TheStomach&SpleenMeridian

Thestomachmeridiandealswithaffairsofbothphysiologicaland
psychologicalnourishment.Imbalanceinthestomachmeridianquickly
affectsotherorgansbecausetheydependonnourishmentgainedthrough
thedigestionoffoodforenergy.
Withtheinabilitytomaintainnormalenergylevelsthroughfood
consumptionbothbodyandmindfinditdifficultdealingwith
physiologicalprocesses(musclestrength,immunesystemdeficiency),
andpsychologicalprocesses(personalrelationships).
Duetoconstantlowenergylevelsonemayfindtheworldjustto
complicatedwithsomanyproblemsanddifficulties.Theymay
experienceeatingdisorders,disorderedbodyimage,becomehyper
sensitive,restless,andeasilystartledbynoise.
StomachMeridianimbalancemaymakeanindividualantisocialand
withdrawlsociallyandbecomereclusive.Becausestomachpointsare
associatedwithhighlyereogenouszonesofthebody,(suchasthe
nipples,oralandgenitalareas)tensioninthesolarplexusanddiaphragm
canrelatetothesuppressionofprimalurges.
Whenonewithholdsdeepfeelingsandcutsoffemotionbysuppressing
breathing,theyseverthebody/mindconnection.Theholdingdownof
onesfeelingsputsalidontheirownpersonalpowerandtheirownsense
of"I'ness".
StomachMeridianimbalancesareindicatedwhenoneisoverlyinvolved
withtheaffairsofthehead,overintellectualizing,analyzingand
constantlytryingtofigureoutthingsneglectinghisownpersonalbodily
needs.
Whenthereistroubleinapersonalrelationship,toavoidpainandfeeling,
onesuppressesbreathingandindulgesinaffairsoftheheadandloses
onesownsenseofself.Parentsmayfusewiththeirchildrenandtryto
livetheirlivesorareoverlyconcernedabouttheirwellbeing.Their
childrenbecometheirmainsourceofselfestemeandmuchanxietyis
createdbyfailuretomaintainhealthyboundaries.
StomachMeridianimbalancebreedsaarenaofconflictbetweenthebody
andmind,throughtandfeelings.Thatisifoneisevenawareoftheirtrue

feelingsandhowtheyfeeltowardssomeoneorsomething.Theyoften
hesitateintrustinghowandiftheyfeelandtheirintuitions.
Analyzingandintellectualizingandtalkingaboutfeelingisnotfeeling,
andisoftenanescapefromhavingtrueheartfeltexperienceoffeeling.
Beingopentofeelmaybringupissuesofvulnerabilityandissuesofpast
rejectionsandabandonment.Asadefensemechanismoffeelingpainwe
suppressbreathing,tightenourdiaphragm,tenseourabdomenandsolar
plexusandindulgeinaffairsoftheheadtoescapeandliveoutourlives
throughdreamsoffantasies,projectingourviewofrealityontotheworld,
andnotseeingorfeelingitthewayittruelyis.
BeingdisconnectedfromnatureanditsEarthMotherwithitsgrounding
aspects,weabuseourroleascaretakersoftheearthandpolutetheairand
water,illegallydumpnuclearwasteabusetherainforestsandweakenthe
ozoneleveloftheatmosphereandviolatethelawsofnaturemeantto
upholdevolution.
Everythingthatiscreatedbytheuniversemeetsinthecenterandis
absorbedbytheEarth.EverythingrisesandisnourishedbytheEarth,
thatiswhywecalltheEarthourMotherEarth.Mostancientsymbolsand
diagramsrecognizetheimportanceofearthastheprimenourisherand
place
heratthecenteroftheWorldMandala.Arisingfromitaretheother
multipleaspectsandattributesofthisdivinepropellingforce.
Physiologicallythespleen/pancreasandstomachareatthecenterofour
bodyandthroughitssophisticatedactionsallowtherestofthebodymind
tobenourishedthroughdigestionandassimilationoffoodwhile
controlling
bloodsugar.
Beingdowntoearthandpracticalintheaffairsoflifearethemain
characteristicsofabalancedearthelementthatmaintainthespleenand
pancreasmeridian.Thisallowsustheopportunitytogroundintoreality,
ideasandconceptsthatareformulatedduringtransitionsthrough
differentlevelsofawareness.Consciousmovementthroughtheelements,
earthtoheaven,heavenbacktoearth,thatmaintainsbalanceandcreate
thecyclicflowofprana,andmaintainslifeinanevolutionarydirection.
Whenoneisgroundedtheyarepractical,intouchwiththeirfeelingsand

