the heart is an empty space
every element of the 5 element system is associated with two organ/channel systems in the body (one yin and one yang), except fire. fire is associated with four! two yin and two yang. the yin organs of fire are the Heart and the Pericardium while the yang organs of fire are the Small Intestine and the Triple Heater. the yin-yang pairs (HT-SI and PC-TH) are both associated with taking in what is necessary to build radiance and then sharing that radiance with the world. making sure theres enough coming in to keep the light on and then sharing that light with others. how you let in others and how you reach out to others. how you take in the world and how you give back to the world. how you discern and how you participate.
you can also associate these organs with how we connect with others and how we are a part of the collective. the yin organs, Heart and Pericardium, are more like candles. drawing close to the flame to feel the warmth and see the light, Heart and Pericardium relate to intimate relationships. one-on-one time with friends, family members, and lovers. they are tender organs. tending to the flame that must stay lit within us.
the Heart is an empty vessel so that its light can radiate in every direction. any obstacles obstructing the emptiness of the heart cast shadows, block our expansion and dim our light. the Pericardium protects the Heart from outside influences. its like a door deciding when to trust and be vulnerable, when to laugh and when to cry. when to forgive and let go. when to steer in a new direction. your Heart has desires, it’s trying to steer you toward joy, even amidst pain. tears are cleansing your Heart. expressing and processing emotions helps clear the heart of obstructions so you can be your most vibrant self.
the yang organs, Small Intestine and Triple Heater, are more like the sun. outward, expansive, bright, illuminating, and did i mention, radiant? they are responsible for spreading and sharing the light of your heart with the world. they cast your light out like a beacon in every direction. but it still all comes back to the Heart. because the Heart IS where the light comes from. the more you tend to the inner world of your Heart, the brighter the light the Small Intestine and Triple Heater can share becomes, the further the reach. they are associated with how you play well with others, how you interact with the world around you, how you take in and discern what parts of your worldly experience belong and what parts you can let go of. they are the party animals. dancing, laughing, mixing and mingling. they are the hive of bees. collaborating, buzzing, interacting, fertilizing. then coming home and making honey, making sense.
all of this work is in service to your Heart. the Pericardium protecting your heart from hurt and moderating vulnerability, letting people in or keeping people out. the Small Intestine filtering your experiences and environmental influences and determining what is for the Heart and what is not. helping drain the Heart of excess heat so you don’t get bitter. and the Triple Heater circulating your warmth and light, extending your reach, sharing your Self with others. all in service of the Heart.
all four organs must collaborate. both sides of our fire need tending - the yin and the yang. the fuel and the spark. the deep and the superficial. the intimate and the acquainted. the concentrated and the radiant. the vulnerable and the silly. like a scuba divers bubbles rising from the depths, this intimacy breeds playfulness. deep intimate connections fuel joy and contentment. the tender, empty, bright Heart radiates in every direction, casting no shadow.
the shadow side of this whole narrative is, however, that a Heart that casts no shadows illuminates everything. and when everything is illuminated, our heart breaks. because the world is full of pain and suffering as much as it is full of awe and gratitude. and so we feel it all. and process it all. and through it all, continue to cleanse our Heart and keep it open for the world.
by Amanda Briody