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Last year I taught six classes looking at the 12 main pathways and points of energy from the 5E viewpoint of being linked, 1 through 12, via the entry and exit points. We examined the 12 main pathways and points as they manifest one continuous, coherent, and profoundly insightful pathway of energy. We looked at not only the energetic nature of the points, but how they each contribute to the functioning of their pathway, their element, and the continuity of energy as it moves from pathway to pathway and from element to element. This is a core tenant of the 5E tradition, yet it’s one that has neither been fully articulated nor examined. There is a treasure trove of insight to be understood here. 

 

Building on this work, in this class, I will focus on the Heart/Kidney axis, the central interwoven template of the fire and water elements which allows the entire dynamism of the five elements to flourish. We will look at the core energetic dynamics between the fire and water pathways and how they both empower and are empowered by the Conception and Governors vessels pathways and points. Secondarily, but no less important, we’ll look at how the fire/water dynamic is influenced by metal energy and how in turn it informs and is shaped by both wood and earth energies. We can do this by examining in detail the various main and secondary Palace points: 

 

Heart 8   Lesser Palace

Small Intestine 19   Listening Palace

Heart Protector 8   Palace of Weariness

Lung 1   Middle Palace

Lung 3   Heavenly Palace

CV 19   Purple Palace

GV 16   Wind Palace 

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And, secondary influential points:

CV 3  Utmost Middle

CV 4  First Gate

CV 17  Central Alter

CV 18  Jade Court

GV 4  Gate of Life

Heart 1  Utmost Source

Heart 2   Blue-Green Spirit

Kidney 1  Bubbling Spring

Kidney 2  Blazing Valley

Kidney 22  Walking on the Veranda

Kidney 23  Spirit Seal

Kidney 24  Spirit Burial Ground

Gall Bladder 24  Sun and Moon

Liver 14  Gate of Hope

Lung 10  Fish Region

Spleen 21  Great Enveloping

 

Compassion is a core experience of a healthy Heart/Kidney axis. I will offer guided meditation on bodhicitta each day, providing a means of developing a 'felt' sense of the many qualities of compassion.  

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​Schedule

Day One, Friday:  a condensed review of the 12 pathways and points as they both manifest one continuous and coherent pathway of energy and reveal the fundamental interplay of energies between the 5 elements.

 

9 – 10:30 am 

Welcome

Brief review of the elements and their energetics

   Origin Mandala

   Generation Cycle

   Heart/Kidney axis

Introduction to the continuous 12 pathways of energy, plus CV and GV.

Yin to yang and yang to yin; heart to hand and hand to head, head to foot and foot to heart.

 

10:30 – 10:45 am Break

 

10:45am – 12:30 pm

Overview of nature and function of Heart, Small Intestines, Bladder, and Kidney pathways, main points, and elements

 

12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)

 

1 – 2 pm

Somatic Meditation examining the qualities of compassion. 

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2 – 3 pm

Overview of nature and function of Heart Protector, Triple Heater, Gall Bladder, and Liver pathways, main points, and elements

 

3 – 3:15 pm Break 

 

3:15 – 4:15 pm

Overview of nature and function of Lung, Large Intestines, Stomach, and Spleen pathways, main points, and elements,

CV and GV pathways and points

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4:15 – 5:00 pm Questions and discussion.

  

Day Two, Saturday

an in-depth look at the primary and secondary Palace Points as they reveal the inner workings of and interrelationships between the fire, water, metal, CV, and GV pathways 

 

9 – 10:30 am 

The nature of ‘palace’

Significance of the location of the 7 main ‘palace’ points

Body exercises working with energy at 7 ‘palace’ points.

Relationships between water, fire, and metal elements and pathways as they pertain to the 7 main ‘palace’ points.

Five wisdom energies: body, speech, mind

Compassion as the core experience of a healthy Heart/Kidney axis

 

10:30 – 10:45 am Break

 

10:45am – 12:30 pm

Discussion of the nature and function of the 7 main 'palace' points

 

12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)

 

1 – 2 pm

Somatic Meditation further examining the qualities of compassion. 

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2 – 3:15 pm

Discussion of nature and function of 12 secondary fire, water, CV, and GV points that inform and influence the 7 ‘palace’ points.

 

3:15– 3:30 pm Break 

 

3:30 – 4:15 pm

Discussion of nature and function of 4 secondary metal, wood, and earth points that inform and influence the 7 main ‘palace’ points

 

4:15 – 5:00 pm Questions and discussion with emphasis on treatment room application.

 

Further Information 

This class is for all practitioners of Chinese medicine, regardless of methodology. The five elements are the theoretical foundation of all branches of Chinese medicine, of Daoist understanding itself. Whether we engage them in our diagnostic and treatment protocols or not, we are each working from the energetics of the elements. The material presented will orient practitioners to a clear understanding of the five elements, the twelve officials, the pathways and points from a five-element perspective, and the primary and secondary Palace points as they reveal the nature and function of the Heart/Kidney axis within the 14 main pathway system of acupuncture.  Should you have any questions, please call me.

 

That said, the material in these classes will be presented in a fast-paced manner, with much ground to cover. I will not dwell on basics, so previous knowledge of five element theory will be very helpful. 

 

It is also intended for practitioners at every level of practice, from beginner to advanced. Some of this may be a review. I am a student of beginner’s mind and teach from this perspective, endeavoring to hold and communicate all levels of understanding.  As we know, we hear the content that resonates with our minds exactly where we are in life. 

 

I’m generally not a fan of online classes. What happens when we gather in person is magical and potent.  We have discovered this truth throughout our collective year of isolation and pandemic. However, we have also learned how to show up and discuss things online with greater presence and authenticity. We need this connection, especially as solitary practitioners. And we discovered the benefits of the online platform: talking to a friend or colleague or fellow practitioner downstate or in Austin or Chile or Denmark can happen – and how wonderful. Online classes afford those from afar to attend with no extra cost or effort. For these reasons – even as we begin to gather in person– I have decided to teach these classes in short segments online. 

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Registration, Fees, and cancellation policy

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The fee for this course is $250. All fees are due upon registration. If you cancel more than two weeks before the course, your money will be refunded, minus a $30.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued if you cancel less than two weeks before the course. 

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Resources

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The Clinical Practice of Chinese Medicine by Lonny Jarrett and Classical Five-Element Acupuncture: Vol. 1, Meridians and Points (4th edition) – the Red book - by JR Worsley both have invaluable information about pathways and points. 

For further information or to register, go to: www.megangodfrey.com or contact Megan at vtacupuncture@gmail.com or 802-985-5480.

 

14 NCCAOM CEUs, 12 AOM-OM credits and 2 PE-CW credits.

You will receive your NCCAOM CEU certificate(s) within a week of the end of the class.