What Are All These Colors In TANTRA and What do They Mean?
Red Tantra
Red tantra is the aspect of the tantric path that deals with grounding the Spirit into the body through the awakening of the senses. Though the corrupt ego perceives the senses as objects and exploits their power, the senses are actually Divine in origin and exist to allow higher levels of our consciousness to experience pleasure on the physical plane. When senses are awakened to their Divine origin through spiritual Love, we are able to be present with and truly enjoy the experiences they provide.
The senses are awakened through many forms of spiritual discipline that purify energy channels within the body. Though there is heavy focus on the sexual aspect of tantra in many parts of the world, physical union is only recommended once the body, emotions, and mind are cleared of negative material influences and have been trained through practice, to accept the tremendous force of the awakened senses and Kundalini Shakti.
The excitement about the sexual aspect of Tantra comes from obsessive focus on the energy of climax. When the senses are properly awakened, stillness is cultivated through meditation, and conscious life-force control becomes natural, the energy of climax exists at all times, flooding our entire existence with supersensual bliss throughout all of our life experiences.
Here we include practices to inspire the dance of Kundalini in an intimate setting. All of these practices may be done solo or with a partner, in either the context of love-play or still meditation. The idea is to merge our love-play with our meditation, and then merge that with our daily lives. For this reason it is good to incorporate practices from both the Red and White Tantrasections, and in a variety of settings. One of the most important things to remember is to maintain a regulated routine. The main technique offers is Breath of Love Pranayama, which is recommended to be done twice daily. It serves to generate potent shock-waves of cosmic consciousness, ensuring that our love-play is charged with the pure bliss of divinity, and that everything in our lives, becomes love-play.
*Through all sensual tantric practices, awareness should be kept on balancing sensation with peaceful breathing, and staying fully present with the flow of Kundalini, constantly directing her energy upwards into the blissful stillness of the crown chakra, where she awakens Divine Love Consciousness.
Therapies practice also include:
ROOT AWAKENING
Massaging the root (anal stimulation) is a sacred technique that creates a powerful sensitivity to the polarities of the subtle nervous system and tunes us to the deep, primal bliss-flow of Kundalini Devi. It is a method of inducing full-bodied, ecstatic, and spiritually expansive sensations, while re-calibrating the entire Soul body. Also requiring a deep level of trust, it is an intimate method for surrendering to Divinity within the Self, or a partner. It is one of the most powerful ways of directly stimulating the flow of Kundalini in the Sushumna Nadi. It should be practiced with grace, love, appreciation, and with along with a foundation of non-physical spiritual practices as well, to maintain a healthy balance between the senses and the breath.
As it requires an acute awareness of Kundalini flow before it can be truly beneficial, it is considered an advanced technique and is only recommended once cultivation of spiritual energy has given one a clear and constant sensitivity to its flow. If this sensitivity has not been developed through energetic breathing (pranayama) practices and other techniques, one runs the risk of circulating powerful energies up from the root without the ability to move them properly. This could result in negative energies clogging at one or more levels of the energy body. It is also important to remember that the bliss possible through this type of exploration is especially potent, making it easy to get lost in sensation and forget the ultimate source of bliss, our innermost consciousness.
The root of our being, in the lowest chakra, is where we connect to Mother Earth and where Kundalini Shakti is initially stimulated upwards in her dance of spiritual awakening. Tuning in to the root and its surrounding area, we may come to realize that it stores a tremendous amount of tightness, which has built up over time from living in an imbalanced society. This tightness suppresses the joy of Kundalini and spiritual awakening, and keeps us bound to fear based realities which are dependent on the impermanence of physicality to feel alive, rather than the unlimited spirit.
For men (or any transmutation of masculine energy) especially, awakening the root provides the opportunity to exchange fearful and dominant, or aggressive programming, for extreme, ecstatic, full-bodied, multiple cycle, spiritually expansive climaxes in a sensual setting.
In life, we must flow with Love, and as we are collectively embodying the fluidity of the feminine Self, relaxing the root is essential.
