In the 21st century, the focus on healing the subtle body has become important. For many Western practitioners, fostering an awareness of the body is now considered crucial—if not more so—than overemphasising mental processes. In the UK, lung disease remains the leading cause of death. Although environmental factors and lifestyle choices significantly contribute, much of the problem is also tied to the pressures of modern living and our emotional state. Western culture has prioritized cognitive development over bodily awareness from a young age.
Conversely, traditional cultures, such as those in the Amazon, may offer less formal mental training but maintain a deep connection to the body and nature. This close bond means there is often less need for intense emotional release or a reconnection with the body, which is reflected in the much lower incidences of depression and suicide found in these societies.
Buddhist philosophy teaches that the journey to enlightenment involves overcoming greed, hatred, and delusion—a universally applicable principle, even as each culture exhibits its own habitual patterns. Recognizing what truly leads to transformation within our specific cultural context is crucial. In today’s world, a strong emphasis on cognitive development from early childhood often results in a buildup of tension within the subtle body. This imbalance underscores the necessity of transforming the subtle body. While it may be easy to understand universal truths on an intellectual level, actual realisation comes only when this insight is integrated into direct, lived experience. It is through this integration that we can release blockages and restore equilibrium.
In modern times, healing the subtle body is more critical than ever. The accelerated pace of contemporary life tends to produce a corresponding rapid, restless energy in our lungs. To address this, we must first recognize our own inner pace. Overexertion in our thoughts, feelings, and bodily functions can manifest as excessive energetic speed. By cultivating nonjudgmental awareness, we learn to observe our emotions and the overall sensitivity of our subtle body. Practices such as meditation, movement, mudras, chanting, and grounding help guide the lung energy back to its natural position, slightly below the navel. This gentle deceleration allows for clearer thinking, enhanced physical endurance, and greater resilience against burnout.
When the mind is persistently driven to operate at a higher speed—whether by excitement, pressure, or the desire to achieve—this mental overdrive signals the subtle body to work even harder. This causes the lung energy to become increasingly unsettled and throws the body’s balance into disarray. Over time, this ongoing strain may lead to significant disturbances in lung function, depleting our energy reserves and diminishing overall well-being.
As our meditation practice deepens, we become more aware of these habitual disturbances. The challenge then becomes managing them without falling victim to their influence. The answer lies in kindness. Instead of resisting the disturbance, we should welcome it with understanding: “I am experiencing this now, but it is not the essence of who I am—it is merely an old habit.” Often, external events serve only as minor triggers (perhaps contributing about 5% of the overall experience), while the ingrained pattern accounts for the majority (around 95%). Recognizing this empowers us to detach from the disturbance. When it arises, we remind ourselves, “It appears real, but it isn’t true. It is not me or mine.” With this clarity, life feels much lighter and more manageable.
Being overly serious, tense, attached, or mentally restless can stir up agitation and disrupt the harmony of the subtle body. Over time, these patterns become deeply embedded in our energy channels, further unsettling the lung energy. That is why learning to manage this energy wisely and restore balance is essential. The subtle body acts as a bridge between the physical and mental realms, harbouring emotions that affect both. It consists of a network of energy channels (meridians), acupoints, and centres that regulate the flow of energy throughout our being. When lung energy is disturbed, it can show up as intense or overwhelming emotions, particularly when we feel overloaded or stressed. Any practice driven solely by the need to perform or succeed—without incorporating relaxation and lightness—only exacerbates this imbalance by impeding the natural flow of energy.
Our lungs serve as a critical source of support on mental, emotional, and physical levels. They often hold deep-seated emotions such as grief and sadness, which can linger and weaken us over time. However, through the practice of Qigong and embodied awareness practices, we can rekindle the warmth of our lungs—our inner fire—transforming stagnant, cold Qi into a nurturing, warming energy. This inner fire of compassion not only revitalises us but also acts as a potent source of protection and healing.