The
Coming
of
Light:
Macrobiotics
is
Truth
Cecile
Tovah
Levin
By
Bill
Neall
Around February
of
this
year,
I
received
a
postcard
from
Cecil
Levin
regarding
MacrobioticTimes.
She
noted
how
it
was
growing
and
expressed
a
desire
to
be
included
by
offering
to
write
an
article.
She
asked
me
to
send
her
copies
of
the
newsletter
that
would
guarantee
that
they
would
arrive
in
one
piece
as
she
was
saving
them
and
would
like
them
as
neat
as
possible.
I sent her a card (she did not
use
or
have
a
computer)
asking
her
to
write
an
article
on
the
heart,
which
she
did,
and
it
was
published
in
April
of
1999.
I thanked her for the article and proposed a follow-up involving
education
of
the
heart.
I
didn’t
hear
from
her.
Later
in
the
summer,
I
again
asked
her
to
write
something,
this
time
on
the
Macrobiotics In America event at the Smithsonian. She replied that
she
was
taking
the
summer
off
to
recuperate
but
would
be
back
in
the
fall.
Then the news began to trickle in. Cecile had had a heart attack
earlier
in
the
year
due
to
overwork.
Things
were
kept
quiet
initially,
but
the
information
kept
coming.
Towards
the
end
of
the
summer
she
wasn’t
doing
well
and
in
decline.
As
many
of
you
already
know,
Cecile
passed
away
Tuesday,
October
5th,
1999
after
a
brief
encounter
with
cancer,
discovered
following
the
heart
attack.
She
was
61.
She
came
to
macrobiotics
with
leukemia
almost
40
years
ago.
According
to
her
family,
“Her
position
was
to
pursue
natural
healing
for
her
recovery,
which
resulted
in
a
more
peaceful
transition
period
than
what
the
western
medicine
doctors
had
to
offer.”
This idea of someone involved in macrobiotics for many years getting
extremely
sick
becomes
subject
to
scrutiny
from
those
both
inside
and
outside
of
the
community.
With
all
respect
to
the
people
involved,
the
majority
of
those
outside
are,
of
course,
going
to
take
the
stand
that
this
means
macrobiotics
doesn’t
work.
Those
inside
are
going
to
take
many
different
stands
depending
on
how
they
see
it
and
where
they
see
it
from.
The ‘doesn’t work’ question will be raised both within and without
the
community,
so
let’s
look
at
it
from
that
standpoint.
This
will
take
us
from
the
negativity
towards
macrobiotics
in
the
outside
world
to
the
misunderstanding
of
macrobiotics
in
the
inside
world.
And,
of
course,
through
the
positives.
This is how I understand it today. The starting point is to make
it
perfectly
clear
that
macrobiotics
never
was,
never
has,
and
never
will
be
a
diet,
a
preventative
medicine,
nor
a
cure
for
disease
and
its
consequences.
Macrobiotics is what it is, day in, day out; year in, year out, lifetime
to
lifetime,
and
making
the
adjustments
that
require
balance
no
matter
what
it
takes.
How
we
understand
it
and
use
it
to
allow
our
bodies
to
heal
themselves
is
what
is
important.
The
results
that
we
get
indicate
the
level
of
our
understanding
and
encourage
us
to
self-reflect
and
make
the
changes
necessary
to
move
ahead.
This
gives
responsibility
to
each
and
every
one
of
us
on
an
individual
basis.
It
doesn’t
necessarily
mean
that
we
will
take
that
responsibility
from
the
beginning
on
out,
but
if
we
don’t,
we
aren’t
going
to
heal
past
a
certain
point,
if
at
all.
The implementation of macrobiotics is a big threat to the way society
works
these
days
as
a
whole.
Practically
every
facet
of
this
mix
does
not
conform
to
macrobiotic
principles
and
ideals.
Government,
modern
science,
modern
religion,
modern
medicine,
modern
media,
modern
education,
modern
agriculture,
modern
farming,
popular
diets,
displaced
priorities,
and
so
forth.
The
reason
for
this
lies
in
the
fact
that
people
become
comfortable
in
wherever
they
are
at.
Maybe
those
in
control
know
this
and
keep
it
going,
but
it’s
more
likely
that
this
concept
applies
across
the
board.
Why is macrobiotics such a threat? Because it gives responsibility
back
to
the
individual,
eventually
removing
the
fear
and
dependency
which
is
the
backbone
of
societies
today,
and
allows
establishment
of
personal
control
over
one’s
life.