The Sacred Spot and Female Ejaculation
Souls in female bodies, like souls in male bodies, are able to release life-force fluid in sensual ecstasy, and are able to have multiple, full-bodied climaxes through stimulation of the Sacred Spot. The Sacred Spot (also known as the G-spot) is an area of sensitive tissue on the front wall of the yoni behind the pubic bone. The sacred spot is usually 1-3 inches into the yoni, towards the stomach. To locate it, curl one finger upwards, inside the yoni, as if motioning “come here.” Feel for subtle ridges or “buttons” and explore the sensations these tiny folds of tissue give. The sacred spot is not just a singular spot, but an area of rich sensual nerves. When in a state of arousal this entire area will become ‘spongy’. Every devi has a unique shape, and exploring the beauty of her form intimately is the best way to become familiar with her body’s needs and what she will derive the most joy from.
The sacred spot can be considered as a powerful chakra that opens when a devi is ready to accelerate her sensual Shakti flow into higher dimensions of creative expression. When stimulated with the proper rhythm and intensity, glands connected to the sacred spot swell with fluid, or amrita, which is released during heights of pleasure. This is known as female ejaculation.
The sacred-spot holds a great amount of sensitive information about a devi’s collective intimate experiences and her reaction to the imbalances on planet Earth. Massaging this spot can lead to the release of profound emotional trauma, as well as a more profound connection to one’s inherent state of pure sensuality. Through practices such as kegel exercises and sensitive loving massage, Devis come into their true sensual potency and gain back the ability to release the nectar of life, the amrita they hold within. Kegels train the body to be able to receive and store the full force of a complete Kundalini orgasm, in which the entire Soulbody is absorbed in ecstasy.
Though it may take time and practice, all women have the ability to release amrita and experience multiple, full-bodied sacred spot climaxes. The process of opening to this experience is one of self-love and Kundalini awakening, and through it, devis come to embrace the freedom of this new level of sensuality and spiritual love.
*One of the most beneficial practices in facilitating female ejaculation and full body convulsing orgasms is Root Training/ Kegel Exercises. Kegels strengthen the area to be able to push out amrita, and also to be able to handle the powerful impact of a full Kundalini climax. Red Tantra consists of many passionate sexual practices. Traditionally the color red connotes femininity, potency, passion and sex. This path can be liberating for the sexually repressed and may hold interest for the sexually obsessed.
Article reproduced; http://aumlovetantra.com/red-tantra/
WHITE TANTRA
Some esotericists (with tendencies to oriental esotericism) who traveled in the east investigated the Asian continent and arrived at the conclusion that in Tibet as well as in India, Tantra is the only truly practical school.
Many ashrams exist in the sacred land of the Vedas. They practice and study Yoga within these ashrams; however, the most serious ashrams are exclusively those where the Tantric teaching is abundant.
In the Hindustani markets, studious travelers can find marvelous Tantric books like Kama Kalpa and Kama Sutra. These books are illustrated with splendid photographs related to certain sacred sculptures and bas-reliefs of their temples.
A careful examination of those photographs allows us to collect very interesting information about Tantric Maithuna (Sexual Yoga).
The Tantric type of Hatha Yoga is extraordinary and leads the esotericist to the realization of the Innermost Self. However, Hatha Yoga without Tantra is like a garden without water.
The Hindu esoteric school of Laya Yoga with its famous Laya-Kriya Tantric sadhana is marvelous, by all means, and leads the neophytes to the realization of the Innermost Self.
If Yogananda would have accepted matrimony, it is clear that his Guru would have given him the complete Kriya.
An in depth Tantra exists in Chinese (Ch’an) Buddhism and also in Japanese Zen. It is lamentable that many Orientalists are content with the mere exterior cortex of Buddhism.
The medullar bone of esoteric Buddhism and of Taoism is Tantra, Maithuna (Sexual Yoga).
The Tantric practitioners from secret Tibet and sacred India practice the positive Sexual Yoga; this is to connect the Lingam-Yoni without the ejaculation of the Ens Seminis.
