18 Luohan Hands Qigong

Discover all of the famous 18 Luohan Hands qigong set. If you could only practice one set of qigong exercises for the rest of your life, you'd be well served by the 18 Luohans.



The 4 Primary Skills

Techniques are great, but skills are more important for getting results. You'll learn all 4 of the primary skills of qigong: 
1. Discovering the Qi, 
2. Circulating the Qi, 
3. Aligning the Qi, and 
4. Gathering the Qi.

THE HANDS OF THE 18 LUOHAN: Technical Description of the Movements

MEDITATION POSTURE OR WU CHI

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
“Wu Chi” translates as the great void or emptiness, the one not manifested or the one without limits. This position it encompasses all the other positions. Within it, all principles of the remaining postures may be discovered.

Begin by feeling the soles of the feet touching the earth. Like the roots of a tree, the Yin aspect, the feet become the roots of the posture. Visualize roots extending through the feet to create solidity while at the same time extend the head upwards to the sky, developing the Yang aspect of the posture. Like the saying, “The higher you want to go into heaven, the deeper your roots have to be.” Many people on the spiritual path develop only the aerial aspect and forget the earth element.  Balance between these two forces, Yin and Yang, earth and heaven is essential for overall health and well-being.

The body must be very straight and the spine erect. The chin is slightly downward to straighten the neck and release tension from the back of the neck.  The arms hang loose and relaxed, drop the shoulders and relax so that the chest is concave and the back is rounded and convex. There is no tension as if very heavy suitcases have just been set down. Relax the groin, the buttocks and the lower back completely. The knees are straight and relaxed, not locked.

The base of the each foot is like a tri-pod with three points of support necessary to bear the weight of the body. These points are: the ball of the foot at the heel, the ball behind the big toe, and the ball behind the little toes. Lean forward a little in this position, feeling the full sole of the foot connecting, not the edges, neither the inside nor outside edge, but the whole foot resting on those three points.

Trained practitioners may hold this meditative posture for an extended period of time however beginners should start holding for less time and build up their ability to stand longer.

This posture is used to center and gather Qi in the low Dan Tien; to center the mind in the low Dan Tien; to discover the center of gravity in the body; and to calm the Shen or the spirit.

When the whole body is relaxed and the spine and the bones are aligned energy will flow in a very natural way.  There should not be a “boiled spaghetti” feeling, too limp and without backbone, in the body. The Chinese say, “Bones straight, tendons relaxed” meaning the bone structure should be kept straight while in a relaxed state. This ensures that blood and energy will flow freely. For example, using a hose to water the garden when the hose is bent or crooked will not allow water to flow through. In the same way, if the body is bent, the blood and Qi will not flow. Many injuries (in the lower back and neck, etc.) would be avoided by proper spine alignment. The meditation posture acts as a preventive tool to address many of the muscular and skeletal disorders due incorrect posture.

The front side is called the Yin side, while the whole back is the Yang side. As the palms are turned forward a statement of openness, with nothing to hide, like an open book is being made.

This posture transmits the quality of truthfulness and embodies cultivating honesty within ourselves and to certain principles in our lives.  Notice the accompanying phrase, “I keep my body straight and always tell the truth.” In India it is said that the person who never lies and has always spoken the truth speaks words that are so strong that, no matter what is said, they will always become a reality. 


YIN-YANG/SUN-MOON PALM

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS

The position is a stretch up and a stretch down at the same time.  The upper hand is facing the sky and the lower hand is facing the earth. The fingers of the upper hand are pointed toward the inside of the body and the fingers of the lower hand are pointed to the buttocks. The legs are straight, the neck relaxed and the lower Dan Tien anchors the posture. This is a very good posture to stretch the tendons and ligaments in the arms and shoulders.

Throughout the 18 Luohan stretching is emphasized to balance Yin and Yang in the body and to create blood and energy flow. According to traditional Chinese medicine, disease stems from an imbalance in the flow of these two energies in the body. Each completed stretch emphasizes Yang while the release to a fully relaxed position emphasizes Yin. The stretch must always be accompanied by a state of relaxation with attention paid to body structure to avoid injury.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE 
This posture balances the spiritual or lofty and the realistic or grounded element with the hands, one reaching for the sky and the other reaching for the earth to create harmony with the Tao. Note the saying, “I will shine like the sun but I will be humble like the moon” acknowledging the self-assurance and internal power like the sun within everyone as well as the humble quality of the moon, not being arrogant or misdirecting the power within. The opportunity to act according to any given situation is cultivated whether in a more Yang manner, or more Yin manner.


TOPPLE MOUNTAIN RANGE WITH PALMS

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
In the DING JI MA, most of the weight is on the front leg, and there is a rotation of the hip. The knee should not go over the toe of the front leg. The back leg is completely straight, with the back foot at a 45 degree angle and the hip of the back leg rotated in.
Continue the rotation up the spine through the waist and spinal column making the spine flexible and stretching all the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the back.

If the left leg is forward, the opposite arm is forward and the fingers are facing up while the fingers of the back hand are pointed to the side. The upper torso, from the hip and the waist, are completely turned so there is a straight line from the front hand through both shoulders to the back hand.

Both wrists are stretched to a 90 degree angle in the WILLOW LEAF PALM.
Medically this exercise helps to stretch the back leg, strengthen the front leg, rotate the hip joints and increase flexibility.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE 

This posture illustrates the dragon pushing apart a mountain range. It strengthens the mind and the SHEN through a state of deep and powerful determination and concentration by focusing the eyes like the laser eyes of a dragon. Go beyond the physical stretch into a mental stretch; stretch the mind to expand the energy even more.

BLACK TIGER PUSHES THE MOUNTAIN
(click here to see the posture)

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
When stretching the palms forward there should be a tremendous extension, which stretches the back, and massages the kidney area.
This exercise is very good for lumbago, sciatica and strengthening the kidneys.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
In Chinese medicine the tiger is related to the bones and kidneys, and this posture helps to strengthen both as well as the bone marrow.  Once the physical limit of the push is achieved the consciousness expands beyond the physical body and reaches out more with the mind. “With joy and self-confidence I will overcome any obstacle” is the phrase emphasizing the human value. Harnessing the power of the whole universe, one is able to overcome anything, never giving up, learning from mistakes and never accepting failure. This too is reflected in the natural Yin and Yang cycle; life is a learning process and there is always an up and a down. Learn to see life not as simply good or bad, but as containing many experiences and opportunities from which to learn and grow stronger. 

WHITE CRANE SPREADS ITS WINGS

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS

The practitioner raises his hands, which are in crane’s beak formation, above his head, while breathing in. The practitioner simultaneously stands on his toes.
The entire posture should resemble a large and graceful bird, poised to leap into flight.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE 
Notice the phrase, “I open my mind and my heart and I am free as a bird.” This emphasizes the control that we as individuals have over the mind and emotions, and that actually we are the ones to control whether we are happy or not.


CHILD WORSHIPING BUDDHA TO THE  SKY

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS 
All the muscles of the upper body, through the arms, shoulders and back receive a good stretch.
Being on the toes develops the muscles in the lower legs, and will improve agility. These muscles allow for quick movement. Refer to the colloquialism, “being on the ball” or literally on the ball of the foot, fast, ready and stable.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
Notice the phrase, “I can reach any goal; there are no limits”. Understanding to discard any beliefs of limitations in personal possibility and potential is physically emphasized in this posture. Success is a manifestation of the inner life. Confucius said, “If it takes him ten times, it takes me one hundred. If it takes him one hundred times, it takes me one thousand. If it takes him one thousand times it takes me ten thousand times, and thus the not skillful can becomes skillful.” The Luohan is a GONG; meaning a skill that is developed through practice and time. If desire, perseverance and attitude are positively cultivated any goal may be reached.









CHILD WORSHIPPING BUDDHA 

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The legs are straight but not locked and the elbows are out from of the body with space under the armpits. The hands are pressing together touching at the base and through the fingers, but inside of the palms there is a hollow area creating a connection between the two LAO GONG (Pericardium 8) points.

