EFT & TFT: Meridians of the Central Nervous System
|
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) & Thought Field Therapy (TFT) , or "psychological acupressure", are healing therapies which work by releasing negative emotions connected to physical meridians in the body's central nervous system. By tapping the body in these specific locations you can balance your energy system and treat physical pains that are being caused by mental and emotional distresses. Tapping is focused around these meridian points — or energy hot spots — to restore balance to your body and mind. Restoring this energy balance can relieve symptoms that are rooted in unresolved negative emotional trauma and its subsequent subconscious damage. The method is based in centuries old Eastern Medicine practices in which meridian points are considered areas of the body where specific energy flows ( or doesn't flow) through. These pathways are intended to balance your internal energy system and maintain your physical and mental health. The Meridian System is most commonly known for use in acupuncture but it also forms the basis for EFT and TFT tapping points. You apply pressure to these points with your fingers ‘tapping’, thus stimulating the meridian points.
|
Connecting Everything in Your Body
Picture a road map: a profusion of points woven into a web by lines of travel. Now imagine this system 3-D in your body: a vast network of invisible energy pathways connecting to each other and to every atom, cell, tendon, bone, organ, each centimeter of skin—everything in your body! They link the upper portion with the lower and the surface with the interior, so that nothing is truly separate. Now add other dimensions to this 3-D interconnected body “map”: your mind, your emotions, and spirit—everything conscious and unconscious within you. These pathways are the meridians, and they form your body and all invisible aspects of your being as an intercommunicating whole.
Meridian Pathways
There are twelve major meridians that run on each side of the body, one side mirroring the other. Each meridian corresponds to an internal organ. And each organ, with its own physiological and invisible energy functions, is not only dependent on the other organ systems but also on the greater meridian network.
Picture a road map: a profusion of points woven into a web by lines of travel. Now imagine this system 3-D in your body: a vast network of invisible energy pathways connecting to each other and to every atom, cell, tendon, bone, organ, each centimeter of skin—everything in your body! They link the upper portion with the lower and the surface with the interior, so that nothing is truly separate. Now add other dimensions to this 3-D interconnected body “map”: your mind, your emotions, and spirit—everything conscious and unconscious within you. These pathways are the meridians, and they form your body and all invisible aspects of your being as an intercommunicating whole.
Meridian Pathways
There are twelve major meridians that run on each side of the body, one side mirroring the other. Each meridian corresponds to an internal organ. And each organ, with its own physiological and invisible energy functions, is not only dependent on the other organ systems but also on the greater meridian network.
|
THE 12 CHINESE NAMES OF THE MAIN MERIDIANS
1. Lung meridian 2. Stomach meridian 3. Heart meridian 4. Small intestine meridian 5. Bladder meridian 6. Kidney meridian 7. Pericardium meridian (thin sac that surrounds the heart) 8. San Jiao meridian 9. Gall bladder meridian 10. Spleen meridian 11. Liver meridian 12. Large intestine meridian |
|
MERIDIAN TAPPING POINT LOCATIONS
1. Top of Head – Governing Meridian
2. Eyebrow Point – Bladder/ Stomach Meridians
3. Side of Eye Point – Triple Warmer/ Gall Bladder/ Small Intestine Meridians
4. Under the eye point – Stomach Meridian
5. Under Nose Point – Governing/ Large Intestine Meridians
6. Chin Point – Central Conception/ Stomach Meridian
7. Collarbone Point – Kidney Meridian
8. Under Arm Point – Spleen Meridian
9. Solar Plexus Point - Stomach/ Heart/ Pericardium/ San Jiao Meridians
10. Karate Chop point – Small Intestine Meridian
11. Gamut Point - Triple Warmer/ Heart/ Governing/ Central Conception Meridians
1. Top of Head – Governing Meridian
2. Eyebrow Point – Bladder/ Stomach Meridians
3. Side of Eye Point – Triple Warmer/ Gall Bladder/ Small Intestine Meridians
4. Under the eye point – Stomach Meridian
5. Under Nose Point – Governing/ Large Intestine Meridians
6. Chin Point – Central Conception/ Stomach Meridian
7. Collarbone Point – Kidney Meridian
8. Under Arm Point – Spleen Meridian
9. Solar Plexus Point - Stomach/ Heart/ Pericardium/ San Jiao Meridians
10. Karate Chop point – Small Intestine Meridian
11. Gamut Point - Triple Warmer/ Heart/ Governing/ Central Conception Meridians
HOW MERIDIANS CARRY ENERGY, BLOODFLOW AND INFORMATION
Energy and blood flow continuously through the meridians, yet they also transmit information to and among your organs. What kind of information? Instantaneously they send signals to raise or lower your body temperature, signs that your body needs to release water, signals to regulate emotion, among countless others. Are you aware that your body is constantly communicating with itself through innumerable messages flowing through your meridians? These life-giving energy pathways help coordinate the work of the organs and keep your body balanced by regulating its functions.
