valid; it’s just that they don’t integrate into
the same pattern. For example, the six divisions have a unique perspective. Six-element
theory has its own unique perspective. During diagnosis one is compelled to juggle a variety
of views in order to determine the cause of the stress in the meridians. One must pinpoint
which principle directly caused the imbalance. Is it a Yin/Yang imbalance? Is it an element
imbalance? Is it an imbalance in the 6 divisions? Is it a control cycle imbalance? Isolated
perspectives like these fracture the wholeness of meridian theory.

In contrast, the spherical flow is like juggling one ball, because every perspective is
intimately contained within the same pattern of relationships. Juggling between one
perspective and another is seamless.

The theory of the six divisions came about because a doctor realized their existence. He
couldn’t explain his insight with existing theories. And now the spherical flow shows the
polar relationship of them in 3-dimensional space. With the spherical flow we can appreciate
the extraordinary insights within the long tradition of Chinese medicine. The total integration
of the six divisions within the spherical flow is simply a major breakthrough. The six
divisions are now a very unique aspect of the whole meridian picture. This integration has
advantages for diagnosis and treatments.

New theories are first of all necessary when we encounter new facts, which cannot be
“explained” by existing theories. But this motivation for setting up new theories
is, so to speak, trivial, imposed from without. There is another, more subtle motive
of no less importance. This is the striving toward unification and simplification of
the premises of the theory as a whole.
 Albert Einstein, Scientific American, April 1950

The wholeness of meridian theory is completely unified in the spherical flow. All the distinct
aspects of meridian theory have blended into this one 3-dimensional pattern. In the spherical
flow we can draw an imbalance. Then without changing the drawing, we can discuss the
imbalance from every perspective of meridian theory. The spherical flow offers a unified and
simplified vision of meridian dynamics.

For example, let’s say that a practitioner of acupuncture has determined that the Stomach
meridian is the root of the illness. The practitioner then goes to the spherical flow and
visualizes him/herself in the position of the Stomach meridian on the spherical flow. The
practitioner then looks around the sphere to see all the various pathways that lead to and from
the Stomach meridian. With knowledge of the unique symptoms and signs of the illness, the
practitioner can visually trace how the illness developed from the Stomach out to other
meridians by following pathways in the spherical flow.

During diagnosis, the diverse complexity of meridian theory is simplified. The result is an
effortless switch between various principles. By simply following the pathways through and
around the spherical flow, one confidently accesses all the various principles of meridian
theory at the same time. One doesn’t even need to be conscious of that. It becomes natural
and second-nature to move through the pathways of the spherical flow knowing that no
aspect of meridian theory is being left behind. The spherical flow is the one all-inclusive
comprehensive pathway of all meridian theory. All the symmetries in the spherical flow are
perfect, consistent and complete within themselves.

In Albert Einstein’s theories, the creative spark was the idea of symmetry. A
symmetric object remains the same even if it is transformed: reflected, rotated,
distorted… The idea is that the more symmetrical the equations are, the more
phenomena they encapsulate.

Scientific American, September 2004

The geometric symmetries of the spherical flow are extreme. We can differentiate them into
specific principles, but eventually we come to know the spherical flow as one complete
pathway: a pathway of harmony, adventure, stability and diversity. It is good to seek the
holistic unity of purpose of the spherical flow, where the spherical flow beats as one heart
with one common purpose, with one common harmony.

Einstein searched for a “Unified Field Theory of Physics”, but never found it. Physicists and
mathematicians are still looking. The spherical flow presented in this book can be seen as the
“Unified Field Theory of Metaphysics”. If it can shed light on the search for the Unified Field
Theory of Physics, that would be wonderful.
 Chapter 27 - Homeostatic Synergy &
Comfort Zones
Comfort Zones

Comfort zones are loosely defined as conditions in which people feel comfortable. When
people find themselves outside of their comfort zones, they become stressed. To live outside
of one’s comfort zone requires effort.

Conditions outside a comfort zone put stress on homeostasis. Thus, comfort zones are very
useful for detecting problems in homeostasis, and as such the causes of disease.

A comfort zone defines certain limits, which serve to protect our homeostatic synergy.
Comfort zones are natural and essential to survival. The idea is that if we live within those
limits, we will increase our homeostatic synergy. Likewise, we will have more power to
withstand stresses.

Comfort zones not only protect us against real threats, like a forest fire, but also against
imagined threats, as seen in phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Imagined threats
are not things that would normally disrupt homeostasis, but the person imagines they will.
For example, a person may have a phobia of bird feathers. Whenever they see one, they go
into a panic attack. It would seem irrational but it is rational because the person experienced
something in the past. The comfort zone remembers the experience and is triggered by the
bird feather.

Comfort zones do not monitor themselves as to whether they are realistic and rational. They
are designed for survival on a moment’s notice. They simply follow orders either from the
subconscious, from the neuro-endocrine feedback loops, or from learned behavior.

However, a comfort zone that is too strict or too loose will most likely lead to problems. But
knowing the “balance” of a comfort zone is a very tricky endeavor, because they have a
certain amount of vulnerability. Vulnerability implies an innate ability to adapt to abnormal
conditions when the need arises. Vulnerabilities in homeostatic synergy are not usually
openly apparent. So to criticize another’s comfort zone is not helpful, until you come to
understand their internal vulnerabilities.

Case Study

Woman, 27, was in car accident 14 years earlier. While she was standing by the street, a car
hit her. She was told that she flew 100 feet. She was in a coma for weeks. She became quiet
passive after the accident. Now her periods would come every 6 to 8 weeks. She felt soreness
in her lower back. Her right shoulder was always stiff and sore. The car hit her on the right
side. She gets confused easier, but somehow it makes sense to her that things don’t make
sense. She was more receptive and vulnerable to external influences. When talking her eyes
would occasionally roll up and backward in what looked as if she was entering a trance state.