The fingertips are pointing to the upper DAN TIEN or “the upper field of elixir” located between the eyebrows. The upper DAN TIEN is related to SHEN or SPIRIT.  The lower DAN TIEN is also the seed of the JING or ESSENCE QI of the kidneys. The middle DAN TIEN, centered between the nipples is related to QI, to the breath and to the emotions. These three are called the “three treasures” of man: the JING, or the essence, the QI, the energy and breath, and the SHEN, the spirit.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
This position helps to illustrate how body positions affect the mind, the emotions and thoughts. Feelings of deep silence, humility, and gratitude are palpable in this posture, and help to connect the practitioner to the TAO. It is often said, “the TAO that can be explained in language is not the real TAO,” so it is important for the practitioner to develop sensitivity to how the physical movements affect them on deeper levels.

Within the 18 Luohan a relationship to silence and peace may be discovered. A great deal of energy is expended through talking. Silence helps conserve energy and is a great healer.







THE EMPEROR HOLDS UP THE TOWER

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
Stretch the palms, facing up to heaven with the middle fingers touching. Once stretched fully, relax the upper gate and lean back a little bit or as much as is comfortable.
The legs are straight and the Yin side of the body, particularly the stomach muscles as well as the Yang side, the spine and the back, are stretched.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
This is a powerful archetypal position; the emperor is so strong that he can hold up a tower. In studying the phrase, “Honesty gives me strength and everybody trusts me,” the theme of strength and the ability to stand one’s ground through honest interactions is continued. Honesty helps develop greater strength in word and action by being guided by higher moral values. Honesty establishes the pillars of happiness, health and peace.





VENERATING THE ORIGIN

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The posture is done as though being pulled in both directions through the front and back hand.
Keep the back straight and the eyes forward, looking far to the horizon.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
Venerating the Origin refers to reflecting on and honoring ones own source, home, family, traditions, and experiences. There are two ways of learning through experience: to learn from the mistakes and experiences of other people or, the hard way, to always learn through personal experience. Learning from others by listening, being receptive, carefully observing, and respecting the lessons and opinions that are given, even if, in the moment they do not seem correct, is a path to honoring and respecting one’s origin.





THE SNAKE COMES OUT OF THE CAVE

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
Unlike the other DING JI MA postures, this has the back leg bent and the front leg completely straight. Both hips are turned to the front, so that they are parallel to the direction of the front leg as well as the whole torso. The elbow should be perpendicular to the sky and the opposite fingers touching the shoulder. The other forearm should be touching the kidneys.
“Venerating the Origin” and “The Snake comes out of the Cave” are done in sequence. This undulating movement helps to simulate a snake and support the flow of energy. Learning to move in this very biodynamic way helps to avoid injury and conserves energy by using minimal effort.
Bodhidharma believed that there were things to be learned from observing the snake. In nature he saw that the snake was very relaxed, and very fluid, like water. At the same time it can become very hard and powerful, like a boa constrictor or python. The strength of the snake is like the power of water flowing through a hose: the mass of water is confined to a very small space, and so the force of the water is more powerful. In this context, a very soft thing like water is strong, and it is the same with the power of energy. The relationship between softness and strength and the energy of the snake represents QI and the ability of energy to flow freely through the body.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The associated phrase, “I always do my duties and obligations with care” illustrates the value of always doing things to the best of your ability.
Each movement should be performed as perfectly as possible given that moment and time. In order to fully experience the health, energetic and spiritual benefits, the techniques should be performed exactly as they are taught; the benefits are proportional to the correct technique. However, this does not mean that one should trapped by perfection. My grandfather used to say, “Perfection is the enemy of getting things done.” At the same time it is important to strive to cultivate something in life in which one may excel, whether it is qigong, painting, playing the piano, being a good doctor, a scientist or a computer expert. Developing mastery in one’s life leads to greater joy and peace, as well as benefiting our health. Accordingly, medical science is now confirming that people who enjoy what they are doing live longer and healthier lives.





OPEN THE BOW TO SHOOT THE VULTURE

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The DING JI MA position must be correctly executed, turning through the hips as much as possible, then through low, middle and upper back.
The front hand is stretched all the way forward in a hollow fist and the back hand pulls back strongly with a hollow fist. Both of the little fingers are facing up towards the sky as the pull is completed.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The human value illustrated in the saying, “I choose a good objective and I concentrate all my attention to reach it” emphasizes the merit of wholly choosing a worthwhile path, goal, or objective and then applying concentration and perseverance. The ability to clearly focus one’s attention on a goal allows the essence of the subject to be fully realized.

In every exercise of the form, absolute concentration on the physical technique, the breath, the body sensations, and the intent is essential. Mastering these skills in the form then permeate into any daily activity and support the pursuit of health, peace, wisdom and happiness through persistent self-development. Embedded deeply within traditional Chinese culture, including the martial arts and techniques for self-defense, is the pursuit of self-development. For example, in archery, the emphasis is not necessarily on always hitting the bull’s-eye, but to develop the ability of the archer to become one with shooting an arrow, and to feel that the arrow is a part of them. If the archer is able to feel at one with the arrow, the level of concentration and presence within the moment will be so deep as to go beyond the physical act of archery into the realm of a spiritual development. In not worrying about the target, only focusing on the moment, and allowing nature to take its course, one will have arrived at the complete realization of whatever it is that is being done.

THE POWERFUL TIGER STRETCHES ITS BACK

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
This position emphasizes the importance of circles in the practice of Qigong. The energy of the circle allows for relaxation, the ability to gather energy and to allow that energy to flow smoothly. Note the circularity in the posture all the way through the spine, from the heel to the head; the circle between the arms, within the hands and also in the back. The line between the two hands resembles the line the separates the Yin from the Yang in the Yin/Yang symbol.
This is a strong exercise to strengthen the back muscles, the legs and hips and well as stretch the spine. Keeping the spine healthy and flexible will help keep the body young. Stretching is a powerful tool to keep the body healthy and young because it not only facilitates the movement of blood and energy to every part of the body but also dredges the energy channels of blockages in the process.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The human value emphasized is “I help others and I have the power of the tiger.” With honest compassion and caring, not attempting to maintain power over anyone or anything, one can be generous to all and begin to see the web of connection between all living creatures. There is a very beautiful saying, “You cannot pick a flower without affecting a star,” so deep is the connection that ties us all together.

GOLDEN COCK STANDS ON ONE LEG

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
This powerful position begins a series of one-legged postures. In the leg that is raised, the foot is completely extended while the other leg is slightly bent. Feel all the way to the tip of the foot.
The upper body is virtually the same as the movement “Open the bow to shoot a vulture”. The arm that is up should also stretch forward in order to get the rotation of the spine. The back hand pulling back is in the hollow fist position.
Drop the shoulders and drop the weight to the DAN TIEN. Strive to fully stretch but maintain the relaxation, so that only the minimal muscles needed to execute the movements are used.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The rising YANG energy of this posture, like the rooster greeting the rising sun is associated with the phrase “I smile and I am happy when I wake up.” Starting off each day from the first thought upon waking with a smile and a positive thought helps achieve happiness and peace in each and every day.

There is a saying, “All the faces in the world are mirrors.” It is up to you to decide what face you decide to show the world.

A few minutes of Qigong every morning, whether only 5 minutes or 30 sets the attitude to be carried into life. The transition from the world of unconsciousness into the physical world is aided by stretching and gathering energy, and by allowing the body time to wake up and get the energy flowing. Just like animals in nature, as they get up, they stretch a little bit, they move, they keep on stretching and moving a little bit and then slowly they begin to walk.

The Chinese say that the five wheels (or ways) in life to stay healthy and happy are:
1) to walk with the spine erect,
2) to have beautiful projects in your mind and to plan beautiful things,
3) to listen to music to enhance the life experience,
4) to walk in nature, enjoy and be one with nature,
5) and to smile.

There is scientific evidence that endorphins and other beneficial hormones are secreted when people are happy and laughing. This reiterates the relationship between the body, mind and emotions. It is difficult to feel sad when smiling. When looking for a problem a problem will be found. When looking for solution a solution will be found. Start with a positive attitude and the end result will be positive.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID


WHITE TIGER LOOKS DOWN THE ROAD

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS 
In the first aspect of this movement, the body leans back in the direction of the arms and though technically difficult to do, eventually the leg and trunk are in nearly a straight line.

In the second and third parts of this position the hands are held in a tiger claw with the wrists flexed. The leg that is raised is kept straight and the foot pointed.