emotions,theyknowwhotheyareasanindividualandtheyknowwhat
theywant.Thereisastrongsenseofindividualityandsenseofpurpose.
Theyradiatevitalityandsensualityanddon'tgettheirenergiesboundand
depletedinmentalgymnastics,constantlytryingtounderstandandfigure
thingsout.Eventhingslikewhatitisliketofeelorlovesomeone.A
wellgroundedindividualbothliveslifeandloveslife,anddosen'tjust
talkandanalizeit.
AnimbalanceEarthelementisindicatedwhenoneisunabletostandones
ownground,isconstantlyseekingapprovalorlookingforsupportfrom
theoutsidebecausetheyareunabletonourishoneselffromwithin.One
may
constantlyseemtobereinforcingtheconcept,"INeed"withinhis
awareness.Seekingsympathyoremotionalnourishmentonemayfallinto
adependentrelationshipwhereanotherindividualtakesontheburden
andresponsibility
forkeepingtherelationshipgrounded.Theyoftendon'trealizewhatthey
need,isnotsomeonetotakecareofthembutsomeonetohelpthemget
groundedandcenteredandgetbalancedintheirreality,sotheymay
becomeawhole
selfrealized,selfactualizedindividuality.
Spendingtimeupintheheadmaydevelopmomentarypotentialfordeep
insightintothingsforashortperiodoftimebutlacktheabilityto
consentrateandoperateonsubtlelevelsforextendedperiodsoftime.
Spendingtoomuchtimeawayfromthebodyweakensthebody.The
headmay
getenergizedbutmayleavethebodydepletedphysicallyand
emotionally.Onecanlosetheabilitytoconcentrate,synthyizeand
maintainlongtermmemory.Whileawayfromthebodyonemayfeel
theyhavethesolutionstoeveryonesproblems,andiftheydon'ttheyfeel
responsibletofindanswersforthem.
Imbalancecausesonenottoacceptpeoplethewaytheyarebutfeelthey
havetochangethemtomeethis/herownstandards.Thisbeinglessofa
threatintheirownatmoshpericspacesofpersonalbelief.
Balancingtheearthmeridianmayhelpquietdownthehyperactive
movementofthemindfromoneconcerntoanother.Forconcerncan
arisefromsympatheticrelationships.Beingungrounded,wemayfailto
recognizepersonalboundaries,whichmaycauseoverinvolvementin