FREE FLOW OF "QI" OR CHI
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, as long as Qi flows freely through your meridians and your organs work in harmony, your body can remain healthy. This means that when your body’s meridian system functions well, you are well. Yet due to a number of causes—like excess stress—your body’s meridians can become clogged or even blocked. This affects the function of the corresponding organ and ultimately the whole body-mind-spirit.
MERIDIAN ENERGY FLOW
When meridian energy flow is interrupted or blocked by physical, mental or emotional pain, the Chi harmony is disturbed. Meridian flow can be affected by a wide range of things, from stress and anxiety, through to dietary issues and health problems. As an example, a physical illness, such as fatty liver, may cause issues along the liver meridian. This could manifest as further physical symptoms (blurred vision, headaches) and/or emotional symptoms (depression, anger). Alternative therapies such as EFT & TFT can help to treat this imbalance; restoring harmony and balance.
Energy and blood flow continuously through the meridians, yet they also transmit information to and among your organs. What kind of information? Instantaneously they send signals to raise or lower your body temperature, signs that your body needs to release water, signals to regulate emotion, among countless others. Are you aware that your body is constantly communicating with itself through innumerable messages flowing through your meridians? These life-giving energy pathways help coordinate the work of the organs and keep your body balanced by regulating its functions.
FREE FLOW OF "QI" OR CHI
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, as long as Qi flows freely through your meridians and your organs work in harmony, your body can remain healthy. This means that when your body’s meridian system functions well, you are well. Yet due to a number of causes—like excess stress—your body’s meridians can become clogged or even blocked. This affects the function of the corresponding organ and ultimately the whole body-mind-spirit.
MERIDIAN ENERGY FLOW
When meridian energy flow is interrupted or blocked by physical, mental or emotional pain, the Chi harmony is disturbed. Meridian flow can be affected by a wide range of things, from stress and anxiety, through to dietary issues and health problems. As an example, a physical illness, such as fatty liver, may cause issues along the liver meridian. This could manifest as further physical symptoms (blurred vision, headaches) and/or emotional symptoms (depression, anger). Alternative therapies such as EFT & TFT can help to treat this imbalance; restoring harmony and balance.
Balancing Your Yin Yang: Feminine and Masculine Energies
(The eternal soul is balanced in the union of divine feminine ( love ) and divine masculine ( light ) energies that live and breathe in you.
This divine voice must be heard, acknowledged, understood and healed so that one can live in their greatest light as our most whole self by awakening and balancing these energies. Most reject the designation of certain qualities being inherently “masculine” (i.e., assertive, dominant) and others being “feminine” (i.e., intuitive, caring). What shifts that paradigm is the understanding that those polarities can be completely divorced from what we perceive as biological gender and that we all contain a flowing and dynamic combination of both. Divine Femine/ Masculine balancing sessions work on helping you understand both aspects of yourself and learning how to properly balance them. In Chinese medicine, from which this practice has its roots) these qualities are referred to as Yin (feminine) and Yang (Masculine). We’re all born with both types of energy and all have the potential to lean more towards one polarity or the other and usually present with a greater dominance of one or the other. Below are the four "archetypes" (as a general guideline) of the yin and yang energies, as well as their strengths and imbalances so that one can better understand these energies and work with them to create balance and harmony.
This divine voice must be heard, acknowledged, understood and healed so that one can live in their greatest light as our most whole self by awakening and balancing these energies. Most reject the designation of certain qualities being inherently “masculine” (i.e., assertive, dominant) and others being “feminine” (i.e., intuitive, caring). What shifts that paradigm is the understanding that those polarities can be completely divorced from what we perceive as biological gender and that we all contain a flowing and dynamic combination of both. Divine Femine/ Masculine balancing sessions work on helping you understand both aspects of yourself and learning how to properly balance them. In Chinese medicine, from which this practice has its roots) these qualities are referred to as Yin (feminine) and Yang (Masculine). We’re all born with both types of energy and all have the potential to lean more towards one polarity or the other and usually present with a greater dominance of one or the other. Below are the four "archetypes" (as a general guideline) of the yin and yang energies, as well as their strengths and imbalances so that one can better understand these energies and work with them to create balance and harmony.
