Open Macrobiotics
Copyright John Kozinski 2015
A Statement of Purpose
update: 7-5-19, 2-5-20
Macrobiotics, from the ancient Greek language, means the way of longevity. Open Macrobiotics can be seen as a universal understanding that is not the property of one culture, any one teacher or teachers.
The common thread in Open Macrobiotics is the possibility of the application of the philosophy of balance to all aspects of human life. Throughout history, and today, people have been attempting to apply the philosophy of balance to different realms of human existence under the guise of health systems and medicines, agriculture, philosophy, sciences, and religions.
When the philosophy of balance is applied correctly to human health; sustainable well being, healthy aging and long life can result. When the philosophy of balance is correctly applied to the realm of the mind, deeper truths are discovered. When applied effectively to the emotions, longer lasting happiness can occur. When the philosophy is more accurately applied to the realm of spirit, we get in touch with something greater than ourselves that we are a part of.
Modern teachings of macrobiotics have focused almost exclusively on diet with some limited interpretations of eastern religious teachings.
In diet, Open Macrobiotics recognizes the common thread of healthful eating throughout the world which is the eating of mostly unprocessed foods. Open Macrobiotics recognizes that healthy people have and still do eat every category of natural foods, both animal and vegetable, while staying healthy and long lived. Healthy people have, and still do include in their diets: meat, chicken, fish and other animal foods, dairy products, spices, herbs, fruits, nightshade vegetables, fruit, cooked and raw foods, sweeteners and other natural foods.
In Open Macrobiotics, the selection of food is from your emotional connection to, and the understanding of, the total effects of specific foods on your well being. Open Macrobiotics is inclusive of those who wish for whatever reason to avoid all animal foods and be vegan, eat vegetarian with eggs and dairy, or include meat, poultry and other animal foods.
A concern of Open Macrobiotics is the health of people rather than demonizing foods by using fear to get people to “eat well” or avoid certain foods. Diet has been polarized in modern teachings of natural eating and previous macrobiotic teachings. Meat, carbs, fats, sugars have been made out to be evil when balance is really the only concern for health and well being. People should not be judged by their choice of foods. All natural foods can be eaten for health and healing.
Another application of the philosophy of balance which is beneficial in Open Macrobiotics is too look at aspects of life from a larger perspective. Eating certain foods or avoiding certain foods to save the planet is too simplistic as is creating a peaceful world and remediating climate change just by changing our eating. An application of the philosophy of balance offers the potential to be incredibly helpful to solve many of the world’s problems. This application from the view of Open Macrobiotics has to be multifaceted.
From the view of Open Macrobiotics, the questions become about how to stay healthy eating vegan, vegetarian or including natural animal foods in our diets. Diet has been present both in macrobiotic teachings and natural health as a black and white issue when it really is related to personal preference, desire and personal health needs.
Open Macrobiotics recognizes that beyond diet, people often need for health and healing some supplements, herbs, various types of exercise, contact with nature, natural or medical treatments, social support and interactions. These include flexible eating with friends and family, as well as, leisure activities, purpose, and activities that support personal growth, society, community and family.
Open Macrobiotics embraces the pursuit of all studies and practices that promote different aspects of longevity, including the study and practices related to health, emotional well being, the intellect and spirit. The common thread in an open system of macrobiotics is the understanding of the philosophy of balance as a guide whether one wishes to pursue these aspects of life through organized systems of study or self-study.
Ideas expressed in this statement of purpose are not set in stone. The purpose of this statement is to question basic premises that have limited personal health and well being in past systems of macrobiotics, opening the door for greater possibilities and freedom beyond obeying the teachings of one person or system. Limited authority is useful. We can learn from others with greater experience as long as we reserve the ability to think for ourselves while understanding our own limited knowledge.
Copyright John Kozinski 2015
A Statement of Purpose
update: 7-5-19, 2-5-20
Macrobiotics, from the ancient Greek language, means the way of longevity. Open Macrobiotics can be seen as a universal understanding that is not the property of one culture, any one teacher or teachers.
The common thread in Open Macrobiotics is the possibility of the application of the philosophy of balance to all aspects of human life. Throughout history, and today, people have been attempting to apply the philosophy of balance to different realms of human existence under the guise of health systems and medicines, agriculture, philosophy, sciences, and religions.
When the philosophy of balance is applied correctly to human health; sustainable well being, healthy aging and long life can result. When the philosophy of balance is correctly applied to the realm of the mind, deeper truths are discovered. When applied effectively to the emotions, longer lasting happiness can occur. When the philosophy is more accurately applied to the realm of spirit, we get in touch with something greater than ourselves that we are a part of.
Modern teachings of macrobiotics have focused almost exclusively on diet with some limited interpretations of eastern religious teachings.
In diet, Open Macrobiotics recognizes the common thread of healthful eating throughout the world which is the eating of mostly unprocessed foods. Open Macrobiotics recognizes that healthy people have and still do eat every category of natural foods, both animal and vegetable, while staying healthy and long lived. Healthy people have, and still do include in their diets: meat, chicken, fish and other animal foods, dairy products, spices, herbs, fruits, nightshade vegetables, fruit, cooked and raw foods, sweeteners and other natural foods.
In Open Macrobiotics, the selection of food is from your emotional connection to, and the understanding of, the total effects of specific foods on your well being. Open Macrobiotics is inclusive of those who wish for whatever reason to avoid all animal foods and be vegan, eat vegetarian with eggs and dairy, or include meat, poultry and other animal foods.
A concern of Open Macrobiotics is the health of people rather than demonizing foods by using fear to get people to “eat well” or avoid certain foods. Diet has been polarized in modern teachings of natural eating and previous macrobiotic teachings. Meat, carbs, fats, sugars have been made out to be evil when balance is really the only concern for health and well being. People should not be judged by their choice of foods. All natural foods can be eaten for health and healing.
Another application of the philosophy of balance which is beneficial in Open Macrobiotics is too look at aspects of life from a larger perspective. Eating certain foods or avoiding certain foods to save the planet is too simplistic as is creating a peaceful world and remediating climate change just by changing our eating. An application of the philosophy of balance offers the potential to be incredibly helpful to solve many of the world’s problems. This application from the view of Open Macrobiotics has to be multifaceted.
From the view of Open Macrobiotics, the questions become about how to stay healthy eating vegan, vegetarian or including natural animal foods in our diets. Diet has been present both in macrobiotic teachings and natural health as a black and white issue when it really is related to personal preference, desire and personal health needs.
Open Macrobiotics recognizes that beyond diet, people often need for health and healing some supplements, herbs, various types of exercise, contact with nature, natural or medical treatments, social support and interactions. These include flexible eating with friends and family, as well as, leisure activities, purpose, and activities that support personal growth, society, community and family.
Open Macrobiotics embraces the pursuit of all studies and practices that promote different aspects of longevity, including the study and practices related to health, emotional well being, the intellect and spirit. The common thread in an open system of macrobiotics is the understanding of the philosophy of balance as a guide whether one wishes to pursue these aspects of life through organized systems of study or self-study.
Ideas expressed in this statement of purpose are not set in stone. The purpose of this statement is to question basic premises that have limited personal health and well being in past systems of macrobiotics, opening the door for greater possibilities and freedom beyond obeying the teachings of one person or system. Limited authority is useful. We can learn from others with greater experience as long as we reserve the ability to think for ourselves while understanding our own limited knowledge.