The tendency to protect one’s livelihood is a very strong one, so,
for
example,
a
doctor
who
benefits
lifestyle-wise
from
his
income
would
be
hesitant
to
contradict
that
lifestyle
by
refusing
to
prescribe
pharmaceuticals
or
perform
other
doctoral
duties
involving
fear
and
dependency,
like
unnecessary
surgery,
symptomatic
treatments,
and
other
things
that
go
against
the
macrobiotic
grain.
I’ve seen this first hand more than once, not only in the medical
profession,
but
in
all
segments
of
society.
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
the
prisons?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
the
schools?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
politics?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
the
financial
world?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
science?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
religion?
What
happens
when
we
try
to
bring
macrobiotics
into
psychological
and
physical
therapy?
Everything
has
their
level
of
impenetrability,
and
for
the
most
part,
this
level
is
very
low.
Sure, there is some human instinct that lets macrobiotics in the
door
in
some
instances,
but
for
the
most
part,
it
becomes
unwelcome
sooner
or
later.
Kaare tells the story of the powers that be reacting to the idea
of
macrobiotic
transformation
being
presented
to
one
of
the
large
corporations
in
the
late
60’s
or
early
70’s,
with
the
position
that
they
have
been
aware
of
macrobiotics
since
Michio
Kushi
set
foot
in
America
and
there
is
no
way
that
macrobiotics
will
ever
take
hold
if
they
have
any
say
in
it.
The
transformation
presentation
got
swallowed
up
and
never
surfaced.
That’s basically it in a nutshell. The farther the present thing
goes,
the
more
deeply
entrenched
society
becomes.
One
way
out
is
through
the
possibility
of
being
diagnosed
with
a
modern
medical
designated
“uncurable”
disease,
somehow
coming
across
macrobiotics,
and
having
it
make
enough
sense
to
give
it
a
try.
The
proximity
of
being
in
a
family
or
in
relationship
to
someone
in
the
same
situation
is
also
a
possibility.
We go around and around in the world of macrobiotics on how the uninitiated
should
be
approached.
What
it
comes
down
to
is
determined
by
the
condition
of
those
both
sides,
that
of
the
macrobiotic
proponent
and
that
of
the
prospective
receiver,
along
with
their
everyday
environments.
The key here is to allow the person being exposed to macrobiotics
to
get
as
much
clear
information
as
they
need
to
make
an
informed
decision,
and
once
that’s
made,
make
sure
this
information
is
available.
The
amount
of
help
provided
depends
on
the
individual
situation.
In a person that is highly motivated, less help is better. In someone
less
motivated,
more
help
will
be
needed.
In
any
event,
the
more
work
you
can
do
yourself,
the
better,
and
that
includes
both
the
body
and
the
soul.
The resistance in unrelenting. This why we need to build from the
ground
up,
not
the
top
down.
‘Ground
up’
means
individuals
first,
and
then
simultaneously
branching
out
to
others.
For
example,
giving
cooking
classes
or
having
pot
lucks.
I know this has been said over and over, but it needs to be because
it’s
heard
in
a
different
way
by
all
of
us
because
we
bring
something
different
to
it
at
different
times.
The
basics
have
been
pretty
well
laid
out.
Yin
and
yang,
seasonal
applications
and
effects,
cooking,
study,
and
self-reflection.
Within
this
medley
are
all
the
things
one
needs
to
get
to
the
point
of
more
awareness.
This
will
lead
to
the
next
point,
up
to
and
including
spiritual
development.
Eventually, as healing proceeds, the thinking will change. This is
a
must.
Without
changing
one’s
thinking,
one
won’t
get
macrobiotics.
They
may
think
on
an
intellectual
level
they
do,
but
the
limitation
of
the
heart
will
limit
their
capacity
to
understand
the
whole
picture,
for
the
heart
is
where
we’re
headed.
The overall reaction to macrobiotics from without in cases of illness
and/or
death
in
the
macrobiotic
community
is
“See,
macrobiotics
doesn’t
work!”
But
that
isn’t
possible
if
we
understand
what
macrobiotics
comprises.
Macrobiotics is purely what is according to the Order of the Universe. There is no blame,
anywhere.
As
for
the
individual,
responsibility
is
the
word.
What
has
happened,
is
happening,
and
will
happen
to
us
is
solely
our
responsibility.
It
can’t
be
any
clearer.
This
takes
the
onus
off
of
macrobiotics
in
both
the
community
and
outside
the
community.
