Heavenly Palace
Dear Patient,
There’s a group of acupuncture points called the Window of the Sky points, so named because they affect the sense organs and treat disharmony between the qi of the body and the head. Some texts describe these points as being like great windows of a high pavilion. They give us a panoramic view.
One Window of the Sky point is Lung 3, aka Heavenly Palace, located on the upper arm (scroll down for location notes). It’s well known for treating grief. But “treating grief” doesn’t mean it erases sadness. Lung 3 helps us connect with our grief, and like all Window of the Sky points, it reconciles the disjointed parts of us.
Grief is an experience as much as it is an emotion, and we tend to go to great lengths to avoid it. But grief has something to offer. It contracts by nature, encouraging us to look within. It gives us perspective on what really matters. Loss is part of life, and grief helps us make sense of it.
What we think in our head and feel in our heart and experience in our physical being—these things don’t always align. Lung 3 reconnects what is broken. It brings perspective on grief. It opens us up to what grief can teach us.
Love and gratitude,
Your Acupuncturist
P.S. Every Wednesday I write about a different acupuncture point. Are there any you’re curious about? Let me know!
Location Notes:
Lung 3 is located on the upper arm, on the lateral border of the biceps brachii muscle, about three inches below the axillary fold. Like most acupuncture points, it’s tender when you find it. Often when you massage this point your lungs will reflexively inhale deeply.