There is tremendous rotation of the spine; movement of the hip joint and hip area; and movement of the internal organs.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE 
The name of the movement calls attention to the importance of developing skills in observation and attentiveness. It is tremendously useful to see the reality of situations that others don’t normally see. Encourage improvement not only in observation but also in every other sense to its fullest while simultaneously improving the capacity for deep concentration. The ability to see detail and become one with it allows us to penetrate to its essence. Then one will experience not only with the eyes, but also feel, understand and begin to know with the whole body.
Wisdom is likewise gained by paying attention to the elements. For example, the nature of water is very adaptable to its environment. It does not fight, but rather yields, nurtures, remains soft and because of that is powerful and strong. It is the one drop of water, that drop by drop, penetrates the rock. By observing the earth, the structure, stability and strength of the mountain is understood. The power and energy of fire to get things done with passion is recognizable; and from air the free and ethereal sense that not being tied down is learned.

The seasons, winter, spring, summer, and autumn, instruct in the cyclical and changing ways of living, thinking, dressing, eating throughout the year so as to harmonize with the season and create well-being. So the human value expressed in the saying, “I take care of nature” might be better understood as “I take care and harmonize and learn from nature.” As one delves deeper into silence, into these exercises and into introspection, an understand of this in a natural way, not from intellectual discourse, but from a living experience will manifest. Much of this wisdom is already innate.

Everyone agreed. And this is how it has been since that time. Man is always searching for happiness without knowing that happiness is within himself.

WHITE CRANE STRETCHES

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
This is a balancing posture with the two hands held in a cranes beak—fingers held together with, the tips of the fingers facing each other, the wrist flexed, and the arms outstretched.

One of the legs is stretched back and toe is pointed. The leg is turned so that the buttocks are facing to the back rather than up due to the rotation of the hip. Look forward and focus the awareness to the forward hand as well as back to the tip of the toe. The arms and leg that are in a straight line.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
A crane stretching to fly brings to mind the migration of the birds. In order to migrate the birds must inherit all the knowledge they need to travel such long distances. They know how and where to fly innately and follow their natural course. The phrase “With perseverance and effort I reach what I want,” sums up the formula for success in life and, just like the birds, if one puts all of ones effort into reaching a destination, any goal will be reached.

This position provides an opportunity to put that perseverance into play. At the beginning it seems to be very difficult. Over time, improvement in the posture will develop. Often when students begin this posture, they are worried and say that it is very difficult to do. Yes, these positions are very difficult to do but I tell them, “You know difficult and easy, it just really doesn’t matter. These are words that I don’t even deal with. We must do things and so we do them.” The real question is whether it is worth doing, or not worth doing? If the movement is not thought of or interpreted as easy or hard, but worth doing, then, instead of conquering it in one day, it slowly and gradually unfolds over time. Patience is required to understand that things done well take time.

 KICK WITH THE HEEL

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
Feel the heel of the foot and the toe straight up. The opposite foot and hand are forward based on the rotation through the upper body.
The back should be kept straight, and the weighted leg may be kept bent or straight, which is more difficult.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
In this exercise you develop stability and balance to maintain well-being and happiness. This is evident in the phrase, “I keep my balance to be happy.” Learning the way to harmoniously bring together duty and pleasure, work and fun is the most exquisite balance, and is the way to lasting and true happiness.

FAST KICK

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The “Fast Kick”, is the only movement that is done quickly in the whole sequence. This exercise is used for coordination, stretching of the legs, loosening of the arms and a continued connection to the DAN TIEN.

It stresses elasticity and the flexibility of the joints and the legs while keeping balance and keeping the lower foot fully connected to the ground.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The phrase and associated human value refers to “Fast outside, calm inside.” This is means by which to move through life; allowing for the ability to move quickly without losing one’s stability or center while maintaining a sense of peace and calm. The Chinese say, “Stillness in movement, movement in stillness.” This is a very healthy attitude because energy is conserved. My first teacher said, “We should be like a hurricane in certain emotions and in certain times of our daily life. We act fast like the hurricane where the outside is moving very fast, but the inside is very calm.” The same teacher also said, “Go through life like a fish in a fish tank. The fish swims around very slowly in the fish tank, calmly without wasting energy but if you put a hand in there they are capable of moving very quickly. And then they return to peaceful, calm movement.”

In the Luohan, the movements are learned in a very calm and elegant way, but are capable of moving very fast as well. The ability to move quickly is related to the flow of blood and energy. While observing a cat it is obvious that it is not always moving but it stretches from time to time, allowing energy to flow, keeping the joints warm and lubricated and the muscles toned. When the cat decides to hunt it proceeds slowly and calmly with tremendous intention in the eyes, and it is ready to jump in a second.

TURN THE BODY WITH TWISTED STEPS

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The entire sole of one foot is on the floor and the other foot connects with the ball of the foot. The both feet point forward and the weight is on both legs.

The hips should rotate so that they are oriented to the back with the body kept straight and the shoulders relaxed.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The phrase notes, “I am flexible and I adapt to different situations.” Adapting with flexibility to any given moment or situation and to act accordingly will improve the quality of life. Water is a perfect example of the ability to adapt, with the least effort, moving around until it reaches its goal and returns to the sea. Those who are very rigid and structured suffer without finding solutions to problems. In the Orient, it is said, “One of the first lessons we must learn is that there are many rules and laws to be learned and the most important one is that there is no strategy, there are no rules and one should be able to change very quickly.” As the different cycles of life are experienced many values, desires, and goals modify and must be changed accordingly. There is a saying from an Indian poet, “Do not cry because the sun has set, because the tears will not let you see the beauty of the stars.” The inability to change because of need and attachment does not allow for the possibilities of a new situation. Perhaps this new situation is much better. Learning to let go shows faith in nature and the willingness to take full advantage of all the possibilities that are offered.

LUOHAN DRIES HIS GOWN IN THE SUN

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
This is performed with the feet parallel and the arms relaxed while stretched out to the sides. The hips thrust forward while the legs are kept straight. The torso bends backwards, with the neck, the upper gate, relaxed and the arms hang like a piece of cloth.
This is a very powerful extension and flexion of the spine. As in all the other movements of the form, be sure that it is done carefully.

SWORD FINGERS

TECHNICAL & TEACHING POINTS
The last posture is done in a HORSE STANCE position in which the legs and the feet are parallel to each other facing the front. The knees are extended out as if being held open by a piece of wood, which helps to strengthen the muscles on the inside of the leg.
This position strengthens and opens the hip and is a very stable position related to the structure and power of the earth element.
The index and middle finger are put together while holding the ring and little finger with the thumb. The sword fingers are extended out to each side as if touching objects very far away, while extending the concentration and consciousness equally far away. It should have a very dignified, powerful and solid feeling.

BEYOND TECHNIQUE
The phrase, “I am courageous and guided by justice and honor” highlights the human value in this posture. Throughout the course of life many situations will demand courage, and the belief that courage is inherent will generate the power to overcome any obstacle. Actions, guided by a clear sense of justice and treating others as we would like to be treated, will reinforce our sense of honor and will provide peace and health.

In the last pages of the coloring book, a Luohan walks away during a full moon and it says “And Luohan continued his way observing, listening, meditating; trying to learn something new every day.” Life is the school and the learning process with each day provides an opportunity to learn to be better people, to be more peaceful and wise, to be more loving, more just, more honorable, because that is what will bring deep, true and lasting happiness. Observe oneself first, the feelings, emotions, thoughts, actions, and words and meditate on those. Mindfully observe others, and nature, and meditate on that to discover peace, health and happiness.


At the end it says “And it is said that Luohan is on the search of another grand adventure” indicating that there is always more to come in this very beautiful adventure that is life.

we are One Forever

With our endless dream of one peaceful world 
arising from the infinite ocean of the universe, 
this e-book is dedicated to all brothers and sisters
who have come to this earth, manifest as human
beings at this time, sharing the same social and 
natural environment for our health and happiness
as well as physical, mental and spiritual develop
-ment. 

This dedication is shared by the ancient spiritual 
minded people who developed and practiced the
various ways of harmony-humanity, and by the 
many people who have passed away who 
devoted their lives to human development, 
including all my global friends together with all 
my friendly readers throughout the world who 
are learning and pursuing the order of the uni-
verse to be realized upon the earth among 
mankind, in one peaceful world.

We Are One Forever 

We have come from the infinite ocean of the universe. 

We have manifested from endless oneness into millions and billions. 

We have realized ourselves into human beings upon this planet at this time. 

We are playing, with endless dream, enjoying the
vicissitudes of relative waves upon this earth. 

