The Divergent Meridians

The Divergent meridians are introduced in chapter 11 of the Ling Shu in response to
the question “how is the person in tune
with the Dao of Heaven”, how internally the Zang correspond to the 5 (tones,
colours, etc.) and how externally the Fu
correspond to the six. The Divergent meridians are then described in six junctions
starting with the U.B. and Kidney and
ending with the L.I. and Lung.

The pathways describe the Yang Divergents as going through the Zang of their
associated channel, and that they re-connect
with their own channel. The Yin Divergents do not reconnect with their own channel
but rather with their Yang-paired
Divergent. This reinforces the notion of the Divergents as connecting inner and
outer: the Yang Divergents moving into the
Zang and the Heart, while the Yin Divergents move towards their Yang counterparts.

Thus we can say that the Divergents connect External and Internal in a way that is
harmonious with the Dao of Heaven. They
communicate the outer and the inner. In terms of Qi this translates to Wei Qi
(outer) and Yuan Qi (inner) to the exclusion
of Ying Qi. Ying Qi is on the level of desires, nourishment, and cognition. It is
the nourishment we receive from our
interactions and is heavily influenced by societal values we learn which is not
necessarily in accord with the Dao of Heaven. Ying Qi is thus not involved in the
Divergent meridian system.

The notion of the Divergents constituting six junctions (Liu He) can lead us to the
conclusion that this interaction between
outer and inner now leads to the definition and anchorage of the space of life.
There are 6 directions, 4 campus directions,
plus above and below; 6 faces of a cube, representing how we limit space. This can
be interpreted to mean that the
Divergents, having allowed the interaction between outer and inner, then create the
space for life. Space that has
boundaries is associated with Ying Qi. That space is what gives birth to the
regular meridians that are conduits of Ying Qi.
It is thus not surprising that the Divergents end with the Lung, where the regular
meridians start.

The Divergent Meridians connect Wei and Yuan (external and internal) without
conflict, without Ying. They separate and bring
back together the most spontaneous and the most constitutional (Wei and Yuan),
separating those away from Ying (regular
meridians), that is away from cognition, desire, satisfaction, meaning.

The Divergent Meridians represent our ability to let go of desires and attachments,
letting go of the Fire. When Wei Qi
moves inwards, this is Wind/change that is not being rejected, that is seen as a
threat. It is a pathology when we are
unwilling to accept the changed circumstances, usually because of our attachment to
old definitions of self and world. When
we let go of our attachments and desires, we can accommodate change much more
easily and without a struggle.

The order in which the Divergent Meridians are presented in the Ling Shu shows the
Divergent Meridians as representing life,
death, and letting go. First come the U.B. and Kidney, the Water element, the chaos
from which life sprouts. Next are the
G.B. and Liver, the Wood element. This is birth, the sprouting. This progression
represents the creative cycle. The Stomach
and Spleen are described next. This is the Earth element. Birth represents giving
form to something, which is Earth. But
once we are given life, we are also given death. The next junction is that of the
S.I. and Heart, the Fire element. This
represents decay (from Earth to Fire is a reversal of the creative cycle), which is
in-line with the statement that we are
born to die. We stay with Fire, as the next junction is that of the S.J. and
Pericardium, a statement that what destroys us
is Fire which represents conflict. And thus the last junction is that of the L.I.
and Lungs, the Metal phase which is in
conflict with Fire (control cycle) stating that our desires begin to burn us and
create conflict with the world (Metal) and
thus destroy us (Metal as decay). (The movement from True Fire to Ministerial Fire
further reinforces the idea of decay, as
the San Jiao can also be seen as Wood, or that which stalks Fire. Thus we see the
movement going from Earth to Fire to that
which stalks the Fire, all of which representing decay or the reversal/destruction
cycle.)

The order of presentation also reinforces the notion of Yin Yang harmony. With
Earth in the center, it starts with
Yin-from-within-Yin which is Water, moving on to Yang-from-with-Yin (Wood), to
Yang-from-within-Yang (Fire), and ending with
Yin-from-within-Yang (Metal). This is a Tai Ji presentation of the 5 elements:
Water, Wood, Fire, and Metal representing the
gradation and inter-penetration of YinYang with Earth in the middle as the
transformative factor.

