Self Healing 7, 8, 9
There are actually four positions on the front
to be aware of. In a classic Reiki treatment one
'walks' down the torso hand over hand. In this way
most of the major points to be accessed are covered
at some point. Mrs. Takata always recommended the
'full body treatment' as opposed to treating at
specific sites. Dr. Usui' handbook, on the other
hand shows a number of specific hand positions on
the front of the Torso, that can be used individually
or in combination.
Generally, these points correspond to the three
levels of the digestive system, known as 'Jiao'(pronounced
gee ow). The upper Jiao is located above the diaphragm
and consists of the Heart and Lungs. Nourishment
for the body is derived from the breath. This is
not to be confused with the Prana of the Indian
systems. The Middle Jiao is located between the
diaphragm and the Umbilicus and consists of the
Stomach and Spleen. This refers to Qi derived from
food and water. The lower Jiao is located below
the Umbilicus and consists of the Intestines including
the Bladder and Anus and refers to the separation
of clear water from turbid water which occurs in
the Large Intestine. Mrs. Takata consistently emphasized
the central importance of the digestive system to
healing and health. It is similar in Chinese medicine.
Position 7
Juque / Great
Gateway
Juque (pronounced Ju Chu) is the 14th point on
the Ren channel. It is the Front Mu point of the
Heart. A Mu point is where the Qi of a particular
organ gathers and concentrates. Juque is located
on the midline just below the Xiphoid Process. The
Xiphoid Process is the bony projection at the lower
end of the Sternum, that protects the heart.
On the above diagram this position is approximately
a hand's breadth higher. The point is being accessed
through Zhongchong at the tip of the middle finger.
Juque, though provides access directly into the
Heart/Lung Jiao and strengthens the body's ability
to take in Qi. Breathing is a very important aspect
of Qigong and Reiki practice.
The value of the position in the diagragm above
is that the palm or Laogong is also accessing Qiman
(Chee Man)/ Cycle Gate, which is located in the
6th intercostal space about 2" below the nipple.
In males the nipple is located in the 4th intercostal
space. Qimen is the Front Mu point of the Liver.
This point spreads and regulates Qi in the body,
invigourates the blood and harmonizes the Stomach
and the Liver. This may explain why one often gets
'stuck' in the first body position. The Liver is
responsible for the free flow of Qi in the body.
If there is substantial stagnation of Qi, then it
will take a while to get it moving through this
point.
In the 7th intercostal space, about 1" below
Qiman is Riyue (pronounced ree yu way), which is
the 24th point on the Gallbladder channel. A slight
shifting of the hands will line up Laogong with
this point. The meaning of the character for Riyue
is Sun and Moon. Riyue is the Front Mu point of
the Gallbladder. A Front Mu point is where the Qi
of a particular organ gathers and collects and is
a direct connection to the organ.
It is also the meeting point of a number of channels
including the Yang Linking extraordinary channel.
Extraordinary channels store the body's reserve
energy. In China these reservoirs of energy are
used only in dire circumstances, but in Japanese
practice these meridians are routinely used.
When the characters in Chinese for Sun and Moon
are combined a third character is formed, 'Ming',
which means 'clear', 'intelligent', or 'to understand.'
A healthy Gallbladder in other words, translates
into healthy and clear thinking.
Riyue is particularly useful to treat indecisiveness.
It is also indicated for frequent sighing and propensity
to sadness. As well this point is used to treat
Jaundice, Hepatitis, and other Liver/Gallbladder
related disharmonies.
This point may also be accessed with the palm of
one hand by lining Laogong in the palm with Juque,
as indicated in Dr. Usui's notebook. Qimen may also
be accessed by a single hand on either side. Anatomically,
the Liver is located on the right side in this area.
In Chakra Theory, the 3rd Chakra is located in
this area, and is considered by some to be the point
by which this Chakra is accessed.
Position 8.
Zhongwan / Middle
Cavity.
Zhongwan (pronounced; jong won) is the 12th point
on the Ren channel and is located aproximately half
way between the Umbilicus and the Sternocostal Angle
(the point where the ribs come together on the midline.
Zhongwan is a powerful point that falls naturally
into the classic hand positions we in the west are
familiar with.
Zhongwan is the front Mu point of the stomach.
A Mu point is where the Qi of a particular organ
gathers and concentrates. Zhongwan is also the Hui
(pronounced hway) meeting point of all the Fu or
Yang organs. Fu organs are the 'empty sacs', namely
the Stomach, Intestines, Bladder etc.
Zhongwan is also the meeting point of several Yang
channels thus extending its influence.
Zhongwan has a most powerful effect on the 'middle
jiao'. All diseases of the Stomach and Spleen including
epigastric pain, fullness, difficult digestion,
nausea, stomach reflux, vomiting, etc. are treatable
with this point.
This point is also indicated for injury due to
worry, overthinking, or anxiety. Worry is the emotion
of the Spleen and Stomach problems tend to be quite
common among those who 'think' for a living.
