In Part 1 I discussed the basic concept of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ‘Meridian Clock’ and how it can give you insight into why you are waking up at the same time each night. As I mentioned before, the 12 meridians that sit within the clock have many responsibilities, pathways of energy and connections to different aspects of being: your mind, emotions, body and spirit. When we are in balance, each meridian is flowing and not expressing dis-ease. Let’s now look further into this incredibly useful wisdom.
Is it an aspect of your life that wakes you up at night?
Maybe you’re a bit stuck and you don’t know what to do next? Or you’re waking up early and are caught in a mental loop of guilt over some kind of loss – a relationship, lack of happiness, a job. Often we don’t even realise our feelings or behaviours until they’re pointed out to us. The key responsibilities (aspects of life) connected to each meridian is another useful avenue to self-understanding.
Following on from the basic emotions of the elements (Why You Wake Up At The Same Time Every Night Part 1) are the key responsibilities to each meridian. When I’m working with clients I find a pattern of blockages between particular meridians. From this, I can see a picture of behaviour or areas of their life that are not working so well. Remember we’re talking about sleep and when you’re waking up, so use Part 1 to help you find which meridian you need to focus on for self-reflection.
Meridians and their key responsibilities
The following table describes the basic responsibilities for each of the 12 meridians.
- Stomach – Nourishment of others; nourishment from outside
- Spleen – Nourishment of self in every way
- Heart – Connection to your spirit; circulation of Qi (energy); heart and mind working as one
- Small Intestine – Communication (speaking, listening); perception; truth
- Bladder – When to use our resources; being controlling
- Kidney – Reproduction and creating things in life; our resources
- Pericardium (aka Sex/Circulation) – Intimate relationships; protecting your heart; healthy boundaries
- Triple Heater – Non-intimate relationships; social aspects
- Gall Bladder – Determination and decision making; action
- Liver – Internal plans; the vision for life
- Lung – Barrier (skin) to the outside world; understanding what is of true value
- Large Intestine – Letting go of impurities (of emotions and beliefs, past experiences) ; holding on to what is of value
Of course, some sleeping problems stem from the inability to even fall asleep at night; dreaded insomnia. Do you find yourself helplessly awake watching the bedside clock tick loudly over to midnight with your mind ticking away even louder? Midnight places you in Gall Bladder meridian energy (11pm – 1am) and the Wood element. Ask yourself “am I stuck and not making a decision about something or acting upon it?”, “have I lost perspective?”
Extending the use of the clock beyond sleep
There are many patterns and signs in our lives; you just need to have your eyes open to see them. For example: anxiety around 4pm, headaches late at night, or a sore lower back before dinner time.
Your body is speaking to you in the only way it can by turning your attention away from the external world and inwards toward you. With the transferable knowledge of TCM you can use the clock for any time of day, not just sleeping problems.
If you would like to know more about the key responsibilities of each meridian (as there are many more than those mentioned in Part 1 and 2) check out Acupuncture.com.au.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, have a look at my article in the Sanctuary of Sleep series Part One Stress & Sleep – why you have trouble falling asleep.
I have received hundreds of comments for this series and I endeavour to answer them. Please go back to the clock and through the articles and your answer is most likely there.
As always my friend — you don’t have to do it alone.
Kate
Why You Wake Up by Kate Pamphilon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Sonia says
Thank you for this. 3:30 am has been bothering me for a long time and I wasn’t buying the Witching Hour explanation. I am glad I found your article. To Caesar Montes, a close friend had the same problem and when he went to the doctor they discovered kidney failure at 23 years old. Keep taking your meds.
Hana says
This was a very interesting article and seemed to help a lot. I have been waking up between 4 and 5am for the past two nights and My sleeping patterns are bad enough as it is. There are a massive amount of things causing stress in my life at the moment and the biggest thing is my piles of homework for the second year of A levels, in particular the planning I have to do for an important media studies project. I’m very worried about it and that coincides with the numbers 4 and 5 on the clock. I feel a little better now knowing what the reason is.
Marilynn says
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than
just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
Nevertheless think about if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
Your content is excellent but with images and video clips,
this blog could undeniably be one of the very best in its niche.
Amazing blog!
Kate says
Thanks Marilynn – you’re right – I must expand my articles to include other media.
Daniel says
I’ve had problems with awaking every night at 4:30 a.m. I know the stress in my life had something to do with it and the Meridian Clock was dead on with my situation. I do try and meditate once a day but now I think I need to go back to twice a day for 20 minutes. Thank you so much for this eye opening.
lyn says
Hi, Stressed out and waking up at 1am – any advice on what i ought to be looking at and asking myself.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
Lyn
Lon says
This is amazing and so accurate. Thank you! introspection, people! this really hit the nail on the head, or the acupuncture needle in the Meridian as it were.
louise says
makes sense to me. Questionning what is truly of value is a complex issue. I think I might be up at 4a.m. for a while until I figure it all out!
thanks for the info.
Suzan says
Hi,
I heard bout this from a tcm as well so i do believe in it. Can you tell me what question should i ask if i wake up every 4am sharp?
Do you have any goid book to recommend regarding this? With a self healing?
Thank you
Ana says
This helped but not as much as i thought it would. i wake up everyday at 8:33am and im 38 weeks pregnant its my fifth pregnancy and i don;t really know whats causing it. if any suggestions that might help it is greatly appreciated.