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G.O.M.F.
Macrobiotics
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Macrobiotics
The following explanation is excerpted from Pocket Guide to
Macrobiotics by Carl Ferré.
Macrobiotics is the practical application of the natural laws of change. The term comes
from the Greek; “macro” means great, and “bios” means life. It is a
tool that allows one to learn to live within the natural order of life, the constantly
changing nature of all things.
Macrobiotics as it is known today is the result of the tireless work and vision of George
Ohsawa (1893-1966). . . . While macrobiotic principles can be applied to all areas of
life, . . . the macrobiotic approach to diet emphasizes whole grains and fresh vegetables,
and for the most part avoids meat, dairy foods, and processed foods. The goal is to
provide the body with essential nutrients so that it can function efficiently without
loading it with toxins or excesses that must be eliminated or stored. And since the body
is always adjusting to changes in the environment and to aging, its needs will always
change as well. The idea is to continually balance the effects of foods eaten and other
influences on the body, largely through diet, and to adjust to changes in a controlled and
peaceful manner.
A basic tenet of macrobiotic thinking is that all things—our bodies, foods, and
everything else—are composed of yin and yang energies. Yin energies are outward
moving, yang energies are inward. Every thing has both yin and yang energies, but with
either yin or yang in excess. Most of the foods that make up the standard American diet
have very strong yin or yang characters, and also tend to be acid-forming. In contrast,
macrobiotic practice emphasizes the two food groups—grains and vegetables—that
have the least pronounced yin and yang qualities, making it easier to achieve a more
balanced condition within the natural order of life. Living within the natural order means
eating only what is necessary for one’s condition and desires, and learning to adjust
in a peaceful way to life’s changes. Learning the effects of different foods allows
one to consciously counteract other influences and maintain a healthy dynamically-balanced
state. The resulting freedom from fear and sense of control are two of the most important
benefits of a macrobiotic practice.
The conventional nutritional approach holds that each individual needs certain amounts of
proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals each day, based on a statistical
average of everybody’s needs. This makes the recommended daily allowances easy to
comprehend, but does not allow for the uniqueness of each individual’s changing
needs. It eventually leads to stagnant, unfree thinking. The macrobiotic approach
maintains that what works for one person will not necessarily work for another, and that
what works one day may not work the next. Therefore, the macrobiotic approach amounts to
determining the foods that are best suited to each person based on her or his current
condition and what she or he wants to become. In other words, a macrobiotic approach
requires a change in thinking from a static view of life to a dynamic and flexible one.
This leads to real freedom. The first and most important step is to change from a diet
based on meat and sugar to one based on grains and vegetables.
Very few people can make such a radical shift overnight. Instead, most people learn
macrobiotics in stages. . . .
The book also contains practical information on diet, acid and alkaline, healing,
diagnosis, natural home remedies, ways to start a macrobiotic practice, yin and yang, much
more, and is highly recommended. See Book Sales - Introductory for ordering information.
Like any discipline, the more you apply yourself the greater the benefits will
be. Here are some ideas on ways to learn more about macrobiotics.
Books are a great place to start. Here are the books we recommend
for a basic macrobiotic library. See Book Sales for ordering
information.
Introductory: Pocket Guide to Macrobiotics by Carl Ferré, $6.95
Basic Macrobiotics by Herman Aihara, $12.95
Cookbooks: Basic Macrobiotic Cooking by Julia Ferré, $12.95
Self-Healing Cookbook by Kristina Turner, $16.50
Theory: Essential Ohsawa by George Ohsawa, edited by Carl Ferré, $12.95
Acid and Alkaline, 5th Edition by Herman Aihara, $8.95
Health: Natural Healing from Head to Toe by Cornellia and Herman Aihara, $14.95
Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin, $12.95
Finding someone near to you who can help explain macrobiotics is important. See
Links for additional informaion.
Two additional publications that are very helpful and highly recommended are:
International Macrobiotic Directory published by Bob Mattson (see Book Sales)
Macrobiotics Today magazine published by G.O.M.F. (see Newsletter)
Another excellent opportunity for learning macrobiotics is to attend the French
Meadows camp. The learning is deeper at camp and the friendships made at camp can last a
lifetime. See Summer Camp for more information. |
