Water Energy Helps Creative Juices

By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine

Water is not simply the clear, colorless liquid comprising lakes, rivers and oceans. According to Oriental philosophy, it is also one of the "five elemental energies" that help explain all natural phenomena and humanity's interaction with the universe.

To get a better grasp of how "water energy" acts, imagine a ball being thrown straight up into the air. After the ball reaches its peak, it begins to fall back to the ground. It is here, as the ball is making its journey back to its origin, that water energy begins to make its presence felt. It is in full swing as the ball hits the ground. Simply stated, water energy is the power of unification and condensation.

In the human body, there is a channel through which energy can circulate, dividing and unifying in a continuous circuit. The spot where the energy begins and then "returns to its origin" is located in the lower abdomen. This spot is represented by water. Doctors of Oriental medicine (OMDs) believe that water energy plays an essential role in bodily movement and action. And they say that keeping open the circuit of energy - which runs from the lower abdomen up through the spine to the crown of the head, down through the "third eye" and back to the lower abdomen - is the key to inner and bodily health, and also to improving memory and creativity.

To improve the circulation of this dividing and reuniting energy, it is recommended that you meditate or practice a moving meditation like Qigong. You can also take a walk, trying to empty your mind of all worries as you go. As you walk, breathe deeply and regularly, and listen to the sound of your feet. Try to stroll in an area full of trees and the sounds of nature. Concentrating on the sights and sounds of nature aid in keeping the energy flowing.

Circulating the energy through the body's energy channel helps relieve fatigue accumulated during the day and also makes you feel refreshed. Even after having little sleep, meditation or Qigong enable one to regain enough strength to get through another day.

Water energy, like the other elemental energies, takes many forms.

Night, the time when energy is condensed, is associated with water. And "north," the direction in which it is said that less sun shines, also falls in the water energy category. In winter, the cold weather makes most things shrink and condense, and is therefore considered a part of water.

Salty foods are also grouped in the water category, as OMDs believe that this taste is instrumental in gathering and condensing energy. Water energy is also linked to the kidneys. So eating an excess of salty food can greatly affect the kidneys and may lead to many health problems. To avoid overdosing on salt, try to use natural salt in cooking, like sea salt or what Korean's call "pokkum sogeum." Make sure to stay away from MSG and other artificial seasonings. Some people find that chronic diseases clear up rather quickly after cutting artificial seasonings and regular salt from their diets.

The bones and marrow are also categorized as water. Therefore, as a rule, people with big, strong bones, are likely to have a high level of water energy. On the contrary, people with small, fragile bones most likely lack water energy. It is therefore very important to keep children from eating large quantities of processed foods, which contain high levels of salt and sugar, to help bones and marrow develop properly.

In conclusion, during winter, it is a particularly good time to cultivate your water energies.

By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine.

Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine is one of the largest integrative medical facility with 10 medical practitioners and it is a branch medical office of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, which is the largest oriental medical hospital specializing in non surgical treatment of spine and joint condition. Please visit our website for more info at www.jasengusa.com or www.jaseng.net