The Tantric Gurus of Tibet and Hindustan are very strict. Before the male and female Yogi couple has the right to practice the Tantric Sadhana (a sexual position which is very special for the sexual connection among the Tantric practitioners), they first must become experts in the exercises of Laya-Kriya.
Frankly, we cannot and must not deny that the Kama Kalpa teaches many Tantric sadhanas; however, here we only cite the one in which the male is seated in Padmasana (in the Buddhic style, simply with his legs crossed in the oriental style) and practices the sexual union with his female Yogi.
Thus, the female Yogi initiate has to sit on top of the legs of her male Yogi, and skillfully crosses her legs in such a way that the trunk of her male Yogi is enveloped by them.
An interchange of caresses between the man and the woman is previously required in order to perform the sexual connection of the Lingam-Yoni during this Tantric sadhana, thus the woman finally absorbs the phallus.
This Tantric connubial practice demands an absolute quietude and mental silence in order to avoid the tenebrous intervention of the pluralized “I.”
Strong electromagnetic currents exuberantly flow in those instants of supreme voluptuousness; thus the couple enters into Ecstasy or Samadhi.
A Guru directs this esoteric work; he makes strong magnetic strokes on the coccyx of both man and woman with the purpose of awakening the electronic solar fire, the igneous serpent of our magical powers.
This is a system that transmutes the sexual energy into Ojas (Christic force). The couple must restrain the sexual impulse and avoid the ejaculation of the semen.
“The coitus interruptus,” the restrained sexual impulse, makes the sexual energy of the Third Logos to inwardly and upwardly return throughout the canals of Ida and Pingala.
Maithuna originates within the coccyx, close to the Triveni of the microcosmic human being, an extraordinary contact between the solar and lunar atoms of the seminal system.
The advent of the fire is the outcome of the contact between the solar and lunar atoms of the seminal system.
The Gnostic Tantric sadhana is very simple. During the Tantric act, man and woman practice in the normal or ordinary sexual position; what is important is to withdraw from the sexual act before the spasm in order to avoid the ejaculation of their semen.
I.A.O. is the Tantric mantra of excellence. The letter “I” reminds us of Ignis, the fire. The letter “A” is the aqua, the water. The letter “O” signifies Origum, the Spirit. I. A. O. must be chanted during the practice of Maithuna.
It is very interesting that the sexual gonads are esoterically governed by Uranus, the planet of Aquarius. Uranus was a divine King from primeval Atlantis. Uranus reminds us of Ur-anas, the primordial fire and water. This is equivalent to the establishment of the first luni-solar cult of the androgynous “IO,” in other words, the apparition of the astrological Chaldean; therefore, Uranus, the Asura-maya, the first Atlantean, is factually the first revealer of the sexual mysteries.
One has to descend into the Ninth Sphere (sex) in order to work with the primordial fire and the water, origin of worlds, beasts, human beings and Gods. Every authentic White Initiation begins there.
The advent of the fire is the most extraordinary cosmic event. The fire transforms us radically.
It is worth remembering the chaos of the ancient, sacred fire of Zoroaster, or the Atash-behran of the Parsis, the fire of Hermes, the fire of Helmes of ancient Germans (do not mistake Hermes with Helmes).
Let us remember the flashing lightning of Cybele, the torch of Apollo, the flame of the altar of Pan, the imperishable fire in the Temple of Apollo, and in the Temple of Vesta; the fiery flame in the helmet of Pluto, the shining sparks on the hats of the Dioscuri, on the head of the Gorgons, on the helmet of Pallas, and on the Caduceus of Mercury.