I asked her to relax her arm completely while I moved it slowly in circles, up and down. The
muscles in her arm unconsciously resisted the movement. The resistance was very noticeable.
She could not control it. She could not let her arm completely relax.

Her wrist pulses told me much more. As my ring finger touched her kidney pulse, a low
electrical buzz vibrated up through my whole finger. It felt like touching a low voltage
electrical outlet. My finger started to cramp a little. I listened to the sensation in my finger
and it helped me understand the expression of her ailment.

Diagnosis

As a result of the accident, her kidney energy was devastated. To compensate for the weak
kidney, the bladder and small intestine channels went on hyper-alert status. These two
meridians are complement opposites to Kidney.

She had been taken by complete surprise 14 years earlier and was not going to let it happen
again. Her body redirected Qi into the bladder channel because the bladder is the best at
scanning the environment and picking up on every little detail. It then communicates quickly
to the body.

Qi was directed into the Small Intestine channel because it is the best at defending the
vulnerabilities of the kidney. The small intestine is like a security force that protects and
defends. The small intestine was the Qi causing her arm to resist free and natural movement.
Her subconscious just could not trust me to move her arm. It kept thinking that if it
relinquished control, something bad would happen.

Her comfort zone of relaxation disappeared because of the accident. She was unable to let
down her guard. This is common with post-traumatic syndrome.

Treatment

Needles were placed in Wangu, SI4, Small Intestine source point to clear the small intestine
channel of obstruction. She instantly felt the soles of her feet start to burn she said. This
sensation was due to the complementary relationship between kidney and small intestine. The
treatment then proceeded with a meridian massage on the feet and calves to work out
soreness.

As she sat up from the table, a spot behind her left ear became painful and she squinched. I
saw this as a blockage in the small intestine. I asked her to lie back down. Then I held her
head in my hands and asked her to relax her head completely while I slowly moved her head
back and forth. Her head resisted the movement. I rubbed Jianwaishu, SI 14, because even
with just a little pressure it was very sore. The soreness subsided and then her head began to
move freely. A few gentle pops were heard in the musculature as tension released. She
remarked how good it felt that her head was able to move freely.

She bounced off the table with a smile. She left remarking how great she felt. Yet I knew a
lot more time would be needed to relax her subconscious.
The process of adjusting a comfort zone in order to maintain homeostatic synergy is a natural
reaction to changes in the environment. It is a profound process. An example of this is found
in the aborigine of Australia. Some aborigine can consciously lower their core body
temperature in order to survive a cold night under the stars. In the morning the sun warms
their bodies back up again. That is a powerful example of how conscious adaptation of a
comfort zone preserves homeostatic synergy.

Many people can’t feel homeostatic synergy, let alone know that it even exists. As such, it
would be impossible for them to consciously make adjustments to external or internal
stresses. Normally people aren’t apt to change their comfort zones or physiology. Their first
response is to directly resist a stress rather than adapt their own homeostasis. Consequently
many people in the world could not survive a cold Australian night in the outback. Adjusting
a comfort zone to preserve homeostatic synergy requires wisdom and will power.

To sense homeostatic synergy as it weakens or strengthens takes awareness and reflection.

When homeostatic synergy is the ultimate goal of one’s thoughts and actions, then one will
make appropriate adjustments to their comfort zones. This approach maintains a healthy life,
which gathers and then preserves life-supporting power.

Comfort zones have to change as conditions of life change. The comfort zone of a newborn
baby is very different than that of a sexually active adult. For example, when a bachelor gets
married, his comfort zone with sexually attractive women should change to maintain
homeostatic synergy in his family. If he is unable to change that comfort zone and has many
affairs, the family synergy is in danger. The wife may have to change her comfort zone about
infidelity. If she is unable to, then there may be a serious problem. The point is that the
homeostatic synergy within a marriage is at risk whenever the comfort zones don’t match
expectations. If the expectations can allow freedom of behavior, then there is less risk.

Drug companies have the purpose of producing drugs that will benefit people who are
diseased. Their financial comfort zone only supports drugs that can recoup the costs of
research and development. Many times a drug is rushed into the market, in spite of dangers
that should be researched. The comfort zone to insure profit is a powerful one for many
people.

The modern economy is increasing productivity because employees work longer hours to
maintain their jobs. As companies streamline their payrolls, workers are challenged to enlarge
their comfort zones to keep their jobs. Workers make more and more sacrifices. They see less
of their family and have less time for their own personal interests. Modern life forces people
to change healthy comfort zones into unhealthy ones.

Comfort zones are meant to satisfy the Heart and increase overall homeostatic synergy. When
they become sacrificed, the Primordial Power of life becomes diseased.

Another example of how a comfort zone can threaten homeostatic synergy and even life
involves food. There is a term “comfort food”, which describes food that satisfies an
emotional emptiness. Such foods include fatty foods, starchy foods, sweet desserts, coffee
and alcohol.

Food is meant to nourish the physical body, but when people eat for emotional reasons, they
tend to eat food that is not balanced for the body. The result could be obesity, hypertension,
digestive disorders or diabetes. An emotionally unbalanced comfort zone for food can
threaten long-term health. Once a person adjusts their food comfort zone in a way that
supports physical homeostatic synergy, they tend to eat less and tend to eat more fruits and
vegetables.

It takes awareness and will power to eat for the body and not for the emotions. To help
someone overcome emotional eating requires rebalancing internal emotional vulnerabilities
and preparing balanced meals for them.

Many people can handle changes in the environment. Whereas others complain, freak out or
become fatigued by having to adapt. They are intolerant of temperature, food, allergens,
household chemicals, sunlight, wind, dampness, and so on.

Physiologically, chemical sensitivities are increasing. Physical bodies are being challenged
by ever more prevalent industrial by-products. Auto-immune diseases are increasing. Some
research shows that children should test their immune systems by playing outdoors in the dirt.
Dirt matures the immune system. Modern life has lost contact with the Earth.

