In biofield healing it is common practice to use weighted tuning forks to ascertain the places within the body that are in need of balancing and harmonizing. The etheric body, the chakras and also the meridian command points are all treated in this way. A skilled practitioner can sense disturbances and blockages in any of these areas through the use of intuition and their knowledge of how the energy feels when it is flowing smoothly through the meridian systems of the body
This energy has various names, depending on which of the Eastern medical practices you are following, but the most commonly used are Chi, Ki and Prana. Once an imbalance is detected, the practitioner often introduces different tones and vibrations into the electromagnetic field of the body to break up and disperse blocked or sick energy and encourage the gentle flow of healing frequencies to recommence. Whereas a trained acupuncturist uses very slender needles to stimulate these command points, a biofield sound healer achieves their effects through the use of sound waves, resonances and frequencies.
Sounds can be produced through the use of instruments such as tuning forks or gongs, but of course the most readily available resource for the production of sound waves is the human voice. The power of the human voice to heal a multitude of conditions cannot be over-estimated. There are numerous methods for healing with the voice. Humming, chanting and song form the basis of many spiritual practices and rituals in many cultures. Whistling and singing forms the backdrop to many a happy day’s work in all kinds of contexts. What we want to examine here are the possibilities of using specific tones, produced by your own voice to send healing vibrations to specific areas along the meridian lines of your body to release blocked energies. We can use our own voices to cleanse and clear our energy pathways, stimulate the healthy flow of chi and contribute greatly to our own health and well-being.
Command Points
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the meridians, or energy channels are accepted as being the single most important aspect of health and well-being. The concept of Yin and Yang energies, also referred to in some healing practices, such as acupressure or shiatsu as “Empty and Full” are also very important. The ideal is to achieve balance in all things in order to achieve optimum health. We need to balance our Yin (feminine) energies with our Yang (masculine) aspects. We strive for a balance between logic and emotion, movement and stillness, joy and grief and so on. You can find body maps showing the main meridian channels that vary in the amount of detail they portray, so if you are beginning your journey in self-healing through the knowledge and application of TCM and Five Element Theory it is a good idea to obtain a wall chart or diagram that is large enough to show the main energy channels clearly.
Along these channels you will find clusters of intersecting points, sometimes called tsubos or plexuses. These are the “command points” targeted by the needles of the acupuncturist. There are 12 major, or primary channels that connect internally with the organs of the body and circulate Chi near the surface via pathways that flow in a particular pattern over the head, torso and limbs. Most of the classical pressure points, or command points are found along these primary channels
Applying pressure, needles, heat (via a technique known as cupping) to these command points can release blocked energies and bring about a more healthy and vigorous flow of chi. A very similar effect can also be achieved through the use of sound. The frequencies and vibrations produced by different sounds have an energetic “signature” that is aligned with different points along the meridian pathways.
Correspondences and Five Element Theory
According to TCM the five elements of earth, fire, metal, water and wood all have “correspondences” associated with them. These are, generally speaking, two organs (one Yin and one Yang), direction, season, climate, color, and flavor. In addition, each element has senses, sense organs and body tissues assigned to it. Bodily fluids and emotions, along with spiritual aspects are also assigned to each element along with specific sounds. The philosophy behind all of these correspondences is that treating one aspect of a manifestation of dis-ease can benefit all of the associated aspects within the body. It is usual for a condition to show itself as a “sore spot” under pressure or as a disturbance in the electromagnetic field when specific sound frequencies are introduced to the area.
To go into any detail about all of the possible permutations and consequences of an imbalance in any one area, as ascertained by a divining exercise such as those listed above would take an entire book! However, as an example of what we can do for ourselves in this regard let’s look at the command point Lu 10 which is found on the fleshy part of the thumb. This is at the end of the Lung meridian channel and is Yang in essence. As a Metal element meridian it takes as its Yin partner the Small Intestine. The taste is Pungent, the season is Autumn and the emotion is Grief. The sounds associated with it are groaning and sighing. This is of course a simplified version of the intricacies of the TCM theory, but we can see how a disturbance in the resonances around the thumb may tell us something about our general state of health. Treating this command point can help with physical illnesses such as sore or dry throat, lung infections and coughs with green or yellow mucus. Treating the entire Lung channel is useful for alleviating pain in the shoulder, chest and neck.