The Divergent meridian system represents our capacity to accept the world as it is.
This is the Yuan Qi (the self) accepting
the Wi Qi (the world). The time clock of these meridians represents a progression
of how the self (Water) comes out towards
the world (Metal). To the Chinese Daoist this is how things should be, and perhaps
that is why these meridians were given a
more of a theoretical bias rather than a clinical one. In a world where there is
tremendous conflict between self and nature,
in which there seems to be a deterioration of both Dao and De (universal principles
of nature and cultivation of virtue in
the individual), these meridians might seem to hold far greater clinical
significance than in previous generations.

Jeffrey Yuen attributes another time clock to the Divergents based on zones. He
believes that the time clock described above
describes the movement of Yuan Qi (Jing) towards Wei: it is a description of the
preparation towards life. When considering
Wei Qi moving towards Yuan Qi level, the time clock changes and follows a zone
trajectory which reflects a similarity with
the Sinew channels. This time clock starts with Tai Yang (U.B. then S.I.), moves to
Shao Yang (G.B. and S.J.), to Yang Ming
(Stomach and L.I.), Tai Yin (Spleen, Lung), Shao Yin (Kidney, Heart), and ends in
Jue Yin (Liver and Pericardium).

When we look at the pathways of the Divergent Meridians and their Confluent points,
we see a very close relationship between
these meridians and the lymph system. Both systems connect with the major joints,
move through the thoracic region, and have
strong connection to the neck region. We can further make an association between
the upper Confluent points of the Divergents
and the Heavenly points on the neck (Windows of the Skies).
Pathologies of the Divergent Meridians
The Ling Shu does not associate any pathologies with the Divergent Meridians, and
most texts regard their importance as
theoretical only. However, if we take the point of view that these are conduits
which communicate Wei and Yuan Qi, and that
their metaphor is that of harmony with the Dao of Heaven, we might begin to see
them as being extremely important in terms
of pathology.

Since we are dealing with Yuan Qi as a component, chronicity is usually involved

with Divergent Meridian problems, although
the original assault may have swept in very quickly, bypassing the Ying level, the
“social agenda”, and directly threatening
to destroy the self. This can be assaults like an infectious disease or sexual
abuse.

1. Opposite Side Symptoms:

Once we assume that the Divergents can have pathologies that affect them we can
deduct that the introduction of Ying Qi
elements into this system will make it less harmonious. Ying Qi represents
cognition, which in turn requires definition.
Definition, by nature, is a matter of duality: one defines something in
opposition/contrast to something else. On the level
of Ying Qi, of cognition, there is conflict: conflict between who I am and the
lesson of the interaction. Cognition
represents conflict between the self (Yuan Qi) and nature (Wei Qi), as cognition is
how we perceive things and give them
meaning, and while the meaning nourishes us, it may suppress the natural self. Thus
when there is pathology in the Divergents,
it may manifest as a polarized symptom: pain on one side only with the source of
the problem being on the opposite side.
This can be a matter left/right or above/below. The polarization of symptoms
(pushing it above, below, or to the opposite
side) represents conflict, duality, and definition, all of which do not belong in
the realm of the Divergents.
For the Divergents, which represent harmony between self and nature, to be
harmonious, we must let go of the notion of
duality, definition, etc. One sided symptoms can represent the introduction of
conflict/duality somatized as a Divergent
blockage.

2. Wind Symptoms – Arthritis, Neurological Symptoms:

When Wei Qi, which is synonymous with Wind, moves in towards the constitution
(Yuan), we can get Internal Wind. When it moves
towards the bones, the result is Arthritis (Bi syndrome), and when it moves towards
the brain, the result is neurological
problems. The bones/joints are where the Divergents start (major joints, He points,
shoulders and hips), while the brain is
their ending point.

3. Autoimmune Disorders:
These are diseases where the Wei Qi is used against the self. When seen in the
light of autoimmune disorders, the Divergent
Meridians take on great importance.
4. Cancer and Tumors:
When Jing (Yuan Qi), which is more substantial, moves out toward the surface, it is
like bringing out phlegm, spreading out
viscous dampness which can now accumulate where it is no longer contained. Thus
nodules and metastasis of cancer can be seen
as related to the Divergents.

