So Which Meditation Should You Choose?
Although you will have already been told which meditation is the most beneficial for you, the following will explain a little more deeply how this decisions was made and which other meditations may also be useful. However, please remember for a true diagnosis please visit a fully trained and licensed Acupuncturist.
Choosing a Meditation Based on Symptom and Root
This is generally how the meditations are used. In Chinese Medicine the symptom is often referred to as the branch, so treating the symptom is treating the branch. However, within Acupuncture our goal is not only to treat the symptom but also the root, this is the root imbalance which has made you prone to the symptom in the first place. The job of Diagnosing which organ group is the root should be left to a qualified professional, however please see below for a brief list of symptoms related to each of the main organ groups.
Kidney
Pain effecting joints especially joints of the lower body such as the knees and ankles. Headaches that effect the base of the skull. Bloating and poor digestion. Sexual dysfunction. Infertility (men and Women). Poor Hearing. Emotionally we may be prone to feeling fearful, even when there is no reason.
Liver
Pain where movement feels tight and restricted, most often effects the hips, shoulders and neck area. Many Gastric issues can also find their root in the Liver, for example IBS and acid reflux could be considered Liver syndromes. Migraines are also major Liver syndrome.Emotionally we may be more prone to anger or frustration and find it hard to making decisions.
Spleen
In Chinese Medicine the Spleen is responsible for overseeing the whole of the digestive function, as such digestive issues can often have a Spleen/Stomach component. General symptoms can include, fatigue, loose stools, weak muscles and poor digestion. Emotionally we may feel stuck or we may be prone to worrying.
Lungs
The main symptoms for the lungs may include shortness of breath, stuffy nose, weak voice, spontaneous sweating and fatigue. Emotionally the Lungs can be severely effected by grief and loss creating a situation where these emotions can continue long past the the actual event that triggered them.
Choosing a Meditation Based on The Five Elements
The five element theory is used extensively within Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although the theory may appear quite simple at first its application can be quite complicated. With this approach we not only use the meditation that fits with the symptom and root but we can also choose a meditation that indirectly effects the root and symptom. For example within the 5 element theory the Kidneys are the Mother to the Liver, this means that practicing the Kidney meditation will also help to nourish the Liver. We can even take this a step further as some elements help to control others. For example if the Liver needs calming or controlling, something that is often found in hypertension or bursts of anger, the Lung meditation can be used as the Lungs have the effect of controlling the Liver
Below is a review of some of the more common interactions that can be used.
Kidney Meditation: Can be used to treat its own organ but can also treat the Liver.
Liver Meditation: Can be used to treat its own organ but can also treat Heart complaints such as insomnia and palpitations
Spleen Meditation: Can be used to treat its own organ but can also nourish the Lungs and control the kidneys in cases on lower limb edema
Lung Meditation: Can be used to treat its own organ but can also nourish the Kidney organ and control the Liver in cases of hypertension or even Migraine.