The Archetypes of Divine Energy
Greater Yin (Feminine)
This is "full force" feminine energy and is associated with stillness, nighttime, intuition, creativity, feelings, and senses. Individuals who live with and in this energy feel it all. Many "feel" things before actually understanding them. They have a bleeding heart and tend to side with the underdog. This energy center often requires more alone time than most and It’s possible others would refer to this energy as “needy” or “sensitive”. While this energy is not necessarily an introvert by nature it is likely to exhibit introverted tendencies. Many of those who are "empaths" are the living embodiment of the Greater Yin.
STRENGTHS: This energy is great at getting vulnerable, honest, transparent, and authentic. It’s a beautiful thing! It’s nearly impossible for those who live in this energy not to be living with integrity and they have a tendency to be able to cultivate caring energies from even the most unscrupulous individuals. This energy is wise and pensive and has the ability to connect deeply with any person or situation. When the Greater Yin energies are in balance, most people feel remarkable in it's presence because they feel totally seen, heard, and understood.
IMBALANCES: This is truly the energy of the empath and one possessing an imbalance of it can easily become an energy sponge that takes on the energy of any environment which it enters without regard for itself. This can be very disempowering for the individual living in Greater Yin, especially in tune with energies that cause feelings of emotional woe; such as heightened anxiety or aggressive and out of balance Yang energies. The mind of the Greater Yin can get trapped in the negative so much so that it becomes unaware of and blinded to the positives in its day to day life. Even a short negative interaction create severe distress for this energy when not balanced. It is akin to one's mind being held hostage by feelings that manifest as an endless echo chamber of even the most minute negatives or disruptions. When this energy is out of balance it becomes very difficult for it to live in the present moment. Remember that the yin/feminine is stillness. But too much stillness can feel isolating and lonely and will potentially lead to this energy staying in unhealthy relationships (personal or professional) for far too long. It can also be exhausting for those around you. While others may love and value how real and vulnerable this energy is, they may also start to feel responsible for the Greater Yin's emotional state. This can breed resentment toward being around this energy and cause some to feel as though the relationship is too burdensome to be worthwhile, only compounding the negative cycles of the imbalanced Greater Yin.
TOOLS FOR BALANCING: Meditate, journal, sleep, nap and take time to understand the root cause of feelings. This means setting aside time to feel and more deeply understand your feelings about a given situation. For this energy that may look like cry just to cry, screaming into a pillow, signing up for a kick boxing class or dancing it all out. The key is to set aside daily time for this practice and get ahead of the feelings by taking full ownership of them. Feelings are like a portal to the intuition and internal navigation system for the Greater Yin offer helpful feedback. When this energy doesn't set aside enough time for its feelings, that feedback may come in retroactively, as it can take the Greater Yin longer than most to process surroundings as they "feel" them before they "experience" them. This archetype can use feelings as foresight and not hindsight by creating space for them. Make the effort to schedule in twenty-minute blocks of sacred silence once or twice daily: Mornings before work, an afternoon recalibration, or the evenings in between switching gears are all great times to tune in to this energy. Take time to view what has been perceived as negative experiences form a neutral 3rd party perspective during this time. This energy also feels best when it is in a state of giving. Giving will put the Greater Yin into action and offer itself back in-kind. Give, volunteer, help a friend out, or practice random acts of kindness. Stop asking for advice and forfeiting power to others and start believing in the true wisdom and ability of this energy by turning to intuition and "inner - knowing". When giving more and taking less it is elevating this energy from the lower chakras— where insecurities are stored—to the heart chakra where love, abundance, compassion, unity, cohesion, and a sense of belonging happen.
Lesser Yin (Feminine)
In general this energy is fairly well balanced. It is sensitive and curious and likely more creative than analytical, as well as, more introverted than extroverted. This energy is very self-aware and able to "go with the flow". As a less dominant energy those who process and live in Lesser Yin energy will often find themselves surrounded by more-dominant personalities that tend to take charge. This energy likes to take its time and has a process all its own, sometimes slower than others, but it’s an energy strongly centered in of self-discovery.
STRENGTHS: This energy creates a safe space everywhere it inhabits. It is extremely fluid with feelings, allowing others to explore theirs while the Lesser Yin processes situations internally without judgment or opinion of the insights of others. This energy is very good at understanding that all feelings are unique to the individual and exist for that very reason. Those that live in Lesser Yin often advocate for those who aren’t advocating for themselves — even if this energy archetype doesn't always advocate for itself!
IMBALANCES: Being able to "roll with the punches" is, undeniably, an excellent quality. But the Lesser Yin can fall into situations where it is giving away too much of it's energy advocating for others and making it's own life harder by forgetting to advocate for itself. If it leads to too much self-sacrificing or self-abandoning, it’s going to catch up with this energy and eventually becomes an imbalance in feelings of bitterness, resentment, or like one is being taken for granted. It’s important for the Lesser Yin to remember that it is not only okay but necessary to express and seek it's own needs. They’re just as valuable and important as anyone else’s. When out of balance this energy also has a tendency to jump to negative conclusions and be presumptions of the minds and potential actions of others, rather than just asking things outright. On the rare occasion that this energy really doesn't understand where a person is coming from because of previous interactions or presumptions it's important that the Lesser Yin makes the effort to take other's words and actions at face value instead of creating false expectations. Offer others a bit of credit as way of offering yourself some peace of mind. Let it go.
