Healing Our Kidneys And Releasing Fear

Our 12 Acupuncture meridians provide answers to critical questions about natural cycles and the body/ mind link. In this guided insight meditation, we connect to our Kidney channel.
In Chinese medicine our Kidneys (our Turtle Archetype) is part of our Water element within us. Sister to the Bladder, together it is said that all health is influenced. Without their proper functioning there is no happiness, beauty, joy or creativity.
The kidneys have both physical and spiritual associations in the body. Spiritually the kidney meridian is associated with qualities such as willpower, determination, and resilience. It is connected to our ability to overcome challenges, find inner strength, and pursue our life’s purpose.
The ancient wisdom of our Turtle will swim this channel with us helping us to cultivate peace as we walk our journey of life. To slow down, check that we’re where we are supposed to be and savour the benefits of each moment.

Transcript

In the classics,

We learn that all health is influenced by the kidney,

And without their proper functioning there is no happiness,

Beauty,

Joy or creativity.

Kidney controls the fluids and waters.

And water is us,

A living,

Watery system housing spirits and essences that are also capable of forming oceans,

Ice crystals,

Icebergs and steam.

Water fills the womb from where life emerges.

It is our waters that demand rest in exact proportion to effort expended.

Kidneys represent our will and our capacity of mirror-like wisdom,

Amplifying the effects and enhancing our purest qualities.

Shamans and healers have known for a long time that if we learn to live in harmony with natural cycles,

Instead of fighting them,

We strengthen our ties to nature's cycles and we have better health.

So for our kidney chi to be strong and powerful,

It requires rest and restoration as the basis of life.

Kidney chi helps us to conserve,

Maintain and be rooted in the depth of our being,

Anchoring our heart and minds for a stable foundation.

As a double organ,

The kidneys directly represent yin and yang.

The slightly lower,

Right hand side kidney carries our ancestral energy,

Is our gate of life and known as mingmen.

Here is the alchemy of life,

Where fire and water balance each other out.

The slightly higher,

Left hand kidney represents the more traditional water system and detoxification of our waters.

The chi that moves between the kidneys,

Below the navel,

Is our life and destiny,

The foundation of the twelve meridians,

Hence it is known as the source.

A well balanced kidney allows us to move through the world with confidence and calm.

It is our sense of strength and awareness in our ability to handle even the most difficult of situations.

Glowing good health,

Love of quietude and relaxation,

Vitality and self-esteem are hallmarks of strong and balanced kidneys.

The second or the sacral chakra houses the kidneys.

If you have a piece of malachite,

Known as the kidney stone,

Or citrine said to repair and strengthen the kidney organ,

These are wonderfully healing and protective vibrations to place on your second chakra just below your navel.

So find a quiet place,

Sit or lay down,

Uncross your legs and allow your spine to go soft.

We are going to start by taking a few long cleansing breaths.

Breathe in through your nose and hold,

Put your attention on your kidneys and feel the organs vibrate as we exhale in one long steady breath,

Making the kidney sound of CHUUU.

Inhale through your nose and exhale CHUUU.

Inhale through your nose and exhale CHUUU.

Soften your eyes behind your eyelids.

Soften your jaw and allow your tongue to go loose in the palate and put your attention on the soles of your feet.

Imagine very gentle,

Warm and healing waters lapping around your toes and over your feet.

Imagine with each inhale and breath taken,

The energy from those waters softening and nourishing your bones,

Your cells,

Your physical being.

With each breath,

Visualize waters being gently drawn up from the mother earth,

The feminine,

And gently lapping against and around you,

Embracing you,

Holding you in a warmth that makes you feel safe and secure.

The waters very slowly and gently now,

Moving upwards past your ankles,

Up to your knees,

Hips,

Lower belly,

Heart space,

And gently up over your shoulders until you are fully immersed,

Suspended and held,

Safe and supported.

Notice the texture of the waters energy around you.

