The Touch of Healing Read online

  2. Hold the left thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger with your right hand, one by one.

  The importance of the safety energy locks cannot be overemphasized. As you grow more familiar with their location, more aware of their purpose, and more comfortable in jumper-cabling them, you will gain a corresponding sense of confidence in your ability to deal with almost any conceivable disharmony.

  Each of the twenty-six safety energy locks represents a site of highly concentrated energy. Mostly, our discussion of them has focused on their role as circuit-breakers. Yet they are also places of high conductivity, energetic junctures along the Supervisor Flows for much of the body’s various other flows. In the next chapter we will take a closer look at these various flows—known in Jin Shin Jyutsu as the twelve organ flows.

  the organ flows

  chapter six

  As we have come to learn, flows are like rivers of energy that run through each of us. When these rivers are clear of obstruction, energy moves freely throughout the body. Yet when the river becomes too tumultuous or constricted, the movement of energy is disrupted. Eddies form, and the energy spills over its banks. Certain areas become unnecessarily flooded, thereby depriving other regions of their fundamental energy needs.

  The harmonizing mechanics for the elements.

  In Chapter 3 we set about familiarizing ourselves with the three primary energy rivers within us, the Trinity Flows. These were the Main Central Flow and the left and right Supervisor Flows. Along with these three primary flows, there are twelve additional flows that also play a vital role in distributing life energy to all parts of our being. In this chapter we will focus our attention upon these twelve flows, which are known as the organ flows.

  During the course of his studies, Jiro Murai noted that a unique relationship exists between each of these twelve flows and a particular organ. Although each flow is known by the name of its related organ, such as the liver flow or the gall bladder flow, the entire flow and its respective organ form an integrated and singular whole. The flow is not separate from the organ. On the contrary, the organ is the most condensed manifestation of the flow. For this reason, the proper name of each flow includes the words function energy, so that, say, the lung flow is known as the Lung Function Energy. Thus the name is representative of the entire flow, not just of the organ.

  Each flow has its own distinct route through the body. At its completion the energy within that flow moves on to become another flow, rather than merely stopping. For example, after the life energy runs through the liver flow, it moves on and becomes the lung flow; from the lung flow, the energy continues on to become the large intestine flow. Thus, a continual movement of energy is maintained within the body. All twelve organ flows collectively create a single, unified circuit of energy that is constantly running throughout the entire body. The harmony or disharmony of these twelve flows is studied by Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners by “listening” to the twelve pulses on the wrists (six on each). (A discussion of these pulses is beyond the scope of this book but is extensively elaborated upon in Jin Shin Jyutsu classes.)

  the route to harmony

  Blockage in the flows can also be detected by the appearance of certain disharmonies. A disruption within a particular flow can manifest itself as a symptom anywhere along its pathway. As we shall soon see, the flows are often quite long and intricate, which means that a disharmony can occur far from its associated organ. For example, the Spleen Function Energy ascends from the inner side of the big toenail, up through the leg, and into the abdomen. From there, the energy flow travels to the spleen, where it divides into two separate branches. One branch ends its journey at the root of the tongue, where the energy scatters, while the other ascends to the center of the chest and flows into the heart. (See Figure 6.7.)

  We can see from this example that the spleen flow is essential to the health and vitality of an enormous part of the body. An imbalance in the spleen flow can appear as a disharmony anywhere along the flow. This applies to all the other flows as well. By knowing the flow routes, we can understand the underlying cause of a symptom and how it can be harmonized. We can then use the appropriate Jin Shin Jyutsu sequences to restore balance to the flow.

  Each of the individual organ flows not only provides life energy but resonates with a particular aspect of our consciousness. Thus the manner by which energy travels along these unique pathways affects both our physical body and our mental and emotional being. Similarly, each of the twelve organ flows can be unfavorably influenced by any of the attitudes (discussed in Chapter 2). The stomach and spleen flows, for example, are adversely affected by worry and anxiety. Conversely, people who have a deep optimism and a large capacity for understanding are better able to maintain harmony within the stomach and spleen flows.

  Jin Shin Jyutsu, as we have frequently noted, enables us to develop an awareness of the interrelationship of the various aspects of our being. Along these lines, an awareness of the twelve organ flows helps provide us with a deep and very specific understanding of our innate biorhythms. Each of these flows receives its most abundant supply of energy during a specific two-hour period of the day. Similarly, related pairs of flows receive their most abundant life energy during a particular season. Sometimes when an organ flow is in disharmony, we may experience some physical, mental, or emotional symptom—such as fatigue, the loss of clarity, or the arousal of a particular attitude. However, when we are aware of the hours that an organ flow is receiving optimal energy, we receive additional insight into both the source of a particular imbalance and the means by which we are best able to restore harmony.

