Christopher Lowman  writes “Jin Shin Jyutsu: Getting to Know the Name” in The Main Central Jin Shin Jyutsu Newsletter, issue Number 43, Winter 2004:

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Recently I have been studying in preparation to teach my first self-help class. I decided to start my studies where most instructors start teaching in class ~ by looking at the name, Jin Shin Jyutsu. I’ve been looking at this name pretty closely now for a couple of months, and what I’ve found in its meaning, I think, is very powerful. To be honest, I never was a big fan of the name and always hesitated to mention it when people would ask, “Well, what do you do?” I thought it to be such a mouthful, and I feared the inevitable, “Jin Shin … what?” Now, however, after careful study I can say that I am beginning to understand the truly awesome power and meaning that the name conveys and am happy to be able to share what I have discovered with you.

We’ve all been told that Master Murai originally named Jin Shin Jyutsu the “Art of Happiness” observing that those who he worked with seemed to live more joyful and happy lives. Then, as his awareness deepened, he renamed it the “Art of Longevity” noticing that it promoted increased length and overall quality of life. As his awareness continued to grow, he renamed it the “Art of Benevolence” seeing that it inspired people to help and share with others what had been shared with them. Finally, he rested with “Jin Shin Jyutsu” or the “Art of the Creator for the Man of Knowing and Compassion”. That’s a big leap from the other names, but what pray does it mean?

When Master Murai arrived at Jin Shin Jyutsu, I believe he witnessed through all his years and years of study and practice that it helped people in every way imaginable: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, etc. He realized that its power to help was limitless (found everywhere), and any name like the “Art of Happiness” or the “Art of Benevolence” wouldn’t do because those names (or any like them) set a limit on its nature by saying that it is THIS and not THAT. This is why we say that Jin Shin Jyutsu “IS”.

To me the genius of this name has to do with the fact that it names something which essentially cannot be named (given it limitless nature). Furthermore, I believe Jin Shin Jyutsu gives us insight into our reason for existence and tells us how it assists in that!

Let’s look at the phrase the “Art of the Creator for the Knowing and Compassionate Man” in stages.

“The Art of the Creator” or as Mary says in Text 1, “Creator’s Art”. Jin Shin Jyutsu is the “Creator’s Art”.

Who or What is the Creator? There are many definitions, but to me, simply speaking, the Creator (or God, if you will) is the Everything, that is, All Things Seen and Unseen, including you and me (though many of us do not think of ourselves as such). In the Bible it is said, “I Am the Alpha and the Omega.’ The Creator is This, That, and Everything In Between: the absolute purest definition of That Which Has No Limit ~ That Which IS.

To be continued…

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