Main Central Vertical Harmonizing Energy (MCV)

The most fundamental energetic circulation in Jin Shin Jyutsu is the Main Central Vertical Harmonizing Energy. It flows in an oval pattern—descending along the front of the body and ascending along the back. Mary Burmeister referred to it as the Source of Life, as it nourishes and replenishes all other energetic flows.

“We are as harmonious or out of rhythm as is the energy supply from this source,” —Self Help Book 1, Mary Burmeister.

The Main Central connects with the rhythm of our breathing. As the breath flows down the front of the body, we exhale and release stagnation above the waist. As it rises up the back, we inhale and clear stagnation below the waist.

(More on the Main Central and how to harmonize it)

Major Left and Right Vertical Universal Harmonizing Energy (Supervisor)

The Main Central branches into two oval-shaped circulations known as the Left and Right Vertical Harmonizing Energies. These flows oversee harmonious circulation on each side of the body and are often referred to as the Left and Right Supervisors.

(More on the Supervisor and how to harmonize it.)

Within the pathways of the Supervisors lie twenty-six pairs of mini energy centers known as Safety Energy Locks. Their role is to regulate the flow of energy and act as safety valves. When there is disharmony in the system, certain locks close to prevent that imbalance from spreading. This often shows up as tension or soreness in the area of the locked Safety Energy Lock. To help it open, we place our hands gently over the area and hold them there until a rhythmic pulsation is felt.

Safety Energy Locks are spherical and roughly the size of the palm. There is no need to locate them with precision. As long as your hand overlaps the area, the connection will form and the lock will gradually begin to open.

(Read more on the twenty-six Safety Energy Locks.)

Left and Right Diagonal Harmonizing Energy (Mediator)

Within the pathways of the Supervisors lie twenty-six pairs of mini energy centers known as Safety Energy Locks. Their role is to regulate the flow of energy and act as safety valves. When there is disharmony in the system, certain locks close to prevent that imbalance from spreading. This often shows up as tension or soreness in the area of a locked Safety Energy Lock. To help it open, we place our hands gently over the area and hold them there until a rhythmic pulsation is felt.

Safety Energy Locks are spherical and roughly the size of the palm. There is no need to locate them with precision. As long as your hand overlaps the area, the connection will form, and the lock will gradually begin to open.

The purpose of the Mediator is to keep the left and right sides in harmony with the Main Central Vertical Harmonizing Energy (MCV). It embodies the principle of moderation—not too far left and not too far right. It maintains balance between excess and deficiency and guides us along the middle path.

(More on the Mediator and how to harmonize it…) 

Before the Safety Energy Locks, before the 12-fold Function (Organ) energy, before the elegant and sophisticated framework of JSJ was developed, Jiro Murai gave his first patients the Mediator flow. The only decision was whether to apply the left or the right—what he called Izanagi or Izanami.

Although the twenty-six pairs of Safety Energy Locks arise from the Supervisor circulatory pattern, only twenty-three are located along the left and right Supervisory pathways. Safety Energy Locks 17, 18, and 19 instead reside along the Mediator pathway—at the outer wrist, near the thumb on the palm side, and at the elbow, respectively.

The Mediator is the first energetic circulation affected by our mental attitudes. This is reflected as disharmony within the Depths. For this reason, it is essential to keep the Mediator in harmony. [SH1, p. 18] Harmonizing the Mediator is always appropriate and is especially helpful whenever fatigue appears anywhere in the body.