TOOLS FOR BALANCING: Creative projects are an excellent outlet for those living with Lesser Yin, as they can be insightful as much as they are productive and replenishing for this energy. While this archetype highly values simply “sitting” with it's feelings through meditation or journaling, it's also important for this energy to feel a forward motion, have a sense of resolution, and measurable outcomes. The creative process can be a perfect mirror for this energy's spiritual growth, whether that means learning a new artistic talent or revisiting and building on an old creative outlet, so long as this energy is feeling "progression" within it's creativity it's a huge plus! It's important for this archetype to force itself to have a set time and space for it's creative outlets so that it has no excuse for ignoring them for the needs of others. This may mean signing up for an art class with a friend so that the desire to "show up" is always there (whether its from a place of intentional self healing or caring for others). This energy must remember to give back to itself, first and foremost. Carve out time for creative endeavors, as well as, self-care time. Lesser Yin needs both! The creativity will honor and balance this archetypes yang energies while the self-care will balance the yin energies. Like the Greater Yin, this energy is also balanced by giving back to others and a little goes a long way. By giving and receiving in equilibrium this energy is able to acknowledge how powerful and significant it is and how capable it is of impacting change in itself and others.
Lesser Yang (Masculine)
Lesser Yang is a masculine energy that is open-minded and kindhearted. This energy does, however, have a tendency to expect a little more from life than most and is usually passionate and playful. This energy type is very into being creative and dreaming big while still having a healthy and rational sense of understanding of potential limitations. The Lesser Yang is future-oriented and great at accomplishing goals without taking itself too seriously, which means it won't give up hope on goals and dreams even when the stars don’t align perfectly.
STRENGTHS: This energy is like a magnet for other energy types and while it is not the "star of the show" it is often the masculine energy that most other energies turn to or confide in when they need a shoulder to lean on. The Lesser Yang is curious and always learning and growing and has knack for finding the magic in others and life's experiences. This energy makes life look easy while exhibiting a lovely balance of being both fiery and flowing, having a great sense of adventure and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This energy can often times be a "jack of all trades" as there is just way too much out there to discover and learn from every avenue of life and so it never limits itself to just one area of interest. Being able to expand in all ways and all directions plays a vital role for this energy.
IMBALANCE: The Lesser Yang, being of masculine energy has a little extra "fire" from the cosmic creation within it, and if not wielded wisely, it will turn against itself. Despite this archetypes "Everything is awesome" mentality it may feel trapped, stuck, or anxious when it has to deal with feelings or situations that go against this mantra. This energy also has a tendency toward creating drama in its life when it feels so stagnant or senses what it perceives as a lack of progression when life has it's plateaus. The Lesser Yang may even build feelings of ungratefulness or resentment toward what many would perceive as blessings and sabotage a healthy job or relationship because it’s doe not know how to sit still and enjoy the benefits of rest, consistency and peacefulness. This energy can be lacking in patience and will often view those who don't have the same "drive for life" as they do as being lazy and without purpose. This can lead to a general blindness toward potentially healthy and balancing relationships with energies that have learned to live, breathe, thrive and create from the stillness that life has to offer that the imbalanced Lesser Yang can be so uncomfortable accepting. This energy type can also create a negative mindset which states " I am never good enough" or "I will never be everything i want to be". These negative internal monologues can cause this energy to build a self hatred toward it's best qualities since, no matter how much it gets done, it just wants more of that feeling! It may begin to view its undying want for "more" as a "curse" instead of a gift.