Other representations of the advent of the fire are the Egyptian Ptah-Ra, the Greek Cataibates Zeus (who descended from Heaven to Earth in accordance with Pausanias); likewise, the Pentecostal tongues of fire and the flaming bush of Moses (this is very similar to the burning tunal which brought about the founding of Mexico). Also the column of fire in the Exodus, the imperishable lamp of Abraham. Moreover, the eternal fire of the bottomless abyss or Pleroma, the fulgent vapors of the Oracle of Delphi, the sidereal light of the Rosicrucian-Gnostics, the Akash of the Hindustani adepts, the Astral Light of Eliphas Levi, the aura and fluid of magnetizers, the Od of Reichembach, the psychod and the ectenic force, the thury that is analogous to the highest hypnotic states of Rochas and Ochorowist, the rays of Blondot and many others, like the psychic force of Sergeant Cox, the atmospheric magnetism of some naturists, Galvanism, and in sum, electricity. These examples are nothing more than different names for the unlimited number of manifestations of that mysterious Proteus that has been named the Archaeus of the Greeks.
The ascent of the sacred fire degree by degree through the Sushumna canal is very slow and difficult. Any single ejaculation of the semen is enough in order for the fire to descend one or more spinal vertebrae in accordance with the magnitude of the fault.
Jesus the great Kabir said:
The disciple must not allow himself to fall, because the disciple who consents in falling, must fight very hard afterwards in order to recuperate what he has lost.
The Maithuna, Sexual Yoga, Gnostic Tantra, can only be practiced between a man and a woman who are legitimately constituted as spouses.
White Tantra forbids its male adepts and affiliates to practice Maithuna with many women. White Tantra forbids the Gnostic sisters to practice Maithuna with different men. They must only practice Sexual Magic with their own spouse. White Tantra orients around subtle practices and philosophies rather than physical touch and sexual practices. They may be meditations, visualizations, higher chakra concentrations, eye gazing, breath and sound work to build sensual energy without sexual contact.
To practice WHITE TANTRA YOGA:
http://www.whitetantricyoga.com/
Reproduced from: This chapter is from The Doomed Aryan Race (1967) by Samael Aun Weor. The print and ebook editions by Glorian Publishing (a non-profit organization) are illustrated to aid your understanding, and include features like a glossary and index.
PINK TANTRA
Pink Tantra embraces both transcendence and sexual Life-force as beautiful and unites half way between them, in the fully incarnational nature of joyous innocence and Pure Love in the Heart. It is a Tantra of Love, Pure Being, Creative Freedom, Playfulness, and Natural Wholeness. This comes by the acceptance of primal innocence in every aspect of our Being, for this is the True Nature of our Core Being that is forever alive in the Divine Essence of all Existence.
Whereas Red Tantra emphasizes making love with a partner, Pink Tantra emphasizes being fully present to the innocent sensations of our body and purifying all energies so our entire body/mind system is open to the Breath of Life — the free flowing Spirit of the Divine. It is a practice of natural purification and liberated awareness that can be done either by yourself or with a partner.
In Pink Tantra two things are acknowledged as being primally pure: The Spirit of the Divine and our innocent biological body with all its sensations. These two then become mirrors which clearly reveal the present state of our soul which unites them. All ways of perceiving, feeling, interpreting, and responding that are not joyously childlike, naturally good, clear sighted, loving and free come from wounds and projections within our soul. Therefore, the goal is to see the projections clearly, detach from them, and wash them out of our body/mind system until we are wide open, innocent and free.
Pink Tantra is utterly joyful and free. It proclaims with great happiness:
“It is Good to Feel Good. And... It is Very Good To Feel Very Good.”
Natural Wholeness and Peace
Feeling good is natural. It is our God-given right to be healthy and happy, for our body has been carefully designed by the Ultimate Creative Intelligence, not as an obstacle to spiritual life, but as an amazingly intelligent gift, a sensitive instrument to interface with this time/space dimension of existence. Though we experience limitation in the body: pain, sickness, and relative blindness to the full spectrum of potential conscious existence, this is actually its purpose. We are spiritual beings here to experience the body’s limitations and gifts and learn all the lessons we can only learn through an embodied experience. How do I know that? Because that is what is happening.
Bringing our body, mind and spirit into harmonious health and natural peace in the wisdom and freedom of real Love is the challenge. To do this we must confront and cleanse away destructive, “Pain body” forces. We can make this purification and release process a war, or, if we really trust the goodness of the Maker of all, we can make it a game.
