Touching On Emotion

In Chinese Medicine, each emotion is “governed by” a different organ system. The mind-body-spirit connection is inherent in each organ, inseparable and interrelated. When that organ is imbalanced (too weak, too strong, too blocked) the corresponding emotion is more likely to manifest itself. When we are surrounded by, or experience, life circumstances that evoke a strong emotion, that organ is also affected. It is a circular relationship.

ALL emotions are normal. ALL emotions are natural, and should be felt and moved through. Issues arise when an emotion gets stuck, or we tend to “go there” so often and have a hard time getting through and beyond.

The emotion / organ correspondences as perceived by Chinese Medicine are:

• LUNGS (and Large Intestine) - sadness, grief

• KIDNEYS (and Bladder) - fear, shock

• LIVER (and Gallbladder) - anger, frustration, resentment

• HEART (and Small Intestine) - joy, agitation, overexcitement (and also is the organ that “feels” all the emotions generated by the other organs)

• SPLEEN (and Stomach) - worry, rumination

The time, circumstances, and energetic reality that we are currently living in may naturally bring up ALL of these emotions, and finding ways to work through them will help them to release and not have a negative impact on their corresponding organs. Here are some simple, accessible, but profound tools to help you process them:

• Sadness - Lungs - BREATHE

• Fear - Kidneys - REST

• Anger - Liver - STRETCH

• Agitation - Heart - FIND MOMENTS OF JOY

• Worry - Spleen - EAT MINDFULLY

  And know that….