Mapping the BodyThe ancient systems of the chakras in India and the 5 elements in China are both means for describing the union of the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of our experience. When we view these systems in terms of modern research they can be seen as maps of the body and demonstrate that even on a molecular level; emotional, physical and spiritual phenomena are all very closely related.
The ancient Chinese viewed the body as a matrix formed around a group of organ systems. These include the physical organ itself, as well as that organ's "sphere of influence". This sphere extends to other paired organs and includes things seemingly unrelated like external orifices and emotions. For example, if we look at the heart. The heart's sphere includes its paired organ, the small intestine, the tongue, the emotion of joy, the pituitary gland and more. This is significant clinically because information collected regarding these seemingly unrelated parts of the body gives the practitioner a more vivid image of their particular pathology. In this chart below you can see all the organ systems and their relationships. Each viscera (organ) has a corresponding bowel, tissue, emotion, sense organ etc. Follow each column down to view each organ's "sphere of influence".
The 5 Element CorrespondencesThe ancient Chinese used a construct involving the 5 "elements" of earth, metal, water, wood and fire to describe the relationships found in the body. This complex system involves yin and yang pairs within each element as well as specific types of relationships between the various elements.In addition, when you view this in light of recent research regarding the connections between the mind and body, you can see that what the ancient Chinese were doing was really charting what Western science is now just beginning to understand;a body wide communication system. Modern Research in CardiologyFor example, let's look at some recent research in the field of cardiology with regard to the "fire" element of the heart.This study was conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center,and the results were presented at the Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology on March 7,2005, in Orlando, Florida. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore showed for the first time that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow. The endothelium has a powerful effect on blood vessel tone and regulates blood flow, adjusts coagulation and blood thickening, and secretes chemicals and other substances in response towounds, infections or irritation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease. If you look at the correspondences in the chart above you will see that the ancient Chinese had already identified this relationship. They had determined that joy was the emotion associated with the heart, and the tissue associated was the vessels. Viewing this information in light of this research gives an interesting insight into the wisdom of Chinese medical thought and, sheds new light on what may be some very interesting clues about the nature of the relationship between emotions and the physical body.
Qi as InformationFurthermore, the concept of "qi" that is so often used in reference to Chinese medical thought and which is sometimes used to malign Chinese medicine as being devoid of science, is actually a metaphor for the way which the body communicates with itself.In fact, in my view, "qi" is simply information. On the molecular level this can be seen as the system of neuropeptides and neuroreceptors which populate every system of the body. In addition,the system of meridians and acupuncture points may themselves be seen as places where electrical and chemical activity is recieved, processed and distributed throughout the body. Acupuncture points are often areas of low impedance (or low electrical resistance), points of concentrations of neuroreceptors, and areas rich in fine nerve endings and capillaries. This is what is accessed by acupuncture and Chinese medicine and this is a fluid and malleable system that is sympathetic to various interventions from the subtle (traditionally involving "energy") to the more substantial involving physical interventions like massage or acupuncture. The Science of the ChakrasAnother interesting area of body mapping is the ancient system of chakras. Dr. Candace Pert, discoverer of the opiate receptor, points out that the system of chakras actually correlates with dense concentrations of neuroreceptors. In fact, each chakra is the site of a neuronal plexus, a kind of junction box of nerves and the natural chemicals that create emotion and feelings commonly associated with spirituality.She refers to them as "minibrains" and physiologically, each chakra has its own unique function and character. All of these are interconnected with each one influencing and affecting the others. The attributes of the chakras that have been traditionally associated with certain types of "energies", drives or emotions are now understood as being caused by neuropeptides influencing our emotional behavior. Let's look at the chakras from the perspective of ancient Indian and Taoist (the philosphical fathers of Chinese medicine) thought and try to understand them by keeping in mind what is happening on the molecular level (which, in the final analysis is really just energy anyway.) The First Chakra
Called the "root chakra" or the "House of Essence" in the Taoist tradition, this is located at the perineum (the area between the anus and genitals). This is the area of the sexual glands: the prostate and the testes in men and the uterus, vagina and ovaries (by extension) in women. This area is the site of intense neuropeptide activity and is thought, traditionally, to be responsible for hormone secretions, sexual energy and response and reproduction. Dr. Pert takes this a step further and says "...the anal sphincter (in humans) possesses a more highly developed intelligence than do the brains of the lower orders of mammals." When this chakra is "healthy" one is said to possess a sense of creativity and personal power and has the ability to get things done. On the other hand, when this chakra is "weak or out of balance" it is thought to be hard to enjoy life, one may feel destructive, negative and listless.
