George Ohsawa was a pioneer far ahead of his time. He created models for understanding, interpreting, and living all aspects of life. Ohsawa’s expressions may be awkward-sounding today, such as “The Order of the Universe”. Out of respect, we have decided to keep his terms, with modern interpretations.  His teachings eventually lead to the creation and development of the natural food movement, the ecology movement, and the ideas and practices that enable us create our own health.

The most important of his teachings was what he referred to as “The Order of the Universe.” The Order of the Universe clearly demonstrates why food is so important, and how it connects us to Nature and all of life. In essence, the Universe condenses itself into food quite uniquely in each environment. Through eating that food, we connect not only with the food, but the environment, and in turn, with Nature.

The practical applications of his work were based on the Oriental concept of Shindo Fuji— Body and Earth are not two. It can also be re-interpreted as: We are one with, a reflection of, inseparable from Nature, the environment and each other.

George Ohsawa encouraged relying on indigenous, local, and seasonal foods. Indigenous foods can be considered those that have grown and adapted in a certain climatic region over the last 10-12,000 years. Eating indigenous, local, and seasonal foods creates a more clear and strong connection to our immediate environment, in the same way that eating together creates a stronger and healthier connection among family members.

George Ohsawa outlined what he called The Unique Principle, which is composed of seven principles and twelve laws of change of the infinite universe. The Unique Principle explains the workings and relationships between yin and yang, and can be applied to create balance, harmony, and change in all aspects of life. This principle has the ability to endlessly adapt and bring maximum benefit to any circumstance or topic to which it is applied be it a vegan diet, sustainable farming, or physical training.

Ohsawa changed the metaphysical application of yin and yang to a physical application. I think it was one of his most brilliant insights because the physical interpretation of yin and yang was immediately practically applied to all aspects of life, especially Western science and medicine. The physical classification of yin and yang was the guide for the many dramatic recoveries that macrobiotics is so well known for.