Comfort zones are also found in emotional sensitivities. People feel comfortable only
showing a certain range of emotions. Extreme emotions challenge comfortable behavior; such
emotions include crying, yelling, belly laughing, taking criticism, prolonged eye contact and
even physical touching. Constraining emotions leads to depression, headaches, fatigue, eating
disorder, hypertension, Irritable Bowel syndrome, and even fibromyalgia.

Internal & External Factors in Emotional Comfort Zones

The emotional experience of life is determined by internal and external factors. Internal
Factors are those within the mind-body of a person. They determine how one perceives and
manages interaction with the outside world. External Factors are those found in the outside
world. They are the influences of other people, culture, economics, politics, and environment.

Internal and external factors can both be supportive or pathogenic. Supportive factors are
those that strengthen one’s homeostatic synergy. Pathogenic factors are those that weaken
homeostatic synergy.

One has to look carefully at whether a factor is supportive or pathogenic. It is not always
obvious. For example, one a wife supports an alcoholic husband, by hiding his faults and
sympathizing with his problems, the wife is enabling his illness of alcoholism. Her actions
are meant to support her husband, but her actions actually support the alcoholism. The
alcoholism undermines the health and integrity of the husband’s homeostatic synergy. His
quality of life and health will suffer as a consequence. Her enabling is actually pathogenic to
him.
The best way to determine if a factor is supporting or hurting homeostatic synergy is by
focusing one’s awareness on the homeostatic synergy of the person’s body-mind and
assessing how it changes in response to internal or external factors. If one notices that the
homeostatic synergy decreases over time, then the factor is pathogenic. The final judge is the
health of the person.

Everyone has a long list of factors that they become dependent on. Some are basic to life;
food, clothes, shelter. Some would not be seen as basic to life: recreational drugs, shopping,
gambling, pornography and flattery. Dependencies, for the most part, are meant to maintain
and support a certain level of homeostatic synergy. Assessing the short-term and long-term
effects of the dependencies is important. For example, the short-term effects of alcohol at a
social gathering help strengthen one’s external supportive factors through social bonding.
Alcohol can help to break the ice in a relationship so that people open up. If a person depends
on alcohol to maintain their socially supportive relationships, the dependency becomes an
unhealthy one. The big problem comes when a person cannot function socially without
alcohol. The long-term effects with continued use of alcohol create illness. The best use of
alcohol is for its short-term effects to aid in social bonding.

Emotions respond when the forces of life put stress on homeostatic synergy. Emotions can be
described by using external and internal factors, and whether they are supportive or
pathogenic.

Pathogenic Emotions

Some emotions indicate that homeostatic synergy is under stress in one way or another.
These emotions seek to reveal personal weaknesses, as well as strong external pathogenic
influences. The true way to treat a pathogenic emotion is by treating the underlying
weaknesses and the pathogenic influences. This assures the long-term healing of a weakening
emotion.

 Worry happens when supportive external factors begin to weaken or when

pathogenic external forces begin to threaten the comfort zone. Either way the
comfort zone constricts. Worry shows a stagnation of internal supportive factors,
which are unable to resolve a challenge. A situation is left in limbo. Worry
indicates a weakness in internal supportive factors. Worry will weaken
Spleen/Stomach, give shallowness to the Lung, and eventually stagnate the Heart,
Liver and Pericardium.
 Anger happens when a comfort zone is put under enough pressure to make it react
with the internal will to battle against external factors and forces. Anger indicates
that one’s internal desires battle against external factors that don’t support those
desires. One’s desires may be unrealistic or unacceptable. As well the external
factors may simply be unsupportive of healthy desires. Anger will overemphasize
the firmness of the Stomach, push the gentle nature of the Liver to aggressiveness,
and push the Heart to extremes.
 Fear happens when supportive external factors abandon someone and when
pathogenic external forces overpower internal strengths. The person wants to run
to a safe comfort zone. Fear indicates a weakness in internal supportive factors.
Fear will over stimulate the Bladder meridian to exhaustion, disperse the Kidney
 meridian which needs to be astringed, and weaken the courage of the Gall
Bladder.
 Joy happens when supportive external factors over-inflate the comfort zone or
when pathogenic external forces subside. The comfort zone by over-inflating and
lets down its guard. A person becomes less aware of danger and threats in joy. Joy
indicates a dependency on external factors. Joy will disperse the Pericardium,
which needs tighter controls, inflate the Heart, and perforate the Lung Qi.
 Sadness happens when supportive external factors are felt to weaken. The person
feels a loss of support and friendship. The supportive factor may leave in some
way. It is a sign of dependency by the comfort zone on supportive external factors.
Sadness stagnates the Lung, pushes Kidney to excess, and depletes the firmness of
the Stomach.
 Guilt happens when supportive external factors seek to change one’s comfort
zone to be more in line with accepted normal zones. The comfort zone itself
comes under scrutiny and judgment, and becomes unsteady. Guilt indicates a
stagnation of internal supportive factors, which are put into doubt. Guilt
undermines self-esteem, by weakening the element Seed, which in turn will not
nurture the self-esteem of the element Wood. Guilt unsettles the Pericardium,
disturbs the Lung, constricts the San Jiao, and undermines Liver, Heart and Gall
Bladder.
 Doubt happens when the supportive internal factors lose familiarity with the
conditions of life or when one no longer identifies with external supportive
factors. Doubt holds the comfort zone in a state of inaction. The comfort zone is
vulnerable to upset during doubt. Doubt constricts the Pericardium, undermines
the Heart and Small Intestine, confuses the Kidney, weakens the Gall Bladder, and
disturbs the Bladder.
 Self-destructiveness happens when pathogenic internal factors prevail and
threaten comfort zone from within. Negative thoughts and obsessiveness threaten
one’s comfort zone like an infection from the inside. The only treatment is to
clean out the negative and destructive thoughts from the normal thought processes
of the mind. Self-destructiveness can affect any meridian. Certain internal beliefs
or attitudes can infect the healthy expression of related meridians.
o Hatred affects the Stomach and Kidney.
o Criticism directed at another affects one’s own Bladder, Heart, Liver and
Pericardium.
o Blaming affects the Kidney, Lung, Stomach, and San Jiao.
o Superiority affects the Kidney, Liver, and Spleen.
o Feeling sorry for oneself affects all the Yang meridians of Hand and Feet.
o Revenge affects the Liver, San Jiao, Heart and Kidney.
o Recreational Drug use affects the Liver, Spleen, Heart-Kidney
relationship, Bladder, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine.
o Hopelessness & Suicidal thoughts affect Kidney, Pericardium, San Jiao,
Gall Bladder, Liver, Heart, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine,
Lung, Spleen and Bladder. All of them. The whole unified system of the
meridians is collapsing.

