Lecture 2:

Principle of Meridian Recognition

  1. A General Knowledge of the functions and locations of the meridians
    and super vessels is necessary. It is important as well to understand the
    general technique of the ki method as well so the giver knows the best
    positioning and approach for maximum effectivity.
  2. "Innen", or 100% focussed attention on the meridian being worked on,
    will result in that meridian responding to the giver's attentions. This result
    partly comes about because the giver is completely focussed on the task at
    hand and therefore not distracted by conscious level, usually ego oriented,
    interests. It is important to note that innen must be maintained throughout
    the treatment process, not just when initially trying to locate the
    meridian, super vessel or tsubo.
  3. Empathic imagination works closely with innen to enable the giver to
    know exactly which meridians and which points the receiver most needs
    to be treated. Like innen, empathic imagination operates on a subconscious
    level, in this case breaking through the conscious division of subject and
    object (giver and receiver) and moving to the deeper level where both are
    one and the same. The expression of empathic imagination is the key and
    the purpose of Tao Shiatsu, and one cannot enter into shiatsu unless there is
    a shift on the heart level from self interest to positive interest in giving the
    best to another. As long as self interest remains the giver will only reach
    a certain depth in a treatment situation. Flexibility is lost because the
    giver has already decided what is best for the receiver and therefore cannot
    sense and adapt to the receiver's constantly changing needs on the ki level.
    But with a positive interest in what will most benefit the receiver, the
    giver will always be growing and improving because he or she is costantly
    listening and adapting to the receiver's needs. The flexibility of being
    100% in the moment (innen), combined with a genuine positive interest and
    an ability to to listen and adapt to the receiver's needs, all serve to
    strengthen and deepen the ki exchange between giver, receive and the larger
    healing force of nature.

Genuine empathy (as opposed to "thinking" one is being empathic) is
crucial for another reason. The most necessary points which need to be
treated are also the receiver's most sensitive and vulnerable points of
contact. If he or she senses consciously or unconsciously that the giver
is "attacking" these points (even with the best of intentions) the receiver
will close down. However,if he or she senses empathy and respect from
the giver the opposite will likely occur. The heightened awareness of
the receiver's needs that comes with above three principles,combined with
open communication, will allow the giver to know just how much and how
deep a receiver can tolerate in a treatment situation.

It is possible too that the receiver's primal sense could be so low that
they seem to respond very little to treatment. But again, with the desire
to find the place the receiver most needs to be pressed (in this case to
open up their more deeper problem areas) the giver and receiver can work
together to reawaken the receiver's primal sense and natural healing
capabilities.

Shiatsu is the tool,
understanding the other person is the purpose"