From:  Spiritpathpress@a...
Date:  Sun Oct 8, 2000  6:29 pm
Subject:  Antique Points

 
A while back someone asked about the antique points and their usage. Though 
Worsley lists these in his point book no usage was ascribed to them at TAI. 
when I went through school. The information in the teaching manual about them 
was negligable and I've never met a person in JR's tradition that could 
discuss their application under the formulation of "antique points" past 
saying "they are a helpful tool for devising seasonal treatments." 
    Obviously these are the element points on each mridian and, as such, 
would constitute the means by which patients are treated in relation to the 
seasons. 
    My understanding of these points is that, as qi flows from the periphery 
toward the center (elbows and knees) the flow of the qi becomes increasingly 
deep. Subsequently, more proximal points treat "deeper" issues both in terms 
of body depth, depth of official (mind/body/spirit), and seriousness of 
illness. I haven't taken the time to discern if this theory (if Ive stated it 
correctly) is congruent with my experience in clinical practice but my 
intuition is that it would be.
    In my way of understanding, and upon first thought, the first point (nail 
point) stimulates the nervous system and conciousness. If you want someone to 
get a message at the level of conciousness the nail point will put it there. 
If someone is going through a Law of Cure reaction the nail point will help 
assure that they learn the lesson from what is being rleased (this according 
to my interpretation of a lecture by J. Yuen). 
    The second point on each meridian (particulalry the yang meridians) calm 
the NS and have a rather relaxing and hypnotic effect (needle them gently). 
The Nervous system (according to Dr. Shen's 4 systems theory (See: Dragon 
Rises Red Bird Flys CH 13)) is the outer most level of qi and is the fastest 
changing. Therefore, the first and second points deal with the NS. 
    The 3rd point proximal is the source point and earth point on all yin 
meridians. This point ties all function to the primordial influences defined 
by yuanqi. On the yang meridians this point corresponds to wood. These points 
Shen says correspond to the circulatory system. From the standpoint of the 
yin meridinas I can say this so. Ht-7, Lu-9, and LV-3 imparticularly may be 
thought of as the three primairy command points for stabalizing respiration, 
the heart beat, and the circulation of qi. 
    The 4th point treats the digestive system. These points are the fire 
(yang Meridians) and metal points (yin meridians). Other than conjuring an 
image of fire under a pot I couldn't say how these relate specifacly to 
digestion (Will? Rory?).
    The 5th point relates to the organ system as the deepest store of jing 
for the functions of all other officials and systems. These points, at the 
knees and elbows are the water points (yin meridians) and earth points (yang 
meridians). Water and Earth are the two sources of the innate (water, yin, 
jing) and acquiered (earth, yang, acquiered jing) constitutions.
    I am probably conflating Shen's usage of the 4 systems as layers of 
energy with whatever JR thought he meant by "antique points". However, I hope 
this may serve others to provoke further thought on the subject. 
Peace, Lon