Happy mind, flowing Qi
Creating conditions for free flowing Qi
Creating conditions for free flowing QiMeridians provide “boundaries” for Qi in the same way that riverbeds provide boundaries for water to flow. It’s easy to see water flowing in a riverbed. When the pathway is clear, the water flows. If the pathway is blocked by a damn or fallen log, the water backs up.
Meridians can also be blocked.
Blocked meridians slow the flow of Qi. A primary intent of Meridian Massage is to clear the meridians so that the Qi is free to flow. Plentiful Qi is required for all physiological and psychological functions. Any experience of less than harmonious function of body and mind is a symptom of inefficient Qi flow.
Mindset affects the flow of Qi
A primary way that meridians are blocked is by our self-limiting thoughts. A limit in thinking is no different than a limit in Qi flow. Self-limiting thoughts are often repetitive, negative loops of challenging memories or emotions.
As stated above, any experience of less than harmonious function of body and mind is a symptom of inefficient Qi flow. Our patterns of self-limiting thoughts and feelings, are both a sign of blocked meridians and a way of blocking the meridians.
Happiness as a path toward flowing Qi
Knowing that negative patterns of thought lead to blockages within the meridians gives us the clue that positive, self-accepting patterns of thought and emotion create the conditions for Qi flow. That experience can be referred to as happiness.
In our work as practitioners, we are using methods to create the conditions for Qi to flow for others. As individuals, we can use our experience of happiness as a direct point of focus to create the conditions within ourselves that encourage the flow of Qi. A simple premise with great healing potential.
Our happiness signals to us that we have flowing Qi. This, in turn, tells us that our physiological and psychological functions are being nourished by fresh, vital Qi.
Let go and let God. All things make more sense when He is acknowledged
There are many reasons why we tred the treadmill and spin on the hamster wheel. Some are valid and necessary and some will lead you to nowhere. If you need to work hard to make money to live, that is not spinning to nowhere. It is a reality of being a responsible adult in this world. (you just have to ask yourself if you need to work so hard or can you live on less). For me, organic food and “indulging” in energy/meridian/self healing/self help is expensive, but worth treading the treadmill to make the money to “fund my habit” until I can find a way to make the money that I think I need in less time. If you are spinning your hamster wheel to placate someone else or to fit into society’s dictates of what is materially necessary or prominent, it may lead to nowhere…
Get in touch with who you really are, what you really need and live a lifestyle that is suited to you, not your society. Societal pressure is definitely a wheel turner
I just immediately finished writing for an hour and half or so on my ‘stuckness’ that prevents my true happiness from appearing. And then opened my email and found your message today on the meridians of Qi, needing to flow in order for happiness to exist. This is a message that brings me much needed solace this morning. HOWEVER, the message also confirms my condition of being a hamster running on an endless wheel that goes no where – Qi looking for place to flow AND places to flow daming the places for the Qi to sing. How does one get off this wheel of daming (damning, too) thoughts /emotions if the Qi is blocked to help myself get unstuck? the message makes perfect sense, but lacks the ‘how to’
Am i making sense what i am asking?
Dear Jeanne,
How to get off the wheel – yes that is the question!
There are many paths towards peace and happiness. My hope with this blog post was to offer a sign post toward flowing Qi, toward a path of greater peace and flow by suggesting that turning our attention toward happiness might open up a path for each person.
I am a fellow hamster runner. I have looked for ways off all of my life. I have studied various philosophies, eastern spiritual traditions, read plenty of self-help books, read about Zen, Taoism, Buddhism, sought guidance from teachers and friends, lots of exercise, Qi Gong, Yoga, study the I Ching, astrology, Massage Therapy and Chinese medicine – to name a few.
My favorite saying is “inch by inch.” I usually say this to myself after a long spin on the hamster wheel, after which I feel mentally and emotionally exhausted, confused, and frustrated. Because “after all I’ve tried,” I occasionally hop back onto that hamster wheel.
“How to get off the wheel” is the first question one might ask themselves as they begin a spiritual journey. To me, a spiritual journey is the looking within myself for the source of both my problems and my solutions. The reason I have looked toward eastern practices is that they have a long history of investigating the mind-heart, soothing the mind-heart, and exploring the inner world – the spiritual landscape.
The first thing to know, in my opinion, is that there is an inner world – the world, or consciousness of our own mind-heart. We are more than this physical body, we have an energetic body and we have a Spirit. Getting to know these aspects of ourselves can take some time. There are many resources within our energetic body and Spirit that can guide us and support us toward a life of true peace and happiness. As “they say,” there are as many paths towards this state of real happiness as there are people – each one of us can only find that for ourselves. Yet, a little guidance along the way would be helpful!
Where do we find trustworthy teachers today? Teachers or guides who will respect the delicate nature of this inner path. Teachers who encourage us to find our own way, to connect with our own inner guidance rather than telling us that they are the ones who hold the keys to our happiness – and that happiness will be granted only if we follow everything they say.
I was fortunate to be introduced to the writings of Paul Brunton at a young age. He was one of the first europeans to travel and study eastern spiritual paths, and then write about it for western minds. He is not someone we hear about, yet he played a huge roll in opening communication between east and west. I would suggest one of his books, “Discover Yourself” for you.
Another book that I recommend, that has structured practices for easing the mind and clearing a path toward your inner guidance is “The Spiritual Basis of Good Fortune.” Written by William Horden, who is wise and loving teacher/writer.
I have found great solace and direction in books. I have listed the ones that I appreciate the most on my amazon bookstore, under the “Deep Thought” category – here is the link
As I have found, the simple directions are the most fruitful – and the most challenging. “Don’t worry, be happy.” Simple, direct, that state being emanates flowing and vital Qi. Getting to that state, living in that state – that is the endeavor of a lifetime – and worth all of your attention and effort (in my humble opinion).
You have gained great awareness this morning – your awareness that you are spinning on a hamster wheel and that there must be some other way to be. Now you know there is a choice. Now you have self-knowledge about a state consciousness that is habitual and repetitive, and you have a feeling of some other inner guidance that is drawing you off the wheel, to new possibilities. That is what you wrote in your comment above – that is the result of going inward. There is great possibility in knowing the choice – you found that choice within yourself this morning, through your writing and wondering.
It is a pleasure to share the path of inner awareness with you. Thank you for writing and sharing your wisdom with us all.