Paru Paru (Lu)

Zhong Fu is the palace of the pure quality of our inner essence. This is the beautiful crystal of our inner being. Zhong Fu goes right to the centre of our inner richness. It is the entry point to the Lung meridian, and goes straight to our inner wealth and its connections with the heavens. Zhong is drawn both as a square being divided and as an arrow hitting a target. The division of the square has the meaning that there are two sides to everything. Without yin there would not be yang, without night there would not be day. Together they form the whole. In darkness there is the light of the stars and in sunlight there is the shade of the clouds. By knowing both sides we can find the depth of balance and harmony in our lives. If we are down in spirit, lost or despairing, this point can take us back to the security of our core.

Zhong is also an arrow hitting a target. When an arrow flies straight and true then there is only one place it can go, straight to the centre of the target. In this centre there lies the wealth of each unique moment in time. Here is a quality of movement in perfect balance and harmony. For the Chinese moderation was important as excess destroyed all sense of what was human for it did not have the virtues and qualities of the centre. If we can go straight to the centre then even if we are confronted with the impossible in life our aim will still be straight and true. Zhong means to hit the centre, attain, pierce, middle, among, inside, within and in between. Fu is drawn as a hand giving something and a building or shelter. It means a storehouse, treasury, to collect those things necessary to live, a governing officer and a palace. Zhong Fu is the palace of our inner richness and quality where we can receive the advise of our heavenly father taking us to the very centre of our path. When we are ready and balanced within ourselves, it is then that we can go deep into these inner chambers and find our own special qualities, gifts and insights

When we know how to wait for the precious rains in the clouds then we understand that things will come to us as long as we work in cooperation with what is natural. It is important to realize that clouds hold the precious water that gives life to everything that grows on the earth. When we can see this precious substance in the clouds then we can also see the plants that will grow in the sunshine. Yu Men is a gateway through which we receive the heavenly rains, cloudy days, and fresh sunshine.

Here we grow with the moisture of the heavens falling to us at the right time. When the gate is shut we cannot see the sky overhead and if it is too open we get drenched in the rain. If the gateway is balanced then we can see the clouds form overhead and wait for the precious moisture to nourish the seeds within us. In this way when the rain comes our efforts can be in accordance with nature.

Yu is drawn as four raindrops falling from heaven and the vapours that form with the rise and fall of temperature. It means cloudy, numerous and to gather. Men is drawn as two leaves of a door. It means an opening, gateway, door and an entrance. Yu Men is the gateway of clouds able to shade too much sun as well as enrich us with heavenly waters. When we are in distress or weighed down with life, this point can give us a calm quiet place to find our special gifts. Suddenly the clouds lift and the sun shines again in our hearts. Here we can find our inner wealth that allows us to shine in the fullness of who we are.

Tian Fu is one of the chimney to heaven points, where we can grasp the hand of the heavenly father and see deeper into our lives. In using this point it must come at a time when we are willing to move forward and see what is beyond the horizon. Then we can open up to the riches of nature and her spirit. Here we are lead to our own inner richness and qualities. At Tian Fu we can see this beauty in ourselves and others. In this way the sun seems to shine brighter and the stars appear more magical. This point opens our vision and gives us the support to move forward and open our life.

Tian Fu means the great beauty of the heavenly palace. Heaven is always greater than man, but man can glimpse a small part of that greatness by contemplating the vast and endlessly changing patterns within nature. Our human spirit needs this greatness in which to roam, for in that way we slowly gain a deep understanding of how infinite the world is. At this point, when we want to see more depth and are able to go beyond ourselves, then and only then, can we enter this palace of the great father within us. Tian Fu is the treasury storehouse of the heavens and supreme ruler. It is here the immortals go when they have finally walked their Taoist path.

Tian is drawn as a man and the heavens overhead drawn as a line above him. The heavens govern man with their vast expanse of space. It means the highest of all things, the Supreme Ruler, the seasons, celestial, nature, sky and the firmament above. Fu is drawn as a hand giving and a shelter or building. It means a palace, treasury, storehouse, to collect things necessary for life and a county. Here we can place our hand in the hand of the heavenly father, and view the world from greater heights. Tian Fu means to visit the great, vast, and wonderful celestial palace. Here within us is the light of heaven that can revitalize and rejuvenate our life bringing courage, purpose and strength.

White was often worn in sacred ceremonies and on festive occasions. It represents an absence or the empty space where having let go of our layers we can find the essence of who we are. This essence is who we are and can never be taken from us, but out of it can come the security and balance that puts our life in harmony. Here is the absence of anything inside and the emptiness through which meditation brings great treasures. Xia Bai is the strength, generosity, clarity and boldness that come from the essence of who we are whether it be a beautiful stone or a polished diamond, a prince or a fisherman. Here is the courage to cherish who we are and move forward with confidence.

