First published in Sketchbook May/June 30, 2009, Vol 4, No. 3

Second in a series of collaborations between Mary Davila and Tracy Koretsky.

In Chinese medicine, Lung One is the first point on the lung meridian. A meridian is a system of channels that run throughout our body, interconnecting. The lung meridian is said to be the first meridian — the lung the first organ that must work on its own for our lives to begin. What Americans call L1 translates to “Middle Mansion“ in Chinese. Whenever the name contains “mansion“ you must look for a large open hollowing. It is the most upward/outward point protected by the ribs (armor.) Another way to locate the point it is to go to the incipience of the breast.

Lung One is an important point in emotional balancing. Touching it (putting your hand on someone's shoulder, for example) can cause them to cry if they are holding back (it gives breath to their tears), sometimes it will bring people to weep. The left side in particular is associated with mother loss. It is an especially potent point on my body because I lost my mother when I was twelve. I find now that it is a place I can consult within myself to help me understand if what I am feeling is sadness or anger. It was a part of my body I could not move energy to when I had recent family losses.

Tracy Koretsky