6. Conflicts Between the World and Self:

Because the Divergents represent the communication between Wei and Yuan, the world
and the innermost self, their pathologies
can include symptoms such as allergies (I reject the world), or self-hate (I reject
the self based on perceptions I acquire
from the world).

7. Lung and Kidney Issues:

From a Zang-Fu perspective we can see the Divergent Meridians as representing the
connection between the Lungs (outer) and
Kidneys (inner), and their pathologies. Thus asthma and edema can also be
components of a Divergent pathology.

8. Emotional Issues:
The emotional/spiritual pathologies associated with the Divergent Meridians are
chronic, yet they are not specific, that is
they are not targeted. This is because the component of Ying Qi is not operating
here. Emotions which involve Ying Qi have
boundaries, specificity, targets, and acknowledgement. As we have seen the
Divergent Merdians are about letting go of Fire
and desire and so the progression of the emotions in this meridian system
represents that also. The Leg junctions involve
fear, anger, and boredom. These are the emotions that prevent us from standing up
in (or to) the world. The arms, represent
our ability to grasp life, to take it in, and here the emotions are those which
prevent us from grasping, a variety of
judgements: rationalization, obsessions, and letting go of judgements.

The Divergent Trajectories and Symptomology:

The Bladder and Kidney Confluence:

The Bladder Divergent starts at U.B.40 (Wei Zhong – Bending Middle), goes up the
hamstring to U.B.36 (Cheng Fu – Holding
Support), enters the anus and moves up to DU4 (Ming Men – Life Gate). It goes along
both sides of the spine giving rise to
the Hua Tou points, up to U.B.10 (Tian Zhu – Heavenly Pillar) and connects with the
brain (one can consider this to mean
DU20, Bai Hui – 100 Meetings, as well as U.B.1, Jing Ming – Bright Eyes).

The Ling Shu says that the U.B. Divergent connects with (or permeates) the Bladder
and Kidney, as well as the Heart. Jeffrey
Yuen interprets this to mean that it creates two wrapings, one around the gut, and
one around the chest/ribs.

At DU4 (Ming Men) it moves towards U.B.23 (Shen Shu), and into the Dai channel,
making a girdle around the gut: G.B.26
(Dai Mai), ST25 (Tian Shu – Celestial Axis), and Ren8 (Shen Que – the Spirit
Watchtower). In the Ling Shu this trajectory
is described for the Kidney Divergent only.

At DU9 (Zhi Yang – Reaching Yang), it wraps to the front (to the heart), via S.I.10
(Nao Shu – Shoulder Shu), G.B.22
(Yuan Ye – Nocturnal Abyss), P.1 (Tian Chi – Celestial Pool) and Ren17 (Tan Zhong –
Centre of Chest).

The Kidney Divergent starts at Kid10 (Yin Gu – Yin Valley), or U.B.39 (Wei Yang –
Bending Yang). It follows a similar path
to the U.B. Divergent: up to DU4, connecting with the Kidneys and the Dai channel,
up to the root of the tongue, and back
towards U.B.10 (Tian Zhu – Heavenly Pillar).

The Confluent points for the U.B./Kidney Junction are U.B.40 below, and U.B.10
above. The point of connection between the
U.B. and S.I. is S.I.10.

Symptomology of the U.B./Kidney Confluence:********************

Chronic pain along the trajectory. Especially Bi pain, or one-sided chronic pain
with the original injury on the opposite
side. This includes knee pain, lumbar pain, paravertebreal pain or scoliosis,
occipital headaches, and root of tongue pain.
Chest pain (though all the Divergents connect to the chest and heart). (In this
case use S.I.10 as well)

When Wei Qi moves inwards, towards the Jing, there may be urination problems as
well as Dai Mai problems (genital herpes,
leukorrhea). One side ovary problems can be seen as the Jing trying to move along
this Divergent and stagnating in the Dai
connection.
When the Jing is coming out, one may get tumors along the spine.
Hemiplegia can be seen as an issue of the U.B./Kidney Divergents as Jing coming out
and obstructing/stagnating the Wei Qi
(because Jing is Yin and Cold). In this case there the brain is left without enough
Jing/Marrow. One can also see hemiplegia
as involving the U.B./S.I. trajectory (Wei moving inwards), as hemiplegia can be a
result of too much Wei Qi in the brain
(neurological problems) and not enough Wei Qi left in the muscle layers (not enough
Wei Qi, it is one-sided, and Tai Yang
creates our upright stance).

The mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of this Divergent is chronic fear of

the unknown, where one is not sure what
one is afraid of or why.
The need to be a martyr without knowing why is a statement related to the U.B./S.I.
Divergent combination.

The Gall Bladder and Liver Confluence:

The Gall Bladder Divergent starts at G.B.30 (Huan Tiao (Continuous Jumping), moves
through the inside of the hip and pelvis,
and goes to the pubic bone where it meets the Liver channel at Ren2 (Qu Gu – the
Curve in the Bone) and Ren3
(Zhong Ji – Central Line), communicating with the Chong. A branch goes up to the
floating ribs, Liv13 (Zhang Men – Camphor
Gate) and G.B.25 (Jing Men (Capital Gate) and enters the G.B. and Liver. It then
moves up to the Heart (Ren17, Tan Zhong –
Chest Centre), up to the throat (Ren22 – Tian Tu – the Celestial Chimney), the
chin, moves laterally to the jaw, and ends at
G.B.1 (Tong Zi Liao – Virgin Hole).

Jeffrey Yuen further describes another branch that is not described in the Ling
Shu. This branch separates at G.B.30, moves
internally up along the sides and opens at G.B.22 (Yuan Ye – Nocturnal Abyss). Here
it enters the Pericardium (Ren17), moves
up to ST12 (Que Pen – Empty Basin or Broken Dish), up behind the ear (S.J.16, Tian
You – the Celestial Window, and S.J.17,
Yi Feng – Wind Screen), to DU20 (Bai Hui – 100 Meetings), back out to G.B.1 and
then crossing to the opposite side L.I.20
(Ying Xiang – Welcome Fragrance). This trajectory is more closely related to issues
of uncertainty in life, and the
fluctuating Shao Yang symptoms such as chills and fever, yellow sticky phlegm,
migraine headaches, and ear aches.

The Liver Divergent starts at ST42 (Chong Yang – Rushing/Surging Yang), moves up to
Liv5 (Li Gou – Worm Hole/Canal), to the
genitals, meeting the G.B. Divergent at Ren2. Here it follows the G.B. Divergent
(through the floating ribs, Liver, G.B.,
Ren17, Ren22) to G.B.1.

The Confluent points for the G.B./Liver Junction are either G.B.30 or Ren2/Ren3
below, and G.B.1 above.

Symptomology of the G.B./Liver Confluence:***************

Chronic pain along the trajectory. Especially Bi pain, or one-sided chronic pain.
Including hip pain, arthritic hips (Wind
moving into the bones), and osteoporosis of the hip. This Confluence has a very
strong connection with the flanks and
floating ribs as well as the diaphragm, and thus symptoms may include flank pain,
swollen spleen (through the Liv13
connection), and palpitations.

The G.B. Divergent also connects with the vocal cords. It controls the contraction
and expansion of the vocal cords with
symptoms such as laryngitis.
The Liver Divergent brings in Wei Qi towards the genitals (an area of Jing). Thus
it is responsible for sexual arousal.
Pathologies may include infertility with sexual nervousness (Wei Qi moving in, but
not being managed).
Through the pelvic and Chong connection one may get pelvic inflammatory conditions
(Wei Qi moving in), or uterine and
ovarian cysts and fibroids (stagnant Jing).

The mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of this Divergent is chronic anger

at life without being able to find the
reason.
Rigidity, inability to make change or to adapt to change leading to frustration, as
well as the inability to take ones place
in life with “honor”, leading to resentment or contempt, are the emotional
statement of the Shao Yang pair (G.B./S.J.)
Divergents.