Perhaps it's colour,

A smell,

Or a sound.

Visualize now a turtle nestled in your lower belly,

The animal associated with the kidney meridian.

The shelled turtle is considered a symbol of longevity,

Wisdom and stability.

In the context of the kidney meridian,

She represents the deep foundational energy associated with the kidneys.

The channel begins on the soles of our feet,

Will travel up looping the inner ankles,

Ascend the inner leg,

Through the groin,

And then run up either side of the midline of the body,

Before the pair of channels ends just under your collarbone.

As we flow along the channel,

Each point will bring unique gifts to us.

Each point will help us to fill our reserves,

Support the flow of waters,

And cleanse debris at all levels,

Mind,

Body,

Soul.

So visualize the turtle in your second chakra,

Feel her slow,

Rhythmic,

Steady flow of movement,

Her quietude and grace,

Swimming in your waters,

And preparing to travel with you along your kidney channel.

Starting at the beginning of the channel with kidney 1,

Bubbling spring,

Which starts close to the ground,

The lowest point like water finds,

The most hidden point,

Sinking onto the earth.

On the sole of the foot,

This point roots and calms the mind,

Clearing and grounding,

Providing a stabilizing foundation from where to take steps forward in life.

The water that bubbles up from the underground springs is fresh,

Revitalizing,

Renewing,

Invigorating,

And pure.

It brings life to that which is wilting,

Drained,

Or exhausted,

And is akin to connecting to a perpetual,

Life-giving fountain.

Everything that moves within us does so by the grace of the power,

Lubrication,

And cleansing abilities of water.

This includes all physical fluids,

As well as the fluidity,

Strength,

Cleverness,

And clarity of mind.

As the entry point of the meridian,

It brings the additional qualities of rebirth and new beginnings,

Accompanied by a surge of hope and optimism.

Travelling up the inside of the foot to the top of the foot arch,

We find kidney 2,

Blazing valley.

A fire point on the water channel that transforms our water,

Encouraging the warmth to connect with others and not tread this planet on our own.

As the water passes through this valley,

It is warmed to the perfect temperature so that it can flow to,

And be used by,

Every part of the body,

As well as to the mind and spirit.

The body cannot function if the fluids are too cold,

And smooth,

Relaxed movement will be impaired.

The fire here brings love and openness,

And with its warmth brings love,

Trust,

Closeness,

Comfort,

Security,

And relaxation.

We flow now up to the ravine-like dip on the inner ankle,

Between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon,

And find kidney 3,

4,

And 5.

In this physical ravine,

We find a fresh spring,

And a bubbling stream,

Accompanied by the echo of a large,

Great,

Ringing bell calling our attention.

Kidney 3,

Known as the Greater Mountain Stream,

Is the earth point of the kidney channel,

And provides the banks of our streams,

Bringing security through the setting of boundaries and limits,

Allowing the pathways to flow unhindered,

Yet controlled,

At the level of mind.

This gives us the endurance,

Capacity,

And strength to not be easily shaken.

In this stream,

The water,

Which had entered at kidney 1,

Was warmed to the perfect temperature at kidney 2,

Now picks up speed,

And streams throughout the body,

Mind,

And spirit.

This stream has the capacity to wash away the pollution of the mind,

And cleanse those things that would cloud and compromise the clear perception and brilliance of our spirit.

As the earth point,

It brings the qualities of nourishment,

And the security of a full harvest to any fearful water imbalance in us.

The gifts of the earth support and control the water,

Soaking up excess,

Or releasing more water as needed.

With its power,

It washes through stuck and sluggish places,

Cleansing and revitalizing at all levels.

Kidney 4,

Just next to kidney 3,

Is a great bell.

It lifts the spirits when we are exhausted and depressed.

The sound of the bell brings focus,

Clarity,

And resonance,

Clearing our senses.