Pink Tantra makes it a playful game. It is built on a belief that it is a spirit of child-like curiosity and play that is the most direct door into a conscious and ongoing experience of the Divine in wholeness, Love and peace. This natural playfulness is Creatively Free, courageous, innovative, transformative, and liberated (at last), from constrictive and divisive fear-based taboos. It is based on the discovery of the nature of real Love in deep respect for all beings and the mystery of their life-journey. Pink Tantra (or in some cases, Violet) embraces both the spiritual and sexual aspects of practice. This is the path where the heart is open and lovemaking is practiced with honor and reverence and healing.
Article reproduced from: http://pinktantra.com/
BLACK TANTRABlack tantra is a lesser known sub-division of ancient tantra. Its rather ominous name derives from the fact that black tantra always concludes with orgasm and ejaculation in order to awaken consciousness, whereas tantra and its practices oppose any loss of sexual energy and favour spiritual pursuits (tantra sadhana).
Black tantra is about altering mental reality through a series of techniques, and it involves an advanced form of mental projection. As your tantra teacher will inform you, scriptures such as the 'Virat Kaula Sutras' state that the pursuit of orgasmic release can sometimes trigger cravings and suffering. In other words, black tantra may sometimes lead people further away from enlightenment rather than bringing them to it.
To prolong sexual intercourse with the sole objective of enjoying physical pleasure, without regard to achieving higher awareness, may lead one astray. The proper role of this offshoot of the ancient art is to help those who have fallen in this trap by engaging their subconscious creative power, which can be accessed during sexual arousal and eventually lead them to tantric 'samadhi'.
Some people erroneously consider the sexual side of tantra as 'black tantra'. This is an example of the wide-spread ignorance surrounding the art of tantra, resulting in the general rejection of this esoteric variant as dangerous and unusable.
The art of tantra, which has been passed down from one tantra teacher to another in the 'hands-on' oral tradition, admonishes that we must never use energy to manipulate others. Rather, a practitioner should seek to experience an expansion of his or her higher consciousness, and to recognize the interconnectedness of existence.
Under the tutelage of an accomplished tantra teacher, the student learns to conserve and sublimate sexual energies. This is in stark contrast to black tantra, where the sexual energies are allowed to spill through into orgasm.
'Rati Rahasyam' states that tantra awakens consciousness to the absence of our desires, while black tantra awakens consciousness to our inner-most desires. In other words, this path can put one on a slippery slope towards ignorance, as it concludes with orgasm/ejaculation in order to awaken consciousness. However, it must not be seen as an aberrant offshoot of the original discipline. Rather, it worthwhile viewing it as a means to engage in profound love-making rites with deities via meditation. After years of such advanced practice, we begin to experience siddhis or supernatural powers that can help us on our journey to samadhi - or spiritual realization.
What emerges is that the practice of tantra or any of its variants without proper tutelage from a qualified tantra master can lead to much distress. There are no shortcuts, and every variant has its place in the overall scheme of things. However, only an accomplished tantra master can chart the journey for you for optimum spiritual benefit.
Reproduced from: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Acharya_Subhojit_Dasgupta
In Summary
White Tantra is primarily concerned with meditative practices and utilizes the power of sexual energy without the need of sexual physical contact with another. Sexual energy is being either circulated within the individual or transformed between two (or more) individuals on the level of their energy bodies. Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga contains variety of white tantric exercises. Large portion of Tibetan tantric Buddhism translates it's teachings symbolically (eg during the Kalachakra ritual you are to ingest a mixture of red and white liquid that symbolizes the blood and semen), and integrates it withing solo meditations. White tantric practices would often be sought by Dakhsini Marga (right handed) yogis, wishing to remain celibate.
