"I.I.H." Theory: Diet~

Wow! I have to say that this is getting exciting. When I first read this section, I thought it was so archaic that I planned to just skip past it without really even trying to comprehend it, not thinking it possible to do so. But after reading it at least a few times and spending some time looking up related information, mostly online, and rekindling my lifelong infatuation with chi cultivation/manipulation I began to see this section more for what it is. This section describes, similar to previous one, the balancing of the Elements and yin/yang chi in the self to restore health. It differs in that it deals with doing so through diet, however it then discusses the re balancing of chi by direct transfer of chi from one body to another. That's where I got really excited, especially since Bardon promises to discuss particular methods for this in later sections. This is something I've almost desperately wanted to learn since childhood.

Bardon wraps up the section with a breakdown of how chi flows through specific parts of the body. This part at first seemed bizarrely complex, and as I said, I intended to skip it completely. But after giving it an almost athletic attempt at understanding it, I came to feel it's actually worth memorizing. I'm going to make a set of flash cards to work with until I've gained a second nature familiarity with the chi dynamic as described in each particular part of the body. I've seen people generate and transfer chi to other people and objects with amazing results and I've always been more than fascinated with how it's done. I literally have always felt this is something I was born to learn.

"I.I.H." Theory: Man~

I would like to comment here that though I had intended to make entries to this journal/BLOG on a daily basis, it has proven difficult to do so given my schedule. This is also partly due to habit as well, but I'm working on establishing a more regimented habit of record keeping. What I'd like to point out is that though I haven't made entries every day, it has been tremendously helpful to have dwelt on each chapter for extended periods of time. I've actually learned a good bit and considered ideas I've already been exposed to on a much deeper level. I have a much better sense of what each Element is but more so of the implications for how the Elements might be used in working on ourselves in everyday life.

As for the current chapter, I'm familiar with the notion that the body is a microcosm of the Universe and of "God". I guess what I get out of this lesson is that the body is a reflection of creation as a whole and as such can tell us about god and creation through reflection on self. I get this idea more so through implication than straight from Bardons' comments. Also, I get that with the body being made up of Elemental forces/influences, we can use these to bring balance to the body/mind. Bardon also introduces us to the idea of the body being made up not only of the Elements but of yin/yang vitality as well. Again, by implication he is introducing us to the idea that we can use the balancing of these forces to balance the mind/body. And clearly he is pointing out the relationship between mind and body. I have a subtle advantage here in that I've spent months on end and cumulative years in the Temple where a main point of contemplation is the relationship between mind, body and action. Control of thought is essential as thought becomes speech. Speech becomes action. Action produces consequence. All cause and effect relationship.

"I.I.H." Theory: Karma~

This little section is summed up well when Bardon quotes, "Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap". The law of Karma is somewhat self explanatory and a simple enough philosophy that a child can understand it, but I do believe it's a bit more subtle than its' usual simple interpretation. It has no doubt helped me to grasp the implications of Karma by spending no small amount of time in the shelter of the Sangha studying and practicing the Dhamma. In other words, considering the extent to which thought tends itself toward speech which in turn so often becomes action. I believe Karma is, many times, a law that we hold ourselves to through self judgement as well.

I feel also that Bardon is here pointing us toward the notion that manifestation begins in the causal/Akasa, beginning to introduce us to the idea that control and focus of our subconscious is critical to bringing our intentions and desires into reality, very much in the same way that Karma works. Or, in a sense, perhaps that IS the Law of Karma. Bardon emphasizes that Karma is a law "immutable" and "the most sublime rule" but let us not forget that the oriental philosophy also tells us that Karma is a law that, through understanding, training and development, can be risin above much in the same way that the Fool is first bound and controlled by the Elements until he becomes the Magician and is able only then to take mastery over them.