In addition to the above method, this point may
also be accessed by lining up Laogong in the palm
of the hand with the point, as indicated in Dr.
Usui's notebook, whichever method is more comfortable.
Position 9
Qihai / Sea of
Qi .... Guanyuan / Gate of Origin
Qihai (pronounced chee high)/ Sea of Qi is the
6th point on the Ren Channel and is located aproximately
1 1/2" below the Umbilicus on the midline.
In Qigong practice this is the usual location of
the Lower Dantian. Qihai is one of the points through
which Qigong practitioners learn to breath. Any
spiritual practice in the east begins with strongly
tonifying this area, in order to establish a strong
grounding.
Both these points strongly fortify Yuan Qi. Yuan
Qi is also known as Original Qi. This is the Qi
we are born with. When it is gone, so are we.
Guanyuan (pronounced gwan yuwan) is the 4rd point
on the Ren channel located about 2" above the
pubic bone. Guanyuan is the Front Mu point of the
Small Intestine. A Mu point is the gathering and
collecting point for specific organs. As well Guanyuan
is the meeting point of the Ren, Spleen, Liver and
Kidney meridians and as such has a particular effect
on these organ systems.
While both these points fortify Yuan or Original
Qi, Qihai has indications that relate specifically
to men like impotence, seminal emission, and hernia,
and Guanyuan has indications that relate specifically
to women like, infertility, vaginal disorders, pregnancy
and post partem disorders.
This area is seen in Qigong practice as the location
of the Lower Dantian. Since men are the usual practioners,
Qihai is usually considered to be the main access
point of the Lower Dantian. However, it would seem
that Guanyuan would be a better choice for women
to cultivate.
In Reiki this is a site usually covered by the
'V' position, which seems to miss the actual points.
In Usui's handbook it is apparant that he placed
his hand directly on Qihai, lining up the Lagong
point. As mentioned above, women should try Guanyuan.
In Chakra theory the Second Chakra is located in
this area, and Qihai is considerd by some to be
the point by which it is accessed. Again, women
should consider Guanyuan to access the second Chakra.
Shenque/Spirit
Gate
There is a fourth Reiki position on the front and
that is placing the hands at the level of the Umbilicus.
The point located in the centre of the Umbilicus
is called Shenque (pronounced Shen Chew). It is
the 8th point on the Ren channel which runs up the
midline on the front of the body. Shen means 'spirit'
and Que is the watchtower, such as that over the
gates of a city. Variously, this point is called
Qishe, which means 'abode of Qi', and Qihe, which
means 'joining of Qi.'
This probably refers to "Po" or the corporeal
spirit of Taoist literature. This is the Shen that
animates the body and enters the foetus through
the Umbilical Cord. But there would also be a connection
to the 'Hun" or Ethereal Spirit, which is the
one that leaves the body at death. In any case,
there is a strong connection to spirit accessed
at this point, in addition to the local harmonizing
of the lower and middle Jiao's.
This is an important point for warming the Yang
of the body, especially after collapse of Yang due
to severe cold or exhaustion. It is also an important
point for treating diarrhea.
This is one point that is forbidden to needle in
Acupuncture. Other forbidden points are the nipple
of the breast, the eyeball, the scrotal sac in men
and the labia in women, and the tip of the elbow.
However, this point is regularly treated with Moxa,
either indirectly with a Moxa stick, or directly
by placing a cone on a mound of salt placed in the
Umbilicus, a thick slice of Ginger, or Aconite.
Located laterally from Shenque are two other points
primarily indicated for diarrhea, constipation and
other such bowel problems. These are Tianshu/Celestial
Pivot, which is the 25th point on the Stomach Channel,
located aprox. 2" bilaterally, and Daheng/Great
Horizontal, the 15th point on the Spleen Channel,
which is located aprox. 4" bilaterally.
Both these points are important for regulating
the function of the Large Intestine. Tianshu is
the Front Mu point of the Large Intestine. A Mu
point is where the Qi of a particular organ gathers
and collects and provides a direct connection to
that organ.
Tianshu, being the Front Mu point of the Large
Intestine demonstrates the close relationship between
the Stomach and the Large Intestine and is the single
most important point for treating any kind of Intestinal
Disorder.
As it is located directly on the dividing line
between the upper and lower abdomen its effect flows
in both directions. Above this line is ruled by
Heavenly or Celestial Qi, while the area below is
ruled by Earthly Qi. Where these two meet is the
origin of Human Qi, and especially Yuan Qi or Original
Qi, which enters through the Umbilicus.
Daheng, has a strong psycho-emotional effect as
it is strongly indicated for sadness, frequent sighing,
depression, and profound weakness of the four limbs.
In Reiki, traditional hand positioning with Zhongchong
resting on the Umbilicus will cover these points.
Alternatively, you can line up Laogong with Shenque
which is one of the positions indicated in Dr. Usui's
handbook.
