Aggregates & Elements: A Multi-Model Overview - Discussion
Jeff Grove:
The 5 elements of Wu Xing comes from insight through meditative investigations the 5 elements are related to 5 phases of growth from nature
wood is assoicated with spring and the liver from energetic practices you will literally feel the energy blooming bubbling up from the liver which feeds fire or the heart
the majority of modern men in there 30s to 40s suffer from heat in the liver which causes anger. if you investigate anger you will see that it is an energy which rushes forward expanding outward and will feel the heat in the liver area
will write more when I dont have to doge the boss at work
enjoy your day
wood is assoicated with spring and the liver from energetic practices you will literally feel the energy blooming bubbling up from the liver which feeds fire or the heart
the majority of modern men in there 30s to 40s suffer from heat in the liver which causes anger. if you investigate anger you will see that it is an energy which rushes forward expanding outward and will feel the heat in the liver area
will write more when I dont have to doge the boss at work
enjoy your day
Thank you Jeff. Unsurprisingly this seems like very pertinent information to me. I am grateful and look forward to more pointers in this direction. I admit I have much to learn
This seems to connect to the fact (as I see it...) that this pragmatic/poetic polarity of meaning is mutually inclusive. In other words, when the poetic meaning of a particular system speaks to me, it seems that (often incredibly precisely) pragmatic meaning is bundled with it. I am interested in hearing a more detailed description of how this imbalanced presence of fire in the (wood natured) liver area causes the dualistic phenomenon 'anger'. Balancing the elements is basically the heart of where I'm at in the alchemical dimension of my Path, and while I definitely feel a strong connection to the ultimate (non alchemical, always already) 'view', this balancing of the elements seems like the meat of my day to day development.
Nikolai .:
Having a good shiatsu session while paying attention to the body can shed light on the things Jeff is pointing at, in my opinion.
(Shiatsu focuses on applying pressure/stretching to the client's whole body to connect with the qi along the meridian lines and involves such TCM diagnosis as liver/gall bladder/spring/anger relationship. The liver governs the emotions according to TCM)
(Shiatsu focuses on applying pressure/stretching to the client's whole body to connect with the qi along the meridian lines and involves such TCM diagnosis as liver/gall bladder/spring/anger relationship. The liver governs the emotions according to TCM)
also helpful and pertinent. I definitely notice a connection between the body dimension via massage or movement and the energetic/elemental dimension and the raw relaxedness/openness/awakeness of mind in my daily practice. For instance I find a strong connection between physical movements, whether formal and yogic or more loosely practiced, and the tendency of mind to grasp at experience as constellations of subject/object dualities vs. the tendency of mind to relax into its natural openness/referencelessness. I think I should check into shiatsu a bit too. Can you say a bit more about this in relation to the five elements and massage? Particularly in relation to anger/liver etc.
And perhaps we are veering from your OP Tommy, in which case perhaps this should be broken off? I think we could tie this into the thread of a multi-model overview of the elements, but just in case...
. Jake .:
Nikolai .:
Having a good shiatsu session while paying attention to the body can shed light on the things Jeff is pointing at, in my opinion.
(Shiatsu focuses on applying pressure/stretching to the client's whole body to connect with the qi along the meridian lines and involves such TCM diagnosis as liver/gall bladder/spring/anger relationship. The liver governs the emotions according to TCM)
(Shiatsu focuses on applying pressure/stretching to the client's whole body to connect with the qi along the meridian lines and involves such TCM diagnosis as liver/gall bladder/spring/anger relationship. The liver governs the emotions according to TCM)
Can you say a bit more about this in relation to the five elements and massage? Particularly in relation to anger/liver etc.
There are a few differing shiatsu approaches but two main ones. The offshoots of shiatsu seem to jump from the zen shiatsu as a base. I would shy away from calling shiatsu 'massage' as it differes in application from what most people consider 'massage'.
There is Namakoshi shiatsu from the guy who sort of started the shiatsu ball rolling in Japan as a more widespread therapy. But this approach is more focused on working with the pressure point location and the analysis of effectiveness are based on modern anatomy, physiology and pathology.
Zen Shiatsu originating with Masunaga, who was Namakoshi's student, aimed at integrating the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach including the notions of ying and yang harmony, meridian lines, balanced/imbalanced qi/ki flow and corresponding organ function, tsubos, TCM diagnosis, 5 element theory (also known as 5 phases theory), 8 principle patterns etc.
Concerning 5 elements, it is used more so for diagnosis of how a patient presents via looking/observing, asking, hearing/smelling and touching/palpation. Certain 'signs' will lead to a diagnosis of what and where the imbalances are presenting and thus what area of the body and/or corresponding organ meridian line to work on to help balance the flow of qi there. A patient presenting with much anger in their lives (as well as other info gleamed from the 4 diagnostic tools mentioned) could point to a liver qi disharmony, which could affect this and other organ functioning. Quite in line with the whole psychosomatic disorder notion. If the signs pointed to stagnation of liver qi, that is what would be worked on to ublock that stagnation and aid in the body's capacity to right this flow. All via perpendicular, stationary pressure/palpation from thumbs, knees, elbows, forearms, palms and specific stretches on a fully clothed patient. This aids in tonifying and dispersing stagnant and deficient areas of qi/ki. The ongoing compounding of 'anger' may reduce or drop away as a result of righting the flow in the area in question. it may present differently for people with different baselines, obviously.
