…by Louanne Ellis as published in THE MAIN CENTRAL Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter, Number 10, Autumn 1995:

“The next element in this descent from Heaven to Earth is Water. Water covers seven-tenths of the Earth, and fluids represent seven-tenths of our body weight. This is confirming and comforting in our microcosmic/macrocosmic vision. the Earth, including its oceans and atmosphere is the macrocosm for our individual bodies. We see the power of Water as an eroding and cleansing agent. It is the great “solution”, by its capacity to dissolve or contain other elements. It is also balancing in that it will start to deposit instead of dissolve when it becomes too saturated. Water corresponds to our emotional state and is responsive to both Fire and Air. It boils, it bubbles, it freezes, it sublimates, it saturates, it effervesces. Water is an activating agent. When the rains supply the material earth form of seeds with necessary moisture, and when heat is available, growth begins. We see how the mind affects the emotions in the metaphor of wind upon the waves. In the oceans we see the tempering of heat and cold. The waters are so vast that there is maintained a constancy of temperature that changes slowly and only slightly compared to the temperature of the Earth and the atmosphere. As we go deeper into the oceans the temperatures are probably even more constant. What does this tell us about our emotional nature? It is through the emotions that Fire and Air, i.e. anger and worry are modified and evened out through understanding and compassion. I think the ultimate expression of the emotional dimension is forgiveness/acceptance – the ultimate dissolving power. The same two attributes can erode resentment, bitterness and guilt. The waters move rhythmically as determined by the “Moon”. They respond continually, transforming and balancing according to the volume and velocity as we see by the sinuous contours of river beds and shore lines. We also see water as the mediator for heat (masculine) and cold (feminine) that is absorbed by the Earth and circulated by the Winds, originating from the Sun. The element Water corresponds to the 4th Depth. The three Water signs in Astrology are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces which correspond in Jin Shin Jyutsu to the toe flows Spleen, Kidney and Liver respectively. There is nothing physical that Water does not seem to alter in time, cannot seem to contain, to hold, to buoy up and purify.

The combination of Water and Air together forms clouds that obscure the Sun. Disturbing emotions create weather fronts and storms that appear to separate us from our light, our source. It seems as if the storms are necessary in order to provide for the rain that cleanses and moisturizes the Earth. The rains are vital for growth. Our tears are vital for our own growth, without the storms in our consciousness (resolved emotionally and integrated with our higher self) our essence is dormant. It seems to be the pain of our emotions and attitudes that evolves our consciousness.

The final element is the material world and our Earth, corresponding to the 1st Depth. The three Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, which correspond in Jin Shin Jyutsu to the finger flows Large Intestine, Small Intestine and Umbilicus respectively. Earth is a regenerating home, a continually responding medium for preservation and gestation. The Earth is warmed by the Sun, cooled by the Winds, activated by the Rains. It is at the level of Earth that the organization of elements provides for materialized life. The four elements symbolize life in manifested form, and – in our solar system – the four seasons and the four directions. Earth corresponds to number four, the materialized world and the realm of material experience for the individual soul.

By observing our world we allow the holographic meaning to expand our awareness. As we observe the Sun we are reminded of the continual outpouring of light from the Creator that sustains our body and our spirit. If we watch the Wind, we will be able to see the way the mind works. If we observe the Waters we can see the power in our emotions. The Earth sustains us physically in continual regeneration, giving birth every Spring to a new cycle of life. The Earth is the arena of our experience. Through its limitations and rules, in a time-space dimension, our consciousness develops. The Earth is an evolutionary agent for our physical, emotional and spiritual growth.”

Louanne Ellis has studied Jin Shin Jyutsu for ten years, astrology for twenty-seven years, and the Qabala and numerology for three years. She teaches in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico and she welcomes questions and comments.

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Louanne.

