Dry Bath Method—Kenyoku Ho

(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)

The methods breathing and meditation are called Kokyu Ho, which means breathing method. Within these methods are different exercises. The first is a cleansing ritual called Kenyoku Ho which means dry bath method. This is a method of cleansing the spirit energetically. It is an energetic and symbolic method of appeasing the kami or nature gods. Cleansing is an important first step to healing. You can use it alone or it can be a way to begin other exercises. The dry bath method will be mentioned throughout this course as an exercise to do before performing other more complex exercises.

First, as with every exercise, you should begin with the six principles (refer to page four). Stand in horse stance with your arms hanging at your sides. Once you are relaxed, cup your right hand, close your fingers, and place your right palm on the top of your left shoulder as you inhale. Then exhale while you let your right hand fall diagonally across your body toward your right hip without physically touching your body. Swing your right hand past your body. This first step cleanses not only the exterior area that your hand went over but also your liver, stomach, and heart.
The second step is basically the same but on the opposite side of the body. Inhale and raise your left hand to your right shoulder. Diagonally cleanse the area between that point and your left hip as your exhale. Then again your hand should end off of your body. This second step cleanses not only the exterior area of your body but also the spleen and the other side of the heart and stomach. The last step is to repeat the first step again sweeping your right hand from your left shoulder to your right hip.

Now you are half way through with the dry bath. The second half is to cleanse the arms and hands, which have collected the negative energy from your body. Bend your left elbow so that your forearm is level with the ground and your upper arm is against your side. Turn your left palm up. Then inhale as you bring your right hand to your left shoulder. Swing your right hand down your biceps, through the crook of your elbow, and across your forearm. Then sweep your right hand across your open left palm and off of your body. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side. Place the left hand on the right shoulder and cleanse your right arm. Repeat one last time with the right hand on the left shoulder. To finish the exercise bring your hands together at your heart in gassho.

The dry bath exercise (Kenyoku Ho) is a good exercise to do just before all the following meditative practices, as well as most exercises. After you are energetically cleansed, you can begin the meditations. Many different cultures, religions, and peoples have different types of meditation. Like any type of Ki cultivation, it is the intent that counts. The exact way that you meditate is not really important. However, there are a few ideas that may help the process.