The Seven Emotions
The seven basic emotions related to organ function are anger, joy, worry, pensiveness, sadness, fear, and shock (fright). Although the mind/body connection has been acknowledged only relatively recently in Western medicine, the interaction of emotions with the physical body is an essential aspect of traditional Chinese medicine.
Each organ has a corresponding emotion; imbalance of this emotion can affect the organ's function. For example, prolonged anger can lead to an imbalance in the liver. At the same time, liver imbalances can produce symptoms of anger, often leading to a self-perpetuating cycle.
In discussing the emotional aspect of the disease process, it is important to remember that it is normal to experience the full range of emotions. It is only when a particular emotion is experienced over a prolonged period or with particular intensity that it becomes a source of imbalance. It is obviously important for a person with severe emotional problems to get professional help from a trained psychotherapist. But even in these cases, the therapy is more effective when the corresponding organ imbalance is rectified. Acupuncture is especially effective in treating disorders of the emotions. Even when it is not completely effective in treating a physical ailment, it almost always brings about a state of emotional peacefulness.
Anger
Anger is associated with the liver. By its nature, anger causes qi to rise, leading to a red face and red eyes, headaches, and dizziness. This matches the pattern of liver fire rising. Anger can also cause liver qi to "attack the spleen," producing lack of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea (often experienced by those people who argue at the dinner table or eat while driving).
In a more long-term view, suppressed anger or frustration often causes liver qi to become stagnant; this might result in depression or menstrual disorders. It is interesting to note that people who take herbs to release stagnant liver qi often experience bouts of anger as the stagnation is relieved. The anger passes as the condition clears. Similarly, anger and irritability are often the determining factor in diagnosing liver qi stagnation. Many people are relieved to know their rage has a physiologic basis. It is essential to avoid drinking coffee when treating anger-related liver disorders, as coffee heats the liver and greatly intensifies the condition.
Joy
The emotion of joy is connected with the heart. A disorder related to joy may sound perplexing, since most people want as much joy in their life as possible. The disorders from this emotion are not caused by happiness; rather, the imbalance comes from too much excitement or stimulation, or sudden good news that comes as a shock to the system.
When evaluating stress levels, psychologists look at all sources of stress, both positive and negative. Clearly the death of a spouse or a job loss is a significant source of stress. However, a marriage or job promotion, while a happy occasion, is also a source of stress. A person who is constantly on the go, partying, and living a life of excess can eventually develop heart imbalances with palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. A person with heart imbalances may also exhibit emotional symptoms, since the heart is the seat of the spirit (shen). A person with extreme disturbances of heart shen might be seen chattering happily to himself with outbursts of laughter.
Such behavior results from the heart organ's inability to provide a stable resting place for the spirit. This type of imbalance is treated with acupuncture along the heart meridian. Herbal treatments consist of formulas that nourish heart blood or yin. If heart fire disturbs the spirit, herbs that clear heat from the heart are used.
Worry
A very common emotion in our stress-filled society, worry can deplete the energy of the spleen. This can cause digestive disturbances and eventually lead to chronic fatigue: A weakened spleen cannot efficiently turn food into qi, and the lungs are unable to extract qi from air efficiently. A person who worries too much "carries the weight of the world on her shoulders," a good description of how a person feels when her weak spleen qi leads to dampness. Treatment would include moxa and herbs that strengthen the spleen, allowing a person the energy to deal with life's problems instead of dwelling on them.
Pensiveness
Too much thinking or obsessing about a topic can also deplete the spleen, causing a stagnation of its qi. A person with this condition may exhibit such symptoms as poor appetite, forgetting to eat, and bloating after eating. In time, the person may develop a pale complexion from a deficiency of spleen qi. This can eventually affect the heart, causing the person to dream about the same subjects at night. Students are often affected by this imbalance; the standard treatment is use of herbs that tonify heart blood and spleen qi.
Sadness
Sadness or grief affects the lungs, producing fatigue, shortness of breath, crying, or depression. Treatment for this condition involves acupuncture to points along the lung and kidney meridians. Often, herbal formulas are used that tonify the qi or yin of the lungs.
Fear
The emotion of fear is related to the kidneys. This relationship can readily be seen when extreme fear causes a person to urinate uncontrollably. In children, this can also manifest as bed-wetting, which psychologists have linked to insecurity and anxiety. Long-term anxiety due to worrying about the future can deplete the kidneys of yin, yang, and qi, eventually leading to chronic weakness. Treatment involves tonifying the kidneys with yin or yang tonics, depending on the particular symptoms.
