As autumn unfolds around us, have you noticed how the world seems to pause, letting go of the summer’s intensity?

This season is all about transformation and release, and it speaks directly to our Lungs and Large Intestine—the organs that help us process and let go of both physical and emotional burdens.

In Traditional East Asian Medicine, these organs are linked to emotions like grief and sadness. Processing these emotions is a healthy, necessary part of moving forward, and it’s important to remember that everyone has their own timeline for healing. Autumn, with its natural cycle of shedding and renewal, provides the perfect setting for processing grief and sadness, as well as releasing what is no longer needed.

So, while the trees shed their leaves, it’s a perfect time for us to do the same, making room for new growth and clarity.

Specific acupressure points can help process these emotions, promoting release and emotional balance. Here are key acupressure points particularly effective for processing grief and sadness.

Middle Palace – Zhong Fu and Cloud Gate -Yunmen acupressure points

To find the Middle Palace point, start by placing your fingers at the top of your chest and feel for your collarbone. Move your fingers just below this bone, about two inches out from the side of your breastbone, until you find a soft spot. This is the Middle Palace point.

From the Middle Palace point, locate Cloud Gate by moving your fingers slightly up and outward toward your shoulder. You’ll find Cloud Gate in a small dip or hollow just below the outer end of your collarbone, closer to your shoulder. These points are close together on the upper chest and are great for emotional release and supporting your immune system.

The Spirit of the Acupressure Points

The spirit of an acupressure point refers to the deeper, often intangible qualities and energies each point embodies, and how it interacts with our emotional and spiritual well-being.

The Middle Palace

The Middle Palace point is like a release valve for grief and sadness. Located on the upper chest, it’s crucial for helping you let go of emotional burdens, making breathing feel easier both physically and emotionally. By supporting lung function, it also supports your immunity, helping you fend off colds and flu during the chilly months.

The Middle Palace point serves as a gateway to inner clarity and inspiration. By facilitating the release of emotional burdens, it creates space for new insights and a deeper connection to your inner self. This openness can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and alignment with your spiritual path, as it helps clear the emotional fog that can obscure your true desires and goals.

Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate acts as a gateway to clear emotional clouds like sadness and grief, promoting a sense of relief and openness. This point also supports your lungs, enhancing your body’s defenses against seasonal cold and flu, keeping you healthy and resilient.

Cloud Gate symbolizes the dispersion of emotional clouds, allowing for clearer vision and thought. This point helps you access a state of openness and receptivity, where inspiration can flow freely. By enhancing your lung energy, it supports the intake of both physical breath and spiritual energy, fostering a harmonious connection to your spirit and higher self. This connection can lead to increased motivation and a deeper understanding of your life’s purpose, helping you feel more aligned with your true path.

How to activate the points

Place your fingertips gently on the points and apply steady pressure or massage in slow, circular motions for 1-2 minutes on each side. As you do this, breathe deeply and steadily to encourage the release of tension and enhance the flow of energy, fostering emotional clarity and spiritual connection.

Key Takeaway

These acupressure points serve as powerful allies in navigating the emotional and physical transitions of autumn. By engaging these points, you not only support your body’s immune defenses against cold and flu but also foster a deeper connection to your inner self and spiritual path. These practices encourage the release of grief and sadness, creating space for inspiration and clarity. As you embrace the seasonal theme of letting go, these acupressure points can help you cultivate a balanced, harmonious state of well-being, guiding you toward personal growth and renewed purpose.