Ivan Zy Lim, Psy.D.

To Taoists, emotions are seen as energetic states that rise from the five major organs – the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys – each associated with a geographical direction, a natural element, and specific positive and negative emotions. This is part of the Five Transformational Phases (wu xing) theory, also known as Five Elements.

One way we can work to strengthen the organs is by using the Six Healing Sounds which is a
very old energy practice that uses sounds and vibration to affect each organ system in a positive way. The sound can balance and detoxify as well as strengthen each of our organs, which has the profound effect of bringing our emotions into balance.

Six Healing Sounds: These sounds can be made aloud or even sub vocally. The vibration in the body is the most important part. Firstly say each sound at least nine times, slowly and deeply. You can close your eyes and imagine each sound traveling into its organ: you can also put your hand over the organ.

The First Healing Sound

• The first healing sound, XU (噓) is said to calm the chi of the liver and is made by pursing the lips together and making the sound shuuuuuu. You can imagine the color green while you are saying it.

The liver has a major role to play when it comes to managing emotions. In TCM, there are 7 main emotions, namely joy, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear and fright. Anger is the emotion associated with the Liver. If you are often irritable, get angry easily, have trouble unwinding from the day’s activities, have trouble reasoning or going with the flow and letting things go, you are experiencing a Liver function problem. Experiencing these emotions chronically or excessively can seriously unbalance the function of your Liver.

An adequate supply of blood and smooth circulation of ‘qi’ are necessary for individuals to manage their emotions properly, which evokes optimistic thinking and good spirits

After saying the sound nine times then do the exercise.