Shock
Shock is especially debilitating to the kidneys and heart. The "fight or flight" reaction causes an excessive release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys. This causes the heart to respond with palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Chronic stress from shock can be very debilitating to the entire system, causing a wide range of problems. Severe shock can have a long-term effect on the heart shen, as is evident in victims of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Treatment involves psychotherapy, herbs that calm the spirit and nourish the heart and kidneys, and regular acupuncture treatments.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/traditional-chinese-medicine-causes-of-illness6.htm
The seven basic emotions related to organ function are anger, joy, worry, pensiveness, sadness, fear, and shock (fright). Although the mind/body connection has been acknowledged only relatively recently in Western medicine, the interaction of emotions with the physical body is an essential aspect of traditional Chinese medicine.
Each organ has a corresponding emotion; imbalance of this emotion can affect the organ's function. For example, prolonged anger can lead to an imbalance in the liver. At the same time, liver imbalances can produce symptoms of anger, often leading to a self-perpetuating cycle.
In discussing the emotional aspect of the disease process, it is important to remember that it is normal to experience the full range of emotions. It is only when a particular emotion is experienced over a prolonged period or with particular intensity that it becomes a source of imbalance. It is obviously important for a person with severe emotional problems to get professional help from a trained psychotherapist. But even in these cases, the therapy is more effective when the corresponding organ imbalance is rectified. Acupuncture is especially effective in treating disorders of the emotions. Even when it is not completely effective in treating a physical ailment, it almost always brings about a state of emotional peacefulness.
Anger
Anger is associated with the liver. By its nature, anger causes qi to rise, leading to a red face and red eyes, headaches, and dizziness. This matches the pattern of liver fire rising. Anger can also cause liver qi to "attack the spleen," producing lack of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea (often experienced by those people who argue at the dinner table or eat while driving).
In a more long-term view, suppressed anger or frustration often causes liver qi to become stagnant; this might result in depression or menstrual disorders. It is interesting to note that people who take herbs to release stagnant liver qi often experience bouts of anger as the stagnation is relieved. The anger passes as the condition clears. Similarly, anger and irritability are often the determining factor in diagnosing liver qi stagnation. Many people are relieved to know their rage has a physiologic basis. It is essential to avoid drinking coffee when treating anger-related liver disorders, as coffee heats the liver and greatly intensifies the condition.
Joy
The emotion of joy is connected with the heart. A disorder related to joy may sound perplexing, since most people want as much joy in their life as possible. The disorders from this emotion are not caused by happiness; rather, the imbalance comes from too much excitement or stimulation, or sudden good news that comes as a shock to the system.
When evaluating stress levels, psychologists look at all sources of stress, both positive and negative. Clearly the death of a spouse or a job loss is a significant source of stress. However, a marriage or job promotion, while a happy occasion, is also a source of stress. A person who is constantly on the go, partying, and living a life of excess can eventually develop heart imbalances with palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. A person with heart imbalances may also exhibit emotional symptoms, since the heart is the seat of the spirit (shen). A person with extreme disturbances of heart shen might be seen chattering happily to himself with outbursts of laughter.
Such behavior results from the heart organ's inability to provide a stable resting place for the spirit. This type of imbalance is treated with acupuncture along the heart meridian. Herbal treatments consist of formulas that nourish heart blood or yin. If heart fire disturbs the spirit, herbs that clear heat from the heart are used.
Worry
A very common emotion in our stress-filled society, worry can deplete the energy of the spleen. This can cause digestive disturbances and eventually lead to chronic fatigue: A weakened spleen cannot efficiently turn food into qi, and the lungs are unable to extract qi from air efficiently. A person who worries too much "carries the weight of the world on her shoulders," a good description of how a person feels when her weak spleen qi leads to dampness. Treatment would include moxa and herbs that strengthen the spleen, allowing a person the energy to deal with life's problems instead of dwelling on them.
Pensiveness
Too much thinking or obsessing about a topic can also deplete the spleen, causing a stagnation of its qi. A person with this condition may exhibit such symptoms as poor appetite, forgetting to eat, and bloating after eating. In time, the person may develop a pale complexion from a deficiency of spleen qi. This can eventually affect the heart, causing the person to dream about the same subjects at night. Students are often affected by this imbalance; the standard treatment is use of herbs that tonify heart blood and spleen qi.
Sadness
Sadness or grief affects the lungs, producing fatigue, shortness of breath, crying, or depression. Treatment for this condition involves acupuncture to points along the lung and kidney meridians. Often, herbal formulas are used that tonify the qi or yin of the lungs.
Fear
The emotion of fear is related to the kidneys. This relationship can readily be seen when extreme fear causes a person to urinate uncontrollably. In children, this can also manifest as bed-wetting, which psychologists have linked to insecurity and anxiety. Long-term anxiety due to worrying about the future can deplete the kidneys of yin, yang, and qi, eventually leading to chronic weakness. Treatment involves tonifying the kidneys with yin or yang tonics, depending on the particular symptoms.
Shock
Shock is especially debilitating to the kidneys and heart. The "fight or flight" reaction causes an excessive release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys. This causes the heart to respond with palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Chronic stress from shock can be very debilitating to the entire system, causing a wide range of problems. Severe shock can have a long-term effect on the heart shen, as is evident in victims of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Treatment involves psychotherapy, herbs that calm the spirit and nourish the heart and kidneys, and regular acupuncture treatments.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/traditional-chinese-medicine-causes-of-illness6.htm
