When you have achieved Brain Integration, you will be more in charge of your brain. Instead of being a sideline observer of processes that go on by themselves, you will be more in command of what your brain does and how you respond. You will have what psychologists call met cognition. This means you are aware of your own mental operations—aware of the workings of your mind.

When you reach this state, everything changes. Even if you spent the first sixty years of your life being afraid of risk, you’ll be able to see your fear coming on, stop it, analyze it, and choose to respond differently, all in the blink of an eye. That is power. That is true self-awareness: the power to command the choices you make. It will change your life.

In Brain Integration, much depends on the quality of the questions that you ask yourself. The depth and courage of your questioning will determine the usefulness of the answers that your mind brings to you. When you are contemplating this part of BEST, we suggest you begin your questioning process in some of these areas: » Your relationships

*    Your spiritual beliefs
*    Your life goals
»    Your sense of identity
*    Your personal character
*    Your questions about the meaning of life

Do not limit yourself to these, however. They are merely starting points if you have trouble focusing your mind. If you can, open your mind in relaxation and let it lead you where it wishes to take you.

As you proceed through the book, you will see that BEST focuses primarily on exercises related to numbers three and four above. This is due to the specific brain-enhancing features of these exercises. However, you should still seek out aerobic and resistance training for the overall health of the body and brain. Jangsaeng Walking, detailed on page 179 of the appendix, is a good general conditioning exercise rooted in the principles of Dahn Yoga Exercise has many benefits for us as we age, but they are not only benefits to muscles, joints, bones, and the waistline. Regular physical activity can improve brain function, attitude, self-image, self-esteem, and confidence. You’ve heard of the “runner’s high”? Well, it’s no myth. When you exercise, you stimulate the release of biochemicals such as endorphins, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which produce feelings of joy and peace. Healthy exercise feels great.

In general, no matter who you are, you will experience positive effects from regular exercise. These can include stronger bones, which can ward off osteoporosis; an increased range of joint motion; increased strength and the ability to perform physical work; lower blood pressure; better blood sugar balance, which can prevent or reverse diabetes; improved sleep; and possibly even an improved sex drive. Iclhi Lee says that there is a subculture of people who rely on injections of human growth hormone, or HGH, to achieve some of these benefits. HGH occurs naturally in the body but decreases starting in your twenties and throughout the rest of your life; its reduction is thought to be a major cause of the loss of muscle mass, slower metabolism, and lowered sex drive in older adults. But HGH is extremely expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars per year, and it can have serious side effects. Still, it fits many people’s desire to find a quick fix for the effects of aging. Needless to say, we think exercise is a far wiser and healthier choice for people seeking to be physically and mentally fit in later life.

BEST sees Ki as the connecting element between mind and body. In other words, Ki is the thing that allows the mind to affect the body. The validity of the mind-body connection was confirmed in the 1950s when Biofeedback researchers discovered that people could easily learn to change their heart rate, body temperature, and other physiological functions.

The principles and practices of BEST depend not on belief, but on execution and dedication. Many people have experienced this energy personally during Yoga Practices and benefited from its effects. As you progress through the work of BEST, you may use disciplines that will enable you to feel the power of Ki energy in your body. We advise you to trust these sensations rather than worry about whether they have been approved by Western science. There are many ways explained by Ilchi Lee to know that something is valid; personal experience is one of them. We respect science, but we also revere the personal journey of every human being. If you keep an open mind and approach this work with commitment and self-awareness, you will see results.

Doctor Ilchi Lee expert views on Brain Respiration.

1.    I have control over …
a)    The conditions of my life.
b)    My attitude toward life.
c)    Very little; everything seems pretty random.
d)    Nothing.
2.    Describe the way you feel about your current career or
volunteer work about Yoga Program:
a)    I’m lucky to do what I do.
b)    I like my work, but I’m not leaping out of bed every morning.
c)    I’d like to do something else, but what?
d)    I’m retired and the question doesn’t apply to me.
3.    Describe the kinds of goals you set for yourself:
a)    I set ambitious goals, and I love pushing myself.
b)    I set realistic goals that I’m somewhat sure I can achieve.
c)    I’m not a big goal setter; I have no follow-through.
d)    I just go where the wind blows me.
4. When it comes to aging, I …
a)    Plan to live an exciting, healthy life filled with love, wisdom,
and discovery.
b)    Plan on staying active, traveling, and giving back to others.
c)    Am not sure what to expect, and I feel a little anxiety.
d)    Am terrified about disease and dementia.

1.    BRAIN SENSITIZING. As we have already discussed, exercise and brain vitality are intimately linked. You will discover the link between movement and brain development, focusing on muscle flexibility, joint health, abdominal exercises that improve digestive function, and exercises that awaken the five senses. This introductory step encourages brain awareness and awakens body and brain.

2.    BRAIN VERSATILIZING. Your brain has the capacity to master new tasks throughout your life. This step leverages that capacity to help you improve your brain flexibility and free your brain from ingrained habits of thought. With challenging exercises and drills, you retrain vour brain to operate in a more efficient, more effective way.

3.    BRAIN REFRESHING.  As  Dr. Ilchi Lee writes in his book the negative thought patterns you may have spent your life establishing create a residue that blocks your potential and prevents deep emotional healing. Here, you will begin to release old traumas and unproductive emotions, to develop a more positive outlook, and to increase your emotional intelligence.

