There is a story about two Japanese monks sitting on a mountaintop six hundred years before the birth of Christ. They were discussing the way energy moves through the human body and how to help the body heal when energy was stuck and a person was overwhelmed with feelings. They believed that each finger correlated to a specific emotional flow and that by holding the appropriate finger, one could restore peace, calm, and focus, allowing the emotions to once again flow freely and peacefully.
So six hundred years before the birth of Christ, these monks decided the middle finger was about anger. (That got my attention.) The thumb, the most common digit that young children suck when upset or needing comfort, was connected to worry. The index finger, the one we use to point at another person in judgement, was paired with fear. The ring finger with grief, and the pinkie with pretense or not being true to yourself.
To use these finger holds to restore emotional balance, gently and firmly hold the finger associated with the strong emotion you are feeling in the opposite hand for a few moments as you breath slowly and deeply. I like to visualize the finger hold completing an energy circle that brings back a sense of harmony and flow to the body. It doesn't matter which hand you use and it may be helpful to simply recognize and acknowledge the strong or disturbing emotions you are holding in order to let them transform. You may feel a steady, rhythmic pulse and a sense of movement. Perhaps think about inhaling what you need and exhaling what no longer serves you. Allow yourself to relax a little more with each breath.
You can practice these holds, also known as mudras, anytime you wish to restore a sense of emotional harmony. They make a great addition to your self care tool box.
NOTE: Despite the vast depth of internet resources I cannot find documentation of my story of two monks on a mountain, though there are variations on these finger holds associated with Jin Shin Jyutsu, Polarity work, and Indonesian culture. I've been teaching and practicing the simple finger holds described above for more than 25 years and have found them very helpful in freeing blocked emotions, with clients and with myself. Give them a try; I'd love to hear about your results.
So six hundred years before the birth of Christ, these monks decided the middle finger was about anger. (That got my attention.) The thumb, the most common digit that young children suck when upset or needing comfort, was connected to worry. The index finger, the one we use to point at another person in judgement, was paired with fear. The ring finger with grief, and the pinkie with pretense or not being true to yourself.
To use these finger holds to restore emotional balance, gently and firmly hold the finger associated with the strong emotion you are feeling in the opposite hand for a few moments as you breath slowly and deeply. I like to visualize the finger hold completing an energy circle that brings back a sense of harmony and flow to the body. It doesn't matter which hand you use and it may be helpful to simply recognize and acknowledge the strong or disturbing emotions you are holding in order to let them transform. You may feel a steady, rhythmic pulse and a sense of movement. Perhaps think about inhaling what you need and exhaling what no longer serves you. Allow yourself to relax a little more with each breath.
You can practice these holds, also known as mudras, anytime you wish to restore a sense of emotional harmony. They make a great addition to your self care tool box.
NOTE: Despite the vast depth of internet resources I cannot find documentation of my story of two monks on a mountain, though there are variations on these finger holds associated with Jin Shin Jyutsu, Polarity work, and Indonesian culture. I've been teaching and practicing the simple finger holds described above for more than 25 years and have found them very helpful in freeing blocked emotions, with clients and with myself. Give them a try; I'd love to hear about your results.
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