Healing Sound Method for the Kidney Qi
In traditional Chinese medicine, the organ of the kidney, Shen Zang 肾脏, is unique in that it is seen as both the yin 阴 foundation for our substantial existence, and the fundamental yang 阳 motivator for our active existence, i.e. all our life activities.
The most important yin function of the kidney qi is that it contains or stores Jing 精, also known as“essence qi”, which we acquire at the moment of conception, and that determines all our potential to develop, on all levels, as a human being. This qi is inherited from our ancestors and unfolds slowly throughout all stages of life, most apparent during “life gates” such as birth, puberty, or the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle in women. It also is responsible for our ability to heal from physical or psychological trauma, and it determines how gracefully we age as our resources decline, until we die. It expresses itself in both yin substance and yang function – in our physical bodies, seen in the strength of the bones, the functioning of the brain and nervous system, the keenness of hearing, the ability to procreate. Mentally and physically, it is motive power, the spark needed to activate ideas and physical movement, to have an abundance of creative and physical energy, and to produce work, children, art, and so on.
As I explained in my text on the method for the spleen qi, it is the foundation of our acquired health, the nourishment we need to survive on a daily basis. It is the yang qi of the spleen that transforms food and drink into various aspects of qi energy that we use on a daily basis. However, it is the underlying, essential yang qi of the kidneys that ignites and motivates the qi of the spleen, (and all the organs), so that it can carry out this function. For this reason, the kidney yang is known as the Xiang Huo 相火, the “Minister Fire” - it is the fire needed throughout the span of a lifetime to keep all the engines going, to motivate all the various qi functions that occur in the space of time between heartbeats, between breathing in and breathing out. It not only motivates these functions, it allows things to come to fruition, it completes cycles of activities so that they can begin anew, over and over.
The quality and amount of Jing is finite, predetermined at the moment of conception, and cannot be replaced. The aim of all traditional Chinese health practices, medicine, qigong, martial arts and even religion is to preserve, and not waste this essence qi. In this way, when there is the need to really call upon all our resources in order to survive any extreme* situation or illness, we have a plentiful supply of Jing in reserve. Jing is used, naturally and slowly, throughout the course of our lives; to waste it, through indulgence of extreme behaviour or habits, means to shorten the span and/or the quality of our lives.
Although Jing cannot be reproduced or replaced, we can bolster it, shore it up with an abundant supply of acquired qi gained through breathing, eating, exercising, sleeping and, most essentially, calming and quietening our over-active minds. In this way, our normal daily habits are not only what keep our organs healthy, our muscles and flesh firm, and nourish our supply of energy; these habits determine whether or not we have to dip into our reserve of Essence Qi.
All of the Healing Sounds Qigong Methods bring every phase of our life processes into a better balance, but the emphasis on the particular method for the kidney qi is to condense the strength of qi where it is needed, in the area of the Dantian 丹田 and Kidneys, where the Jing is stored, and the lower back, where the Mingmen 命門, the “Life Gate” opens and stimulates the flow of kidney yang qi at the deepest levels of the body. It helps to pull down “excessive fire” from above (in the heart and mind), and warm up “excessive cold” below (from weak spleen yang qi or general exhaustion).
To achieve all this, I finish with a hint – all of the Healing Sounds for the Qi methods need to be practiced regularly, in a relaxed manner, with a positive and quiet mind, with a smooth and fine breath. But the method for the kidney qi, especially, should be done easily. It is important not to exhaust the qi while trying to build it up. This means, practice naturally, without any mental or physical tension, staying well within your limits with the sinking down move and the amount of times you practice it. You will not only enjoy the practice, you will reap the greatest benefit from it!
* ”extreme”, in TCM terms, means anything that can unbalance health, whether caused by external circumstances or pathogens, internal pressures or desires, or inappropriate or excessive diet, exercise, work or sexual behaviour. It is further qualified by arising either too suddenly, too strongly, or is too long lasting (like weather, viruses, enforced isolation, etc.).