Our human life is ephemeral, yet our dream is 
endless. 

We live with day and night, health and sickness,
misery and happiness, sadness and joy—rise and
fall, continuously; 

Yet our dream never changes, our universal 
origin never ends. 

Let us enjoy together with everyone else while 
we are on this planet. 

When we return to the infinite universe, let us say
to each other: 

We are always one in the infinite ocean, 

And let us meet again 

When we manifest in this relative world.

MICHIO KUSHI 

(Michio Kushi helped to introduce modern
macrobiotics to the United States in the early 1950s. He lectured all over the
world at conferences and seminars about philosophy, spiritual development,
health, food, and diseases.
Born: May 17, 1926, Japan
Died: December 28, 2014, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Education: Columbia University, University of Tokyo)

In the creation of The Do-In Way: Gentle Exercises
to Liberate the Body, Mind, and Spirit, I wish to 
extend my acknowledgment and gratitude to those 
whose studies and teachings have contributed to 
certain parts of the contents: 

In Part One of the book, the general introduction 
on the order of the universe, the macrobiotic way 
of life, and the physical and spiritual constitution 
of man, I appreciate the inspiration received from 
various discourses, articles, books, and teachings 
of ancient wisdom from many parts of the world 
including Japan, Korea, China, India, and Egypt as 
well as ancient Europe and America. I also 
appreciate the inspiration received over the past 
many years through our own practice of the 
macrobiotic way of life, from the Infinite Universe
—the source of memory and dream, the beginning
and end of our life. 

In Part Two, the Exercises of Do-In, I dedicate my 
appreciation for the following teachings: 

Special Exercises 

Traditional teachings and exercises descended 
from centuries ago as the heritage of ancient 
human customs, including those religious and 
spiritual practices of Shintoism, Buddhism, 
Hinduism and Taoism remaining mainly in the 
oriental countries. Some of these are still being 
exercised within a comparatively small group of 
seekers for spiritual development in the Far East
and other areas of the Orient. 

Daily Spiritual Exercises

Teachings and exercises practiced mainly in 
Shintoism, Hinduism and Taoism, as well as other
spiritual practices, still remaining in some oriental 
countries among an inner circle of religious 
training. 

Daily Exercises 

Morning and Evening Exercises: The teachings of 
basic Do-In exercises as daily practice by 
Sen-Do-Ren (Association for the Study of the Tao
of Free Man, Tokyo, Japan). 
For further studies of these practices, it is
recommended communicate with this association: 
Sen-Do-Ren 
1-27-12 Kaminoge 
Setagaya-ku 
Tokyo 158 

Japan

Meridian Exercises: Various exercises related to 
meridians, developed and practiced during many 
centuries; and among them, especially those 
introduced by Mr. Shizuto Masunaga as Meridian 
Exercises in the book, Zen Shiatsu, published in 
Tokyo, Japan by Japan Publications, Inc., pages 
100-102. In order to study further, it is 
recommended to communicate with the following:

Shizuto Masunaga 
5-9-8 Tokiwa, Urawa-shi, 
Saitama-ken 336 
Japan 

or

I-O-Kai Shiatsu Center 
1-8-9 Higashi-Ueno, 
Taito-ku , Tokyo 110 
Japan

Additional Exercises: Various teachings and 
exercises traditionally practiced in connection
with breathing, which have appeared in the way 
of health in the ancient physical training of 
Shintoism and Buddhism. 

About this Ebook 

Do-In has its origins in the ancient traditions of the
Far East, but today it is practiced by increasing 
numbers of people in both the Eastern and Western
worlds. 

The introduction of Do-In the West is largely due 
to the teaching of Michio Kushi and his contempo-
raries and students. Mr. Kushi's practice of Do-In 
and a natural, macrobiotic way of life for over 
twenty-five years, along with his study of the 
traditions of healing of many cultures, has given 
him a profound comprehension in this field; and 
his remarkable ability as a teacher and consultant 
has enabled him to spread this ancient oriental 
understanding among modern people of many 
nationalities. 

While practicing Do-In and the macrobiotic way of
life for the past nine years, I have consistently 
experienced its value in developing sound physical
health and a sense of mental well-being. As an 
assistant to Mr. and Mrs. Kushi in their educational
activities, I have been impressed with the 
beneficial changes not only in myself, but also in 
thousands of people who have come to them for 
advice, attended their classes and read their 
publications. 

The Do-In Way, with Mr. Kushi's original drawings
, offers a clear explanation of the basic exercises 
of Do-In and the natural and traditional way of life
within which Do-In may be most effectively 
practiced. The already-experienced student will 
find a wealth of new and advanced material for 
further studies. 

I would like to thank Mr. Kushi for the opportunity
to assist in producing this book. I hope that many 
people will enjoy reading it, and will find their 
lives enriched through the practice of Do-In. 
OLIVIA OREDSON ,Brookline, Massachusetts

Introduction 
During my life, I have experienced and observed 
the miseries of world war, together with the 
misery of present-day society—the various 
diseases and poverty, greed and selfishness, 
failure and difficulties, anger and hatred,
discrimination and prejudice. 

In my youth, I was inspired with the dream of 
realizing world peace through many possible 
measures, including the establishment of a World 
Federation. However, through the process of 
maturing, I have become able to see that world 
peace can be achieved only through the 
reconstruction of humanity, or the resurrection of 
man, from current degenerative trends which 
have prevailed throughout the world, increasing 
with the development of modern civilization. 

At the same time, I was able to have an 
enlightening experience during meditation, which 
revealed universal and eternal life. I have also 
had the opportunity to deepen my understanding 
of ancient oriental philosophies and religions, 
which should be combined together with the 
modern occidental thought and way of life. In this
regard I am grateful for the inspired teaching of
George Ohsawa and many other present-day 
philosophers, as well as ancient spiritual, 
philosophical and scientific thinkers. 

All miseries in human affairs come from our 
personal incomprehension of the order of the 
universe, or we may say, our ignorance of our-
selves. From this ignorance we misguide our daily
way of life in our dietary practice, social relations,
and mental attitude as well as spiritual 
comprehension. 

Life is one infinite universe itself, and our way of 
life should be simple and practical, according to 
the order of the infinite universe. Realization of 
health and happiness is the easiest and simplest 
way. On the basis of this understanding, I have 
begun to spread the way of life which everyone 
can practice at any time as the simplest means to 
achieve health and happiness, freedom and peace
—known as the macrobiotic way of life. 

Together with the spread of the way of life for 
humanity for one peaceful world, I have 
encouraged the adaptation of several traditional 
ways of physical, mental and spiritual 
development, namely, oriental medicine, 
acupuncture, moxibustion, shiatsu massage, palm-
healing, meditation, and mental and spiritual 
exercises. In order to reinforce our own develop-
ment, I also began to introduce an ancient macro-
biotic practice, Do-In, in the United States about 
thirty years ago. I am grateful to Mr. Jacques 
DeLangre and Mr. Jean Bernard Rishi for their 
respective books on Do-In, which introduced part
of these exercises. However, the Do-In which I 
introduced was a partial exercise, mainly related 
to energizing our physical and mental vitality, and
did not fully explain other aspects of Do-In which
are more spiritually oriented. I have been obliged 
for the past several years to introduce the general
scale of the entire scope of Do-In exercises. 

It has been necessary to rediscover and 
reconstitute the Do-In exercises because these 
ancient macrobiotic exercises were largely lost 
in many areas, although some of them have been 
practiced among a limited society of seekers in 
the Far East. The entire scale of Do-In exercise 
is not limited to the several series of exercises 
introduced in this book. These ancient macro-
biotic exercises were actually the origin of all 
physical, mental and spiritual exercises which 
are currently differentiated into various kinds 
of meditation, chanting, yoga exercise, 
physiopsychological training, the martial arts, as 
well as other methods of self-development. 

The origin of Do-In exercise is simply our intuitive self-adjustment to maintain and develop ourselves, within the ocean of universal life or the infinite universe. Therefore, the 
beginning of Do-In exercise is historically unknown, but it has always existed with human 
life, throughout all generations of mankind. However, it was over 10,000 years ago when 
Do-In exercises were actively adapted in the ancient way of physical, mental and spiritual development to produce free man—the Tao of Shin-Sen, the Way of Spiritual Free Man. 