Here we steady the chi,

Stabilize emotions,

And soften any relentless drive,

Allowing a fresh perspective to open up to us.

Nestled right next to the bell is kidney 5,

Water spring.

And just like a spring,

This point can bring new vigor and movement to our life if fear has frozen us.

Sweeping across now towards just below the inner ankle bone,

Is kidney 6,

Illuminated sea.

It is said the fire from the previous points shined light directly onto the waters here,

Illuminating its depths,

Allowing for deep reflection and serenity,

Powered by a strong spirit.

Allow your turtle to float motionless for a moment here.

Allow their paddle-like limbs to still,

And the quietude of the sea to rock her gently.

Flow slowly upwards now along the inner leg to 3 finger widths directly above the ankle.

Kidney 7,

Returning current.

This point helps to bring order to out-of-control water,

Calming the mind,

The body,

And the spirit,

And re-inspiring our spirit,

Reminding her of the qualities in her depths.

As the metal point,

It brings quality,

Value,

And inspiration to our water,

As well as helping to eliminate toxicity.

The concept of returning reminds us that water in whatever state,

Ice,

Steam,

Rain,

Pond,

River or ocean,

Is always itself.

The point reminds us that however we have strayed or been distracted away from the essential current of life,

From the Tao,

We are always welcome to return,

In whatever form we are,

At whatever age or stage of our process,

We are essentially,

And unalterably,

Spirit at the core.

Just sitting beside Kidney 7,

Like a best friend on a bench,

Is Kidney 8,

Exchange pledges.

When two people give a pledge or an oath to each other,

They create a solemn understanding and bond.

We are no longer alone if we exchange pledges,

And we have the strength and support beyond what we could muster alone.

We all need such security.

Knowing that we are part of the body of humanity,

And committed to work for the benefit of all,

Having someone or something to depend on,

Is fundamental to restore trust and relaxation.

Encouraging the Kidney Chi to continue to reassure you,

Promise you,

Or to pledge that all will be well.

As the waters rise,

We meet Kidney 9,

A full hand's width higher,

Again,

Directly above Kidney 7,

And vertically in line with your Achilles tendon,

A third of the way up your inner leg.

Kidney 9,

Building guest,

A profoundly calming point for Kidney Chi,

Harmonising the power of fire,

Yang,

And the waters,

Yin,

Of life.

Feeding both equally,

And stabilising the interconnectedness of yin and yang.

We float effortlessly now,

Up to our yin valley,

A point just tucked behind the inner knee crease.

Having previously dwelled in our high,

Narrow ravine at the ankle,

We now open up to the beauty of a wide,

Open expanse of a valley,

And Kidney 10.

Water can be relentless in its onward drive,

And continual stress or overwork can lead to burnout.

Here,

The water point on the water channel has a profound essence in restoring balance and refresh the mind and spirit by looking out over the expanse of the valley.

Travelling upwards,

The two vertical channels from the legs now enter the lower jowl or belly.

Kidney 11 to Kidney 15,

From the top of the pubic bone to level with the belly button.

All points here can be likened to a dense swamp,

Housing the kidneys,

Intestines,

And bladder.

Here your turtle reminds you that consistency,

Strength,

And determination,

Not powering through,

Are keys to overcoming obstacles.

Kidney 11,

Transverse bone.

Kidney 12,

Great brightness.

Kidney 13,

Door of infants.

Kidney 14,

Four full.

And Kidney 15,

Middle flowing out.

All kidney points here meet the enriching Chong Mai,

A deep extraordinary vessel known as the sea of all the 12 meridians.

Exhaustion and sluggishness can be remedied here.

This nurturing surge of chi can revitalise you and renew the sparkling clarity of water in health.

For women,

Housing the womb space where essences gather,

Here we strengthen and revitalise the kidney official.

Either side of our belly button,

The halfway point is Kidney 16,

His vitals correspondence.