TOOLS FOR BALANCE: This energy needs to find ways to nurture its boundless curiosity, willing naivety, sense of adventure, and desire for growth. It's important that the Lesser Yang accepts that it's unique ability to constantly want more out of life is a blessing and not a curse. It is best for this archetype to accept that sometimes it really is better to be a "fool" than a philosopher and allow itself the playfulness and lack of shame required for endeavoring in new hobbies and skills. This energy expects as much out of itself as it does out of life and so being able to laugh at itself and accepts its "novice" status and truly being open to sitting still long enough to learn and progress at a fruitful pace is important. Since this energy loves taking on new projects its important that it doesn't get spread to thin and uses some of it's energies toward planning out its progressions instead of just expecting progress to land at its feet or spending energy in to many directions so that it feels like it is not progressing enough in a certain area to the point that it moves on to something "shiny and new" to fulfill its desire for constant excitement. The Lesser Yang also needs to prioritize its self care and spiritual growth. As the shoulder that many tend to lean on and gravitate toward for advice it can be draining to this energy when it feels like it has only itself to rely and no time to give itself. This energy would do well to remember that its want to be in social settings is not a social responsibility to go to every engagement and "be" the party for the sake of others. Its also important for the Lesser Yang to accept that it's liability is not an obligation to enjoy and like all others. This is the kind of energy everyone wants to be around, especially those who are imbalanced and can be very draining. Quality is far more important than quantity for this energies relationships. Keep friends according to how much value they add to life and not how much value this energy wants to ad to theirs. Don’t be a slave to your own magic. Honor it with healthy boundaries and keeping a few good friends and lots of friendly acquaintances.
Greater Yang (Masculine)
This is as masculine an energy as it gets. Greater Yang energy is assertive, goal-oriented, accomplished, and dominant. This energy is associated with daytime, activity, vision, and power. This archetype is the natural leader and everyone knows it. As a child this energy ruled the playground before it even knew what it meant to be a "ruler" and It’s likely the kids on the playground assigned that role before it could even cognitively process the magnitude and responsibility of it. This is the energy of the problem solver, the big thinker and the entrepreneur. If Greater Yang had a mantra assigned to itself it would likely be "If you can dream it, you can do it!"
YOUR STRENGTHS: This energy has a hustle like no one else and can often create and complete somewhat impossible seeming endeavors without feeling burned-out. Greater Yang is the creator and mover of mountains, no obstacle is insurmountable to this energy. This archetype is put into superhero scenarios and takes the lead role without question or concern. It is an energy that is totally tapped into the bigger picture, and fabulous at keeping it's eyes on the prize. Greater Yang is all about the ideology of "mind over matter", and that is because they have proved to themselves time and time again that its true! This energy has a fairly robust constitution and hardly ever takes a day off. Greater Yang is both the fuel and the fire and takes no issue with the driving cosmic creative forces that inhabit it.
IMBALANCE: This is Type "A" full Alpha energy and can make those living with Greater Yang feel easily disappointed in others and become arrogant and cruel toward those that it views as lacking in competencies. While we already stated that this was the energy of the natural born leader it can also be negatively manifested into the bully or "villain". The imbalanced Greater Yang can grow to resent not just people but humanity as a whole for not living up to their grandiose expectations and ideals. After all, they meet their own crazy standards... why can't everyone else? This energy also tends to be a perfectionist and "my way or the highway" personality which isn't ideal for making friends or getting volunteers to help you out when it's actually needed. Those around an imbalanced Greater Yang tend to not even bother trying because they start to feel it will never be good enough or that this energy will do it better anyways. This archetype can become boastful, arrogant and intimidating to be around leading others to admire from a long and healthy distance lest they get burned by the fiery storm of this chaotic and unwieldy energy. It’s common for Greater Yang to overextend itself and try to do everything for everyone and ends up giving way more than it is receiving. Even if another won’t complete the task as well as this energy thinks it can, its best to let others learn, try and potentially fail on their own and reserve energy.
TOOLS FOR BALANCE: Nothing can stop a star from shining! Lean into your strengths without apology or trepidation. The sooner you own that you’re a strong, benevolent leader, the easier it will be for others to appreciate you for it. What’s amazing about this energy is that while being born with all this cosmic life force that has you "winning in life", you’re still a sweetheart and not trying to win if it means others loose. Trust that everyone wins when this energy type takes hold of the steering wheel. It’s a position of great responsibility, and not for everyone. It's also very important that this energy isn't afraid to delegate: Let others pull through. Let them fail. The Greater Yang can learn best that if someone fails it's a reflection of them and not itself. This energy can also gain a lot from getting comfortable watching people fall apart and make totally preventable mistakes while sitting peacefully on the sidelines. It’s important this archetype remembers that this is often the only way that others learn and grow into better versions of themselves and become better able to support without building resentment or feeling micromanaged. Maybe it’s not that everyone else is so incompetent but it’s more that this energy has been gifted with extra competencies to be a great leader and guide for others! Before judging others or feeling upset about the process of others, Greater Yang needs to remember to slow down and appreciate the process as much as they do the results. This includes taking the time to explain concepts that seem second nature to you without being condescending. Learn how to teach and guide instead of dictating to others about how get things accomplished. This will inspire those around this energy to rise and create a symbolic relationship instead of a forced negative one between both parties.
