It was around the middle of 2009 that I found out I was going to be a father, and the focus of my life shifted. I began to engage with the question, “what does it mean to be a healthy human being?” I mean, it seemed to me to be an important consideration if I was going to have a hand in raising one. It’s possible this may have also been influenced by my own experiences with chronic illness through my childhood and young adult life; not only in wanting better for my son but also in living healthier myself, knowing that it would be the example I set for him that would be most important in the long run.

I dove into books on diet and lifestyle, nutrition and parenting, among others. Books like “You are Not What You Eat: Better Digestive Health in 7 Simple Steps,” by Van Clayton Powel, “Food Combining and Digestion: 101 Ways to Improve Digestion,” by Steve Meyerowitz, “Food and Long Life,” by Col. A. E. Powell, “The China Study; Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health,: by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II, MD, and “What’s Eating Your Child? The Hidden Connection Between Food and Childhood Ailments,” by Kelly Dorfman, MS, LND, among others. Before long, I discovered the macrobiotic philosophy or, “the Order of the Universe” according to the “father” of macrobiotics, George Ohsawa.

“Man is born between Heaven and Earth, and so must live according to the order of yin and yang. In this world, all is subject to change; everything changes. Only the Order of the Universe remains unchanged. It’s only natural that the finite world obey this Order of the Universe because the former arises from the latter. This Order is extremely simple; yet, it explains everything in the phenomenal world that can be understood in terms of yin and yang.” – George Ohsawa (1986). The Order of the Universe. The George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation.

Ultimately, it is this “Order of the Universe” that seems to have given rise to humanity through evolution, and if we wish to retain said humanity, and perhaps grow and develop further as human beings, we may wish to consider our place as participants in life. It is our view of life which essentially provides the foundation for how we interact with everyone and everything outside of us, and perhaps also even that which lies within.

Macrobiotic philosophy presents basic principles of health, happiness, and peace through an understanding of the natural order and the application of the universal laws of change and harmony, especially as they relate to dietary practice, natural and organic agriculture, human relations, prevention and relief of physical and mental disorders, the transformation of society, the preservation of the environment, and spiritual development. I would find this to be in alignment with a number of other traditional perspectives around the world; even George Ohsawa took inspiration from earlier teachers such as Ekken Kaibara (1630 – 1716), a Japanese philosopher and botanist.

“Man, created by Providence through the working of Heaven and Earth, is an integral part of nature. Health and happiness are his birthright. He need only observe the rhythym and order in nature and live in harmony with it. If he is sick or unhappy it is his own fault and he can cure the situation by returning to the way of nature.” – Ekken Kaibara (1630-1716).

My guiding philosophy has been heavily influenced by Macrobiotic Philosophy. Indeed, I have found much of what I have learned about Macrobiotics to be true in practice, although one needs to be cautious. The Spirit of Macrobiotics is rooted in “Non-Credo.” Macrobiotic Philosophy encourages us to “Be Our Own Master” and to develop and exercise our own perspective and understanding in all we do. Michio Kushi (1926-2014), of George Ohsawa’s students, has written a number of books on the philosophy the most comprehensive of which, in my opinion, is “The Book of Macrobiotics” first published in 1978.

“In a spirit of healthy skepticism or non-credo (from the Latin for “do not believe”), let us seek endlessly through our own personal experience and understanding to realize the real, the true, the infinite, regardless of what any specialist or expert (including macrobiotic authority) believes.” – Michio Kushi (1978). The Book of Macrobiotics: The Universal Way of Health, Happiness & Peace. Japan Publications, Inc.

So, what is the “Order of the Universe” as presented by Macrobiotic Philosophy? Ultimately, it is quite simple, given by Seven Principles and Twelve Laws of Change of the Infinite Universe (while keeping in the spirit of “Non-Credo”).

The Seven Principles of the Infinite Universe

1. Everything is a differentiation of the Infinite Oneness.
2. Everything Changes.
3. All antagonisms are complementary.
4. There is nothing identical.
5. What has a front (i.e., a visible side) has a back (i.e., an invisible side).
6. The bigger the front, the bigger the back.
7. What has a beginning has an end.

The Twelve Laws of Change of the Infinite Universe

1. Infinite Oneness manifests itself into complementary and antagonistic tendencies-yin and yang-in its endless change.
2. Yin and yang are manifested continuously from the eternal movement of one infinite universe.
3. Yin represents centrifugality. Yang represents centripetality. Yin and yang together produce energy and all phenomena.
4. Yin attracts yang. Yang attracts yin.
5. Yin repels yin. Yang repels yang.
6. Yin and yang combined in varying proportions produce different phenomena. The attraction and repulsion among phenomena is proportional to the difference of the yin and yang forces.
7. All phenomena are ephemeral, constantly changing their constitution of yin and yang forces; yin changes into yang, yang changes into yin.
8. Nothing is solely yin or solely yang. Everything is composed of both tendencies to varying degrees.
9. There is nothing neutral. Either yin or yang is in excess in every occurence.
10. Large yin attracts small yin. Large yang attracts small yang.
11. Extreme yin produces yang, and extreme yang produces yin.
12. All physical manifestations are yang in the centre, and yin at the surface.

How does one apply these principles and laws of change? This is where we humans can often overcomplicate things, and is subject matter for another post. First, in keeping with the spirit of non-credo, are there any other worldviews that developed independantly of macrobiotic philsophy yet offer the same or similar ideas and practices? There are many, one of which comes from some of my ancestors who were also some of the first peoples of the land I live on.

“The Cree worldview describes the interconnectivity between people and nature; health and happiness was achieved by living a life in balance with nature. People tried to show respect for each other by an ideal ethic of non-interference, in which each individual was responsible for his or her actions and the consequences of those actions.” – Cree (2012). The Canadian Encyclopedia.

But what about more contemporary views? Surely there are some modern/western science-backed views that are in alignment with these perspectives? There are! Precision Nutrition, a research-driven private nutrition coaching and education company, presents the concept of “Deep Health.” Deep Health involves thriving in ALL dimensions of human experience. No single aspect of our health functions alone. Our physical, mental, and emotional health interacts with our social setting and environment, as well as our sense of purpose in life.

So, to be a truly healthy human being is to live in balance with nature, and to be balanced and whole in every way. And further, to recognize oneself as part of a number of greater wholes, like family, community, country, and the world, and to live our lives accordingly. This is the dance of life. Our form and composition are constantly in flux; to maintain harmony within and without we must develop our understanding and intuition to guide us in our daily diet and activity. And, while we are more than just our physical body, it is an important consideration for our life here on Earth; perhaps the most important, as without it we simply aren’t here anymore.

And so, Whole Human Support is here to offer exactly that, support in being a whole, healthy human so that we may give and get the most out of our time embodied here on Earth. Follow along for more on what it looks like for me and my family, or reach out to discuss what it might look like for you.