Here we find our centre again,

And strengthening this point stabilises our heart that sits above it,

And re-establishes a renewed fluidity at all our levels,

Body,

Mind,

And spirit.

Our two left and right kidney channels continue and move vertically upwards into the middle jowl,

Kidney 17 to Kidney 21.

This is the space above our belly button and up to the bottom of our sternum.

This area can be likened to the foam on top of an ocean,

Stirred up and alchemised.

This core area houses our stomach and spleen.

Kidney 17 Merchant Crooked,

Kidney 18 Stone Border,

Kidney 19 Yin Capital,

Kidney 20 Through the Valley,

And Kidney 21 Dark Gate.

Continuing to coalesce with the Chong Mai,

This centre is a place of exchange and helps to balance the regulation and flow of all qi and fluids in the body.

When there is not enough water,

Things in life stagnate,

And become fixed,

But fragile like foam.

Mind and spirit can be wary of change,

And unable to go with what is new.

Let go of the life raft that perhaps you have been clinging to here,

And flow through these points,

Cleansing and rejuvenating our kidney wisdom.

Expanding again,

It's a capacity for reflective thought,

And reminding us how to live and endure,

Even when life seems full of darkness and fears.

Finally entering the upper jowl,

Kidney 22 to Kidney 27,

Our sternum up to the collarbone,

Points known as windows to the sky.

Here can be likened to a vaporised mist that houses the heart and lungs,

Each rib a step upwards to the heavens.

Kidney 22 walking on the veranda,

Kidney 23 spirit seal,

Kidney 24 spirit burial ground,

Kidney 25 spirit storehouse,

And Kidney 26 amidst elegance.

These last remaining points step upward to where,

Nowhere.

This is the moment in your kidney chi,

With all its qualities of wisdom,

Faith and trust,

When it flows into the heavenly area of your heart and lungs.

Where your spirit is bathed,

And carried forward by the water element,

So that you can fully experience the preciousness of life.

These last few steps represent the deepest reserves of spiritual energy,

Our sense of self,

Personal integrity and destiny.

Our final resting point,

Kidney 27,

Storehouse,

Is found on the lower border of the collarbone,

Either side of the sternum.

The kidney chi at this point is the lightest and most refined,

Like air on top of a mountain,

Resting over the canopy of our lungs,

Poised to breathe in inspiration and thus empower us.

Here our turtle,

Thanks to her shell,

Represents a kind of protective power,

Reminding us of our wisdom,

Patience and strength.

She reminds you to remain true to your path,

Move to your inner drummer and take one small step at a time.

Rest here for a moment and tune into her senses.

Notice one smell around you.

Notice one sensation or thing touching your physical body.

Notice one sound you may hear.

Perhaps one taste you may be able to taste.

And lastly,

In your mind's eye,

Perhaps one thing you can see.

Now allow your turtle to return to your second chakra.

Smile through your kidneys and along the full channel we have just flowed through.

And have a lovely day.

Reviews

Fantastic! As a five element acupuncturist I find this so informative and delivered in such a skillful
way, with inviting voice, slow and appropriate music, and clear terms to give lay people a gift of embodying the essence of their being through a Chinese medical/philosophical lense.

I am recovering from a right nephrectomy and have sRCC aggressive cancer. This beautiful and informative meditation was very healing and helpful for me. The breath with kidney sound (similar to how I hear the heartbeat of an unborn babe) really shifted energy. I imagined an energetic right kidney still supporting my yin yang balance and the energy between both kidneys. Turtle energy is very much in me these recent weeks. I am excited to explore my other organs, and will come back to this frequently.
Thank you for creating this beautiful track! ❤️

I LOVED this, as beautiful as it was interesting and the breath with kidney noise at beginning very effective. Thank you so much 🙏🏻

Thank you so much for the lovely comment to my pregnancy on your liver meditation. I followed your recommendation and this kidney meditation was fantastic, too. Thank you so much for the wonderful meditation!