This is "full force" feminine energy and is associated with stillness, nighttime, intuition, creativity, feelings, and senses. Individuals who live with and in this energy feel it all. Many "feel" things before actually understanding them. They have a bleeding heart and tend to side with the underdog. This energy center often requires more alone time than most and It’s possible others would refer to this energy as “needy” or “sensitive”. While this energy is not necessarily an introvert by nature it is likely to exhibit introverted tendencies. Many of those who are "empaths" are the living embodiment of the Greater Yin.
STRENGTHS: This energy is great at getting vulnerable, honest, transparent, and authentic. It’s a beautiful thing! It’s nearly impossible for those who live in this energy not to be living with integrity and they have a tendency to be able to cultivate caring energies from even the most unscrupulous individuals. This energy is wise and pensive and has the ability to connect deeply with any person or situation. When the Greater Yin energies are in balance, most people feel remarkable in it's presence because they feel totally seen, heard, and understood.
IMBALANCES: This is truly the energy of the empath and one possessing an imbalance of it can easily become an energy sponge that takes on the energy of any environment which it enters without regard for itself. This can be very disempowering for the individual living in Greater Yin, especially in tune with energies that cause feelings of emotional woe; such as heightened anxiety or aggressive and out of balance Yang energies. The mind of the Greater Yin can get trapped in the negative so much so that it becomes unaware of and blinded to the positives in its day to day life. Even a short negative interaction create severe distress for this energy when not balanced. It is akin to one's mind being held hostage by feelings that manifest as an endless echo chamber of even the most minute negatives or disruptions. When this energy is out of balance it becomes very difficult for it to live in the present moment. Remember that the yin/feminine is stillness. But too much stillness can feel isolating and lonely and will potentially lead to this energy staying in unhealthy relationships (personal or professional) for far too long. It can also be exhausting for those around you. While others may love and value how real and vulnerable this energy is, they may also start to feel responsible for the Greater Yin's emotional state. This can breed resentment toward being around this energy and cause some to feel as though the relationship is too burdensome to be worthwhile, only compounding the negative cycles of the imbalanced Greater Yin.
TOOLS FOR BALANCING: Meditate, journal, sleep, nap and take time to understand the root cause of feelings. This means setting aside time to feel and more deeply understand your feelings about a given situation. For this energy that may look like cry just to cry, screaming into a pillow, signing up for a kick boxing class or dancing it all out. The key is to set aside daily time for this practice and get ahead of the feelings by taking full ownership of them. Feelings are like a portal to the intuition and internal navigation system for the Greater Yin offer helpful feedback. When this energy doesn't set aside enough time for its feelings, that feedback may come in retroactively, as it can take the Greater Yin longer than most to process surroundings as they "feel" them before they "experience" them. This archetype can use feelings as foresight and not hindsight by creating space for them. Make the effort to schedule in twenty-minute blocks of sacred silence once or twice daily: Mornings before work, an afternoon recalibration, or the evenings in between switching gears are all great times to tune in to this energy. Take time to view what has been perceived as negative experiences form a neutral 3rd party perspective during this time. This energy also feels best when it is in a state of giving. Giving will put the Greater Yin into action and offer itself back in-kind. Give, volunteer, help a friend out, or practice random acts of kindness. Stop asking for advice and forfeiting power to others and start believing in the true wisdom and ability of this energy by turning to intuition and "inner - knowing". When giving more and taking less it is elevating this energy from the lower chakras— where insecurities are stored—to the heart chakra where love, abundance, compassion, unity, cohesion, and a sense of belonging happen.
Lesser Yin (Feminine)
In general this energy is fairly well balanced. It is sensitive and curious and likely more creative than analytical, as well as, more introverted than extroverted. This energy is very self-aware and able to "go with the flow". As a less dominant energy those who process and live in Lesser Yin energy will often find themselves surrounded by more-dominant personalities that tend to take charge. This energy likes to take its time and has a process all its own, sometimes slower than others, but it’s an energy strongly centered in of self-discovery.
STRENGTHS: This energy creates a safe space everywhere it inhabits. It is extremely fluid with feelings, allowing others to explore theirs while the Lesser Yin processes situations internally without judgment or opinion of the insights of others. This energy is very good at understanding that all feelings are unique to the individual and exist for that very reason. Those that live in Lesser Yin often advocate for those who aren’t advocating for themselves — even if this energy archetype doesn't always advocate for itself!