theaffairsoflovedones.Wecanbesoconcernedabouttheirneedsthat
ourownneedsarenotgettingmet.Wemayevenwishtotakeontheir
problemsandtrytofixthem.Overconcerncanbesmotheringtoothers
andnotallowthemthespacetoexpressthemselvesfreelyandopenly
findsolutionsintheirlivesthatworkforthem.
Assertingourownneedskeepsusfrombecomingoversympathetic
towardsothers.Theclassicssaythatangercounteractssympathy.Instead
ofgroundingourselvesandcreatingcleardistinctpersonalityboundaries,
oneoften
counteractsoverconcernandsympathythroughanger.
Fireorsolarenergyhelpsweakensthebondsofoversympathicand
ungroundedrelationships.Forinalastdesperateattempt,wemayhaveto
resulttoanger,andexplode,tocreatemorespaceandpushbackthe
boundaries,andkeepusfrombeingabsordedintopersonalconflicts,and
anxietiesofanother,especiallyalovedone.
Theconstantlivinginthepastorthefuture,keepsusfromlivinginthe
presentandexperiencethebeautyoflifeasitunfoldstousdaily.
Prolongedmentaljourneysintothepastandreminiscenceofthegoodold
daysordreamingofwhatmighthappensomedayinthefuture,weakens
the
bodymindcontactwithourpresentreality,withallitspractical,downto
earthfeelingsandemotions.
Ifthismeridianishypoactivewemayexperience,lackofconcentration,
forgetfulness,absentmindedness,indifferent,alienation,anddifficulty
givingandreceivingsympathy.Imbalancemaycorrelatewithphysical
andmentalfatigue,muscularweakness,lackoftone,poorappetite,and
digestionandabdominaltautness.Onemayfeeltheneedtosleep,and
evenifhedoes,doesnotarisefeelingrested.Onemayfeeltiredinthe
morningoralldaylong.
Beingtiredandlackingenergyhe/shegivestheappearanceofbeing
unsympathetic,indifferentanduncaringaboutothersandunconcerned
abouttheirwellbeing.Thisindifferencegetspeoplefrustratedwithnot
beingabletoconnectwithothers,notbeingabletoreachoutandtouch
them.
Thisseemingemotionalnumbnesscanbeadefenseagainstrelatingor
expressingourtruefeelings,holdingback,possibleduetofear,thatwild

manapartofournaturethatwantstoexpressourselvesfreelyand
openly.
Withlowenergylevelsandalackofmotivation,wecanjustgoondoing
whatothersexpectofus,andfollowingtheroutine,notdoingwhatwe
reallywishtodo,notconnectingwithourindividualpowercenterand
oursenseofwill.Wegetfrustrated,angryandbogeddownwithinertia,
thenshoveitdownbecauseitseemsinappropriate.
Suppressedangerlikeallothersuppressedemotionsdepleteourenergy,
bynotsuppressingourangerandfacingitwemaybemoreabletoutilize
thisforceasassertive
power,tomakepossitivechangesinourlives.Inrecognizingitand
acceptingit,wemayallowpartofthepersonalitytoassertivelyexpress
itselfincreativeoutlets.InmovingoutoftheheadandintotheEarth
elementonemaycometorecognizeandutilizetheirownpowertothink
anddecideforthemselves.
Balancingthismeridianbringsmoreassertienessinfulfillingyourown
personalgoals,andambitions,andnotjusttobethereflectorofsomeones
elsesimage,andfailtobedynamic,sonottodamagetheegoofanother.
Being
inyourpower,groundedanddowntoearth,allowsyouclarityofyour
owngoalsandambitionswhileonewhoindulgesinmoreairyrealms,
mayfindhisrealmtogetabitdisorderedbyhisimpracticalityandabsent
mindedness.
Astheabsentmindedprofessorwhoissoinvolvedintheaffairsofthe
head,notbeingpresentandawareofthepeopleandtheenvironment
aroundhim.
Lackingdynamismandenergytomakechange,oneescapesfromhisself
imposedprisonofbordomthroughhis/herflightsofdreamsandfantasy,
furtherweakeningthebodymindconnection.
Duetoseperationfromothersandhumanityduetooversensitivity,one
maycometofeelundernourishedbytheirenviormentandbecome
addictiveorevenhaveanexcessivecravingforsweets.Weightproblems
canbeadenialofsexualityandexpressionsofnaturalfeelingsor
emotions.
Inhibitingourselves,pushingdownourownangerandrepressing
frustration,wemaytrytocompensateforemotionaloutletsthroughthe
oralgratificationofeatingfood.

BalancingtheEarthelementwiththespleen/pancreascanmoveusback
intothebodyandemotions,makingusmoreawareofourfearsandgive
usthestrengthtoovercomethemandreenlivedinourlivesanewsense
ofpurpose.