Supportive Emotions
Some emotions simply strengthen healthy homeostatic synergy.

 Generosity is based on abundant supportive internal factors that through giving

actually expand supportive external factors. Generosity shows a healthy
relationship between Liver and Stomach.
 Firmness shows internal strength to the comfort zone. In many cultures women
feel it is important that their men show firmness. The man must stand his ground
and display self-confidence. Firmness shows an ability to handle difficult
situations with resoluteness. This emotion is based on a healthy relationship
between the Heart and Stomach meridians.
 Adventurousness results from strong internal supportive factors that have been
nurtured and cultivated over a period of time. The person feels comfortable with
who they are enough to travel and meet people from other cultures and ways of
life. They are able to overcome the stresses of culture shock. Adventure shows a
healthy relationship between Liver and Pericardium.
 Intimacy & friendships strengthen the bonds of supportive external factors. This
emotion indicates a healthy Lung and Pericardium.
 Congeniality shows that a person is able to harmonize with others. This emotion
strengthens external supportive factors. This emotion indicates an active Lung
meridian.
 Flexibility & Resiliency show that the comfort zone can adapt if need be to
pathogenic external forces. This emotion indicates a healthy Spleen.
 Courage shows a strong reservoir of internal support in order to meet the
challenges of the day in order to preserve and defend one’s comfort zone. This
emotion indicates a healthy Gall Bladder.
 Passion shows that supportive internal factors are in abundance and able to
express within the comfort zone. This emotion shows a healthy relationship
between the Pericardium and Heart meridians.
 Discernment is the ability to judge right from wrong. This is crucial for
maintaining a healthy homeostatic synergy. A person needs to be able to make the
right decisions in life in order to insure long-term health. This emotion shows a
healthy Small Intestine meridian.
 Faith & Patience allow the supportive internal factors to overcome worry and
fear. It buffers the need to fight against pathogenic external forces. This keeps the
comfort zone from shrinking. This indicates a healthy relationship between
Kidney and Pericardium.
 Relevance is when a person allows only relevant factors a place in their life. This
simplifies the impact on the comfort zone by any force. If a pathogenic external
force is not relevant to one’s life, the comfort zone need not change. It is equally
good to know when a force is relevant to one’s comfort zone. This emotion
indicates a healthy relationship between Lung and San Jiao.
 Mindfulness gives awareness of external and internal factors and the changes
going on. This awareness helps the comfort zone immensely to express
effectively. This emotion indicates an active Bladder meridian.
 Purity is a humble emotion of simplicity. Purity represents a basic and strong
homeostatic synergy. Complications in life destabilize homeostatic synergy.
Purity results from the resolution of those complications. Purity indicates an
uncomplicated and healthy Spleen.
  Forgiveness shows that a person is able to liberate their comfort zone from
previous stresses and move on freely with their life. For many people, it is very
hard to forgive what they perceive as a threat to their homeostasis, whether that
threat is personal or cultural. Forgiveness widens a comfort zone so as to
neutralize and absorb a threat. Forgiveness increases tolerance. It is more than a
coping mechanism; it is an act that strongly empowers homeostatic synergy by
liberating the comfort zone.
 Trust happens when an unfamiliar external force begins to become a supportive
external factor. This is a careful process of not letting a pathogen enter the inner
circle of the comfort zone. Trust issues indicate that the Large Intestine is active.
 Peace & Quiet cause the comfort zone to stabilize naturally. Pericardium and
Kidney rejuvenate most favorably to peace and quiet.
 Peaceful Meditation enhances supportive internal factors causing the comfort
zone to expand in spite of any external factor or force. When done properly, which
is actually quite rare, all meridians strengthen their overall harmony.

Healing Homeostatic Synergy

Healing homeostatic synergy is achieved in 2 other ways; by reducing the external chaotic
stress and by strengthening internal homeostatic synergy.

Reducing External Chaotic Stress

Reducing an external stress directly will take the pressure of homeostatic synergy.
Consequently disease will diminish and life will flourish. Many times one does best to mature
the level of his/her internal homeostasis in order to deal effectively with the realities of the
external world. When the proper adjustments are made, synergy returns and we go on living
healthfully.

Examples of reducing external stress;

 If a person watches too much TV news about the world, they can develop anxiety,
unease and insomnia. Reducing TV time will eventually settle them back down.
 If a friend can’t pay the rent and you have some extra money, you can help pay the
rent. This relieves stress.
 If the sun is too hot, a hat will help.
 If a woman is being beaten by her husband, removing her from the home will
eliminate the abuse and give her chance to make sense of things.
 If a food is causing an allergic reaction, eliminating it from the diet will help.
 If there are mosquitoes biting someone, a little repellant will reduce the biting, and
the person will be more at ease.
 Antacid tablets reduce acidity in the stomach to relieve discomfort, even though
they interfere with proper digestion.
Strengthening Internal Homeostatic Synergy

Homeostasis can be diseased internally. By supporting or repairing the internal mechanisms

of our homeostasis, we become stronger and healthier.