The Stomach and Spleen Confluence:

The Stomach Divergent starts at ST31 (Bi Guan – the Gateway to the Spleen). Some
say it starts at the He point (ST36, Zu San
Li – Leg Three Miles). It moves toward ST30 (Qi Chong – Surging Qi), the Stomach,
the Spleen, and the Heart (Ren17, Tan
Zhong – Centre of the Chest). It ascends up to the throat, Ren22 (Tian Tu – the
Celestial Chimney) and then the mouth
(connecting with Ren Mai), L.I.20 (Ying Xiang – Welcome Fragrance), where it makes
a connection with the G.B. Divergent,
to U.B.1 (Jing Ming (Bright Eyes), and finally to ST1 (Cheng Qi – Carrying Tears)
where it connects with the Chong.
The Spleen Divergent starts at SP11 (Ji Men – Sieve/Weaving Gate), moves into SP12
(Chong Men – Chong Gate), ST30 (Qi Chong)
where it joins the Stomach Divergent and follows it up to pass through the middle
of the tongue. Jeffrey Yuen further
describes it as moving out to L.I.20, up to U.B.1 and ST1.

The Confluent points for the Stomach/Spleen Junction is ST30 below, and U.B.1 (or
either L.I.20 or ST1) above. The Confluent
points of the Yang Ming zone (Stomach and L.I.) are ST12 and L.I.20.

Symptomology of the Stomach/Spleen Confluence:*************

Chronic pain along the trajectory: inner thigh pain, pelvic pain during ovulation
(because of connection with the Chong),
abdominal pain, esophageal pain, pain upon swallowing, mouth and tooth pain.

When Wei Qi moves into the Stomach one may experience ulcers, gastritis, ulcerative
colitis or discharge of mucus and blood
in the colon.
When the Jing is coming out one may see nasal polyps (dirty Jing/Phlegm in the
nasal cavity), mucus in the eyes, or physical
deterioration of the eyes.
The Stomach/Spleen Divergents have a clear affinity to the Chong. They can serve to
bring Wei, Yang, Qi in the form of Heat
into the Chong, which translates into self-destructive behaviour (the Heat destroys
the Chong, the blueprint). (If the Heat
moves into the Yang Qiao (via U.B.1) then it will manifest as aggressive
behaviour.) This association with the Chong makes
this Divergent Junction influence the synchronization of the movement of Blood and
regulating menses.
The Stomach/Spleen Divergents supply the drive that gets us to do things, creating
boundaries and definitions that interplay between the self and the world.
Definitions and boundaries facilitate consciousness (or thought) which gives us
nourishment.

The mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of this Divergent is lack of

internal drive, lack of will to do something for
oneself, and chronic boredom without knowing why one is bored.

The Small Intestine and Heart Confluence:

The Small Intestine Divergent starts at S.I.10 (Nao Shu – Shoulder Shu), moves
towards ST12 (Que Pen – Empty Basin), to
Ren22 (Tian Tu – the Celestial Chimney), the root of the tongue, cheekbones, brain
(DU20, Bai Hui – 100 Meetings), and out
at U.B.1 (Jing Ming – Bright Eyes). Another trajectory (the one described in the
Ling Shu) separates at S.I.10, moves via
the axillary fold (at HT1, Ji Quan – High Fountain), to G.B.22 (Yuan Ye – Nocturnal
Abyss), into the Heart (P.1, Tian Chi –
Celestial Pool, and Ren17, Tan Zhong – Centre of the Chest) and then down to
communicate with the Small Intestine.

The Heart Divergent starts at HT1 (Ji Quan – High Fountain), moves into G.B.22
(Yuan Ye – Nocturnal Abyss), and towards the
chest (Ren17, Tan Zhong) to penetrate the Heart. It then travels up the throat, to
the root of the tongue, to the brain,
coming out to the face, ending at U.B.1 (Jing Ming – Bright Eyes). Jeffrey Yuen
describes another pathway descending from
the Heart to Ren8 (Shen Que – Spirit Watchtower) to connect with the Dai channel,
creating a Fire/Water connection.
The Confluent points for the Small Intestine/Heart Junction are G.B.22 below, and
U.B.1 above. The Confluent point of the
Tai Yang zone (U.B. and S.I.) is S.I.10.