The uniqueness of these exercises is that anyone can practice them at any time as daily 
exercises under ordinary circumstances, without requiring any partner or special technique. 
In this sense, all races, all ages, man and woman, can practice them easily for health and hap-
piness. Some of the exercises introduced in this book are my own modification in the hope 
that they may benefit everyone. 
I sincerely hope that everyone throughout the world will freely practice these exercises for 
his or her own physical health, beauty, and spiritual happiness.

Part One

The Creation of the Universe 
In the beginningless beginning, the infinite universe did not manifest as phenomena. 
There was no time nor space, no light nor darkness, no form nor dimension. From this 
oneness, there was only endless motion which moved with infinite speed in all directions. 
Because of this infinite speed, there was no past nor future, nor any relative phenomena 
whatsoever. 

However, whenever and wherever the infinite motion, which moves in all directions, 
intersecs, spirallic movements begin to form in a process of differentiation. Forces producing 
spirals from the periphery toward the center, and forces decomposing spirals from the center toward the periphery, are the two primary forces in the world of spirals, the world of all 
relative phenomena. 

From the motion of galaxies to the motion of preatomic particles, from invisible spiritual 
movement to visible physical constitutions, all are spirallically formed and governed by two 
antagonistic, complementary forces: yin (V), the centrifugal and expanding force, tendency 
and direction; and yang (A), the centripetal and contracting force, tendency and direction. 

All phenomena manifested in this infinite ocean of the universe are governed, directed and 
destined by these two forces. All change and movements are either more yin, centrifugal, or 
more yang, centripetal. There is nothing that is not governed by these two tendencies and 
directions. All phenomena differ from each other because of the different degrees of these 
two forces working within and without them. 

Accordingly, yin and yang manifest into everything—every phenomenon within the universe as well as upon the earth. The relation between these two forces, tendencies and direc-
tions can be figured as Figure 1 at next page. 

The yang force, the course of contraction and physicalization, is the course of materializa-
tion; while the yin force, the course of expansion and dephysicalization, is the course of 
spiritualization. When the yang course accelerates, matter is formed. The molecules composing matter move faster, generating a faster spinning motion of preatomic particles such as 
electrons, resulting in the production of higher temperatures (Course A). Conversely, the course 
of spiritualization expands and decomposes matter, making the speed of the motion of molecules 
and preatomic particles increasingly slower, producing a lower temperature (Course B).

 The Do-In Way(Page 6)

Figure I. I. The Eternal and Universal Cycle of Change 

When the course of materialization produces a high temperature, matter starts to expand, 
turning its course from materialization to spiritualization (Course C); and when the course 
of spiritualization produces a cold temperature, matter begins to contract, turning its course 
to materialization (Course D). That yang (A) course of contraction changes into a yin (V) 
course of expansion, and the yin (V) course of expansion changes into a yang (A) course of 
contraction, alternating between yin and yang perpetually. 

Contraction changes into expansion, and expansion changes into contraction; physicaliza-
tion changes to spiritualization, and spiritualization to physicalization; movement changes 
to rest, and rest to movement; solidification changes to decomposition, and decomposition 
changes to solidification; prosperity ends in poverty, and poverty in prosperity; success 
changes into failure, and failure into success; joy changes into misery, and misery into joy; 
love becomes hate, and hate becomes love; pleasure changes to displeasure, and displeasure 
changes to pleasure. Day becomes night, night becomes day; winter turns into summer, sum-
mer turns into winter; darkness turns into light, light turns into darkness; health changes to 
sickness, and sickness changes to health. The rise of civilization brings about its decline. Difficulties produce strength and happiness. Tears lead to smiles. War results in peace; life turns into death; and death turns into life. 


The Order of the Universe and the Macrobiotic Way of Life (7) 

Examples of Yin and Yang 

YIN V YANG A 
Attribute; Centrifugal Force; Centripetal Force 
Tendency Expansion Contraction 
Function Diffusion Fusion 
Dispersion Assimilation 
Separation Gathering 
Movement More inactive, slower More active, faster 
Vibration Shorter wave and higher frequency Longer wave and lower frequency 
Direction Ascent and vertical Descent and horizontal 
Position More outward and peripheral More inward and central 
Weight Lighter Heavier 
Light Darker Brighter 
Humidity More wet More dry 
Density Thinner Thicker 
Size Longer Smaller 
Shape More expansive and fragile More contractive and harder 
Form Longer Shorter 
Texture Softer Harder 
Atomic particle Electron Proton 
Elements N, O, K, P, Ca, etc. H, C, Na, As, Mg, etc. 
Environment Vibration... Air... Water... Earth 
Climatic effects Tropical climate Colder climate 
Biological More vegetable quality More animal quality 
Sex Female Male 
Organ structure More hollow and expansive More compacted and condensed 
Nerves More peripheral, orthosympathetic More central, parasympathetic 
Attitude, emotion More gentle, negative, defensive More active, positive, aggressive 
Work More psychological and mental More physical and social 
Consciousness More universal More specific 
Mental function Dealing more with the future Dealing more with the past 
Culture More spiritually oriented More materially oriented 
Dimension Space Time 

All spirals forming the various relative worlds appear and disappear constantly in the 
ocean of the infinite universe, throughout which the perpetual movement from yin (V) to 
yang (A) and yang (A) to yin (V) is operating everywhere, at all times. This motion between 
yin and yang is infinity itself, which we may call One Wholeness, God, or the order of the 
universe, which is eternal and universal. There are no natural phenomena which are not 
manifested within this order of the universe according to yin (V) and yang (A), and there are 
no human affairs which do not represent this eternal and universal law of change. Whatever 
and whoever does not realize this infinite order sees his existence in this universe only in its relative worlds. 

8 The Do-In Way 

There are several fundamental laws in the movement of the universe, including all changes 
of natural phenomena in this relative world: 

The yin (V) centrifugal and expanding force and tendency attracts the yang (A) 
centripetal and contracting force and tendency, and vice versa. 

In order to realize and maintain the harmony of one infinite universe, opposing forces and ten-
dencies attract each other to achieve a harmonious state. The creation and dissolution of the 
universe, continually developing in almost infinite dimensions of time and space, constantly 
produces numerous varieties of phenomena. Among those phenomena, visible and invisible, 
small and large, physical and spiritual, movements to achieve harmony are continuously work-
ing. This movement of universal attraction among different forces and tendencies is called, in 
our human expression, "love." Love is therefore universal and permanent, arising everywhere 
and at all times, between man and woman, carbon and oxygen, electron and proton, low pres-
sure and high pressure, cold and hot, slow and fast, plus (+) and minus (-) in electricity and 
magnetism, dark and bright, North and South, East and West, spirit and matter, short wave and 
long wave—whenever and wherever all relative phenomena of opposite tendencies attract 
each other to produce harmony. 

The yin (V) centrifugal and expanding force and tendency repels similar yin forces 
and tendencies, and the yang (A) centripetal and contracting force and tendency repels 
similar yang forces and tendencies. 

In order to maintain universal harmony in this infinite ocean of the universe, while opposite 
tendencies attract each other, all similar forces and tendencies repel each other. In order to 
avoid possible disharmony, similar phenomena drive apart and remain apart from each 
other, avoiding excessive accumulation of the same forces and tendencies. No marriage takes 
place between the same sex; no melody is composed by the continuation of the same sound; 
no respiration occurs by either inhalation or exhalation alone; and no movement continues 
without nest. 

Similar plus (+) poles repel each other as do similar minus (-) poles. Oil and water, which 
have like tendencies in a natural state, do not mix with each other; and among solid particles 
such as sand, condensation does not occur unless liquid acts as a binding agent. People of 
similar aggressive and outgoing character often create misunderstandings and arguments 
among themselves, as do people of similar gentle and withdrawn character. 

This movement of repulsion between similar forces and tendencies is universally and per-
manently working throughout all relative phenomena. In more analytical terms, it may be 
called "separation;" and in more emotional terms, "hate." These, as well as love and har-
mony, are major principles of this endlessly changing universe. 

An excessive condition of the yin (V) centrifugal force and tendency, or the 
yang (A) centripetal force and tendency, produces and changes into the opposite 
yang (A) centripetal and contracting force and tendency, or yin (V) centrifugal 
and expanding force and tendency. 

