CIHS Newsletter November 2008

Politics, economy and social life in today's world appear to be in confusion, not knowing which way to go, meanwhile global warming and environmental destruction becoming increasingly threatening. It is likely that present system and the way of doing things, whether at individual or at national levels, are no longer capable of coping with the new situation challenges.

Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama says that human beings knows the existence of soul from its source and possesses simultaneously the desire to achieve spiritual growth and the desire to live materially rich and stable life. The feeling of stagnation prevalent today may have its cause in the fact that human beings have polarized too much towards the desire for the material aspect. Maintaining the balance between the spiritual aspect and the material aspect of human existence should ideally form the basis of life of both the individual and the society.

The yoga tradition teaches that human being is a multi-dimensional existence consisting of Body, Mind and Spirit. It teaches the existence of chakras which are said can transform the energies of lower dimension to those of higher dimension, and vice versa, as well as across those "bodies" in three distinct dimensions. In the Body dimension the chakras are regarded as corresponding to endocrine systems and nervous plexuses. Dr. Motoyama explains that the energy which connects these different bodies is prana or Ki (qi).

The system of channels through which this prana or Ki (qi) flows in the Body is the so-called "meridian system" in oriental medicine. When prana flow is smooth and active in the meridian system, the physical body is healthy and the mind also becomes stable since prana works as a medium linking the Body and Mind.

Motoyama Meridian Exercises are designed to improve and activate the prana flow in the meridian system. It is structured to further correct the misalignment in the physical body which greatly affects the flow of prana.

In my workshop at CIHS scheduled in February next year, I will first teach meridian exercises which helps balance and condition the flow of prana in the physical body. I will then teach how to further activate the flow of prana through pranayama (breathing technique) and concentrate this prana on to certain chakras by the force of the Mind. This will strengthen the body-mind interconnection and helps achieve the lasting balance.

As you deepen your concentration on the chakras, the shell of your own ego will be gradually peeled off and you will find yourself becoming able to harmonize with the world around you. You will be able to see yourself and others objectively without preconception and you will begin to feel greater empathy with others.

One of the major goals of my Yoga Meditation Workshop is to achieve spiritual growth gradually in this way and become a person who can fulfill their mission both in the family and in society. I believe this is an important effort that eventually leads to world peace.