Red Tantra primarily focuses on sexual practice, the domain of Vama Marga (left handed path). This is an aspects that makes Tantra so attractive to the sexually repressed, spiritually starved western society. While Maithuna (the sexual union) is considered the highest form of tantric practice, it can be easily misinterpreted. The second chakra is a place, where one can get lost. In an attempt to heal sexual repression, red tantric group practices may deteriorate into orgies (often with mind altering substances), where sexual pleasure and self-gratification overshadows the spiritual intent of self-relization. Tantra is a path of enlightenment: sexual liberation is an important pre-requisite, but do not get sold for less.
Pink Tantra would be considered a median, a loving integration of the physical and energetic. Approaching lovemaking from the heart, reverently recognizing and honoring God-Goddess in one another, honoring the physical dimension to reach beyond, surrendering the ego as the beloved disciple of the soul, that's what pink tantrikas strive for. Ipsalu Tantra falls to this category.
Black Tantra utilizes the subconscious creative power, that can be accessed during sexual arousal. Black magic comes from the third chakra (ruled by ego) and does not have to do much with heart or seeking God.
Using sex magic to manipulate others creates powerful karmic consequences and it's not recommended as a fast way for enlightenment. Using orgasmic energy to surrender and become an instrument of the Divine/ allow Divine guidance fully unfold in your life is much more auspicious. Reproduced from: http://www.pinklotuss.com/Tantra.htm
THE ROOT OF EMOTIONAL IMBALANCE, ACCORDING TO YOUR ORGANS...
The mind and the body are inseparable.
Ancient Eastern civilizations have long understood the way our mental and spiritual bodies inform our physical nature. Western science too has begun to understand the interdependence between the emotional and physical body: we know the ‘gut’ acts as our second brain and stress is toxic.
In fact, every organ corresponds to the energy of a certain emotion, and every disease stems from an imbalance in an organ or its meridians (energy channels). This is a fundamental idea in Chinese Medicine. Many times a physical disorder linked to a certain organ actually stems from an imbalance in the emotion associated with that organ. The reverse could be true: an imbalanced organ can heighten the specific emotion experienced by an individual. It can become a vicious cycle.
All emotions are inevitable, physiologically normal and will not cause disease when they arise in daily life. Chinese medicine only considers emotions as pathological when they are repressed, contained, or expressed intensely, often, without control, or out of context.
Specific herbs and foods with each organ’s correlating energies can be used to appropriately strengthen, tonify, and detoxify the organ to help even the scariest emotions to pass through easily! Likewise, the more we decide to participate in our emotional lives through awareness exercises like journaling and meditation, the more we can help treat the energetic organ systems.
GRIEF + DEPRESSION
Grief is the emotion of the lungs and the large intestine, organs associated with the metalelement. Loss of any kind will often trigger a cold, a feeling of being energetically drained, and difficult bowel function. Grief can stay with us for a while, and can go unresolved until we decide to release it. When grief is unresolved and becomes chronic, depression and an inability to ‘let go’ of things can arise from this lung Qi Deficiency. This could eventually interfere with lung function and oxygen circulation. Since our lungs control the flow of energy in our bodies, it’s important that we give ourselves space to deal with painful events rather than stifling them!
To Balance: pungent flavoured and/or white colored foods and herbs. Onion, radish, mustard greens, daikon radish, scallions (white part), almonds, white meat, white rice, white beans, white mushrooms, gingko nut, white mustard seed, angelica root tangerine peel
Reduce: eggs, dairy, rich, processed or fatty foods that cause congestion
FEAR
Fear is the emotion of the kidneys and the bladder, organs associated with the water element. It is a normal adaptive emotion, but can become chronic when we ignore it. Kidney issues often arise when we are dealing with fear, such as a change in life direction or unstable living conditions. When we experience extreme fright, our kidneys struggle to hold qi and we can quite literally pee our pants. Involuntary urination like this is often seen in ‘stage fright’.