Every relative phenomenon arising in the ocean of the infinite universe develops to its peak, 
and then turns to the opposite, declining course. All life has its beginning and end, passing

The Order of the Universe and the Macrobiotic Way of Life (9) 

through its most prosperous state. Any individual who continues to grow after his birth, starts 
to decay toward death after having his most active period during middle age. All civilizations 
rise and fall; all countries develop and decline; and all families prosper and perish. Higher 
pressures as well as lower temperatures usually produce a contraction of matter; but under 
their extreme conditions, expansion is produced instead. 

Day changes into night and night into day; summer changes into winter and winter into 
summer; peace changes into war and war into peace; tranquility changes into excitement and 
excitement into tranquility; health changes into sickness and sickness into health; life changes 
into death and death into life; spirit changes into body and body into spirit; matter changes 
into energy and energy into matter. 

In this infinite ocean of the universe there is nothing static. All phenomena are 
constantly changing from yin to yang and yang to yin, from the invisible to the visible, and 
from the visible to the invisible. Because of this universal and permanent order of change, 
everything in this universe is temporary and ephemeral. Because of this eternal cycle of move-
ment from one to the other between the opposite tendencies, everything reincarnates endlessly. 

These three major principles govern everywhere throughout the universe. Wherever, 
whenever, and whatever—everything changes according to these laws. The destiny of this 
Milky Way Galaxy and of our solar system, and the destiny of the earth upon which 
we are living are not excepted from this order. All our human destinies, personal and collec-
tive, are also changing according to these principles. Our physical, mental and spiritual 
manifestations as well as our social activities are also changing according to this order. 

Those who know these orders working within and without us are able to attain health and 
peace. On the other hand, those who do not understand these orders suffer confusion and 
chaos, conflict and misery. 

Those who know these orders and change themselves to adapt to the changing circum-
stances are able to achieve happiness; while those who do not know these orders are 
incapable of adapting themselves and suffer despair and disappointment, discontent and 
unhappiness. 

Those who know these orders and actively take the initiative to lead the changing circum-
stances are able to attain freedom. On the other hand, those who do not know these orders 
and therefore are unable to take the initiative in their surroundings, lose their freedom and 
enslave themselves, suffering endless struggles. 

In order to live in health, happiness, peace and freedom, it is absolutely essential to under-
stand these eternal and universal orders of the infinite movement of the universe. 

Materialization and Spiritualization 

In the infinite ocean of the universe, spirals arise, forming the entire phenomenal world. The 
formation of the relative world is promoted by the yang centripetal contracting force, which 
forms a spirallic movement from the periphery toward the center. This process of the creation 
of the relative world on the larger scale generally takes seven orbital stages: 

The First Stage: One Infinity, beginningless and endless. God, the Whole and Absolute, 
which is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. The infinite ocean of endless movement which continually expands in all directions with infinite speed.


(Page10) The Do-In Way 

The Second Stage: The beginning of the poles, yin (V) and yang (A). All antagonistic and 
complemental forces and tendencies result from the formation of spirallic movement which 
has come from the intersection of infinitely expanding forces. The beginning of time and 
space, directions and dimensions; the differentiation of speed, frequency, and forces. The beginning of all relative phenomena. 

The Third Stage: Movement, energy, and vibration, waving between the poles which result 
from the differentiation of the second stage. Invisible, but phenomena. An infinitesimal 
part of this world is perceivable within the scale of human awareness as spiritual and 
mental phenomena, and a further smaller part is perceivable to the human senses. This 
world includes the infinite length of all vibrations, from the shortest waves to the longest 
waves. 

The Fourth Stage: The world of preatomic movement, the beginning of the physical and 
material world. A condensed mass of the spirallic motion of energy, appearing as particles. 
A few of those numerous varieties of particles are known on this earth as electrons, neutrons 
and other preatomic particles.

The Fifth Stage: The world of elements, resulting from the spirallic molecular gathering 
of preatomic particles. Composing the world of nature—soil, water and air—the components 
of this stage include more than one hundred elements, from the lightest ones such as 
hydrogen and helium to the heavy and radioactive elements, insofar as this earth is 
concerned. 

The Sixth Stage: The world of plant organisms—the vegetable kingdom. Molecules of 
elements changed electromagnetically develop into this world, especially when accelerated 
by the centrifugal expanding forces of the earth. Thousands of species have prevailed upon 
the planet, transformed from soil, water and air, and nourished by solar and other celestial 
radiation. 

The Seventh Stage: The world of the animal kingdom, transformed and developed from the 
world of plant organisms, the vegetable kingdom. Their development has been influenced 
more by the centripetal contracting forces which the earth receives from heaven—outer space. 
There are a hundred thousand species, and each is highly charged electromagnetically, pro-
ducing active independent movement. There are two major categories of species; water ani-
mals and land animals. Among them, seven major evolutionary developments have taken 
place: from the primitive cellular organism, passing through the stages of invertebrate, amphib-
ian, reptile, bird, and mammal, toward man. The human being is the latest, most developed 
manifestation of this stage. 

From the invisible ocean of the universe to the appearance of human beings upon the 
planet, seven orbital stages of creation have taken place. This is the course of physicalization 
and materialization, an inward course of the spirallic movement of creation which has arisen 
in the infinite ocean. There are no borderlines between these progressive stages: each pre-
ceding stage becomes the environment of the following stage. The seventh stage, the animal 
kingdom, is a manifestation transformed from a part of the sixth stage, the vegetable kingdom 
The sixth stage, the vegetable kingdom, is a manifestation transformed from a part of 
the fifth stage, the world of elements. The fifth stage, the world of elements, is a manifesta-
tion transformed from a part of the fourth stage, the preatomic world. The fourth stage, the 
preatomic world, is a manifestation transformed from a part of the third stage, the world of 
vibration and energy. The third stage, the world of vibration and energy, is a manifestation 
transformed from a part of the second stage, the world of polarization. The second stage, the 
world of polarization, is a differentiated appearance of One Infinity. 

The infinite world of the first stage is the origin of all, yet it does not have manifestation in 
itself. The world of polarization is the principle of all movement, the whole phenomenal 
world, the order of the universe. The world of the third stage is the invisible spiritual world 
of which an infinitesimal part is perceivable as our sensory and mental experience. The 
worlds from the fourth to the seventh stages are the relative phenomenal worlds, some of 
which are increasingly perceivable through our daily experiences. Among them, the fourth 
and fifth worlds are the natural physical and chemical worlds, and the sixth and seventh 
stages are the worlds of organic life. 

As this huge spinal of seven-orbited creation proceeds inward in its course of physicaliza-
tion and materialization, the varieties of phenomena and manifestations in each stage 
become increasingly large in number. The first stage is the stage of oneness. The second stage 
is the stage of two—yin (V) and yang (A). Developing through the stages, the number of 
variations increases rapidly: in the world of elements, about one hundred; in the world of 
vegetables, thousands of species; in the world of animals, millions of species. In the last 
stage—human beings—in our present society and in this century, more than four billion 
different manifestations are currently acting independently. 

This huge spirallic inward movement of creation, which has arisen in the ocean of the 
infinite universe, naturally has as its destiny to reverse its inward spirallic movement toward 
the direction of dissolving the entire spiral. In other words, the yang centripetal inward 
course of physicalization and materialization turns its direction at the center of the spiral 
toward the periphery, the infinite ocean, by the yin, centrifugal decomposing course. This 
yin, centrifugal decomposing course of dissolution by spirallic movement, returning to the 
endless ocean of the infinite universe, may be called dephysicalization on dematerialization, 
on the course of spiritualization. This course of dematerialization progresses in seven orbital 
stages, beginning from the center and moving toward the periphery of the spiral: 

The First Stage: The world of organic life, the most condensed manifestation of vibration 
and energy, highly charged with electromagnetic activity, living actively and independently. 
The animal kingdom, especially the physical constitution of the human being, is the highest 
manifestation of this world. 

The Second Stage: The world of physical vibrations and energy, discharged and radiated 
from the activity and decomposition of cellular organisms, namely, the body on physical con-
stitution. Massive movements of caloric energy and heat vibrations together with massive 
evaporation of liquid molecules, and atmospheric motion between the body and the 
surroundings. Most of the moving phenomena in this level can be identified by our sensory 
and emotional perceptions. 

The Third Stage: The world of vibrations and energy of shorter waves. The world of 
consciousness, vibrating and manifesting in various thoughts and ideas. A massive manifestation of thoughts and ideas in this world is often called the "astral body," and this world is
called the earth's "astral world." The dimensions of this world are a thousand times larger 
than the world which is perceivable through our sensory and emotional experiences.

