Liver/Gallbladder
YES, there is a typo, and I will NOT allow it to frustrate me! The Liver/Gallbladder are our organs of ultimate creative expression. They help us process stress, frustration, and anger. These are also the organs we tap into to help adapt to any life change.
The season that shows us the power of Liver/Gallbladder is SPRING. In Spring, the energy of Earth awakens and thus begins the movement and breakthrough of growth: an invisible to visible transformation!
This is Natural law, for the cycle of life to continue, plants must face the resistance of Earth (or even concrete!), seed/bulb casings, and open up fearlessly expressing their true potential in buds, blooms, and leaves.
When we experience resistance, anger/frustration, or feel stuck, we are at our own growing edge. We are feeling the push to break through and fully express ourselves in life. We are feeling the push to become more flexible and responsive to the energies and messages around us.
A strong Liver/Gallbladder energy allows us to be centered in the midst of chaos and see the infinite paths and possibilities. This is how we can tap into our ultimate creative expression in all of life. In our home and work AND within our body.
Wind
In Nature, we can also see the power of the Liver through Wind. It suddenly appears and moves everything around, with unseen force and power. It comes from any angle and any resistance it comes up against simply shifts its path. In life, our Wind moments are when we are seized by the desire to make a sudden change that completely shifts our life path. This could be a job, a relationship, a move, etc.
There is nothing that can stop us in these Wind moments. Recalling these moments can help awaken the power of your Liver energy when you are feeling stuck.
THUNDER/LIGHTNING
The Gallbladder can be seen through the power of Thunder and Lightning. Similar to the power of Wind but even more intensely direct. In life these are moments of conviction that rise up and clear out all wavering and doubt. This is much like a powerful general leading an army against all odds.
Again, recalling such moments can awaken the power of your Gallbladder to help you take charge of your life path!
Zen of the Gallbladder
The Gallbladder is the longest energy line of the meridians and traverses the body in zig zags from the side of the head, down the side of the chest, through the buttocks, and down to the fourth toe. Due to location, its field impacts the entire body. The Gallbladder Spirit is like the flowing line BETWEEN Yin and Yang. If it is strong and balanced we glide through life making choices with clarity. If the Gallbladder is stagnant, we can feel very stuck and have difficulty making decisions or we may feel frantic ping-ponging back and forth.
Our Gallbladder is also unique because of its connection to the San Jiao meridian. This is the only meridian without an associated organ. Energetically it is thus considered to be the most free to travel all levels of the body and beyond. This is our “DRAGON” meridian!
The Key to Liver/Gallbladder Health: EXPRESS YOURSELF!
The Liver/Gallbladder/Wood energy has to express itself, just like Spring must come for the cycle of Nature and all of life to continue. Many of us have blocked this expression because we are uncomfortable with anger or do not know how to express it. For some, perhaps we are afraid of this power and how it will be seen, and received by others. This is why you must make it a solo practice to play with releasing this energy until you feel comfortable with the process.
Imagine the energy of a stagnant Liver/Gallbladder like a volcano that is on the verge of erupting. You can not meditate your way out of a volcano, so you have to work with this energy and practice releasing it. The voice is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to release the stagnation. Take a few moments to tune in and feel where you are holding tension, then play with allowing sounds to come out. It could be grunts, moans, howls, hisses, or a blood-curdling scream. The car is a great place to solo practice. Do this for several minutes until you feel a release of tension. Practice this daily! Soon, you may find yourself naturally releasing the voice in a way that the whole family can enjoy!
You can read these blogs on how to release stuck energy. The Liver/Gallbladder wants you to express, through your voice, movement and creativity. Watch my Youtube video “Unstuck the Uck!” for more about this.
Healing Foods
In general, anything green or sour goes supports the Liver/Gallbladder. Specific healing foods: eggplant, lemon, bamboo shoots, vinegar, bee pollen, lotus, broccoli rabe, garlic, safflower oil, dandelion greens, ginger, scallions, green pepper, fennel, mung beans, strawberries, mint, goji berry, green apples. Please visit my eating for healing page to learn more on how to support your digestive system and discover easy delicious recipes.
Spring’s Essence: COLD
During Spring, the energy of Earth is awakening and rising. The visible level temperatures and weather patterns in many parts of the country are like a rollercoaster ride between Cold / Warm. Essence is an energetic concept in Chinese Medicine. Even though the temperatures of Spring can swing warm, the essence remains cold until we shift to summer.
