Yintang 印堂, Hall of Impression

Yìntáng 印堂 (Hall of Impression). This acupuncture point lies between the medial end of the eyebrows, the area referred to by many traditions as the third eye, the upper dantian, or the ajna chakra. Yìntáng is often used for calming the Shén, which is the Spirit residing in the Heart. Calming the Shén is a treatment principle often used for anxiety, insomnia, and states of emotional unease. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is the emperor or monarch of our body, the house of Shén, and is vital for the well-being of the entire body. The emperor ensures that the kingdom does not fall into chaos, and the Heart ensures chaos does not arise in the body and mind. Su Wen 14 of the Huang Di Nei Jing discusses when the Heart-Shén is not working. If the Heart-Shén is not working, the organs are not working as they should, and treatment with acupuncture and herbs becomes difficult. When we perform acupuncture, it is not the needle working, but the individuals Heart-Shén working. The needles wake up the Heart-Shén so it can function better and control the Spirits of the other organs within the kingdom to work better. This is why Yìntáng is often used at the beginning of treatment, to tap into the Heart-Shén so it can start communicating with the body. In the school of medical Qigong I studied with, we always started treatment with the ajna chakra as it was thought to control all of the other chakras (whirling points of energy), and it encourages an expansive perspective, the ability to see the bigger picture, and allows access to inner wisdom. The third eye region is thought to influence the pineal gland, a small gland located deep in the middle of the brain, and often referred to as the 'seat of the soul'. Various spiritual traditions have meditations which focus on the pineal gland, called the blue pearl, and it can be seen in artwork throughout the ages, often depicted as the eye of a peacock feather. The pineal gland is involved in regulating our sleep wake cycles, as it can actually detect outside light which influences its production of melatonin. This is the daily fluctuation of yīn and yáng within the body, the harmonization of our body with the natural world.

Just some Sunday morning musings for you, and something to think about the next time your acupuncturist needles Yìntáng , before you drift into acu-bliss.

In health and happiness,

Kylie

Disclaimer: Any information on this website or blog post should not be used for self-diagnosis or substitute for medical advice. Please always seek advice from a qualitied health practitioner for any health concerns.