  Finally, since each of the twelve organ flows arises out of a particular depth, we can keep them balanced by simply holding a particular finger. Or, as we are about to see, we might also balance a particular flow by jumper-cabling two safety energy locks that are located along it.

  the twelve organ flows

  What follows is a description of the pathway of each organ flow. Because some of these flows are rather elaborate, we have illustrated them for reference. In addition, each flow description includes the time of day and the season in which it is most imbued with energy; the attitude that is associated with its disharmony; and the finger and safety energy locks that can help us harmonize it. Keep in mind, as you read these descriptions, that each function energy is composed of a left and right flow, which are mirror images of each other.

  Also, please note that occasionally a discrepancy exists between the written description and the illustrations of particular energy pathways. This is especially evident as we trace their route along the arms. To avoid unnecessary confusion, bear in mind that the original reference point for these diagrams is a standing body with arms extended above the head, palms facing outward with the thumbs toward the mid-line of the body.

  Therefore, upward or ascending notes the movement of energy from the shoulder to the fingers while descending refers to the movement of energy from the fingers to the shoulders.

  LUNG FUNCTION ENERGY

  From the lungs the record of man’s every thought, word, and deed passes into the blood to be carried to seed.

  The Lung Function Energy arises from the Liver Function Energy in the stomach, beginning at four A.M. (See Figure 6.1.)

  In the stomach, the lung energy intermingles with digested food juices, then divides itself in two. The smaller of the two flows is sent to the outer surface of the large intestine (not illustrated). The larger flow circulates through the diaphragm and then travels into the lung area.

  FIGURE 6.1

  This larger energy flow circulates throughout the lungs and gathers in the trachea. From there, it flows to the projection at the outside of the shoulder blade (known as the acromion). From the acromion, it travels to where the front part of the shoulder joins with the arm. It then moves to the underarm and along the outer side of the arm.

  After moving along to the front side of the arm, the lung flow progresses to t
he outer side of the elbow. From there, it advances to an area about five inches below the wrist. Here again the energy separates into two distinct flows. The smaller of these flows moves to the inner side of the thumbnail, where it circulates the nail before enveloping the thumb. The other, larger flow goes to the inner side of the index fingernail, where it changes into the Large Intestine Function Energy. (See Figure 6.3.)

  The Lung Function Energy takes two hours to complete its circulating pattern. Its peak energy hours are between four and six A.M. At six, the Lung Function Energy becomes the Large Intestine Function Energy.

  The season during which the lung flow receives its optimal amount of energy is autumn.

  The attitude associated with lung flow disharmony is sadness.

  Balancing the Lung Flow

  The lung flow arises out of the second depth. As we saw in Chapter 2, the second depth is balanced by jumper-cabling the ring finger. To balance and harmonize the lung flow, hold each ring finger.

  Here is a “quickie” method to balance the Lung Function Energy, using the safety energy locks:

  1. Place your left hand on the left SEL 14 (at the front bottom of the rib cage). At the same time, place your right hand on the left SEL 22 (under the collarbone). (See Figure 6.2.)

  2. Place your right hand on the right SEL 14 (at the front bottom of the rib cage). At the same time, place your left hand on the right SEL 22 (under the collarbone).

  FIGURE 6.2

  “PETE WAS A postal worker who had taken disability leave because of an asthmatic condition. He used an oxygen tank, could no longer walk any distance, and could not drive his car.

  “AFTER HIS FIRST Jin Shin Jyutsu session, when he received a lung flow, he was able to walk around the block. Two weeks later, he went to the desert with his family, which was at least a 150-mile trip along a two-lane road that wound through the mountains. He drove the entire round trip!”

  LARGE INTESTINE FUNCTION ENERGY

  FIGURE 6.3

  Both the mind and the bowels need to be open.

  Starting from the index finger, the Large Intestine Function Energy flows up the back side of the arm. (See Figure 6.3.) It moves along the front of the shoulder, then passes through the first thoracic vertebra, located at the top of the back. At that point, the energies from the left and right flows (remember, they are mirror images of each other, on each side of the body) meet and briefly intermingle.

  After its rendezvous with the right flow, the left flow moves around the right side of the neck and down into the right chest. It rises from there up into the right breast, where it separates into two parts.

  One part circulates the right lung, then moves down the diaphragm to a point very close to the navel. There, the energy describes a half-circle before scattering at the outer area of the large intestine.

  The second part flows from the right breast up through the right side of the throat into the right lower gums. It goes on to circulate along the right side of the face before making its way between the nose and upper lip. From there, it flows over to the left cheekbone, where it becomes the Stomach Function Energy.

  From the top of the spine, the right flow travels in an identical path along the opposite side of the body. Both the left and right large intestine flows take two hours to complete their route. The flows’ peak hours occur between six and eight A.M.

  The season during which the large intestine flow receives the optimal amount of energy is the autumn.

  The attitude associated with large intestine flow disharmony is sadness, or grief.

  FIGURE 6.4

  Balancing the Large Intestine Flow

  Since the large intestine flow is born of the second depth, you can harmonize it yourself by holding your ring finger. Or you may help another person harmonize theirs by using the following “quickie” sequence:

  1. Place your left hand on the right SEL 11 (at the upper back, below where the neck meets the shoulders). At the same time, hold your left index finger with the right hand. (See Figure 6.4.)