Xia is drawn as a man picking up and grasping two others in his arm to protect them. It means to help, to carry, to cherish, to foster, to clasp under the arm, generous, bold, heroic, brave and valiant. Bai is drawn as the sun that has just appeared in the eastern sky. It represents the dawn when the eastern sky becomes white, bright and clear. It means naked, common, plain, free, vain, empty, easy to understand, obvious, pure, clear, bright and white. Here the clarity of who we are gives us the courage to walk our path with dignity, courage and in harmony with others. Xia Bai gives us a generous, valiant and bold pure inner energy enabling us to become who we are. This point gives us purity, light and inspiration while clearing out old habits and ideas. In this way we are inspired to move in new directions. Xia Bai feeds the quality of metal by nourishing and polishing it enabling us to touch our rich essence and qualities and move our lives with dignity, pride and quality.

Marshlands have great calm expanses of water where the horizon seems endless. They are filled with wildlife especially many varieties of birds. Here the water gently filters down into the earth leaving deposits of rich minerals. These minerals in the earth are absorbed back into the water giving the plant life many nutrients for growth. In such a way the marsh waters let go of the impurities and are fed by the rich minerals transformed by the earth. Here in this great expanse of water, rich minerals are able to move with fluidity enriching both the earth and the water. In the stillness of a marshland the heavens are perfectly reflected. This gives beautiful inspiration with views of the horizon extending out over the sea.

Chi Ze is an expansive watery, moist, fertile, enriching marsh. This is the water point of the lung meridian giving fluidity and flow to the reception of heavenly Qi. Chi is drawn as a man and the span of his hand from the thumb to the finger. It means an expanse, the area between the wrist and the elbow and a unity of measure. Ze is drawn as water and a pestle which grinds down that which is in a basin. It means water grinding down into the earth, damp, a watery land, marsh, inundated, moist, fertile, anoint, benefit, enrich, to show kindness and smooth. Here the riches of metal can flow smoothly and benefit, enrich and fertilize the qualities of our life. Chi Ze gives us the energy of an expansive, and fluid marshland. Water feeds the lung meridian with fluidity and vitality. When we are stuck or inert, this point can help us find what is real within ourselves and life to get us moving again with inspiration.

The Chinese say that the great void is empty. It is out of this emptiness that everything comes. Kong is a hole in between the roof and wall where a mother swallow builds her nest to raise her young. It is an empty place where life can be created. It means an opening, a hole, to go through, to penetrate, the finger hole of a flute and great. Zui is drawn as a covering or hat, and to take by the ear or to gather or combine. It means most, extreme and very. Kong Zui is a gathering together of twigs and mud to build a nest or place of protection for nourishing the new.

It is a place to build and open new ideas and wonders. Here is a protective nest out of which can grow the insight and inspiration of the quality of who we are. At this point we can listen to thoughts and inspirations deep within ourselves and from that inner essence allow growth. In this way we gain the pride and fullness of who we are. In this empty hole between the roof and wall we can build a nest and from that base grow with innocence and fresh vision. We can listen deeply within ourselves and find the hand of the father and his listening ear. From this secure nest we can move forward to fly beyond the limits of roof and wall far to the horizons of the sky. At Kong Zui we have the energy to penetrate the opening of the void to touch our true self. When we are disoriented and disconnected and have little purpose or meaning in our life, then this point can help us to feel fuller, more satisfied and give us what we need to find our confidence and walk life with pride and self respect.

When great storms come, the rivers fill with rain and swell. They gain in momentum and speed racing down the mountain sides and valleys. As they reach the gorges they are forced into a narrower channel where the speed and force increases. Here is a great concentration of energy from the heavens themselves. This is the junction point of the meridian where the forces of heavenly Qi build. It is also the exit point of the meridian linking the lungs to the large intestine. Here the two work together to give structure and balance to the taking in from the heavens and the letting go of what is no longer needed. This energy of the lungs is united with its brother the large intestine in order that they may work together to take in and let go in a balanced way. The concentrated strength of this point helps us to move forward with support and vitality. It can give us sudden insight into the meaning of our lives.

Lie Que is a narrowing, dividing, arranging and partaking. It also means lightening. Lie is drawn as to divide and place in order. It means to arrange, to enumerate, to separate, to set forth, to divide and to classify. Que is drawn as earthenware and to partake. It means to defile, deficiency, vacancy and broken. Here is a place where the energy is concentrated and gathered together to be clarified and divided. Here our values and insights can be arranged to order life so it keeps to its path. At Lie Que is a place of separation where that which we need can be recognized and that which we no longer need is let go. Rivers are controlled by banks of earth so they don’t flow out of control. This point gives us more structure, so life is put in good order with great quality. It also gives us the dynamic strength and courage to see what is vital in life in order to put our purpose into action.