Symptomology of the Small Intestine/Heart Confluence:*****************

When Wei Qi moves into the Heart one may experience palpitations, tachycardia, etc.
When the Jing is coming out one may see blood or ruddy complexion on the neck or
head as the substance (Jing) of the Heart
is Blood.
The Small Intestine/Heart Divergents represent the way we extend ourselves to the
world (Tai Yang) and bring it inwards to
our hearts while sorting out the pure and the turbid. The Small Intestine
represents how we rationalize things in order to
understand them, and so that they fit into our heart even when it is not willing to
move in harmony with the outside world.
The Heart and Pericardium Divergents have an intimate relationship to Blood and
Ying Qi. They represent the way we might
maintain a rigidity of the self in the face of the world. This is our personality,
the mask that hides us from the world and
prevents us from developing our true individuality. These Divergents represent the
major obstacle (our personality/ego) to
becoming our natural selves. It is through holding on to Ying Qi (Blood – that is
views that we believe nourish us) that we
are prevented from being in touch with the Yuan Qi. We can, however, separate and
diverge from our personality and become
whole by letting go of our ego.

The mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of the S.I./Heart is rationalizing

in ways that are incorrect or disharmonious,
through trivializing, exaggerating, making excuses, or taking on inappropriate
roles.

The San Jiao and Pericardium Confluence:

The Ling Shu describes the Divergent of the San Jiao as starting at the top of the
head and moving down through the three
burners, however, just before this statement it says that this Divergent points up
to Heaven which can give us the following
trajectory: G.B.22 (Yuan Ye – Nocturnal Abyss), via the diaphragm, into the chest
(Ren17 – Tan Zhong, Centre of the Chest),
up to ST12 (Que Pen – Empty Basin), to the throat, through S.J.16 (Tian You –
Celestial Window), G.B.12 (Wan Gu – End of Bone),
into the brain (DU20 – Bai Hui, 100 Meetings). From ST12 another trajectory
descends down the three burners, condensing into
the Lower Jiao.

The Pericardium Divergent starts at G.B.22 (Yuan Ye – Nocturnal Abyss), and moves
into the chest (Ren17, Tan Zhong) via P.1
(Tian Chi – Celestial Pool). From Ren17, it descends through the three burners. An
ascending trajectory moves up through
ST12 (Que Pen – Empty Basin), up the throat, to S.J.16 (Tian You – Celestial
Window), behind the ear to G.B.12 (Wan Gu –
End of Bone) where it joins the San Jiao channel.

The Confluent points for the San Jiao/Pericardium Junction are G.B.22 below, and
S.J.16, or G.B.12, above. The Confluent
point of the Shao Yang zone (G.B. and S.J.) are G.B.22, ST12. And S.J.16. Because
both the S.J. and Pericardium Divergents
go through the three burners, one can also assume Ren12 to be a confluent point
(below).

Symptomology of the San Jiao/Pericardium Confluence:**************

Pain along their pathways phlegm accumulation, as in nodules and swelling.
Nodulations in the connective tissue. Moles are considered to be in
the domain of the Pericardium. Edema, fluid accumulation either above or below,
facial edema with sinusitis can also be seen
as involving this Divergent Confluence.

According to Jeffrey Yuen these Divergents are involved in fluid metabolism (as
related to the San Jiao). The descending
pathway condenses fluids into the Spleen and the Lower Burner, and the ascending
trajectories mist the brain (perhaps
equivalent to CSF).

Thus symptoms of these Divergents involve not only pain along their pathways but
also phlegm accumulation, as in nodules and
swelling. And since the San Jiao wraps around the connective tissues, S.J.10 (Tian
Jing – The Celestial Well) is specifically
used for phlegm and nodulations in the Luo vessels, and nodulations in the
connective tissue. Moles are considered to be in
the domain of the Pericardium. Edema, fluid accumulation either above or below,
facial edema with sinusitis can also be seen
as involving this Divergent Confluence.

The San Jiao /Pericardium Divergents represent the way we develop our ego, creating
a sense of status. The Pericardium allows
us to adjust to many environments. When this adjusting ability is hampered, one
becomes possessive, and the emotions seen
are envy and jealousy. When the Wei Qi is engaged with something that is not
reality, the love that one has becomes a fantasy.

Thus, mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of the S.J./Pericardium Divergent

is possessive love, fantasy love,
fixation and obsession and even delusion and mania.