  2. Place your right hand on the left SEL 11 (at the upper back, below where the neck meets the shoulders). At the same time, hold your right index finger with the left hand.

  “WHEN MY DAUGHTER Danielle was about four or five years old, I enrolled her in ballet class. Running across the waxed gym floor, my little girl fell face-first, banging her baby tooth into the hard floor. One hour later my sweetheart came home and burst into tears. The whole upper lip was swollen and bleeding. The trauma to the tooth had forced it up into the gum, possibly damaging her permanent front tooth. The inside of her lip had a gash where the tooth had pierced it. I held her, cupping my right hand over her lip and placing my left hand on top of my right. I didn’t touch the area because it was so painful. When she said it felt better, I sang to her to distract her and gave the area some extra jumper-cabling. The swelling reduced, the abrasion disappeared, and the color was normal.

  “THAT NIGHT AS she slept, I used a large intestine flow because it relates to the jaws and gums.

  “IN THE MORNING I was asked why I hadn’t visited the dentist immediately, as a permanent front tooth requires prompt attention. In fact, when I reached the dentist’s office, he was amazed. He wanted to know what had happened to the hematoma and how we had closed the wound so fast.

  “AFTER VIEWING THE X ray, he felt we should pull the baby tooth as a precaution. He also advised me that the blood that had collected in the area of the permanent front tooth would cause it to blacken.

  “WE DIDN’T PULL any teeth. We continued helping the large intestine flow over the years, and now, at fourteen, my daughter has the whitest, most beautiful front teeth.”

  STOMACH FUNCTION ENERGY

  Stomach function represents reason and intelligence.

  After changing over from the Large Intestine Function Energy at the cheekbone at 8:00 A.M., the Stomach Function Energy flows up to a point centered between the eyebrows. (See Figure 6.5.) Here both the left- and right-side flows meet before going their separate ways.

  The left flow continues on to an area underneath the right eye. From there, it descends along the jawline, back toward a spot just above the eyebrow—in front of the left ear. At that point, the energy turns toward the eyes and descends to the left side acromion (outer shoulder blade). At the acromion, the flow separates into two parts, which we will refer to as A and B.

  Part A flows inward and goes directly into the stomach, where it further divides itself into parts 1 and 2. Part 1 flows into the umbilicus (or navel). From the umbilicus, it crosses over to the right thigh. As it travels along the inner thigh toward the outside of the knee, it meets up with the B flow en route. The left 2, after leaving the stomach, flows through the gall bladder, the right kidney, and finally into the twelfth thoracic vertebra, where it scatters. (On the other side, the right 2 moves through the spleen and left kidney, before scattering at the twelfth thoracic vertebra.)

  On its way down from the acromion, the left B flow travels into the abdomen. About one inch to the left of the navel (umbilicus), it flows into the groin, where it intermingles with the 1. From there, it descends the inner side of the right thigh, to a point about three inches above the knee. It then continues diagonally through the knee. At the outer side of the knee, B separates into parts 3 and 4.

  Part 3 descends along the outer side of the right leg into the middle toe. Part 4 descends into the top of the instep and separates into two parts. One part of 4 travels to the index toe. The second part flows into the outer side of the big toe, where it becomes the Spleen Function Energy.

  Except for the route taken by its 2 branch, the right-side stomach flow travels a similar path along the opposite side of the body. The peak time for both the left and right flows is between eight and ten A.M. At ten A.M., the Stomach Function Energy becomes the Spleen Function Energy.

  The season during which the stomach flow receives the optimal amount of energy is the hottest part of summer.

  The attitud
e associated with disharmony of the stomach flow is worry.

  Balancing the Stomach Flow

  The stomach flow arises from the first depth. Thus all you need to do to balance it is simply to hold the thumb of each hand for a few minutes apiece. You can also open SEL 21 and SEL 22, as follows:

  FIGURE 6.5

  1. Place your right hand on the left SEL 21 (at the underside of the cheekbone). At the same time, jumper-cable the left SEL 22 (under the collarbone) with your left hand. (See Figure 6.6.)

  2. Place your left hand on the right SEL 21 (at the underside of the cheekbone). At the same time, jumper-cable the right SEL 22 (under the collarbone) with your right hand.

  FIGURE 6.6

  “MAT, MY OLDEST son, was assaulted. The police caught the offender, and Mat was taken to the hospital, where it was determined by X rays that he suffered a fractured jaw and needed surgery that afternoon. Mat’s first phone call was to me, asking for Jin Shin Jyutsu. I arrived at the hospital at about eleven A.M. and started what amounted to about six hours of jumper-cabling, using mainly the stomach flow. Meanwhile, the doctor postponed surgery until the following day, as she wanted to confer with another doctor. She came in at three P.M. to examine Mat and found him improved. I left for home at six-thirty P.M. When I arrived, there was a message from the doctor saying she had been to see Mat again and sent him home as he no longer required surgery! What a gift!”

  SPLEEN FUNCTION ENERGY