Not only does our physiology have homeostatic mechanisms, but also are emotions and
thoughts too. Our internal homeostasis even extends to our social connections. Any aspect of
our lives that builds inner peace and security is part of our internal homeostasis.

Family and friends are integral to supporting our lives. They help us to flourish in the same
way that primordial soup helped life flourish. With their support and many times just their
presence, we feel stronger. Then when a stress confronts us, we not only have our emotions
and thoughts to help us, but others too. The ultimate goal is to have balanced and strong
emotions that can stand on their own, as well as supportive people to lend a helping hand.

Physiologically we can use such things as medications, surgery, diet, and exercise to restore
homeostatic health. Stress disrupts physiological functions. Many times medications will help
to restore physiological homeostasis, but the emotional stress that caused the illness may still
remain.

For example, Prozac is used to neutralize the internal physiology of depression, but it can’t
change the depressive conditions of life. Once again, pathogenic emotions should not be
treated directly, because they are the messengers that bring news of the real problem. Prozac
disables the messenger. The logic is “no news is good news.” But one does not learn to
overcome the challenges of their life.

Emotionally we can change our attitude, become more forgiving, or learn to overcome fears.
We can learn to meditate in such a way as to calm our internal biochemistry. Internal
homeostatic mechanisms love calm meditation, because it is just like the calm of the original
primordial soup. Many diseases, like IBS and hypertension, diminish with stress reduction
techniques and meditation.

Mentally we can learn not to overstress our brains. We can minimize over-thinking and
worry. We can learn patience when a problem can’t be solved. We can learn coping
strategies, like humor, to minimize internal stress. Prayer is receiving a lot of attention
currently because it has been shown to help during the recovery from an illness. Prayer
strengthens one’s internal and social homeostasis.

Socially we need to develop support systems. The main ones are work, family, friends,
groups/clubs and a primary healthcare provider. Support systems are actually an integral part
of internal homeostasis because they are called upon to withstand external stresses. Many
times a support group is the only resource that can help us deal with a certain stress.

There was research once done by feeding rabbits a diet that would lead to hardening of the
arteries. But one time the group of rabbits that should have developed hardening of the
arteries didn’t develop it. The researcher called up the research assistants and wanted to know
what went wrong. Did they give the wrong food? It turns out that nothing was done wrong,
everything was done to strict protocol, except for one thing. The woman who was taking care
of the specific group of rabbits would pet them and play with them on her break time
everyday. This group did not develop hardening of the arteries even though previous results
showed they should have. The researcher decided to run the experiment again, asking the
woman to do exactly as she had done before, pet and play with the rabbits everyday. The
same result happened again. Those rabbits did not develop hardening of the arteries.

This shows the power of love from a friend to nourish the synergy of homeostasis. Its power
can overcome the effects of a bad diet.

A primary healthcare provider should be someone who looks at every aspect of your life and
understands all the factors that affect your homeostatic synergy. They should know how to
help you blend all these factors in a balanced way in order to create synergy in your life.
They should not just look at your physical body, but also your diet, your emotions, your
mind, your social connections, your home, your culture, your aspirations and spiritual
development. When all these blend together harmoniously, your life and health are powerful.

Many people separate the various aspects of a healthy life. They work hard during the week
and think of eating and exercising right on the weekend. Or they sleep in too late on the
weekend trying to make up for lost rest. Or even worse, they take out their work stress on
their family, because they were not able to express their frustrations at work. Or they take
medications without learning how to adjust the emotional and social stresses.

When we value diet as much as work. When we balance rest with activity. When we learn to
live in Yin/Yang homeostasis as the ancients did, we will no longer struggle to eat right, or to
exercise right, or to reduce stress right, or to be happy all the time. We relax into a primordial
calm, an inner peace. Inner peace is a sign of a nourished internal homeostasis.

When we help someone live with more calm in mind, body and emotions, we have given
them a powerful ability to live a long healthy life. The calm of the primordial soup did just
that. Its synergy allowed life to flourish on this Earth. So it is by remembering, understanding
and practicing the synergy of the primordial soup, that we foster inner peace and help our
lives flourish.

Physiologic Homeostasis

When we look at our bodies, we notice that all homeostasis is being regulated to some
degree. Every physiological function in the body is controlled by homeostasis. The majority
of homeostasis is governed by the hypothalamus and the neuro-endocrine systems. Interstitial
fluids are important to homeostasis in the body. The body regulates homeostasis by adjusting
hormone levels in the interstitial fluids.

Homeostasis in all organisms is continually attacked by stress, internal and external. It is

a fact in physiology that without homeostasis there is disease and death. Likewise, the
homeostatic power of the primordial soup has survived for millions of years within all
organisms. That power of the primordial soup had to be maintained for life to survive. So it is
that, even as life evolved to move out into the chaos, physical bodies have never lost total
contact with the primordial soup. If the connection to the original soup were lost, a body’s
integrity would disintegrate immediately.
So the main obstacle for life to survive in the chaos of nature was to maintain the calm
homeostatic synergy of the primordial soup. In effect, the primordial soup is still under attack
by chaos. But nowadays, much of the chaos is of our own making. We stress each other out.
We compete and war with each other. Our society overworks us. We consume products to
stimulate our senses and bolster our self-confidence. The enormous stimulation surrounding
us is a form of chaos that tests and attacks our homeostasis.

It must be said that chaos can make us stronger if we learn to protect our homeostasis. But
homeostasis will always be a fragile balance that can be destroyed. If people are stressed out
long enough, their homeostasis will breakdown, and they will develop disease, as we see
happening all over the world now.

Achieving Homeostatic Synergy

Homeostatic synergy is a quiet power. It is an invisible potential to support life and healing.

