Metal: the expanding filter

Metal is about downward movement and circulation, boundaries and regulation. The organ associated with metal are the lungs. They are a directional paradox.

When the lungs inhale, we bring qi from outside into our bodies. When we exhale, we push the interior qi out into the world. But when we bring qi in, our chest moves outward into the world, and when we push qi out, our chests contract. For tonification, we are taught to insert the needle on the exhale, so that it follows the qi sinking into the body. But the qi is exiting the body at the same moment. The air goes out, the body goes in. When the air comes in, the body goes out.

This paradox demonstrates how the lungs creates boundaries. I used to think of Wei qi, the defensive qi that surrounds the body, as an energetic armor. But point indications all use the term "circulating wei qi", so I amended my image to armor that was in constant motion. When external qi tries to attach itself to a person, the wei qi's motion doesn't give it any purchase or way to attach. Think about trying to grab a person's hand while it's in constant motion. I now have to amend my wei qi image further.

As we draw air in from the outside world, our bodies expand and push against improper qi. The air enters our lungs where the qi is extracted and temporarily held. The outward push of our bodies protects us and keeps us centered. The chest expansion is the filter against bringing external improper qi into our bodies. When we exhale, the good qi in the lungs descends while the body can relax as there is no longer anything to press against.

The back of the neck and head is the wind gate where the 100 diseases can enter the body. When we breath, there is no motion there. The wind can enter the body directly, bypassing the filter of our expansion, and bring with it improper qi that causes illness. We hunch our shoulders when it's cold to try to limit and close that gate. We relax our shoulders in the warmth to allow the warm qi to enter freely. With practice, one can extend the lung's motion up to the base of the skull to help protect one's wind gate.

During the exhale, the metal energy descends in the body, and below the body, rooting downward and creating Water. During the inhale, the metal filters and regulates the external qi that enters the body. This cycle motion circulates qi throughout the body.

Photo courtesy of Marshall Astor