The Large Intestine and Lung Confluence:

The Large Intestine Divergent separates at L.I.15 (Jian Yu – Shoulder Bone) and
goes back to DU14 (Da Zhui – Great Hammer).
In the front it goes into the chest and Lungs via ST16 (Ying Chuang – Breast
Window) or ST15 (Wu Yi – The Roof), from where
one pathway descends to the Large Intestine and another goes up via ST12 (Que Pen –
Empty Basin) to the throat, coming out
at L.I.18 (Supporting Chimney).

The Lung Divergent begins at G.B.22 (Nocturnal Abyss), moves into LU1 (Zhong Fu –
Central Warehouse), going into the Lung,
and Heart (Ren17 – Tan Zhong, Centre of Chest). One branch ascends coming out at
ST12 (Que Pen – Empty Basin) and L.I.18
(Fu Tu – Supporting Chimney) while another descends to the Large Intestine.

The Confluent points for the Large Intestine/Lung Junction are ST12 below, and
L.I.18 above. The Confluent point of the Yang
Ming zone (Stomach and L.I.) are ST12. and L.I.18.

Symptomology of the Large Intestine/Lung Confluence:***************

Unilateral pain or swelling in the shoulders, chest, throat, clavicular or
pectoralis (LU1) region. This is the final
Confluence, by the time We Qi has penetrated here one sees wasting symptoms (as in
diabetes) because the Wei Qi is burning
the Jing: sweating a lot, urinating a lot, wasting and thirsting.

This final Divergent is in the Metal phase, ultimately going out to the world,
recognizing the world as a mirror of oneself.
The proper role of this Divergent is to allow one to put out the self to the world
in perfect harmony, so that my gift to
the world is my own true self.

The mood, emotion, or philosophical statement, of the L.I./Lung Divergent is over-

examining the world, over-scrutinizing.
When the Jing comes out, it can result in an attitude of feeling one must always
interact, keep busy and interacting.

Treatment Strategies Using the Divergent Meridians:

In determining the involvement, and subsequently treatment, of the Divergent
meridians, one should take into consideration
the symptoms associated with these meridians (chronicity, edema, asthma, arthritis,
tumors, polarity, etc.) as well as the
philosophical component (is there a miscommunication between Wei and Yuan, the self
and the world).

The pulse associated with Divergent pathologies is usually a pulse that reflects
the same quality on both the superficial
level and the deep level (as one goes deeper one should also slide toward the
tendon). When the superficial quality is the
same as the quality on the deep level, this indicates a Divergent meridian issue.
The specific confluence is determined by
the position in which this quality is felt, that is the U.B./Kidney confluence will
be felt at the left third position, the
G.B./Liver at the left second position, the Stomach/Spleen at the right second
position, the S.I./Heart at the left first
position, the S.J./Pericardium at the right third position, and the L.I./Lung at
the right first position. (The disposition
of Wei Qi can be said to reflect at the superficial level: tight indicating
entrapment of Wei Q, rapid indicating Wei Qi
moving out, and slow indicating Wei Qi moving in.)

One can choose one Divergent Confluence to work with based on symptoms (physical or
emotional) of the particular Confluence
(e.g. chronic fear of the unknown might indicate U.B./Kidney confluence, arthritic
hip might indicate G.B./Liver confluence,
etc.). In this case the Confluent points of this confluence are needled.

The Confluence is needled in a loop, starting with the bottom confluence, pointing
the needle upwards, the upper confluence,
pointing the needle upwards and/or to the opposite side, the opposite upper
confluent point pointing downwards, and finally
the opposite confluent, pointing downwards. If there is a symptomatic side one
should start needling on the non-symptomatic
side (pointing upwards) and end on the symptomatic side (pointing downwards). If
the problem is not polar, end on the
dominant-hand side (right side for right-handed person).

This means that for a right-handed person the U.B./Kidney confluent loop will be
created by first needling left U.B.40
(lower confluent) pointing upwards, then left U.B.10 (upper confluent) pointing to
the right, then right U.B.10 (upper
confluent) pointing down, and lastly right U.B.40 (lower confluent) pointing down.
All needles are inserted at three depths: superficial, deep, and superficial (or
ending at the deep level if one intention
is at the Yuan level). They are taken out in the reverse order in which they were
inserted.