The physical body is a biochemical soup, but when this soup reaches a perfect state of
homeostasis where all the constituents are in perfect balance, synergy results. This synergy is
powerful. It results in optimal health. It’s like a finely tuned engine that hums smoothly and
cleanly at all speeds. Achieving this state of synergy is the ultimate goal of healthcare.

Likewise, the mind is another soup of attitudes and emotions. The mind balances courage,
faith, tolerance, resiliency, freedom of thought, passion, reaching out, humor, ethics,
discernment, mindfulness, intimacy and relevance. When all these attitudes are balanced and
able to adapt to changing situations, there is a powerful synergy in the mind that develops.
One can effectively deal with any challenge or opportunity.

Once homeostasis is reached, it is tricky for many to maintain it. Many easily squander the
power of synergy. They feel so full of life that they waste it in some reckless or immature
way. They don’t know to preserve it and cherish its presence.

Homeostasis also has to adapt in order to maintain its synergy. It has to change appropriately
as conditions of life change, like weather, war or love. One must eventually develop
flexibility to maintain harmony. Knowing when homeostasis is stuck in a pattern that is
inhibiting life takes wisdom. Transforming the homeostasis to a healthier pattern takes faith,
willpower and positive emotions.

Homeostatic Synergy in Medicine

The main approach of prescribing drugs in modern medicine does not seek homeostatic
synergy, but rather repair of what is broken or symptom relief. This is not the way in which
the primordial soup created life. Primordial Power did not repair life, nor did it suppress its
discomfort and pain. Primordial Power gave life a power to overcome all the obstacles of the
world. Life now covers the Earth. Life did not hide from the challenges of the world.
The use of modern medications results in side effects. Side effects show that a disease is part
of a whole body system with an overall state of homeostasis. When we target treatment on
the symptom of the disease, the cause will find other symptoms to express the problem.

An analogy is when a beehive is directly disturbed, the whole colony will respond. As a
beekeeper, I learned that if I approached a beehive with calmness they were less apt to resist
my presence. Medications are an intrusion into the body’s own efforts to regulate
homeostasis. Yet if the medications are presented in a way that simulates the calm
homeostasis of the body, they are less apt to trigger resistance or side effects.

The modern use of medications does not have the subtle wisdom to perfectly regulate overall
homeostasis. Even with insulin, the dose changes everyday and still it is a hit or miss method.
Nothing beats the internal feedback loops that fine-tune the physiology of the body. The
hypothalamus blends internal physiology, with emotional feelings and perceptions of the
external environment to masterly regulate physiological homeostatic synergy.

Specified dosages of a prescription do not simulate the ebb and flow of our physiology.
Because of that, medications achieve synergy only in a random way. To think that anti-
depressives can fluctuate with the tides of daily existence, when given in specific doses, is
unwise. Specific doses rob the body of its ability to change its homeostatic synergy from day
to day. Even worse is when a person tries to adjust the dose of their medication to how they
feel from day to day. This person will never find balance. They will waver back and forth,
never knowing exactly how they will feel the next day. Their mind and emotions have lost
contact with the natural flow of the tides, with the natural flow of the Moon and with the
natural flow of the seasons.

Many drugs are said to have a synergistic effect, in that their actions are potentiated when
used together. This is a different perception of synergy than existed in the primordial soup
and what is understood by homeostatic synergy. The nature of homeostatic synergy is not to
make the actions of drugs stronger, but to harmonize the body with subtlety. The synergy in
the body is a subtle power not measured by increased strength but by increased harmonic
potential.

A friend of mine, named Tieraona, who is a Native American medicine woman from the
Lakota Sioux tribe, once said that in healing with herbs all the body needs is just a nudge in
the right direction. Her use of herbs was not to go to war against the disease or take over
control where the body had gone weak, but to humbly nourish the person’s own inner power
of synergy.

Ancient Chinese herbal medicine is based upon blending various herbs in a way that supports
the internal homeostatic synergy of the body. Various groups of herbs are combined to treat a
disease. The various groups complement each other according to the overall pattern of the
disease. By doing this, the herbal formula complements the needs of homeostatic synergy.
Thereby the holistic nature of the disease is treated.

Two people with the same disease by western medical standards will be treated very
differently according to Chinese herbal medicine. Each has unique associating factors that
contribute to the condition. The result is that there are minimal side effects during the course
of healing. When an herbal formula perfectly complements a disease, the disease will
disappear in a way that seems magical and effortless.
An herbal formula seeks to achieve a synergistic effect within the patient, whereby all the
body’s systems are unified and harmonized. The disease is then overcome through the
balancing and empowering of internal homeostatic synergy.

The sophistication required to achieve such an herbal formula is as profound as it is elegant.

It is essential to understand and diagnose how the various systems of the body interact, and
then be able to treat at that sophisticated level. Western medicine has not developed this
degree of sophistication.

When you commit to harmony and synergy, you are healing at deep levels. If you help others
achieve inner synergy, you have helped them exactly like the primordial soup helped life
flourish around the world.

World Homeostatic Synergy

Modern life is disrupting homeostatic synergy around the world. Forests and animals are
being uprooted. Cultures are being fragmented and replaced through globalization. There is a
“disconnect” being created between people and their ancestral lands. Economic growth is
continually consuming cultural heritage and resources around the world.

The modern diseases of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) syndrome and Toxicant-
induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) are said to possibly represent a new disease paradigm.
They are associated with increases in asthma, migraine headaches, depression, allergies and
chronic fatigue syndrome.

The homeostatic synergy model explains these diseases in the following way. Chronic
stresses that force people to live outside of natural comfort zones ultimately undermine
homeostatic synergy. Eventually there is a breakdown or collapse of internal synergy.
Common symptoms of these diseases reflect this internal collapse; chronic discomfort,
fatigue, loss of concentration, depression, memory loss, dizziness, headaches and heat
intolerance.