The associated Yin meridian of the large intestine begins at the command point LI1 on the tip of the index finger. It too responds to stimulation through touch and sound in much the same way as the Lung meridian, and as the two are connected it is sometimes appropriate to look at pain or disturbances in the large intestine in order to effectively treat the lungs. Command point LI 1 can be stimulated in order to treat a sore throat for example, and many bowel troubles respond to treatment of the Lung, Kidney, Spleen and Stomach channels.
Sounds for Meridian Health
Sound vibrations promote healing and provide a type of massage for the organs with which they are associated. The key to using sound effectively to benefit both physical and emotional health is to give relaxed attention to the organs and meridians in question in order to release blocked or stuck energy or emotions.
Below is a summary of the correspondences for the 6 main organs as they are perceived in Qigong or TCM five element theory
Liver: Wood, Eyes, Anger. In order to balance the energies of the Liver it may be necessary to reduce the influence of Wood. Anger shows often in our eyes, even to the pint that they may become bloodshot. By making a “ssshhhh” sound, releasing all of the air in your lings, relaxing and sending compassion down to this organ you can help to redress the balance of energies and reduce the influences of Wood in the system. Repeat the exercise consciously at least 5 times.
Heart: Fire, Tongue, Joy. An excess of heart fire can be detrimental to our emotional wellbeing if it manifests as frustration, impatience or hatred. The heart of course is vital to blood circulation and oxygenated blood needs to be circulated to the brain for mental clarity. In order to balance the Fire element of the heart make a “haaaaaaa” sound with the mouth wide open. As you do so, send an inner smile into your heart and release all of the air form your lungs.
Spleen: Earth, Mouth, Worry. An excess of Earth may be discovered through dissonance picked up in the energy field through the use of tuning forks in a sound healing session. It may also manifest in other ways, such as feelings of tenderness anywhere along the Spleen meridian from the big toe to the clavicle. Discomfort in the command pint SP10 “Sea of blood”, above the knee cap, id often and indicator of weakness in Spleen Chi. To bring it into balance, make a guttural sound in your throat that is breathless in nature. The nearest approximation we can give in print is “hoooo” but with a “hoe” emphasis. Repeat at least 5 times and send love to your stomach and stomach spleen as you empty the air from your lungs.
Lungs: Metal, Nose, Grief. The lungs are especially sensitive to outside environmental influences and can become irritated or congested by extremes of heat or cold, moisture or dryness. The lungs are also adversely affected by sadness and grief. To heal blocked energies and emotions associated with the lungs make a “SSSSS” sound behind your teeth on the outbreath and send pure white healing light into your lungs as you do so. Repeat 5 times.
Kidneys: Water, Ears, Fear. The kidneys are regarded as the most important organs in TCM and govern reproduction, sexuality, longevity, bones, elimination of waste and your basic constitution. An excess of Water can lead to a fearful and anxious disposition, lethargy and depression. Balance the energies of the kidneys by making the whispered sound of blowing out a candle “shooo” or “chooo”. Visualize dark blue energy flowing through the kidneys releasing fear and tension. Repeat 5 times.
Triple Burner: This organ has no physical counterpart in Western medicine, although its existence is beginning to be recognized now in mainstream medicine. It covers the upper, middle and lower torso and its main function is to balance moisture in the body. This is connected with heat regulation. In order to bring balance to the triple burner and to draw down heat form the head to the feet use the breathless sound “Sheeeee”. Visualize heat as a form of water vapor or mist moving from top to bottom of the torso, and on each out breath let go of stale or stagnant energy. Breathe in new, vital energies on the inhale.
The actual notes and tones that are applied within the biofield by your practitioner are, of course, not easily represented in print. However, you will find that working with Lee will enables you to both hear and reproduce the actual sounds using your own voice. In this way you should begin to feel empowered to participate fully in your own healing, which is the ultimate goal of the genuine holistic healer. Qigong and TCM practitioners can also guide you in the matter of sounds as correspondences to the major organs, meridians and elements, although your own unique sounds may need a personal approach from a sound healer.