Spirits of the Points: The Lung Official (Pt. 3)

Editor's Note: In prior articles (March 2007 and November 2021), the author discussed Lung 1-4 and 5-8, respectively. This article cover points 9-11.

The lung is known as "The Official Who Receives the Pure Chi From the Heavens." With its brother official, the colon, we have the ability to take in new, fresh life-giving energy, as well as to eliminate what is waste at all levels.

Each of the 11 points on the meridian has a name, translated from the Chinese characters, which suggests the unique gifts that point can bring to the patient in need. The points listed below will have the most impact on those who have been diagnosed with a primary imbalance in the metal element. Energy understands intention. Of the various uses listed for the points, the point will give what you are asking of it, if your intentions are clear.

I realize there are many interpretations and uses of these points in various traditions; the following is not meant to encompass all possibilities.

LU 9: Very Great Abyss (Earth Point, Source Point, Tonification Point)

An abyss is a deep and seemingly bottomless chasm. When a patient's metal, particularly the lung official, has been traumatized, they can perceive themselves in a deep, dark place from which no escape seems possible. There is little possibility of perceiving light, love or freedom. They are as if covered in unworthiness, regret and remorse, unable to see a better future ahead.

LU 9 pulls the patient out of the abyss. It is the Earth point, bringing qualities of nurturing and grounding. Thus, the newly freed patient comes back into the clarity and richness of life without shock or additional trauma, but with stability and balance.

As a source point, though quite powerful, LU 9 is among the safest points on the meridian to use, as source points have a built-in "safety valve" and will "switch off" when the correct balance is achieved. Thus, this point cannot be overtonified or oversedated.

As a tonification point, we often use LU 9 if, by pulse diagnosis, we find a relative excess of energy in the spleen (Earth – mother of lung) and relative in deficiency in lung (metal – child of Earth). Tonifying LU 9 will effect a transfer of energy from the mother to child, like putting a hungry baby to its mother's breast.

LU 10: Fish Region (Fire Point)

In feng shui, fish and water represent prosperity, abundance and good fortune. Water is a metaphor for deep awareness, the depths of the unconscious, and knowledge of deep mysteries.

The image of the fish is present is virtually every culture. In Eastern symbolism, the fish is linked to freedom and happiness, as fish have complete freedom of movement in water. In Christianity, the fish is a symbol of Christ and the qualities of faith, abundance and the richness of life itself.

Ultimately, the fish symbolizes love, a gift of the fire element. It is a love that extends to all creation, seeing below surface-relative facades, traumas and transient processes to which the mind attaches itself and categorizes as good and bad.

Those who are so immersed in their dramas that they have lost the connection to what is deeply meaningful, loving, joyful, peaceful, and eternal greatly benefit from this point.

I recall using this point on a metal-imbalanced patient who had recently been jilted in a love relationship. He was overcome with grief and feelings of unworthiness. He had virtually lost his appetite, and his ability to sleep soundly and even concentrate on his work. He blamed himself for the breakup and could neither muster self-love nor even consider loving another again.

After this point was accessed, he actually smiled for the first time in my presence, broke into laughter, and said to me, "What the hell was I thinking? Did you just turn on the lights? It's like I've just come up from under water." Within days, his sleep, appetite and focus were restored.

LU 11: Little Merchant (Wood Point)

A merchant is one who engages in commerce – the buying, selling and trading of goods. Merchants know the value of things – what people want and need, what to pay for them and what to charge. A "little" merchant can be understood as a small shop that carries the basics; rather like a 7-Eleven convenience store, open day and night, providing what is needed to carry on for the short term.

Hence, this point can provide the essentials for the patient who is running a little low on energy, self-worth and inspiration. It might be inappropriate and overwhelming to give such a patient a full harvest all at once. Hence, a visit to the Little Merchant may be exactly what is needed. Start small and build upon that.

A little merchant can also be understood as one who specializes in a few rare and special things, made to the highest standards, as found in a custom shop or restaurant. There, one can find those hard-to-locate items that are immensely satisfying. Thus, we can also use this point to help a patient see those innate, but seemingly hidden qualities within themselves that bring satisfaction, meaning and a higher purpose to life.

As the wood point of the meridian, this point brings the qualities of the wood element to the lung: vision, birth and rebirth. Like a new emerging bud, it can help a patient see what is pure and good within themselves, bursting forth from the perceived restraints of guilt, depression, frustration and anger.

Regardless of past hurts and disappointments, rebirth and rebalance are always possible. Even when holding a belief that what one has done is unforgivable, this point can open a crack in the door and let the light of the spirit in. Every moment is a chance to be "reborn."

In the words of the Sufi, Jalal al-Din Rumi, "Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Still, come yet again."

Author's Note: English translations of point names are those taught by Professor J.R. Worsley and appear in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Volume 1: Meridians and Points by J.R. Worsley; Element Books, 1982.