The desire to “go home” is getting stronger among peoples around the world. Home is a
place of personal power and of being nourished. The original home for all life was the
primordial soup. Homeostatic synergy will only tolerate so much chaos of the modern global
economic society.

The humble power of homeostatic synergy is the most powerful living force in nature; one
that modern people would do good to incorporate back into their way of life.
 Chapter 28 - Overview & Perspectives

The spherical meridian flow shows a deeper complexity of meridian dynamics than has ever
been seen before. The ancient doctors of acupuncture understood it, but never deciphered it
directly. Its discovery marks a point in time that distinguishes the past of meridian theory
from the future. We can now see exactly what the ancients abstractly understood. Still there
will be more for future generations to discover.

We always keep in mind that the spherical meridian theory is not just general theory about
how elements in nature interact. The spherical flow represents an actual living matrix of
energy that exists within each of us at a deeper dimension. That matrix of energy is the
spherical Heart matrix that mystics have talked about for millenniums. The Heart matrix has
dominion over our lives. It manages the flux of meridian dynamics and the changes of our
personalities, Spirits and souls.

Any theory would love to completely describe the expressions of the Heavenly Heart and the
Essences and Spirits that flow from it. But a description is not enough. To really know the
actual profound harmony of the Heart takes more than book learning or a prescribed number
of hours in school. One learns to calm their own Heart, to purify it of pathogenic emotions
and thoughts, to forgive when others “know not what they are doing”, and to keep the Heart
free and open so that its resonating power overcomes all destructive forces of nature. Then
one is able to treat the Hearts of others through acupuncture.

The Heart is the sovereign-master…through it the Blood and Breaths flow and
circulate; the spaces of yes and no are overrun by it at a full gallop; the one
hundred matters come and go through the doors and openings.

For this reason, one who, not having full possession of his/her Heart, meddles at
imposing norms on the Breaths of the empire, can be compared to a person who,
having no ears, claims to tune bells and drums, or one who, lacking vision, says
he/she enjoys art. Neither is able to bring to completion the role he/she claims to
take charge of.

This sacred vase, which is the empire, cannot be manipulated by one’s will. He/she
who would manipulate it fails; it escapes the one who would grasp it.

Huainanzi, Chapter 1, Rooted in Spirit, p.50

Think of the Heart and its meridian dynamics as a thick over-grown jungle, fertile and
teeming with varied life; vines growing out of control, trees reaching high into the sky to
escape the undergrowth, hordes of insects chewing and pollinating. The living power of the
jungle is spontaneous and wild in its raw harmony.
There is order in a jungle but it is a primordial order that developed over millions of years:
where the balance of death nourishes life. When can we say that a jungle is diseased? Only
when its Primordial Power that supports life is diseased. Otherwise it will always and
eventually survive any setback.

The modern acupuncturist dares to go into a patient’s meridian jungle and be the authority of
the jungle. Acupuncture seeks to bring harmony back to the meridians, to free them of
blockages and to raise their spiritual development. Unless one possesses the authority of the
Heart, their actions are simply foolish. Like the above quote says, “He/she who would
manipulate it fails”.

Ask yourself, would you really dare go into a jungle and change it according to how you
think it should be? The natural and fluid complexity is beyond your ability to formalize into
rules of harmony. Modern acupuncture is designed to manipulate the meridians according to
its own formalized rules of harmony. Yet the meridian jungle is exceedingly wise, mysterious
and primal. The primordial consciousness has the ability to absorb through resonance the
weaknesses and strengths in your treatment. That consciousness then adjusts the meridians. It
is right to humble ourselves to this consciousness.

I hear many acupuncturists talk about intent. They say that it doesn’t matter how one needles
or even if the perfect points are chosen, what really matters is the intent behind the needling.
This is a clear sign that one is trying to manipulate or override the authority of the Heart
whether they realize it or not. They are not humbling themselves to the natural Primordial
Intent of the Heart. The patient’s Heart watches from deep within consciousness, and takes
notice of the foolishness. The wise Heart surveys the situation and knows not only what is in
the conscious mind, but also in the subconscious mind. The Heart is completely aware of how
deep your treatment goes. It is always the Heart that determines the changes made during a
treatment.

The Heart is the rooting of life, the place where changes are made by the Spirits.

Suwen, Chapter 9, p. 32

The Heart has the responsibility of sovereign and master; it gathers and presides over
the Spirits and their beneficent influences, and it places itself in a triad with
Heaven and Earth; in this way it takes on the burden of the Ten Thousand Beings.

Zhang Jiebin

An acupuncturist can be deluded to think he/she is in control. If the patient gets better, the
acupuncturist thinks his/her actions healed the disease. If the patient doesn’t improve or even
gets worse, he/she may say that acupuncture won’t work in such a condition. Either way, they
never had the authority to make the changes in the first place.

An acupuncturist may produce all kinds of changes in the patient through a force of
personality, faith or some level of hypnotism. A weakened or even a tormented person will
give up personal authority to someone in control in order to survive. Their behavior will
change and acquiesce to the demands of the authority. If a patient shows dependency on or
worship for the treatments of an acupuncturist, the treatments are like a crutch until the
person can stand on their own feet.

An acupuncturist can be a positive and supportive influence in a patient’s life. There is

always an opportunity to regenerate the Primordial Power within the patient’s own Heart.
Clearing the pathogenic influences and the sins of the soul unburden the Heart.

An acupuncturist may try to subdue the vast wildness of the meridians with an exact theory,
just like a landscaper replaces an old-growth forest with manicured lawns and trimmed
bushes. The overgrowth is kept to a minimum. Randomness is minimized. Beauty becomes a
reproducible image that imitates nature. Conformity to this image becomes inevitable. Life in
this way seems more refined, but it is as unnatural and artificial as a clothed monkey in a
circus giving regularly scheduled shows.