…by Louanne Ellis as published in THE MAIN CENTRAL Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter, Number 10, Autumn 1995:

“Years ago a friend of mine taught me to play a game we called “I Am the World”. At the time I did not know that we were utilizing the same principles as Jungian dream interpretation and the idea of synchronicity. The concept of “as above so below” is important in this “game” and is expanded through the acceptance of a holographic paradigm. We practiced observing ourselves and our lives, searching for meaning, by symbolizing daily phenomena, mundane or otherwise ~ our dreams and our tools ~ cards, astrology, numerology, etc. Now I find that I am using these same techniques to better understand the life principles and metaphysical disciplines which disturb and challenge my mind. In studying Jin Shin Jyutsu, which has led me to the study of Qabala and number symbolism, I have had the opportunity to further my appreciation of “I Am the World”. The following is an extension of this game.

The four elements are the topic, and the expansion is to discover their meaning by observing their physical presence in our lives. This grounds our understanding within a practical and verifiable framework. Through the principle of “as above so below”, we can utilize this information to enrich and integrate our understanding of how the elements function in our Jin Shin Jyutsu practice.

I am using the simple but profound observation of our natural environment, focusing on a macrocosmic level, to reveal the microcosmic correspondences in our individual lives. These correspondences are relevant and integral to the understanding of the elements in our corporal wisdom.

The Sun symbolizes our personal Fire and the Divine. As the vital source of light for our solar system, the Sun is the symbol of the power we attribute to God. It is the ultimate source that we depend on for life. it is the radiance that we know as “infinite”, whose light extends beyond our imagination. And like God, whose name we cannot speak, whose face we cannot see, the Sun would blind us to look at it directly. The personal expression of the solar or spiritual force in our lives is seen as enthusiasm, vision, and vitality. Fire corresponds to both the 6th and 5th Depths. The three Fire signs in Astrology are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, which correspond in Jin Shin Jyutsu to the chest flows Lung, Heart and Diaphragm respectively.

The element which Solar Fire and Light permeates is the Air. It appears to be continually fluctuating and moving, which we can observe on the water’s surface, in trees and clouds. Air is given the attribute of change and movement, and is associated with the intellect and the mind. Our thoughts and the working of the brain are much like the wind. It is seemingly in constant motion and fluctuation, difficult to still, and certainly is that which ripples the waters of our emotions. It is thought, a  memory, an idea that we most often react to emotionally. So when we see waves and the ripples of a breeze moving across the water, we see the wind as thoughts moving our emotions. We cannot see our thoughts any more than we can see Air; yet we feel them instantly in our bodies and can assume that, like the Air they represent, they ripple through the universe until they encounter a shore of resistance or boundaries that send them reverberating back to their source.  Our breath, as Air, is also connected to the emotional state. If we become frightened or anxious, we are prone to shallow and rapid breathing. Likewise, when anxious, we can calm our emotions by attending to our breath and controlling our thoughts. Air corresponds to the 2nd Depth. The three Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius which correspond in Jin Shin Jyutsu to the face flows Stomach, Bladder and Gall Bladder respectively.”

To be continued…

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Louanne.

…as contributed to The Main Central Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter, Number 9, Summer 1995 issue by Phyllis Singer…

“As Mary points out, the Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu is simply the application of awareness (SH 1, p.7). Mary describes Jin Shin Jyutsu as physio-physiology, physio-psychology, and physio-philosophy. There are three powerful tools Mary hands us in the sharing-awareness of physical, mental and spiritual harmony (SH III, p.41). They are 1) Be the Testimony, 2) Be the Words and 3) Be the Example. From my perspective, these tools represent the physio-physiology (the fruits), the physio-psychology (the trunk) and the physio-philosophy (the roots) (SH I, p.58) of Jin Shin Jyutsu BE IT IS IS, (SH III, p.2).

1) “Why not be your own testimony?” (SH I, p.58). Testimony is the WHAT; the BODY of evidence that attracted so many of us to Jin Shin Jyutsu. It is simple self-help art that allows ordinary people to transform their lives. Why not be our own testimony and apply the art to ourselves daily, or perhaps moment by moment? Jumper cabling enhances our connection to Source and each other. The more I live in the jumper cabling of myself, whether through touch, or simply through thoughts, words or breath, the easier it is for me to share-awareness of Effortless Reality with others. Practical application yields testimonies, the physio-physiology, the fruits of this Art of Benevolence.

