macrobiotic diet (or macrobiotics), from "macro" (large) and "bios" (life)
The macrobiotic way of life is a common sense approach, based on traditional and reinforced by practice. It is most commonly identified as a diet that includes whole cereal grains, along with fresh vegetables, legumes and sea vegetables. It is becoming apparent that such a dietary pattern helps to prevent the development of chronic diseases, including most cardiovascular diseases and many cancers. It has also been suggested that such a dietary pattern may also diminish other health problems, such as allergies.
- Foreword by Lawrence Haruo Kushi, Sc. D., February, 1985
- Foreword by Lawrence Haruo Kushi, Sc. D., February, 1985
The Underlying Cosmology
There is a vast cosmology behind the principles of macrobiotics, a cosmology which sets out to explain the creation and the interrelationship of all phenomena throughout the universe to which we are a part. The real purpose of macrobiotics is to empower us with the ability to fulfill our potentials and dreams and to serve as a reminder that we are the builders and masters of our own lives.
Macrobiotics is a rich and unlimited field of study that extends far beyond the scope of this book which you may feel free to pursue. In doing so, you will become your own guide, discovering for yourself what you need to do to maintain your health and to accomplish your personal goals. In this chapter is a brief overview of the underlying philosophy on which macrobiotics is based and how it applies to the aspects of diet and health.
Everyone in the universe is a constantly moving and changing energy varying in density and speed. Even seemingly stable and solid objects, for instance, a rock or a table, are made up of moving molecules, atoms, electrons and protons which themselves are nothing but energy. The origin and destination of all phenomena is Infinity, also called God, the Universal Will, the Super Consciousness or Nothingness. There is no time or space, past or future, light or darkness here. There is only endless motion, moving at an infinite speed in all directions.
Human beings, as the end result of a yang, centripetal spiral, are also at the beginning of a yin, centrifugal spiral. As we develop in a more yang direction we are created by physical food, the elemental energies from the sun, water, wind and so on, and the vibrations of thoughts from the mind. After we are formed in the physical world as we know it we start to go in the opposite yin direction as we develop emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and out body eventually decomposes and our soul later melts back into the infinite void.
By maintaining a healthy mind, body & spirit we are able to move more smoothly and happily into the next world. A pregnant woman has been traditionally told to get proper and balanced nourishment, sufficient exercise and rest, and to avoid violence in pastimes - movies, books and the like. She is also advised to send happy and beautiful thoughts to the baby so that the infant can come into this world in a healthy, happy state. In this way the child can live more peacefully and unencumbered. Likewise, in this life, we can all consider the quality of the various types of food we receive, the kinds of exercise and physical activities and rest we take, and encourage positive, creative thoughts and actions so that our birth into the next world will be smooth and our life there will be enjoyable. The spirits of unhappy persons are full of sorrow and delusion and instead of moving forward and onward into a brighter freer world of light, they remain attached to the earthly level and to the people and places they knew. The Oriental and other "primitive" cultures send their consolation, love, and wishes of happiness to their deceased ancestors. This helps to free these spirits and assists their ascent onto a broader and more joyful plane of existence.
We are all travelling back towards the outer parts of the universal spiral of life as we search for freedom, peace of mind, happiness, the ability to spread our wings and finally to be one with God. Even those who seemingly only want money or material possessions are actually looking for this same happiness and freedom and they feel it will result from their material pursuits. It is proper that each person pursues what he feels important at a given point. This is our freedom.
Paradoxically, we already are where we want to be as we ourselves are a miniature version of the whole universe at the same time that we are our small individual selves. Deep inside, each of us knows somehow that there is a larger I or self, a part of us which is eternal, all knowing and subject to no boundaries. There is a more synchronized feeling of unity, oneness and connection between our smaller I, our human existence, and our bigger I, this infinite universe, when we are in a relaxed, healthy, vibrant, in tune with nature state. We can tap into the unlimited, creative potential that we have in the universe and use it to direct our life with much more awareness when we are in harmonious synchronicity.
The deeper meaning of health is being in this aligned and synchronous state which results in a smooth, unblocked, effortless flow or our energies between all the inner and outer universal parts of ourselves. The macrobiotic approach to well-being is a holistic approach directed by our understanding that a change in any aspect or portion of our body or self has an effect on everything else including the world and the universe. There are several approaches one can take to create a free flow of energy:
1. Change your diet: This is the perspective that this book basically focuses on. What we eat creates our blood cells, and hence the formation of our organs and all other parts of our body. It is a wonder that food is not often associated as a major cause of disease. One's diet also alters the mind and emotions. We know that ingestion of alcohol and various licit and illicit drugs affects one's mental state. This fact cannot be argued. Likewise, anything else one takes in has its effect on our being, though it may be on a subtle level.
2. Working with the powers of the mind: Everything that exists has its origin in the invisible world of the mind and vibrations. It is said that what we believe manifests. There are many negative thoughts or assumptions that we may dwell on which can influence our lives. Many of these delusions, as we may call them here, occur automatically and unconsciously. One may develop self-awareness by constantly observing the thoughts, actions, and reactions that control one's life and rechannel unwanted habits into more positive ideas and dreams.
3. Relaxation: Mental and physical tensions block the freest flow of energy. A technique one may try is to take an inventory of all the parts of your body and relax all tense spots. You can do the same thing with the mind, letting go of anxiety, guilt and anger. Use the breath to help the relaxation process: breathe slowly and deeply.
4. Palm-healing, shiatsu massage, moxibustion, acupuncture and chiropractics: These practices can be used to temporarily unblock stagnations of energy in the body.
5. Keep mentally and physically active: Exercise, do sports or dancing, clean your house, garden, read, study, engage in hobbies, draw, write, compose, play music, do volunteer work, teach...whatever you want. Make sure to do both mental and physical work. The more energy we circulate, the more comes back to us and the less stagnation there is in our lives.
6. Changing ones environmental surroundings: in some cases, it might be necessary to change ones environmental surroundings. Some forms of sickness can be more easily eliminated in a warm climate while others may require cooler temperatures. Moving to a quieter locale, like the countryside may be beneficial for some conditions. Also, it's important that one be in a loving atmosphere with people who care about you and give you support. Also, one can help to maintain a clean, unpolluted, ecologically balanced world by using biodegradable materials an much as possible, not taking more than one needs, as well as helping to protect the well-being of our fellow inhabitants on this earth - the members of the planet and animal kingdoms.
7. Maintain good relationships with all the people in your life: Blaming, holding grudges, anger, fear and hatred makes one very tense and causes blockages. We create the circumstances of our individual lives so it is up to us to change them. Give everyone your love, support and respect for their freedom and individuality.
8. Be grateful and thankful for all that you have been given: Notice all the beauty and marvels in the world. Look at any hardships, difficulties, or rejections you encounter as opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
Working on just one of the above recommendations can be tremendously helpful and have a positive effect on us overall but to make a really permanent and thorough change for the better, all of the above should be worked on as they are interrelated. Many people form an exclusive allegiance to one approach and as time passes they wonder why their plans and dreams don't progress beyond a certain point. They then abandon their one approach and either give up or make an exclusive attachment to another approach. Please beware of this tendency
- Excerpts from "Cooking for Health, Allergies" by Aveline Kushi, 1985