Whether we humble ourselves to the jungle’s vast and complex harmony or we seek to
subdue the jungle to our own manageable designs, the Heart of the jungle, meaning our own
Heavenly Hearts, simply watches what we do. There exist two truths, what we think is truth
and what is truth.

There are but two events in the world; that which was in existence before
consciousness began to assert itself, is now, and ever shall be; and the things that
humanity has thought and will think about. That which was before consciousness
began, is eternal; that which humanity thinks is changeable and inconstant; that
which was, before consciousness began, is Truth; that which humanity thinks is
truth, is truth to them. When the law of Truth comes to consciousness, it will erase
all that humanity has ever thought erroneously.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 3, Ch. 6

In acupuncture it would be wise not to subdue the meridian jungle to views that might be
erroneous. Wouldn’t it be better to be guided by the eternal law of truth? Ask yourself if you
would want your meridians to be manicured and trimmed according to civilized theories.
Here are wise words of caution written long ago.

In every case where the Heart is encumbered by formalized knowledge, life is lost.

Guanzi, Chapter 37, Xinshu, The Art of the Heart

Does one normally see wild animals living comfortably within manicured lawns and trimmed
bushes? No. They are shooed out because they don’t belong there. Wild animals require the
overgrowth of plants for hiding and moving safely. They don’t belong in formalized
landscapes. Formalized landscapes reflect the insecurities of the human mind.

It is not wise to apply formalized theories onto the Heart and expect the Heart to give up its
wild nature and acquiesce. Within the spiritual depth of acupuncture it is foolish to have that
expectation unless of course you want to live according to the authority of formalized
theories. That is your choice. Your healing will occur allowing you to live within the
limitations of formalized theories, but the freedom, authority and vast potential of your Heart
will be sacrificed until you are able to free yourself and move on.

The key to acupuncture treatments is to resonate with the Heart of the patient, whether
consciously or unconsciously. One can become aware of what that resonance feels like. It is
the Primordial Power of the Heart. One can generate and preserve that resonance within
him/herself. Then one can better regenerate and encourage that resonance in others.

To be effective, and at the same time not violate the organism, the acupuncturist goes
all the way to the origin of the patient’s life, to that place where the Spirits are
rooted…

Rooted in Spirit, Larre and Rochat de la Vallee, p. 5

For every needling, the method is above all not to miss the rooting of the Spirits.

Lingshu, Chapter 8, Lines 2-3

Since the Spirits are rooted in the Heart, the acupuncturist goes all the way to the Heart. This
is done by resonating with the Primordial Power of the patient’s Heart. The power sought for
healing is found within the patient. That Heart power within the patient regenerates their life
and the healing comes from within.

The power to heal can be obtained only as we learn to trace things out from their
source. Supremacy over every discord can come only in the degree that we
understand that they do not come from God. The divinity that shapes your
destinies is not a mighty person molding you as a potter molds his clay but a
mighty divine power – within and all around you and around and in all substance
– which is yours to use as you will.

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Baird Spalding, Vol. 2, Ch. 6
It is not enough to define what Primordial Power is or what homeostatic synergy is. An
acupuncturist proves his/her commitment by experiencing it. The power of homeostatic
synergy is what an acupuncturist seeks by “harmonizing and balancing the meridians”. In
order to cultivate that synergy in a patient, acupuncturists must have experience in cultivating
their own.

The perfectly symmetrical and spherical Heavenly Heart is the ultimate master at
harmonizing the meridians. It has an infinite number of ways to do it. Each way has a special
purpose and function. Its intelligence and cunning, if you will, is all-embracing. The normal
human mind cannot grasp the infinite number of ways that the Heavenly Heart expresses,
because the normal human mind judges and critiques the Heart according to its own limited
theories. As long as the Heart has the freedom to express its natural harmony, there will be
health. When that infinite freedom is manipulated by us, life will be shallow and stressful on
the Heart.

The key to acupuncture is to free the Heart of encumbrance and constraint. Then the Heart’s
primordial potential can resonate in one’s life.

From the first moment of his/her existence, one’s Heart is in a place of the most
absolute calm (it is free of all desire); Heaven creates it in this state. Soon
external objects act on it and produce diverse movements; these are desires that
add themselves to its nature (to its original state).

In the presence of external objects, one has the faculty (or the desire) to know them;
when one knows them, one experiences feelings of attraction for some and feelings
of revulsion for others. If one does not master these feelings, one lets oneself be
drawn towards external things and becomes incapable of returning within oneself
(and regulating the movements of one’s Heart); one loses the good tendencies one
has received from Heaven.

Liji, Yueji, Rooted in Spirit, p. 47

Life usually doesn’t allow the Heart to express its true nature through the individual being.
External forces act upon the Heart’s nature. The Heart actually receives those forces. Most
people end up living a life that is not their own, but living a life that conforms to pressures
and traditions in the world around them. The goal of healing is to return within, to one’s own
Heart, and to regulate the Primordial Power there. The authority of the Heart is calm,
forgiving and able to overcome every situation.

The serious practitioner of the Art of the Heart (Xin shu) keeps lust and desires at a
distance, and also attractions and revulsions.
 From this we see that the bringing up of excessive joy and anger or of deep joy and
bitterness, are for the Ten Thousand Beings primitive communion that must be
neither affirmed nor denied, but must move through the transformations, nourish
and reach the mystical brightness, living a life that looks like death.

Huainanzi, Chapter 1, Rooted in Spirit, p. 50

The Art of the Heart is a practice of not only purifying the Heart of external encumbrances,
but of living a life upon the power and authority of one’s own Heart. The one who practices
this Art nourishes the Primordial Power of the Heart. This one is guided by the wisdom of
that power. The one who masters this Art is as wild as the jungle, as silent as the passing
mist, as free as the wind, as empty as water falling, as firmly rooted as tall trees and as boring
as decaying vegetation. This one knows that to create life is to resonate with the Heart of life.