To Balance: salty flavoured and/or black colored foods and herbs. Black beans, walnuts, black sesame, mushrooms, water chestnuts, seaweed, blackberries, black tea, psoralia root, lotus seed, stephania root
Reduce: cheese, salt, heavy meat, sugars, excessively cooling foods
WORRY + NERVOUSNESS
Worry is the emotion of the spleen and the stomach, organs associated with the earth element. Too much pensiveness, worrying and insecurity can weaken our ability to digest. When we are anxious, we find it hard to digest and accept a situation or life event. Lack of trust and ease towards the experiences and the foods we take in to our lives will make it impossible for us to digest them. This can make us feel tired, lethargic, and unable to concentrate: a bit of a paradox, too much mental stimulation can actually cause mental heaviness. A week spleen can also be the cause of stubborn weight problems!
To Balance: sweet flavoured and/or yellow, orange, brown colored foods and herbs. Root veggies! Carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, parsnip, squash, chestnuts, fig, taro, liquorice root, ginger root, jujube date, astragalus root
Reduce: meats, cold, raw, and all frozen foods, iced drinks, excess refined sugars
ANGER + FRUSTRATION
Anger is the emotion of the liver and the gallbladder, organs associated with the wood element. Emotions like rage, fury or aggravation can indicate that this energy is in excess, and when we experience these emotions consistently, our liver can get further damaged. At this point, headaches and dizziness can be common. An imbalanced gallbladder can be caused by longstanding feelings of repressed anger, such as resentment, frustration, and irritability. Avoiding outbursts of anger will protect liver and gallbladder health.
To Balance: sour flavoured and/or green colored foods and herbs. Dandelion greens, beetroot, green bell pepper, peas, sprouts, bok choy, string beans, cabbage, zucchini, mung beans, avocado, citrus, barbat skullcap, fo shou, milk thistle, Chinese wolfberry fruit
Reduce: soft dairy, crabmeat, buckwheat, alcohol, fried foods, peanuts, and excess citrus
HAPPINESS + JOY
Joy is the emotion of the heart and the small intestine, organs associated with the fire element. When we experience true joy and happiness, we are nourishing our heart and small intestine energy: we feel mentally clear and able to process experiences. When we are lacking joy in our lives, the heart suffers and we can feel stuck, mentally chaotic, and have difficulty sleeping. Mania or obsessive joy can indicate excess scattered heart energy, and can be the cause of severe mental emotional disorders. Over stimulated heart energy could also cause agitation, insomnia and palpitations. Even the good emotions can be out of balance!
To Balance: bitter flavoured and/or red colored foods and herbs. beet, tomato, okra, cherry, watermelon, broccoli rabe, bitter melon, lettuce, arugula, dandelion, berries, chillies (in moderation), green tea, lotus root, sour jujube seed, arbor-vitae seed, mimosa tree bark, ginseng, hawthorn berries
Reduce: excess spicy foods, chocolate, sugar, salt, vinegar, garlic
ANXIETY
Anxiety can have one of 4 origins according to TCM:
If related to the lungs and large intestine (metal), qi blockage can provoke shallow and irregular breathing or even holding of breath. The large intestine can be detrimentally affected by anxiety, making one more prone to issues like ulcerative colitis and IBS.
Kidney and bladder (water) issues could also be at the root of this emotion. Our adrenals regulate our stress response and when adrenal problems become chronic, they can cause anxiety. TCM recognizes the adrenal glands as the same as the kidneys. Anxiety can also be caused by disharmony between the kidneys and a blazing heart fire, in this case rapid heart palpitations are experienced.
Anxiety can stem from liver (wood) imbalance too, when longstanding anger and irritation goes unresolved. In this case anxiety manifests as nervous tension, irritability, and insomnia.
Anxiety from excess worry and pensiveness stems from spleen and stomach (earth) imbalance. This can cause stomach swelling and bloating after eating.
General anxiety aids: cooling foods to build yin, celery, tofu, valerian, chamomile, plums, tangerine, liquorice, ginseng
Reduce: caffeine, stimulants, alcohol, cinnamon
*Chinese herbs are usually more effective in formulas than alone. Always check with a trained TCM physician before taking anything new. Foods should not be restricted to these suggestions, they are simply a guide!