The Second Chakra
Called the "House of Water" by Taoists, the second chakra has long been asociated with the "yin" aspect of sexuality and is also associated with creativity and sexuality. It is located just above the pubic bone right where the spinal cord generates the neuropeptides responsible for innervating our sexual organs. From a Chinese medical perspective this chakra is related to the adrenal glands which support the functions of the kidneys ("water"), bones, bone marrow and the spine. This is the "energy pump" which helps propel sexual energy to higher energy centers. It is associated with the acupuncture point Du 6 located at the 11th thoracic vertebrae. The Third Chakra
Called the "House of Transcendence" by Taoists, this relates to the pancreas and is located at acupuncture point Ren 12 at the solar plexus. The neuropeptides at this chakra regulate our digestion, blood sugar levels and body temperature. This chakra is associated with personal power, and, indeed, recognizing the power to accept or reject food is one of the first manifestations of an infant's ability to excercise personal control. Furthermore, the hunger strike has long been a tool for exercising power among those who have lost all other forms of personal power completely (prisoners). When this chakra is "healthy" one is said to feel a sense of freedom, an ability to risk on behalf of yourself and others. When it is imbalanced one may feel a sense of panic or worry. The Fourth Chakra
Called the "House of the Heart" in the Taoist tradition, this is the location of the thymus gland which governs the heart and circulatory system. This is located at acupuncture point Ren 17 and is the seat of love, joy, respect and surrender. In addition, every known neuropeptide is in rich supply at this physiological plexus. The peptides released here dilate blood vessels, which determine how well nutrients are delivered and toxins are removed. When it is "healthy" one is said to feel a sense of honor and respect, when it is "imbalanced" one may feel a sense of anxiety and worry. The heart chakra is thought to radiate the energy of healing. The Fifth Chakra
The nerves at this center innervate the blood vessels surrounding the thyroid. The peptides present at this site determine our vocal tone and our ability to express ourselves. Therefore, this is the communication and dream center (our dreams are our sub-conscious communication). When this is "healthy" one is said to feel their expressions flow and there is greater lucidity in dreams. When this center is "out of balance" one feels choked up, there is unwillingness to change. The Sixth Chakra
This is the "home" of our higher conscoiusness and is most densely populated with peptides responsible for keeping our brain cells alive. These neuropeptides continually regulate the lives of our brain cells keeping the frontal cortex in a state of constant flux. Taoists regarded this chakra as the "switch" of the Universal Force. When the spirit awakens, this is where it resides. When this chakra is "healthy" one is said to feel a sense of purpose, a direct and simple knowing, one also has strong intuition and is not easily startled. When it is "imbalanced" one feels indecisive, the mind may wander and be directionless. The Seventh Chakra
There are no particular neuropeptides concentrated at the crown of the head. However, many cultures believe that the seventh chakra is the "seat of intention", and locate it above the head in the body's energy field. The molecules of emotion, neuropeptides, most densely concentrated in the brain constantly radiate electromagnetic energy, so this intense neuropeptide activity may be what the ancients identified as the seventh chakra-the seat of the spiritual self. When this chakra is "healthy" this center is said to radiate happiness, one may feel guided by higher powers. It is said to help us see auras and "the light". When it is "imbalanced" it is thought that one may feel delusional,have illusions, headaches and erratic mood swings, and a sense of being a victim or a slave. We Can All Experience ThisRegardless of where you stand with your beliefs on these ancient teachings, it is interesting to note how science is revealing the molecular physiology which is responsible for this ancient wisdom. Certainly, we will discover more (both useful and irrelevant) once we investigate these connections more deeply.What much of this research points out is that we can actively influence our physical bodies with our minds and our minds can be influenced by our physical bodies on both the microscopic and macroscopic levels. It is very exciting to imagine where this knowledge can lead us and it is important to remember that anyone can experience this. We don't need sophisticated machinery to access and experience these phenomena. We only have to be present and observe. What an incredible vessel this physical body is. Capable of engineering such profound experiences if and when we decide to take the time to discover them.
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