Editor’s Note: In prior articles, Neil discussed the large intestine as a whole (March 2017); points 1, 4, 5, 6, and 11 (October 2011); and points 3, 7, 8, and 9 (August 2022). This article features points 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
The large intestine (aka colon) is the Great Eliminator, or as Professor J.R. Worsley called it, “The Drainer of the Dregs.” Dregs are defined as the remnants of liquid with its sediment left in a container, or the basest, least valuable portion of anything.
Classical Asian medicine considers it the job of this organ (aka official) to remove the rubbish; not only from the digestive tract, but also from every organ/function at every level – body, mind, and spirit. Every organ or function will eventually malfunction if its waste is allowed to fester and decay. Thus, symptoms arising from any organ or function can be the result of imbalance in the colon official.
Each point on a given meridian helps the official do its naturally ordained jobs, but in a unique and specific way. Thus, there is some inevitable overlap and similarity in their meanings, as well as a particular gift only that specific point can give.
LI 2: Second Interval
This is the water point of the meridian. The LI official needs proper fluidity to smoothly move waste material through and eliminate it. This applies as much to the mind and spirit as physical constipation of the body.
At the mental and spirit levels, we need the fluidity of water to wash away old mental concepts, beliefs, and prejudices that obscure our mind and spirit from their innate clarity and brilliance. It is a beautiful point for metal-imbalanced patients who have difficulty letting go; who are stuck in old patterns, rigid, dry, inflexible, and unable to go “with the flow.”
Interval translates as a hiatus, pause or gap. “Second Interval,” followed by LI 3, “Third Interval,” suggests that there are stages of letting go and that it may be necessary to encourage the elimination process step by step. Thus, we may consider LI 2 to balance the water and flow within the large intestine, allow an interval, and then add “Third Interval,” the wood point, if an additional “kick-start” is needed.
LI 10: Arm Three Miles
Three miles represents a long journey, requiring strength, stamina, and endurance. In olden times, a merchant carrying goods to distant villages would need sufficient strength of both arms and legs. We consider this point for the metal-imbalanced patient who is facing what seems to be a long, difficult, or arduous process at any level. They may be exhausted, feel unworthy or unable to continue on. The point brings additional resources, endurance, hope, and reassurance that it can be done.
LI 12: Elbow Bone
As always, when a body part is included in a point name, we must consider what that part does. The elbow allows the forearm and hand to be moved toward and away from the body, allowing us to lift and carry, as well as let go. In the context of this meridian, we are concerned with letting go of what is unnecessary, but also having the strength and capacity to carry what we must.
Bones are the deepest and most enduring, foundational tissues of the body. Colloquially, we say that we know or feel things most deeply “in our bones.” As a counterpoint to ambivalence or flimsy intentions, this point reaches metal-imbalanced patients at the deepest, most unshakeable level of knowing what to eliminate and what to carry, with dignity and respect for the process.
LI 13: Arm Five Miles
This point shares a similar meaning to LI 10, offering extra resources and resilience to handle a significant workload and difficult journey ahead.
Many metal-imbalanced patients, unable to see their true capacity, may tend to resign and fall off their path, as if to say, “What’s the use? It’s too difficult. I can’t do it.” The weight of carrying unnecessary waste in body, mind, or spirit can make the way forward look daunting. This point, like others with a similar connotation, increases strength and confidence, and lightens the load.
LI 14: Outer Bone of the Arm
This point, located at the insertion of the deltoid, is another point to provide added strength and capacity to carry what we must, at all levels, and release what is unnecessary.
LI 15: Shoulder Joint
The shoulder joint is one of the largest and most complex of joints, providing a wide range of movement of the arms and hands; as well as the stability to lift, push, pull, and carry.
In colloquial English, we speak of “shouldering the burden” or “shouldering responsibility.” These refer to the weight of a difficult process – a “heavy load.” The weight can cause mental stress, physical pain, and emotional challenges. This point can provide additional strength to carry the load, as well as the ability to release what is no longer necessary to carry.
LI 16: Great Bone
The term great implies that this point is oriented to the realm of spirit. Bones, as we have seen, refer to the deepest and most enduring parts of ourselves. Truly, the spirit is the most enduring part of a human being – eternal and unchanging, even as the body changes, ages, and weakens.
Located in the upper portion of the shoulder, this point brings deep, lasting spiritual strength to the patient who is challenged with unworthiness, lack of capacity, and feelings of weakness. They may feel inadequate to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of life, or let go of what is superfluous and unnecessary.
LI 17: Heavenly Vessel
When we neither cling to negative associations from the past nor fear about the future, we experience life as a young child – innocent, spontaneous, fascinated, and without expectation, but with a mature awareness. We are vessels of experience, perceived through our senses. As affirmed in virtually all religions and spiritual paths, everything (the pleasant and unpleasant) is a manifestation of the divine.
As the philosopher and mystic Manly P. Hall said, “He who knows not that the Prince of Darkness is the other face of the King of Light knows not me.” In terms of yin and yang, we could paraphrase: “He who knows not that the dark side of the hill is the other face of the sunny side knows not the one united hill.”
When we see all reality as divine, we cling to nothing; we push nothing away. We experience life in the present, exactly as it is, moment by moment. For the metal-imbalanced patient who holds onto old beliefs, assumptions, concepts, and prejudices, the present is not seen as it is, but is tainted and corrupted by the past unprocessed negativity. This powerful spirit point helps clean out the vessel so our innate radiance can manifest. We accept and experience life as the precious gift that it is.
Author’s Note: There are many interpretations and uses of these points in various traditions; the preceding is not intended to encompass all possibilities. 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.
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