Once the loop is created (making this a Divergent treatment) other points can be
needled. These can be other points on the
Divergent trajectory (e.g. DU9, S.I.10 in case of the U.B./Kidney confluence), or
other points which have a resonance with
either Yuan Qi (e.g. Yuan points, 8-Extra channel points, Front-Mu points), or Wei
Qi (e.g. Jing-Well points, or the meeting
points of the sinews: G.B.13, S.I.18, G.B.22, Ren3).

No more than 15 needles are used in one treatment. This is based on the idea that
the expression of Jing is correlated to
the lunar calendar. During the full moon the Yin/Jing is fuller, while during the
new moon the Yang/Wei is fuller. Each day
from the new moon to the full moon, one can add one needle, totaling 15 at the new
moon, then one reduces the numbers of
needles by one each day. (This is clearly impractical, and thus one simply keeps
the rule of using less than 15 needles.)

Another method of using the Divergent meridians is to look at the whole unit. Here
we can not isolate a particular confluence
that is affected, but see the communication between Wei and Yuan being seriously
disturbed. Here we see both Wei Qi moving
in to the Yuan level producing Heat as well as Jing coming out as nodules and
phlegm.

One way of using this model is to look at the manifestation of cancer. We can see
it as three stages, initiation, promotion
of perversity, and metastasis, each corresponding to two confluences. Initiation
being in the domain of the U.B./Kidney and
G.B./Liver domain. At this stage the Wei Qi is beginning to destroy the self,
manifesting in the lower regions of the body.
By working on these confluences, one is attempting to release Wei Qi (represented
by the Liver) out of the Jing (represented
by the Kidney). Once the perversity has been initiated, it will be trapped in the
body if there are blockages in the lower
region (a Jing area) of the body. Next come the confluences of the Stomach/Spleen
and S.I./Heart. This is the promotion of
perversity through malabsorption through both the Stomach and the Small Intestine.
Transportation, absorption and separation
are all being affected. The metastatic stage is in the domain of the
S.J./Pericardium. These are attached to all three
burners and spread things out (like the lymph system). Here the thoracic duct and
lymph nodes are inflamed. Once the
L.I./Lung confluence is involved there is no longer an ability to vent out toxins,
and finally the breath stops.

In non-cancer terms one can use the Divergent system to understand Wasting and
Thirsting. We might see this as Wind (Wei)
moving into the Jing (brain, bones, marrow) burning it off, with the Jing
stagnating, creating an inability to mobilize
Kidney Yang. The result is a progression of saturation from top to bottom. At the
top the symptoms are of Wind and Heat in
the head: sinus congestion, swelling in the neck, thirst. At the centre, Phlegm and
Dampness accumulate with symptoms
affecting the Zang Fu such as nausea, irritability and restlessness. Finally at the
lower level one see consumption of
Jing with symptoms such as incontinence, cold joints and/or back, cold teeth. Here
one can also work on the Divergent
channels by level rather than by confluences. One can release the head and neck
first using the Divergent upper Confluent
points (Window of the Sky points: L.I.18, S.J.16, U.B.10). Free the diaphragm and
centre by using Divergent points on the
thorax (e.g., G.B.22, Ren17, ST12). And finally release the lower/pelvic region
(Doorways to the Earth – G.B.30, U.B.40,
ST30, ST31, Ren3).

Jeffrey Yuen recommends starting at the top, releasing the Wei Qi around the eyes
(U.B.1, ST1, G.B.1), moving down to the
cheeks (L.I.20, S.I.18) and to the neck (L.I.18, S.J.16, U.B.10). This can be done
one level at a time or the whole head
region can be released in one treatment. Then going through ST12 (and ST15/ST16 –
needling around the nipple is a
stimulation of the Jing), moving to release the thoracic area through Ren17, Ren22,
G.B.22. Moving down through Liv13
to the lower region to release Ren2/Ren3, ST30/ST31. Jeffrey Yuen refers to this
strategy as releasing the perversity and
pushing the Yang down to the Kidneys, to the Jing level, so it can convert back to
Jing. Once the lower/pelvic region is
released, an escape valve should be supplied through the back (U.B./Kidney
Divergent) and the treatment should converge
into the Kidneys.

http://acupuncturemedical.org/divergent-meridians/