IMBALANCES: Being able to "roll with the punches" is, undeniably, an excellent quality. But the Lesser Yin can fall into situations where it is giving away too much of it's energy advocating for others and making it's own life harder by forgetting to advocate for itself. If it leads to too much self-sacrificing or self-abandoning, it’s going to catch up with this energy and eventually becomes an imbalance in feelings of bitterness, resentment, or like one is being taken for granted. It’s important for the Lesser Yin to remember that it is not only okay but necessary to express and seek it's own needs. They’re just as valuable and important as anyone else’s. When out of balance this energy also has a tendency to jump to negative conclusions and be presumptions of the minds and potential actions of others, rather than just asking things outright. On the rare occasion that this energy really doesn't understand where a person is coming from because of previous interactions or presumptions it's important that the Lesser Yin makes the effort to take other's words and actions at face value instead of creating false expectations. Offer others a bit of credit as way of offering yourself some peace of mind. Let it go.
TOOLS FOR BALANCING: Creative projects are an excellent outlet for those living with Lesser Yin, as they can be insightful as much as they are productive and replenishing for this energy. While this archetype highly values simply “sitting” with it's feelings through meditation or journaling, it's also important for this energy to feel a forward motion, have a sense of resolution, and measurable outcomes. The creative process can be a perfect mirror for this energy's spiritual growth, whether that means learning a new artistic talent or revisiting and building on an old creative outlet, so long as this energy is feeling "progression" within it's creativity it's a huge plus! It's important for this archetype to force itself to have a set time and space for it's creative outlets so that it has no excuse for ignoring them for the needs of others. This may mean signing up for an art class with a friend so that the desire to "show up" is always there (whether its from a place of intentional self healing or caring for others). This energy must remember to give back to itself, first and foremost. Carve out time for creative endeavors, as well as, self-care time. Lesser Yin needs both! The creativity will honor and balance this archetypes yang energies while the self-care will balance the yin energies. Like the Greater Yin, this energy is also balanced by giving back to others and a little goes a long way. By giving and receiving in equilibrium this energy is able to acknowledge how powerful and significant it is and how capable it is of impacting change in itself and others.
Lesser Yang (Masculine)
Lesser Yang is a masculine energy that is open-minded and kindhearted. This energy does, however, have a tendency to expect a little more from life than most and is usually passionate and playful. This energy type is very into being creative and dreaming big while still having a healthy and rational sense of understanding of potential limitations. The Lesser Yang is future-oriented and great at accomplishing goals without taking itself too seriously, which means it won't give up hope on goals and dreams even when the stars don’t align perfectly.
STRENGTHS: This energy is like a magnet for other energy types and while it is not the "star of the show" it is often the masculine energy that most other energies turn to or confide in when they need a shoulder to lean on. The Lesser Yang is curious and always learning and growing and has knack for finding the magic in others and life's experiences. This energy makes life look easy while exhibiting a lovely balance of being both fiery and flowing, having a great sense of adventure and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This energy can often times be a "jack of all trades" as there is just way too much out there to discover and learn from every avenue of life and so it never limits itself to just one area of interest. Being able to expand in all ways and all directions plays a vital role for this energy.
IMBALANCE: The Lesser Yang, being of masculine energy has a little extra "fire" from the cosmic creation within it, and if not wielded wisely, it will turn against itself. Despite this archetypes "Everything is awesome" mentality it may feel trapped, stuck, or anxious when it has to deal with feelings or situations that go against this mantra. This energy also has a tendency toward creating drama in its life when it feels so stagnant or senses what it perceives as a lack of progression when life has it's plateaus. The Lesser Yang may even build feelings of ungratefulness or resentment toward what many would perceive as blessings and sabotage a healthy job or relationship because it’s doe not know how to sit still and enjoy the benefits of rest, consistency and peacefulness. This energy can be lacking in patience and will often view those who don't have the same "drive for life" as they do as being lazy and without purpose. This can lead to a general blindness toward potentially healthy and balancing relationships with energies that have learned to live, breathe, thrive and create from the stillness that life has to offer that the imbalanced Lesser Yang can be so uncomfortable accepting. This energy type can also create a negative mindset which states " I am never good enough" or "I will never be everything i want to be". These negative internal monologues can cause this energy to build a self hatred toward it's best qualities since, no matter how much it gets done, it just wants more of that feeling! It may begin to view its undying want for "more" as a "curse" instead of a gift.
