Gut Instinct: Taoism Meditation to Strengthen & Improve Your Gut Intuition

Many of us turn to Taoism to enrich our understanding and find contentment in life. There is no mind-body duality in Taoism.

Seeing the interconnectedness in everything, and how the human body mirrors the universe, Taoism, this ancient philosophy has a wide range of healing techniques, effortlessly integrating the spiritual and the physical, the conscious and the subconscious, the mundane and the divine, the “me” and the “we”….

In modern life, increasingly we feel muffled, baffled, discounted and discouraged. Not mentioning the seas of information coming our way 24 x 7. In order to navigate this complex world, and move through life with fluidity and clarity, the Dao says, perhaps we can lean on our Gut wisdom a little more.

And today, we’ll explore how we can better use our Gut Instinct & Wisdom in this troubled time, to help ourselves and offer more compassion and understanding to our brothers and sisters.

This meditation is ideal if you want to wake up with vitality, or anytime you need some energy boost.

While it’s wonderful that the public is paying more attention to Gut in recent years, the spiritual aspect of the Gut is largely under-known.

Many people’s first reaction towards Gut instinct is that it’s a fear-based irrational feeling. But the spiritual aspect of Gut is more than a mere primitive reaction.

A good Gut instinct nudges and guides us to our divine path.

To strengthen your connection with your Gut instinct, it requires a deeper wisdom and takes some immersion and diving in.

Often what weighs us down is not only sheer workload, but also indecision, lack of support, or unclear communication, which all can be helped by Gut. 

If you want to read the text version of the video, the transcript is below:

Before we get started, here is something I’d like you to know first, to deepen your knowledge and understanding on your Gut Instinct.

If you are new to Classical Chinese medicine, please be aware that the organs which we refer to are beyond just the physical functions, they are the energy pathways, which have profound meanings and effects on our emotions and spirit in addition to our physicality.

Contrary to common understanding, your Gut wisdom, is more than just fear-based reactions or irrational feelings. The spiritual aspect of Gut governs our path and direction, discerning our timing and pace, the right and wrong, our assertiveness and benevolence. It really is a life giving energy, a bit like the Green Goddess in Spring.

So when you feel something is off, your Gut will ensure that you are comfortable to pause and reflect, without being pressured to go straight into a default mode, which you may regret later.

Or when someone’s truth is different from yours but they want to overpower you without hearing your story, Gut wisdom will give you the courage to hold your ground, so that you can be confident and assertive.

The nature and gifts of the Gut instinct are reflected by the Gall Bladder meridian, which has a long pathway in your body, starting right from the outside corner of your eyes running up and down behind your ear, your head and the base of your skull. Then it carries on down your shoulder, zig-zagging across your rib cage, down the outside of your leg, and all the way to the outside of your 4th toe.

The way in which this meridian travels is a symbol of clear vision and mind, practicality as well as flexibility.

So with this understanding and appreciation in your mind and body, we will begin our meditation in a standing position, feet parallel, take a few deep breaths and feel yourself rooted into the ground beneath you.

With your head lifted up and chin slightly tucked back.
Try to keep your spine loose and relaxed.

Shoulders dropped and chest slightly expanded.
If you feel a lot of trapped emotions in your torso, gently tap your rib cage, allow your breaths to travel in and out more freely throughout your body.

Once you are ready, close your eyes. Take an even deeper breath, then release it slowly and gently.

As you are breathing consciously, imagine yourself standing on a mountain top leisurely, where the air is fresh and clean.

With your mind’s eye, you gaze into the distance, the sun is just beginning to break the clouds and warm your skin, the perfect temperature, gentle breezes carrying birdsongs from near and afar.

This is your space, where you have the direct connection with the divine.
Here and now, tap into your Gut Wisdom, an intricate part of your intelligence.

Inhale. Exhale.

Confidence with agility,
Strength with compassion,
Determination with understanding.

The balance required to follow your inner dream as well as being practical to respond to the outer environment, you have that.

Inhale. Exhale.

With the clarity to see your inner divine vision, the courage and commitment to follow your authentic path, the fluidity and flexibility to adapt to the environment, taking consideration of others. Your Gut instinct, the Spirit of your Gall Bladder is truly extraordinary.

Know that such intelligence is tirelessly working behind the scenes.
Know that with every step you take, every move you make, there is a sense of rightness, direction, flexibility to hold onto your authentic path.

You are part of the greater oneness, if you choose, this wisdom and intelligence is always here for you.

As you are renewing your connection with your Gut Instinct, the Goddess of Spring has arrived at the sacred mountain you are standing on, like a magician enchanting all the seeds beneath the soil, greens are coming out, signs of blossoms are everywhere.

Ask yourself:

• What does balanced growth look like to you?
• What does a healthy determination feel like to you?
• How much more clarity and freedom will you enjoy, when your YES means YES, NO means NO?

Raise your head slightly, as if rising above the trouble and uncertainty, with healthy confidence and determination, just like seeds emerge from the darkness.

If you wish, reach out your arms, hands and finger tips to the sky.
Imagine yourself standing tall and walking freely between heaven and earth.

That’s the Spirit of your Gut Instinct.

Let yourself sink deeper into this wisdom.
Let the warmth of Spring travel throughout your body.
Let this both new and ancient consciousness wake up the sleepy cells in you.

Inhale & Exhale.

As you are resting confidently in your own breaths, come back to a neutral standing position.

When you are ready, open your eyes gently, wiggle your hands or toes if you wish.

Our Gut Instinct is beyond a mere primitive reaction, it’s here to remind us that, no matter how timid or confused we feel sometimes, we have a choice.

My name is Yiye Zhang (章一叶)，thanks for letting me be your guide today.