Jing Qu is the metal point of the lung meridian where there is a fine refined quality of Qi that flows through the body, mind and spirit. This is the metal point within the element of metal. Here is the home of our heavenly father where we can discuss our lives and find the respect and quality that lies within who we are. Jing Qu is a spacious place of drainage or large gutter where our vital energy can flow weaving and regulating life. Here we can remove our stagnations, debris, obstructions and rubbish to get things flowing. Then we can move with fluidity, quality and inspiration. Because this is the metal point of the Lung meridian it can take us to the home and heart of the meridian where we can touch the deepest part of ourselves finding real value and worth.

Jing is drawn as silk threads and underground water courses being observed and watched over by someone. It means to arrange, plan, transact, regulate, manage, constant, a standard of conduct, permanent, experience, to pass through, the warp in a loom, and meridians. Here is something flowing that is watched over and given respect and care. Qu is drawn as water with a great square measure used to make aqueducts and wood. Here is a great structure meaning drain, great, ample, spacious, chief and gutter. Jing Qu is where the greatness of our structure is cared for and regulated by the qualities of metal and the essence of the treasures within us. It is from this strength of vision of who we are, that the threads of our life can move with quality and respect. Here we can weave our life with the strength of self esteem and build quality into its patterns. Here the dead leaves of autumn can be washed away, and the gutters cleared by fresh flowing rainfall. Fresh air can fill our lungs with heavenly goodness. Jing Qu means to arrange and regulate our inner pathways with our beautiful inner essence.

Tai Yuan is the earth point and the source point of the lung meridian. Here is a great depth from which we can find the nourishment and stability to move forward no matter what the Tao brings on our daily journey. At this point we can find respect and inner knowledge in the depth of our being. Out of this great abyss comes the wisdom to understand the experiences that come to us. Experience takes us to our depth. By diving into the abyss we enter the unknown. When we enter the unknown something changes within us and we go further into a new experience. Here we can allow ourselves to let go and fall into the ocean where we are still ourselves but changed. Through those changes we find more of life and this gives us a greater security to simply be ourselves.

Tai Yuan is a great, forceful, supreme, deep pool or abyss. Here supported in the great richness that lies within, we learn to swim in new directions and see more clearly the wealth we have inside. Tai is drawn as a grown man with something added. It means even greater, very, much, greatest, forceful, extreme and supreme. Yuan is drawn as water and water bouncing in between two banks or a whirlpool. It means a gulf, pool, abyss and to be deep. Here we can be fed and nourished with the depth of quality of the Lung meridian. Tai Yuan means a supremely profound pool. When we feel desperate, insecure and unworthy, this point can help us reconnect to our source so we are nourished, and loved. Here we are held and supported and can find our stability. Here we can touch our inner resources and qualities to bring a sparkle back to life.

Yu Ji is the fire point of the lung meridian where we can be bathed in warmth and love. It is place of offering. For this reason it contains the symbol of the fish which represents the great spirit of the seas. The sea is where all life originates. The fish was one of the first being in that great vastness. The Chinese say that all fishes have fiery tails that represent their spirit. Fish also have the ability to move through the great oceans of life. Yu Ji is the region of this great fire fish full of spirit.

Yu is drawn as a fish with a fiery tail. It means fish. Ji is drawn as a hill and an offering of meat and heavenly influences. It means a region, border, limit, boundary line and a time when. Here our inner qualities can be bathed in warmth and love. This is where we can feel the care and warmth of the heavenly father. Here we can relax in his embrace and feel the respect within ourselves grow stronger and more open. In this way we are able to give warmth and joy to those around us. This in itself draws people to us and creates even more warmth and love. Here we can find close friendships. This love gives quality to our lives from a deep spiritual place of connection. It is where we can find the joy and warmth of our inner spirit and feel a calm peace of great love. Yu Ji means the place of the great fire fish spirit. This point goes to the deepest place inside us. It provides a place of great universal love that gives quality, warmth, joy and laughter to our spirits.

When we handcraft our goods there is a quality of our whole being that gives each object a special quality. When a calligrapher draws he does so with his whole spirit and in this way the symbol is said to forever be alive with the expression of that moment in time. Hand crafted objects have great quality. A good merchant knows the quality of the goods he buys to sell. He also knows when and at what price to sell. In this way he supplies what is needed with the right quality and quantity. Shao Shang is an inner trader of quality goods.

Shao is drawn as something which is small being divided even further into something smaller. It means little, few, small, briefly, seldom, wanting, short of and in the least. Small for the Chinese also meant something that was inner. Shang is drawn as the expression of one’s inner feelings. It means to trade, to deliberate and a musical note. Shao Shang is our inner feelings. Here we can find the right quality of feeling within ourselves when it is needed. It gives us our ability to see what qualities are needed when different experiences come to us.

This is the wood point of the lung meridian, giving vision to the qualities we have inside so we can move with confidence. It gives us a spring burst of growth and energy to move forward. Here we can find what we need by looking inside ourselves and then spring forward to put the new ideas into action. These qualities can give new growth like the fine new shoots of spring. Here we can use the precious qualities we have inside to grow. At Shao we can feel a burst of vitality and see with fresh vision. This gives us the inspired impetus to move forward with vibrant steps.