TOOLS FOR BALANCE: This energy needs to find ways to nurture its boundless curiosity, willing naivety, sense of adventure, and desire for growth. It's important that the Lesser Yang accepts that it's unique ability to constantly want more out of life is a blessing and not a curse. It is best for this archetype to accept that sometimes it really is better to be a "fool" than a philosopher and allow itself the playfulness and lack of shame required for endeavoring in new hobbies and skills. This energy expects as much out of itself as it does out of life and so being able to laugh at itself and accepts its "novice" status and truly being open to sitting still long enough to learn and progress at a fruitful pace is important. Since this energy loves taking on new projects its important that it doesn't get spread to thin and uses some of it's energies toward planning out its progressions instead of just expecting progress to land at its feet or spending energy in to many directions so that it feels like it is not progressing enough in a certain area to the point that it moves on to something "shiny and new" to fulfill its desire for constant excitement. The Lesser Yang also needs to prioritize its self care and spiritual growth. As the shoulder that many tend to lean on and gravitate toward for advice it can be draining to this energy when it feels like it has only itself to rely and no time to give itself. This energy would do well to remember that its want to be in social settings is not a social responsibility to go to every engagement and "be" the party for the sake of others. Its also important for the Lesser Yang to accept that it's liability is not an obligation to enjoy and like all others. This is the kind of energy everyone wants to be around, especially those who are imbalanced and can be very draining. Quality is far more important than quantity for this energies relationships. Keep friends according to how much value they add to life and not how much value this energy wants to ad to theirs. Don’t be a slave to your own magic. Honor it with healthy boundaries and keeping a few good friends and lots of friendly acquaintances.
Greater Yang (Masculine)
This is as masculine an energy as it gets. Greater Yang energy is assertive, goal-oriented, accomplished, and dominant. This energy is associated with daytime, activity, vision, and power. This archetype is the natural leader and everyone knows it. As a child this energy ruled the playground before it even knew what it meant to be a "ruler" and It’s likely the kids on the playground assigned that role before it could even cognitively process the magnitude and responsibility of it. This is the energy of the problem solver, the big thinker and the entrepreneur. If Greater Yang had a mantra assigned to itself it would likely be "If you can dream it, you can do it!"
YOUR STRENGTHS: This energy has a hustle like no one else and can often create and complete somewhat impossible seeming endeavors without feeling burned-out. Greater Yang is the creator and mover of mountains, no obstacle is insurmountable to this energy. This archetype is put into superhero scenarios and takes the lead role without question or concern. It is an energy that is totally tapped into the bigger picture, and fabulous at keeping it's eyes on the prize. Greater Yang is all about the ideology of "mind over matter", and that is because they have proved to themselves time and time again that its true! This energy has a fairly robust constitution and hardly ever takes a day off. Greater Yang is both the fuel and the fire and takes no issue with the driving cosmic creative forces that inhabit it.
IMBALANCE: This is Type "A" full Alpha energy and can make those living with Greater Yang feel easily disappointed in others and become arrogant and cruel toward those that it views as lacking in competencies. While we already stated that this was the energy of the natural born leader it can also be negatively manifested into the bully or "villain". The imbalanced Greater Yang can grow to resent not just people but humanity as a whole for not living up to their grandiose expectations and ideals. After all, they meet their own crazy standards... why can't everyone else? This energy also tends to be a perfectionist and "my way or the highway" personality which isn't ideal for making friends or getting volunteers to help you out when it's actually needed. Those around an imbalanced Greater Yang tend to not even bother trying because they start to feel it will never be good enough or that this energy will do it better anyways. This archetype can become boastful, arrogant and intimidating to be around leading others to admire from a long and healthy distance lest they get burned by the fiery storm of this chaotic and unwieldy energy. It’s common for Greater Yang to overextend itself and try to do everything for everyone and ends up giving way more than it is receiving. Even if another won’t complete the task as well as this energy thinks it can, its best to let others learn, try and potentially fail on their own and reserve energy.
TOOLS FOR BALANCE: Nothing can stop a star from shining! Lean into your strengths without apology or trepidation. The sooner you own that you’re a strong, benevolent leader, the easier it will be for others to appreciate you for it. What’s amazing about this energy is that while being born with all this cosmic life force that has you "winning in life", you’re still a sweetheart and not trying to win if it means others loose. Trust that everyone wins when this energy type takes hold of the steering wheel. It’s a position of great responsibility, and not for everyone. It's also very important that this energy isn't afraid to delegate: Let others pull through. Let them fail. The Greater Yang can learn best that if someone fails it's a reflection of them and not itself. This energy can also gain a lot from getting comfortable watching people fall apart and make totally preventable mistakes while sitting peacefully on the sidelines. It’s important this archetype remembers that this is often the only way that others learn and grow into better versions of themselves and become better able to support without building resentment or feeling micromanaged. Maybe it’s not that everyone else is so incompetent but it’s more that this energy has been gifted with extra competencies to be a great leader and guide for others! Before judging others or feeling upset about the process of others, Greater Yang needs to remember to slow down and appreciate the process as much as they do the results. This includes taking the time to explain concepts that seem second nature to you without being condescending. Learn how to teach and guide instead of dictating to others about how get things accomplished. This will inspire those around this energy to rise and create a symbolic relationship instead of a forced negative one between both parties.
Balancing Your Chakra Energies
|
|
|
|