The Fourth Stage: The world of electromagnetic activity. All movements of high frequency 
forming currents between differentiated poles—plus-minus or yin-yang—throughout the 
dimensions of the universe. This world is a thousand times larger than the previous world 
from which all relative consciousness, thoughts, and ideas come, and in which all physical 
manifestations and phenomena of the previous stages result. The visible universe is a mere 
geometric point of this world.

The Fifth Stage: The world of radiation, streaming with high velocity throughout the infinite 
ocean of the universe. From this world, various spiritual manifestations and activities are 
born. The dimensions of this world are a thousand times bigger than the previous world.

The Sixth Stage: The world of centripetality and centrifugality, the primary forces of all 
spiritual, physical and material manifestations and phenomena; covering the entire scope of 
the infinite ocean of the universe, producing and diminishing all universes and all phenom-
ena therein. This world is manifested throughout all movements, beyond time and space, as 
antagonistic and complementary tendencies whenever, wherever and in whatever is in this 
universe. This world may be called the Universal Spirit. 

The Seventh Stage: One Infinity, endless and boundless. The world of constant expansion 
with infinite speed in all directions. The dimensions of this world are infinitely larger than 
all previous relative worlds. The everlasting origin of all, of every country of God and his 
manifestations in all beings. The home country for all lives and phenomena, forever. The 
past, the present, and the future of all relative worlds. The world of Nirvana—absolute 
freedom and absolute justice, absolute love and absolute peace. Everything has come out 
from this world and returns to this world, then comes out from this world again. 

These stages of the yin, centrifugal returning course from the infinitesimal stage of life to 
the infinite ocean of life have no boundaries between them: there is continuous, progressive 
change in the decomposing process of the spirallic universe, which has arisen in the ocean of 
infinity. Each world becomes progressively larger in dimension in comparison with each 
previous world, in logarithmic progression. 

Our human body, our massive physical manifestation, is the beginning of this returning 
course toward the infinite ocean of life. We have come from infinity; we are living within 
infinity; and we return to infinity. We are experiencing this journey of life of a hundred thousand million billion years, stage to stage, changing and adapting our constitution to the 
particular nature of each stage. The experience of human life is a mere blink of the eye in 
comparison with this long journey of life. 

Human life is ephemeral, and whatever we do during this lifetime is in vain if we consider 
our human life as existing separately from this long journey of life. However, human life on 
this tiny planet, the earth, is a stage between the yang course of physicalization and materi-
alization, and the yin course of dephysicalization, which takes place on the scale of the infi-
nite universe, with an infinite length of time and with infinite dimensions of spiritual, 
mental, and physical phenomena. Human life is the result of a past journey of life of millions 
and billions of years. Human life is a result of all past experiences which have arisen in this
universe, and it represents a burning wish, hope, and dream for the endless future, to become 
one with infinity, with absolute justice and freedom, with absolute peace and love. Our daily 
life is the process by which we are accumulating our physical, mental and spiritual 
development in preparation for the forthcoming stage in the journey of life. Whatever we do, 
whatever we think, will result in our life in the next stage, just as our present life has been 
influenced by whatever we did and whatever we thought in the previous life. 

Those who understand the endless journey of life are wise to design and manage their 
human life, day to day, to develop their physical, mental and spiritual qualities, preparing 
themselves for the forthcoming stage of the journey. Those who do not understand this 
endless journey of life are unwise in the orientation of their daily life, wasting their life on 
this earth for trifling, invaluable matters, seeking ephemeral contentment and satisfaction. 

The Eternal Journey of Life

In the long journey of life which has temporal dimensions of hundreds, thousands, millions 
and billions of years and spatial dimensions of almost infinite scope, human life is a stage 
which begins our returning course to the infinite ocean of life, the eternal home country of all 
lives and phenomena. Throughout our lives, day and night, we are all experiencing a part of 
this returning course. 

Various stages of this returning course are experienced through our physical, mental and 
spiritual activities and remain in our memory. Practically speaking, we generally experience 
the various stages of the returning journey as follows: 


The First Period of Life: The beginning of the returning journey occurs as our forms from the 
previous stages differentiate into two antagonistic and complementary reproductive cells— 
the mother's egg and the father's sperm. Both of these have come from the parents' blood 
cells, which have come from the vegetable kingdom. The reproductive cells which are active 
in the mother's womb are the result of a journey of life-transmutations of hundreds of bil-
lions of years, which began from the infinite ocean of the universe an almost unknown time 
ago. They have reached the stage of organic life as the primary constitution of animal life, 
highly charged electromagnetic vibration. When these antagonistic and complementary 
reproductive cells, the yang egg and the yin sperm, combine and fuse with each other, it is 
the beginning of the returning course of a hundred billion years toward the infinite ocean of 
life. Each of them carries its past memories and the vision of its future. When they fuse with 
each other—though their recent journeys separated them into different species of vegetables, different kinds of molecules and different blood cells of the father and mother—their memory that they have come from the same origin, one infinity, and their vision toward the future 
when they shall become one infinity, has never been forgotten. When they fuse with each 
other, memories and visions become manifested in one organism which succeeds them as an 
imperishable dream to accomplish the returning journey of life, in order to continue to real-
ize absolute freedom, justice, love and peace. 

Physically, the fertilized egg is a replica of the earth, which is rotating, therefore producing electromagnetic belts around itself and periodically undergoing axis shifts. Furthermore, the

fertilized egg is nourished by electromagnetic currents which pass spirallically through the 
spiritual channel of the mother's body: the force of heaven, yang (A), descending from 
heaven to the center of the earth; and another electromagnetic force coming from the earth, 
vertically passing through the mother's uterus—the force of earth, yin (V)—ascending cen-
trifugally from the center of the earth toward heaven. By those two forces—one centripetal 
and the other centrifugal—the fertilized egg is continuously balanced between the heavenly 
motion of the constellations and the movement of the earth. The descending force of heaven 
passing through the mother's spiritual channel is also nourished by the mother's emotions, 
thoughts, ideas, and images. While it passes through the mother's brain, it is reoriented and 
reformed by her various thoughts and images into a new quality of energizing force. 

The Second Period of Life: Life succeeding fertilization covers a period of about seven days. 
During this period the new life travels through the Fallopian tube in the mother's uterus, its 
cellular organisms multiplying rapidly through the movement of constant rotation and fre-
quent axis shifts. This life period is a repetition of the primary growth of life toward multiple 
cellular organisms, in the ancient gaseous state of the primordial earth nearly four billion 
years ago. In this period, the life travels rapidly away from the ovarian region toward another 
pole which has been newly developed by the intensive charge of heaven and earth's forces at 
the innermost depths of the uterus where the placenta is to grow. Primary mechanical con-
sciousness governs and directs this life. The memories and visions, which were carried by the 
parents' reproductive cells and fused into one by fertilization, are distributed to each of the 
rapidly-growing individual cells. Each cell carries the same memories and visions, and all 
cells comprehensively carry the same memory and the same vision as a whole. During this 
period, life is nourished by the flow of invisible electromagnetic charges which originate from 
the descending force of heaven and the ascending force of earth; and it is also nourished by 
the forces charging between the two poles, the ovary and the inner depths of the uterus—the 
region known as the Hara—as well as by the forces generated by its own rotation and axis shifts. 

The Third Period of Life: The third stage of the returning process toward infinity begins with 
implantation at the inner depths of the mother's uterus and the growth of the placenta. This 
period continues until delivery, repeating the biological evolution of life in water. The 
amniotic sac, within which the embryo floats and receives nourishment from the placenta 
through the umbilical cord, represents the ancient sea which covered the entire surface of the 
earth until the formation of land. During this period the embryo develops its systems, 
organs, and glands, as well as all auxiliary parts of the body. Besides the nourishment 
received through the placenta and umbilical cord, primarily the filtered blood of the mother, 
the embryo continuously receives invisible vibrational energy passing through the mother's 
spiritual channel—the forces of heaven and earth together with the influence of energy 
passing through the meridians running along the wall of the uterus. The embryo rotates and 
repeats axis shifts, its memory and visions becoming further differentiated and distributed to the constantly increasing cells. In this period, the embryo develops nearly three billion times 
in weight compared with the original weight of the fertilized egg. 