2) Be the Words ~ “One is where one’s thoughts are. Thought creates words and words create deeds.” (SH III, p.15). Words create reality, and Mary has been an example of meticulous word usage in her writings and teachings. In her classes she would not only speak of the power of words we use, she would also emphasize honoring whom you are speaking to by using discrimination. In other words, speak to your listener. I ask the Universe to allow me to receive the appropriate words and to know when to say them. This process also helps me to trust the words that come through, instead of prefacing many JSJ conversations with “Mary says”. Lately, a local practitioner replied, “Well, Phyllis says Mary says”. This is a great reminder to be the ongoing process of releasing insecurities, to trust the words coming through, using them with discrimination. From my perspective, words reflect WHERE we are, our MIND. When we are in tune with the One Mind, we can help others. I consider words the TRUNK, the physio-psychology, of this Art of Knowing.

3) Be the Example. I have heard Mary say “An example is worth a thousand words”. Example is creation. We can choose the example we are. Most of us have unconscious behavior which often shapes our actions. Reactive behavior is due to past habits of fearing, and, beyond what is apparent, is totally capable of changing. Over the years I have noticed that many practitioners, including myself, become an example of harmony while jumper cabling others, but are often enticed into fear-based behaviors regarding everyday matters. A breakthrough occurs when that harmony we become while jumper cabling others is made manifest in ordinary existence. Whenever I am around Mary, I smile, filled with awe at the Humble Grace surrounding her. It is clear that one receives the benefit of Jin Shin Jyutsu simply by being in Mary’s presence. Whether she touches or not, I am touched. Her example represents the SPIRITual harmony, the WHO one can be through living the physio-philosophy, the roots, of this Art of Compassion.

It is with deep gratitude that I share this with you; this is simply a perspective of the Truth from someone whose life has been profoundly transformed thought Jin Shin Jyutsu. “Be the Smile.””

Me too, Phyllis. Me too.

Thank you, Master Jiro.

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Phyllis.

…as contributed to The Main Central Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter, Number 9, Summer 1995 issue by Phyllis Singer…

“My beginnings in Jin Shin Jyutsu in 1977 inspired me to write this article. Being a seeker I studied on a friend’s recommendation and a whim. The first day of listening to Mary in class nearly catapulted my skeptical self onto the nearest plane back to Florida. That first night, after class, Mary gave me my first session, and I was hooked.

At that time I was the only JSJ student I knew of in Florida. Applying this Art to others and watching the results gave me faith that this precious Art from Japan, revived by Jiro Murai and delivered to us by Mary Burmeister, was something that would benefit all. However, conveying that was tough, and for the first ten years, I found myself at a loss in sharing the essence of this magnificent Art without directly applying jumper cables.

Of course, living in Cosmic Flow while jumper cabling others expanded my awareness allowing me to see what was blocking me. Jin Shin Jyutsu is invisible, and modern western society has difficulty accepting that which we can’t see, calling it unscientific. Our medicine for decades has almost exclusively focused on the details of disease rather than exploring wholeness/wellness.

The scientific method, which emphasizes proving something, reflects a mass consciousness in our society. Those first ten years of my own limited belief system had me sharing technique and minutia instead of introduction Jin Shin Jyutsu as an Art of living. My ability to share expanded by my consciousness and the question that arose “How do I introduce this Art to a society with habits and attachments to proving, ‘seeing is believing’, the Art of non-preferential listening, feeling and trusting?”

So the question arises, what is the meaning of sharing-awareness? A meaning for “share” is to partake of, use, experience or enjoy with others; meanings for “awareness” are consciousness, realization, perception or knowledge. One understanding of sharing-awareness could be enjoying consciousness with others.

Mary so expertly shares awareness. For instance, in her self-help books she says “Be the Smile”. The origins of “smile” trace back through Middle English to the Old English word smerian, to laugh, and the Latin world, merari, to wonder. She says so much with her simple words that if one desires to research sharing-awareness, there is no need to look any further than Mary’s self-help books. Throughout this article I will refer to Mary’s self-help books. I invite you to read/re-read them.”

To be continued…

Thank you, Master Jiro.

Thank you, Mary.

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Phyllis.