Below I have copied from Paul U. Unschuld’s translation of the acupuncture classical text, namely the Nan-Ching. This particular chapter highlights the role that the luo-connecting meridians & the eight extraordinary meridians play. I believe this chapter illustrates why we have come to know the eight extraordinary meridians being referred to us ‘our inner reservoirs’, furthermore it states that the reservoirs become replete when the luo-connecting meridians are in excess and the main meridians cannot seize of the surplus. The chapter states clearly that only then, do the eight extraordinary reservoirs receive.
Furthermore, this chapter highlights that these eight reservoirs are ‘different’ to the 12 main meridians & that they are not touched by the influences flowing within. Thus, there is no mutual seizure, excess & deficiency, repletion and depletion. The eight reservoirs are “single-conduit meridians” that have the capacity to receive the ‘run off’ from the 15 luo-connecting meridians. I believe it is of paramount importance to keep this in mind.
“The twenty-seventh difficult issue: Among the vessels are the eight single-conduit meridians which are not touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the] twelve [main] meridians. What does that mean?
It is like this. [The eight single-conduit meridians] include the yang tie meridian and the yin tie meridian, the yang walker meridian and the yin walker meridian, the through-way meridian, the supervisor meridian, the controller meridian, and the belt meridian. None of these eight meridians are touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the 12 main] meridians. Hence, they are called the eight "single-conduit" meridians.
There are twelve [main] meridians and fifteen network [- channels], twenty-seven altogether. The influences move up and down [through these meridians and network-channels], following their respective courses. What [does it mean when it is said that] only [the eight single-conduit meridians] are not touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the main] meridians?
It is like this. The sages [of antiquity] devised and constructed ditches and reservoirs and they kept the waterways open in order to be prepared for any extraordinary [situation]. When rains poured down from heaven, the ditches and the reservoirs became filled. In times like that, when the rain floods rushed wildly, even the sages could not make plans again; [hence, they had to be prepared]. Here [in the organism], when the network-channels are filled to overflowing, none of the [main] conduits could seize any [of their contents, and it is only then that the surplus contents of these channels flow into the single-conduit meridians.” (Paul U. Unschuld, Nan-Ching)
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm regards,
Giancarlo Nerini – Acupuncturist (Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula)
Furthermore, this chapter highlights that these eight reservoirs are ‘different’ to the 12 main meridians & that they are not touched by the influences flowing within. Thus, there is no mutual seizure, excess & deficiency, repletion and depletion. The eight reservoirs are “single-conduit meridians” that have the capacity to receive the ‘run off’ from the 15 luo-connecting meridians. I believe it is of paramount importance to keep this in mind.
“The twenty-seventh difficult issue: Among the vessels are the eight single-conduit meridians which are not touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the] twelve [main] meridians. What does that mean?
It is like this. [The eight single-conduit meridians] include the yang tie meridian and the yin tie meridian, the yang walker meridian and the yin walker meridian, the through-way meridian, the supervisor meridian, the controller meridian, and the belt meridian. None of these eight meridians are touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the 12 main] meridians. Hence, they are called the eight "single-conduit" meridians.
There are twelve [main] meridians and fifteen network [- channels], twenty-seven altogether. The influences move up and down [through these meridians and network-channels], following their respective courses. What [does it mean when it is said that] only [the eight single-conduit meridians] are not touched by the [movement of the influences circulating through the main] meridians?
It is like this. The sages [of antiquity] devised and constructed ditches and reservoirs and they kept the waterways open in order to be prepared for any extraordinary [situation]. When rains poured down from heaven, the ditches and the reservoirs became filled. In times like that, when the rain floods rushed wildly, even the sages could not make plans again; [hence, they had to be prepared]. Here [in the organism], when the network-channels are filled to overflowing, none of the [main] conduits could seize any [of their contents, and it is only then that the surplus contents of these channels flow into the single-conduit meridians.” (Paul U. Unschuld, Nan-Ching)
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm regards,
Giancarlo Nerini – Acupuncturist (Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula)
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