We continue our review of Susan Brooks’ article about Fourth Depth: Bladder and Kidney Organ Function Energy in issue Number 45, Summer 2004 of The Main Central Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter. You may obtain this issue at http://www.jsjinc.net.

“The adrenals, the Fourth Depth component of the endocrine system, are the energy tank for the body. Mary has told us, [the] “Temperamental equilibrium of the individual is a definite help to the adrenals, and the normal functioning of these adrenal glands is reflected, in turn, in the optimism, kindliness and generosity of the disposition.” Mary says, “The adrenals,” the stress glands of the body, “wreak havoc on those who harbor unhealthy mental or emotional reactions.”

Fourth Depth study is one of a lifetime. Some aspects of the body ruled by Fourth Depth include reproduction, digestion, muscles, vascular harmony, glands, body chemistry, blood chemistry and blood sugar.

With respect to the seasons, Fourth Depth rules the wintertime. The term “still waters run deep” comes to mind here. Winter is an inward time during which much reflection, stillness and quiet necessarily occur as preparation for the bursting forth of the new life of springtime.

Mary often said she utilized an aspect of the Reversing and Increasing of the Fourth Depth Flow in every session she gave. We may benefit from the simple 3-step Reversing and Increasing the Fourth depth Flow (pg. 65, Text 1), to address those accumulations – things, memories, people, “treasures” – that no longer serve us and instead weigh us down. In conclusion, I’m reminded of a quote from Anne Morrow Lindberg’s book, Gifts from the Sea, “One cannot collect all the bountiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.” Paracelsus, one of the greatest and illuminated minds of the 16th century, owned only 4 books – the Bible, Commentaries on the Bible, his lectures, and notes on his findings on medicine. I often wonder about the possibilities of individual, community and world transformation if we spend less time tending our possessions and more time pursuing what inspires us.

Bladder Function Energy:

As the descending helper for the Fourth Depth, the Bladder Flow sweeps the back clean – from head to toe – of past and present projects so that we can be in the NOW. The Bladder Function Energy, influenced by Libra, helps keep us in balance with 3 energy lines down either side of the back for balance. These 6 lines of energy keep us from getting off to one side or the other too much. Libra brings to us a shift in awareness between 4-6:00 p.m., during which time you may feel more balanced, except, of course, if you have a two-year old.

Libras tend to be too much in the world, too much of an extrovert, identifying with what is occurring in the external world, rather than within. I am reminded here of bumper cars at the amusement park, which have difficulty holding their own course.”

To be continued…