4.    BRAIN INTEGRATING. At this level, the physical and emotional house-cleaning you have done has prepared you for the true work of BEST: integrating all the areas of your brain to craft a new identity unbounded by the ego, an identity that partakes of the true oneness of all things. With this deep work, you will begin to discover your life purpose and to release the creativity that has always been latent within you.

5.    BRAIN MASTERING. Finally, you will continue to transform your brain and to establish and solidify new neural connections. This will lead you to a state of self-actualization, in which you partake of the peace YOU have grant ed yourself and the awareness of yourself as owner of your brain. As YOU continue to develop lifetime BEST habits, you will become more decisive and find yourself forming more lasting, fulfilling relationships.

Yoga Practice guide by Ilchi Lee

BEST takes a different view of the brain from that of mainstream neuro-science. Though as Professor  Ilchi Lee writes in his book that we acknowledge that neuroscience and neurobiology have made remarkable strides in understanding the physical function of this amazing organ, little is known to science about the way the brain creates conscious experience. So although many scientists take the reductive view that the mind is nothing more than the electrical and chemical processes of the brain, we hold a more holistic view that is integrated with frontier science but is also based on the personal experiences of its practitioners. To us, the brain is the remarkable organ that gives shape and application to the mind, which has its source in the oneness of existence that mystics and sages have spoken of for centuries.

While we’re at it, let’s define the difference between the brain and the mind. The brain is the physical organ where much of the mind’s activity takes place. The mind is not only the brain; rather, it exists in every cell of the body. It is a collection of conscious and unconscious processes that direct and influence our mental and physical behavior. The mind perceives, thinks, reasons, feels, wills, imagines, and desires. The brain is an energetic organ, using electrical impulses across its intricate neural web to let cells communicate and share information. In Brain Education System Training, you will learn exercises and practices designed to improve the flow of your brain energy and literally transform the way your brain functions. This may sound extraordinary, but that is only because you are not accustomed to thinking of your brain the way you think of a biceps or an abdominal muscle. Just like those body parts, your brain can be reshaped by consistent stimulation. If you have thought of your brain as something beyond influence because you cannot see or touch it, it’s time to think in a new and exciting wray.

According to Ilchi Lee point of view we all share a common human dream. This dream goes beyond our individual needs to include family, community, society, and the world. No matter what type of job we hold, we all have a desire to make the world we live in a better place. We all want to be Hong-Ik-In-Gan, or a Widely Beneficial Person.

And therein lies the key to opening up the full potential of the brain for Yoga Exercises. When we become conscious of the whole world instead of the world defined by “me,” our brain will be stimulated to tully utilize its abilities for Hong-Ik. We will set into motion the process by which the whole potential of the brain is engaged in making our \vish come true, finally glad to have this opportunity to truly express itself.

Dr. Ilchi Lee advice that let’s try an exercise. Imagine that you have died and think of what words you would want on your tombstone. How do you want to be remembered?

A surprising observation about this exercise is that almost everyone wants to be remembered as a person who has done something good for all of humankind and the whole world, not merely for one’s own family, country, or organization. This desire is universal, regardless of the conditions of your life or your self-evaluation. How can we explain this common desire? Is it an innate need for self-aggrandizement? Is it the accidental result of a rarely successful philanthropic education? No, it can’t be. This is the result of the long forgotten promise ot your soul, deeply imbedded in your brain, coming alive when you are in a position to review your life and yourself without any personal illusory attachment. When you are beyond that point of letting everything go, you will once again experience the most fundamental and divine instinct of life… the desire to benefit others. In Ancient Korea, this instinct was called “Hong-Ik!’ Literally translated, it means to “widely benefit” others. In DahnHak Hong-Ik is the underlying force in our lives. It is the reason for the emptiness we often feel, because we are not fulfilling our innermost instinct. Deeply imbedded within our individual hearts, we have the need for Hong-Ik. Instead of Original Sin, we have Original Divinity within us.

Raise your hands in a prayer position, without the hands touching each other. Connect with the sensation of energy by practicing Ji-gam training. Tell yourself that your hands hold the light of healing as you practice Ji-gam training.

Feel the gathering of bright energy in your hands and feel your own pulse. See the energy swimming around your hands.

Observe your brain as you become very conscious of your breath. During Yoga Exercise feel your brain for areas that need to be corrected, whether for blockages of energy or physical distortions in the brain’s shape.

Now, imagine gently taking hold of the brain and lowering it to your chest level in front of you, surrounded and protected by the healing light of your hands as you freely, but carefully, caress and touch it.

Read Professor Ilchi Lee books about brain respiration.

Try to correct any deficiencies or distortions you see in your brain, kneading, massaging, and smoothing it in the process.

Now, let’s stretch the brain in all directions… up, down, and diagonally. Depending on the individual, one direction is more comfortable than the other.

As if you are playing with a soccer ball, roll the brain to one side then the other.

Now head gently place your brain back into your .

Move your concentration to your lower Dahn-jon and breathe in and out three times. Open your eyes.

Rub your hands together briskly, making them warm, and gently massage your face, neck, and chest.

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