In
other
words,
it
is possible to get and maintain a position of understanding through
self
reflection,
study,
and
application
for
anyone
who
wishes
to
do
so.
The
idea
is
not
to
become
complacent
and
lose
sight
of
paying
attention;
or
to
become
closed
off
as
to
what
is
going
on
inside
and
outside,
from
the
intestines
to
the
rain
forests
to
the
universe
to
the
cosmos.
Inside macrobiotics there will be those who haven’t yet developed
enough
understanding
to
see
that
it’s
not
macrobiotics,
but
the
individual
who
shoulders
the
responsibility.
Over
the
years
these
misunderstanding
have
surfaced
in
various
forms,
notably
the
search
outside
of
macrobiotics
for
the
answers.
This is, and always has been debatable. Whether or not there will
be
a
consensus
remains
to
be
seen.
Back
again
to
no
blame.
Whatever
someone
is
doing
is
what
they
need
to
be
doing.
It’s
at
least
up
to
the
teachers
to
stick
to
the
program
and
try
to
walk
the
walk
the
best
they
can
so
that
others
will
have
the
opportunity
to
get
where
they’re
headed
when
they’re
ready.
The positives that come from these situations are legion. It opens
up
the
topic
for
discussion
from
all
points
of
view
of
those
touched
and
radiates
“one
grain,
ten
thousand
grains”.
Discussion has a penetrating effect and helps all involved to digest
what
is
coming
down
the
pike,
even
if
it’s
just
in
some
miniscule
form.
The
important
thing
is
objectivity
and
the
realization
that
one’s
view
is
one’s
responsibility.
After
all,
everyone’s
headed
in
the
same
direction.
Let’s
keep
it
open.
Cecile, in her own words, supports much of these thoughts. Some of
the
things
she
said
from
her
earlier
article
The Heart of the Matter, which is reprinted here this month, follow.
After
looking
these
over,
please
take
time
to
read
the
whole
article.
It’s
the
point
where
she
had
arrived
at
that
time.
“We
are
not
in
charge
of
our
emotions;
they
are
in
charge
of
us.
This
is
what
gets
us
in
trouble.”
“...we
live
in
the
world
of
shadows.
What
we
see
as
physical
manifestation
is
only
the
shadow
of
the
larger
world
of
causation.
Even
this
shadow
is
distorted
by
our
imperfect
perception
and
interpretation.
The
larger
world
is
the
world
of
infinite
consciousness,
of
which
we
are
an
inextricable
part.
This
is
the
world
of
our
higher,
super
conscious,
eternal
self.”
“What
I
have
come
to
learn
from
them
[the
indigenous
“poor”],
and
from
others
of
high
spiritual
maturity
and
attainment,
is
that
to
protect
our
heart,
mind,
body
and
soul,
we
must
cultivate
gratitude
and
compassion.
These
qualities
are
the
perfect
antidotes
to
discouragement
and
pain,
sickness
and
war.”
“Only
when
we
see
with
the
eyes
of
the
universe
can
we
see
all
that
a
person
is
-
past,
present,
and
future;
all
that
caused
him/her
to
be
as
she/he
is,
all
that
brought
him/her
to
that
point.
Then,
and
only
then,
can
our
heart
open
with
understanding,
sorrow
for
the
person’s
suffering,
sincere
forgiveness
for
their
behavior,
(even
though
we
may
not
approve
of
it),
and
true
compassion.
Jesus
said,
when
he
was
stabbed
on
the
cross,
‘Forgive
them,
for
they
know
not
what
they
do.’”
“Most
people
are
looking
for
some
reward
on
the
outside.
This
insatiable,
and
often
unrewarded,
or
unrewarding,
desire
is
a
major
cause
of
conflict
and
defense,
sickness
and
despair.
To
gain
true
happiness,
we
must
turn
our
eyes
inward
in
self-reflection
and
self-cultivation.
Through
this
path,
we
become
our
own
reward,
everyone
benefits,
and
all
the
world
around
us
falls
into
place,
in
a
natural
state
of
harmony
and
peace.
Self-government
guided
by
our
higher
mind
is
the
highest
form
of
government.
To
achieve
this,
we
need
right
education,
right
view,
right
food,
right
agriculture,right
architecture,
right
relationship
with
the
land,
with
nature,
with
the
infinite
forces
of
heaven
and
earth,
with
ourselves,
and
with
each
other.
Peace
to
all.
(Published
in
Macrobiotic
Times
October
1999)