This life in water is the preparatory stage for the next stage, life in the air. During this 
embryonic period in water, cellular organisms are growing constantly, and the physical foun-
dation for the following life in air is accomplished. In other words, the main purpose of this 
stage of life is the formation of the physical constitution, preparing a ground for mental
spiritual development in the next stage of life. Embryonic life in water proceeds by mechan-
ical judgment, and almost no objective consciousness participates in the development until 
toward the last period of pregnancy. The constitution developed during this time is a foun-
dation for the destiny of the next stage, and therefore it is of fundamental importance what 
quality of nourishment the embryo receives, what kind of energy it receives from the 
mother's activity, what kind of vibrations of consciousness it receives from the mother's 
thoughts and images. All of these things comprehensively accomplish the embryonic 
development and decide what kind of life in the forthcoming air world the new baby will 
experience.

The Fourth Period of Life: The returning course toward infinity further proceeds from life in 
the water to more expanded surroundings: life in the air. After an average of 280 days of 
water life in darkness, birth occurs with repeated contractions of the uterus, and a flood of 
water. The new life begins in an atmosphere which is half bright and half dark—day and 
night. The process of birth is a repetition of the occurrences on earth about 400 million years 
ago: repeated catastrophes in land formation, and large-scale flooding. In order to adapt to 
the new, expanded atmospheric environment, the newborn baby must experience contrac-
tion—yangization—by delivery through the narrow passage, by breathing out excessive sub-
stances, and by drinking yellow liquid through the mother's breast before starting to take 
normal milk. Loss of weight therefore arises within several days immediately after birth. 
The life in air upon the earth is our human life, leaving behind the placenta and umbilical cord, 
and with all cellular organisms—the body—continuing further the returning journey toward 
infinity. The beginning period of approximately one year, however, repeats biological evolution 
on land, from the stage of amphibians, passing through the stages of reptiles, mammals and apes, reaching finally the stage of man. This process is accomplished by the time of erect posture— 
standing—together with the development of sensory and emotional consciousness, which has 
advanced along with the physical evolution from birth until the time of erectness. 

With the ability to stand, real human life begins. Although physical growth continues dur-
ing the first twenty years of this human life, succeeding the development made in the water 
life or embryonic period, most of our human life is used for the development of conscious-
ness. The ratio between the period used for physical and mental development and the period 
used for mental and spiritual development is roughly one to five or one to seven. 

The main objective of human life is the development of mental and spiritual consciousness 
upon the physical foundation. In other words, human life, physically speaking, aims to con-
tinuously refine its quality in order to secure the maximum capability for the maximum men-
tal and spiritual development; and, spiritually speaking, to achieve, until the end of human 
life, the largest possible dimensions of universal understanding and consciousness. 

The development of understanding and consciousness generally takes place during this 
human life in seven stages, which develop in a centrifugal, logarithmic spiral: 

The First Level: Mechanical and Spontaneous Judgment. Most physical movement, espe-
cially that governed by the autonomic nervous activities, including all basic physical func-
tions such as digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, nervous reactions, and others. 

The Second Level: Sensory Judgment. With the developing five senses—touching, tasting,
smelling, hearing, seeing—together with the sense of direction and sense of balance, this level of judgment grows during the time of infancy and early childhood. It continues to be
refined through the improvement in quality of these sensory organs as well as through the
widening of experiences throughout life.
The Third Level: Sentimental and Emotional Judgment. Soon after the sensory function
begins to work, sentimental judgment starts to grow, recognizing joy and sadness, comfort
and discomfort, like and dislike; and it continue to grow toward larger dimensions that we
generally term emotional activity, including the recognition of love and hate, beauty and
ugliness, excitement and tranquility, aggressiveness and passivity, and other mental phenomena.
This sentimental and emotional judgment continues to grow with constant refinement
until the end of human life.
The Fourth Level: Intellectual Judgment. At about the age of three, soon after sentimental judgment
starts to work, a new judgment, intellect ual, begins to grow. Identifying, counting,
figuring, forming, numbering, organizing, analyzing, dividing, assimilating, synthesizing and
other conceptual and mental activities increase. Through experience and training this intellectual
judgment grows, becoming able to use logic and form theories, evaluations, and assumptions.
It continues to grow through experience and training until the end of human life.
The Fifth Level: Social Judgment. As intellectual judgment grows, observation of the relations
within the family, the society, the country, and eventually the world, starts to develop.
The determination to maintain harmonious relations with others, to improve social conditions
and community living, to realize well-being, love and peace, begins to orient the way
of life and the way of expression. This social consciousness is the sign of adulthood in human
life, and includes respect for tradition, as well as planning for the future. This social judgment
also continues to develop, with constant improvement, until the end of human life.
The Sixth Level: Ideological Judgment. As social judgment develops with the experience of various
conflicts that constantly arise among people and within society, philosophical and ideological
questions begin to grow to reveal what man is, what life is, how the way of life should
be conducted, how society is changing, why man is here, and for what purpose our life is to be
directed. The understanding of these fundamental questions of human life ultimately inspires
us to discover the endless order of the universe and its universal mechanism; and from this the
following, ultimate level of judgment starts to grow.
The Seventh Level: Supreme and Cosmological Judgment. After all previous stages of judgment
have been fully experienced, exercised and trained, an understanding of life, man, and
the universe starts to develop. As it grows, all phenomena are understood as complementary
manifestations of the one infinite ocean of the universe. We see that there is nothing antagonistic
and that everything is moving and changing, according to the universal order, to
achieve and maintain the endless harmony of infinity. In this level of consciousness all problems
of health, war and peace, poverty and sickness, happiness and unhappiness, misery and
prosperity, find their solution as varying manifestations of continuous change arising in the
ocean of the universe. 

Such development of understanding and consciousness which has continued during the
period of human life, our life in air, is preparing the foundation for our forthcoming life.
When death from the human life occurs, we discard the physical body, the cellular organism,
which originated during the life in water—the embryonic age—and proceed to the next life
with our vibrational mass of understanding and consciousness.
The Fifth Period of Life: The new life begins with the death from human life, which is the
birth to the new environment. The environment of the pre-human life was water; the environment
of human life was air; and the environment of the new life born out of the air is the
world of vibration. While darkness was the environment for life in the water, and alternating
brightness and darkness—day and night—was the environment for the human life in air, the
new environment is full of constant brightness. Similarly, while space in the embryonic life
was very limited, and space in the human life was hundreds of billions of times larger, covering
the entire surface of the earth, the new life in the vibrational world experiences a far
greater dimension—trillions of times larger than before, covering the entire scope of the solar
system.
However, in this huge dimension, the newborn life of consciousness—you may call it the
"soul"—experiences various levels according to its quality. Those that are a mass of delusional,
heavy vibrations wander at the lower level of this new dimension of space, often
attaching to the atmosphere surrounding a human being, and sometimes even becoming
physically visible to people who have unusually sharp perception, under certain conditions.
Those whose mass of vibrations is more refined, composed of shorter waves, travel and settle
in the middle region of the huge vibrational world where their quality continues to
develop further. From this level some proceed toward a higher dimension of the vibrational
sphere and others descend to the atmospheric level, achieving rebirth through fusion with
physical materials in the world of water and air. Those who have a highly refined vibrational
mass gravitate to the higher level of the vibrational sphere, preparing for further refinement
to advance to the next life by changing their vibrational mass toward waves and rays.
In this world all vibrational masses, commonly termed "souls," carry understanding and
consciousness different from physical perception, but the same or similar to that experienced
as mental and spiritual consciousness during human life. From this life, the previous life
can be observed, just as during human life we can understand the previous embryonic
life. Happiness and unhappiness in this vibrational life largely depend upon the degree
of understanding and consciousness developed in the previous human life, just as our
destiny in human life is largely owing to the period of embryonic development. Whether
clear or unclear, higher or lower, all depends upon how our level of judgment and
consciousness has developed during human life, as well as how its refinement continues in
the vibrational life.
The Sixth Period of Life: Death from the vibrational life occurs with the dissolution of the
vibrational mass, which is the birth to the next life as an entity of waves and rays moving
with high velocity. The environment of this next stage of life is the world of radiation, which
covers the entire galactic dimension of space. The living body is transferred at birth into this
world of radiation, into sparkling light—you may say "spirit"—carrying thoughts and

images, traveling within the scope of hundreds of thousands of light years.