Macrobiotic Life

The 5 Elements Theory began shortly after the Yin/Yang Theory was developed and is a separate system used by a limited number of practitioners of TCM who for the most part utilize the yin/yang system from a more mystical perspective rather than the physical perspective that macrobiotics follow. Initially the 5 Elements began as a physical system of understanding nature but later its meaning was changed and then attempts were made to correlate the 5 Elements with the 8 trigrams of the much earlier I Ching (Book of Changes) — of course, an impossibility.

The theory of the 5 Elements is a fixed system of “forced fits” and utilizes a discriminating system of correlative schema that are ethno-centric to ancient China and not applicable globally. Numerous flaws have been found by scores of Chinese philosophers, cosmologists, sages, (including Lao Tzu, Wang Chung, and Shao Yung) and its complexity is contrary to the Philosophical Taoists view of simplicity (although the Religious Taoists embrace it).

The 5 Elements have nothing in common with the Magic Square of 9 which again is a corruption of the well system that was designed by an an acnient agricultural engineer to divert flood water from the Yellow River. Modern macrobiotics, including George Ohsawa and Herman Aihara tried to steer clear from this contrived system and to simplify macrobiotic understanding so that it could be utilized by all people, but during the mid-1970’s one macobiotic teacher — Mr. Muramoto — who had a working background in TCM re-introduced these ideas into the modern macrobiotic lifestyle. While some macrobiotics tried to embrace these ideas, many others rebelled, and to this day it remains a controversy in the yin/yang paradigm — possibly strong enough to divide macrobiotics amongst themselves.

Macrobiotics and TCM are not the same. We can say that they are separate branches of the same tree, but each are unique upon themselves. Even practitioners of TCM are not fully convinced of the 5 Elements Theory. You can see for youself that most acupuncturists will favor a fixed diagram for needle insertion (usually cross referenced) over the designated two hours of organ activity and their respective needling times. In addition, the more traditional macrobiotics will favor finger manipulation (Shiatsu) over needles and look for non-technical applications over generalized body regions as opposed to specific points. Dietary adjustments are more of a priotity to macrobiotics, and without taking food into consideration acupuncture is seem only as symptomatic and temporary. Yet, there are numerous benefits when used together —

From my own point of view I feel that certain modifications of both systems (TCM & Macrobiotics) are needed in order to merge them into one effective system — and for the most part the central problem has to do with fixed correlative systems that have to do more with the world of magic than with natural science. In the back room of major macrobiotic communities there appears to be the growing need for rectification of macrobiotics as the new millenia approaches. I think this will take some time for it gets put on the table for discussion, but thanks to your inquirey and to the forthcoming messages perhaps this is the beginning of that long needed, and, hopefully, open dialog. For starters, here are two questions regarding the 5 Elements Theory:

1) How come some of the yang organs in this system are called yin by macrobiotic standards, and some of the yin organs are called yang by TCM practitioners?

2) We know that if you collect white light (ie sunlight) and pass it through a clear, solid prism it refracts into 6 distinct colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) but in the 5 Element Theory blue, orange, and violet are missing?

Many things need to be discussed. We await friendly replies from our macrobiotic “teachers”. I hope this helps. In peace, Roy

Original article taken from:
http://www.yinyangstation.com/roy/index.cgi?read=46