Hyperactivityofthismeridianmaycause,overthinking,brooding,
worry,anxiety,obsessions,obsessiveness.Unendingstudies,research
andintellectualpersuitsoftenenflameoverthiningwithinabilityto
switchoffanalyticalprocesses.Carryingthesequalitiesintosociallife,
wemaybecomeovercriticalandtoojudgementalandlacksponinaiety
withinourrelationships.
Thezippyheadwillnotjustletusappeciatethehereandnowand
appreciatelifeasitunfolds,butprojectsusintothefutureandworries
aboutsituationsandproblemsthatmayarise.Thisfearinarelationships
cancauseittonotworkout.
Balancingtheearthelement,allowsustobetotallypresentand
connected,whilenotlosingourownindividualityandbecomingfused
withanothersfearsandanxieties.Neglectingourownwishesanddesires,
tryingtolivethemoutthroughthelivesofourchildrenorlovedones,can
bedamagingtoourowngrowthandevolution.
Overconcernaboutoneswellbeingbringsfusingwiththeirproblems,
withtheirpersonalboundaries,whereoneendsandtheotherperson
beginscancausegreatanxiety.Onecomestobesoabsorbedintheothers
lifethatheorsheonlyknowshim/herselfthroughtheaccomplishments
oftheother.Themassoftheirselfesteemcomesonlythroughtheothers
accomplishments.Theyhavenolifeoftheirownandmaysoonerorlater
choseforarolereversalorwindupresentingtheotherperson.
Initiallywemayseethisfusionasegogratificationandmayappreciate
allthedevotionshowereduponus.Wemaylaterbegintoregognizethe
dependencyasclostraphobicwithalltheconstantdemandsandlimited
spacepossesedbytheinvadingwishesanddesiresoftheotherperson.
Notbeingpresenttooneselfandbeingoverlydependentonanotherasa
measureofexistancemaybeacryfromthebodyaskingforhelp.

Ourfearsofinadequacyetc.maygetmagicallytransformed,whenone
regroundsandtakesbackcontrolanddirectiontotheirownlives.No
actionisachievedwhenweidlelysitbackandwaitforGodtotakethe
full
responsibility.Flightsintotheairymentalspacesmaybeeuphoricat
timesandonemaycometodepentonthementalstimulationasaprime
sourceofpleasure.Travelingoutofthebodyorbeingabsorbedintothe
eternalabsolute,maybeaconvincingargumentfortheintellectualwho
mayhaveconvincedthemselvesthattheintellectualpathsarethefastest
andonlypathsonwhichtoascend.
Spiritualityiswholeness,itsnotanescapeintotheheadattheexpenseof
thebody.TheEarthsupportstheskyasabroadbasedmountainsupports
thespiritualpeaksoftheholiestmountains.Beinggroundedallowsthe
stability
toreachout,tobeawareoftheloftiestregionsofthehighestheavenly
worlds,andtoperceivethemclearlyastheytruelyare,andnotthe
productoffancifulimaginationorimbalancedbrainchemistry.
Constantfearandanxietyaboutone'sstatus,maykeepthebodyin
emergencyfightorflightmodes,depletingourenergyreservesandcause
hypoglycemiaandspleen/pancreasexhaustion.Thebrainmaynotbeable
togetasteady
supplyofbloodsugartofunctionproperlycausingthedisorder
imagination,delusionsandhalucinations.Theseexperiencesarenot
conceivedtobetruespiritualexperience.ThisimbalanceoftheEarth
elementandspleen/pancreasdisfunctionmayalsobeexperiencedas
alternatingmoodswingsfromcalmandplacidtoanxiousorimpossible.
Duetolackofstabilityoremotionalgroundedness
onemaybecomeobsessiveandhaveexcessiveconcernswithrulesand
regulations,cleanlinessandorderliness.Rigidityinourthoughtprocesses
maybemotivatingtheconsciousmindbyourunconsciousfears,desires
orambitions.Onemaybecomecompulsivetorepeatedbehaviorinstereo
typefashionwhichseemspurposefull.