Colour and sound as a therapeutic tool is also utilized in the Taoist healing principles. This set of exercises does not directly focus on the chakras(energy vortexes) but rather on specific organs of the physical body. Though the colours are similar to those described in previous articles(see; Chakras, Colours, Sounds and Energy=Colour=Sound), one can observe, same colours can be effectively used in other combinations as well. In the Taoist system, the five organs of the body are associated with a particular sound, colour and emotion. These healing sounds are designed to bring  the body back into equilibrium. By colour visualization combined with organ sounds, corresponding organs are affected. These are namely, the five Yang(the masculine principle) organs and their counterpart organs, which are the five Yin organs(the feminine principle). In this exercise, only the five Yang organs are utilized, the Yin organs are affected indirectly, which are explained in detail in the chart below.                                                                            

The colour visualization can be practised effectively on its own without the organ sounds, however, as one becomes better skilled in colour and organ exercise, sounds can be added for further healing benefits. It is important to follow the order and the energy flow direction of the 5 organs, as outlined in the Five Element theory of Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is as; starting with the heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys and finally the liver, which makes one round through the five Yang organs. Following the same order it can be continued 3-5 times. The Five Element theory is also used in acupuncture to describe how organ systems influence each other through constructive and descructive cycles. In all energy cultivation exercises, the intent is the most important factor, as the proverb “where the mind goes there the energy flows”.                                                                             

EXERCISE I: Posture: sit in a comfortable straight back chair, any chair that allows sitting straight up. Feel the feet touching the ground and hands holding gently together. Take a deep breath, visualize the colour red and “see” the organ heart in your “minds eye” filled with this colour and light, then exhale, take another deep breath and visualize the colour yellow and “see” the organ spleen filled with this colour and light. Exhale, and continue so forth with the rest of the organs. Make the sounds on the out breath, if you wish “see” the pent-up emotions/energy being released.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         YANG ORGAN:Heart                                                                                                                                                                                              YIN ORGAN: Small intestine                                                                                                                                                                      COLOUR: Red                                                                              SOUND:Haaaww                                                                                                                                      EMOTIONS:Hate/Love                                                                                                                                                                ELEMENT:Fire                                                                                                                                                                                                      

YANG ORGAN: Spleen                                                                                                                                                                                           YIN ORGAN:Stomach                                                                                                                                                                                                     COLOUR: Yellow                                                                                                                                                                                           SOUND:Fuuu                                                                                                                                                                 EMOTIONS:Worry/Openness                                                                                                                                               ELEMENT:Earth                                                                                                                                                                                                  

YANG ORGAN: Lungs                                                                                                                                                                                             YIN ORGAN:Large intestine                                                                                                                                                       COLOUR:White                                                                                      SOUND:Sssss                                                                                                                                                                   EMOTIONS:Sadness/Courage ELEMENT:Air                                                                                                                                                                                                         

YANG ORGAN: Kidneys                                                                                                                                                                                        YIN ORGAN: Bladder                                                                                                                                                                                           COLOUR: Blue                                                                                                                                                                                             SOUND:Chuuu                                                                                                                                                                  EMOTIONS:Fear/Gentleness ELEMENT:Water                                                                                                                                                                                                   

YANG ORGAN: Liver                                                                                                                                                                                              YIN ORGAN: Gall Bladder                                                                                                                                                                             COLOUR: Green                                                                                                                                                                                                        SOUND: Sssh(Shee)                                                                                                                                                              EMOTIONS:Anger/Kindness                                                                                                                                                             ELEMENT:Wood

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The vocalization is best done subvocally, but felt in the vocal cords, (in a low tone voice), too loud vocalization is said to stagnate the energy rather then clearing and opening the channels. Before starting out, it is always advisable to learn some basic human anatomy, it will not only help to understand our physical body better but also enhance the proper effect of these exercises.  

EXERCISE II: Prior to the organ healing-sounds exercise, the below outlined inner smile exercise can be practised for further benefits. INNER SMILE and TRANSFORMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS EXERCISE to relax mind and body:  1. Bring down the Divine light energy through the crown into the third eye, then heart, create a state of joy, love and happiness in the heart. 2. Smile down to the organs: Smile to the heart, and generate love, joy and happiness; Smile to the lungs, and generate the feelings of courage and righteousness in the lungs; Smile to the liver, and generate kindness in it; smile to the spleen, and generate fairness and openness in it; Smile to the kidneys, and generate gentleness in the kidneys. Feel the positive affect on each organ as you smile to it. 

 A WORD OF CAUTION: The exercises outlined here are intended as an educational and inspirational insight in to the world of bioenergy. They are not intended as an alternative to any professional medical treatment. The author is not and cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any practice or misuse of the material herein. For more information on the Taoist Healing principles contact Yaman Konuralp.