-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
eyes/ears/nose/throat
cataract
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
Not wanting to see something that was especially retching emotionally, such as seeing ones self or partner grow old. (Epstein, p. 81)
Inability to see ahead with joy; dark future. (Hay, 1984, p. 159)
Clouding of vision corresponds to a reassuring distancing of ourselves from the world around us, and therefore also from our real selves. A cataract is rather like a 'blind' that is pulled down in order not to have to see that which we would rather not see. (Dethlefsen, p. 151)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Liver ~ Gan is the residence of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); reflects emotional harmony and movement; and opens into the eyes.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Shi (Excess) signs include discontent; anger; pain in lumbar region and genitals (Seem, p. 28); muscular tension; excessive sex drive; insomnia; moodiness; excitability; genital diseases; red, tearing eyes; compulsive energy; and bitter taste in the mouth. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder with symptoms of irritability, bitter taste, headaches, etc. Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to the Shi (Excess) conditions of Liver Wind, Liver Yang Rising, and Liver Fire Blazing.
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; and displays the stresses of aging and chronic degenerative processes.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
therapies
imagery:
sea of tears (Chavez)
affirmation:
Life is eternal and filled with joy. I look forward to every moment. (Hay, 1984, p. 159)
psychotherapy:
When eye or visual problems occur, the first step is to put aside your contacts or lenses for an entire day, so as to consciously experience the total life situation that results. Make a written account of just how you saw and experienced things, what you could and could not do, what your found difficult, how you coped in your relationships, and so on. The following questions could also be addressed:
» What is it that I do not want to see? Am I afraid to see things in their full clarity?
» Is my subjectivity in the way of my awareness? Am I neglecting to recognize myself? What aspect of my nature am I so keen to look away from?
» Can I really bear to see things as they really are? (Dethlefsen, p. 152)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: eyes/ears/nose/throat system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
process paradigm
footnotes
Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.