Exposing ourselves to cold essence, requires immense energy (not unlike what is required of the fellow in the photo) but we may not “feel" the effects immediately. When the cold essence sneaks in it can contribute to pain, headaches, allergies, make your immune system more vulnerable, and even worsen underlying conditions.
So even when we have those blessed 70 degree days in Spring, layer up! It is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy!
LIVER/GALLBLADDER FUNCTION
“The Body Never Lies!”
-Grand Master Nan Lu
Remember all symptoms and signs are your body’s creative expression! They are guiding you to connect into the deeper emotional and spiritual aspects of each organ from which they arise.
The Liver/Gallbladder are connected to how all energy flows in the body. This flow is directly impacted by stress and how flexible we are in our experience of it. If Liver/Gallbladder flow is stagnant, it can show in the tendons and ligaments resulting in sports injuries. Since this energy wants to rise up and express itself, it will do so through the body creating symptoms such as migraine headaches, joint pain, contributing to hyperTENSION (high blood pressure), and even blood clots and high cholesterol. The Liver/Gallbladder help us express/balance all emotions.
The Liver/Gallbladder shows us the promise of life as Liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself! We also see this promise in the growth of our hair and finger nails.
The function of the menstrual cycle is directly impacted by our Liver/Gallbladder flow. Each cycle reveals how much stagnation has built up in this system. The cycle is also an opportunity to release the stagnation through menses. All menstrual symptoms such as cramping, clotting, changes in flow, mood swings, etc are a sign of a Liver/Gallbladder imbalance. Fertility is also dependent on Liver/Gallbladder function. Read more on Women’s Health.
Every organ system has a window connecting to the outside world. For Liver/Gallbladder this is eye. Every level of our vision is connected to how strong this system functions. This includes how we “see” experiences in our reality. The more flexible and creative we are, the more we will be able to see all the possibilities available to us moment to moment.
Co-operative Relationships
You can see through the chart above that each system is connected in relationship. The Liver/Gallbladder/Wood has a sensitive co-operative connection with Stomach/Spleen/Earth. Just as all things that grow must connect into the Earth to do so. When energy stagnates in the Liver/Gallbladder, digestive system imbalance can arise such as heart burn, IBS, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and even yeast overgrowth.
The other co-operative relationship is between Lung/Large Intestine/Metal and Liver/Gallbladder. Just like a Metal tool can help keep a growing plant healthy, through pruning, so too do these organs support each other. Emotionally, allowing tears to flow (crying is associated with Lung/Large Intestine) is a beautiful way to soften the intensity of Liver/Gallbladder.
Parent/Child Relationships
The “mother” of the Liver/Gallbladder is the Kidney/Bladder/Water. She must nourish and nurture her child unconditionally. The Kidney/Bladder is where our Life Force resides. Learning how to create balance in the Liver/Gallbladder is essential to protecting and conserving this precious energy. Together these organ systems empower our resilience in life.
The “child” of the Liver/Gallbladder is the Heart/Small Intestine/Fire. Learning how to create balance in the Liver/Gallbladder is essential so the Heart can be nourished and nurtured.
For More on Five Element Theory
For More on Emotions and Five Element Theory
Energy Exercises
Once the volcano has released, you can build your Liver/Gallbladder energy with Qigong energy exercises such as The Four Energy Gates, Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention, and the Dragon’s Way Qigong pose, The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth. These exercises are essential to support your body, mind, and Spirit, if you wish to reach the highest level of healing.
Our body has an energy grid called the Meridian System. Like highways, this system connects every cell and tissue and impacts the function of every organ. According to Chinese Medicine, when energy is moving and flowing in the Meridians disease cannot enter and healing naturally follows.
The purpose of Qigong energy exercises is to open the energy flow within the Meridians. Here are two practices: Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention and The Four Energy Gates. Begin these practices daily and share them with your family. The goal is that they become your “healing habit.” You can find more on Excersises Here. And Check out Taoist Emotional Cleansing Here.
For more information on how to care for your Liver/Gallbladder please visit TCM World, explore Dragon’s Way Qigong, dive into Grand Master Nan Lu’s new website, and explore Grand Master Nan Lu on Youtube
