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Ivan Petkov

In genetics, heredity means the ability of living organisms to transmit to their offspring specific characteristics related to structure and individual development. In everyday life we often say that a parent and a child are "as alike as two peas in a pod" or that we have the eyes, nose, hair ... the figure of the mother, father, grandmother, grandfather or other relative. The situation is similar as regards the character - when one looks at oneself, then he or she notes certain traits or reactions that resemble those of some of his or her relatives.

The issue of heredity significantly concerns us when it comes to character traits and behavioural patterns we do not like as well as to predispositions to various diseases. How does heredity define us? Can we change it? I will try to answer these questions, not by means of modern science but in terms of the views and perceptions of Taoist practices that I have already presented.

Our beginning defines us

Let us start from the beginning, which is the moment of our conception. According to Taoists, each person has two birthdays - the second is the moment of one’s birth that we, in the west, perceive as the only one, and the first is the moment of one’s conception. They believe that the moment of conception is of utmost importance. At this point, the creative energies of both parents become one and create a life. This point is not isolated and it has a certain context. Our parents are in a particular health condition, they have particular attitudes, perceptions and, in general, they are in a very specific situation of life at this point.

The child conceived, according to Taoists, is quite pure a soul, uncharged with the concerns and circumstances faced by the future parents. The first reaction of both parents is the first "program" that the child receives. "Oh no, I'm pregnant again!", "What should I do? I am pregnant! The time is not at all appropriate!" or "I'm pregnant, how will my boyfriend/husband respond?". These are just a few of the reactions of the mother, which mark the beginning of the child. Consequently, the reactions of the father and all the others complete them. Part of the child's future is already determined and there are already concrete expectations and attitudes towards him or her.

Of course, that is not everything, but it is the most essential feature that lies at the bottom of our psyche and affects our entire lifetime in an incomprehensible and even unconscious manner.

We can expand the circumstances and see in what environment, age (peacetime, wartime, poverty, danger, tranquillity...) the child was conceived. Here the astrologers add factors such as the location of celestial bodies. In general, it is important to know that this moment is the first moment that defines our development and us as individuals; it is the first "program" we receive.

Sooner or later, everyone becomes like his or her parents

              Father/Son: Laval, aged 56, and Vincent, aged 29 /photographer: Ulric Collette/

Evolution is a process of growth, change and development which makes hereditary traits that favour survival and reproduction more common and harmful or unnecessary features uncommon. An example of an evolutionary change is the molars, which we call "wisdom teeth". They are chewing teeth that appear last, in adulthood. An increasing number of people are born without "foetuses" of wisdom teeth and will never have such teeth in their lives. Evolution is a slow process and it requires generational change. This means that if we are not of the generation in which new evolutionary traits appear then we may never feel the evolutionary changes in our lives.

What we clearly perceive and recognize in the process of evolution is the transmission of hereditary characteristics from our parents. How does our heredity define our existence? Are our hands tied in terms of our character and predispositions to diseases once we have them in our genetic code?

Taoists believe that we are a combination of our inherited traits and the education that we have received. They say that if one lives like his or her parents, the predispositions to certain diseases inherited from them will almost certainly appear.

Changing the "program"

              Mother/daughter - Julie, aged 61, Isabel, aged 32 /Photographer: Ulric Collette/

Let us take the example of a parent who has the type of diabetes that primarily occurs in obesity. The parent does not like moving and likes eating. The child inherits the predisposition to the disease and gets accustomed to the eating habits and sedentary lifestyle of his or her parents. Therefore, the chances for the disease to occur are high.

We learn the behavioural patterns and the prejudices from our parents through similar mechanisms, although they are not so obvious. Taoists say that what type of parents we will be depends on what type of people we are. It is the parent’s responsibility as to what he or she will transfer to the child.

What can we change and how?

As we have seen, we have learnt the main things at a very early age, even before our birth. We had no choice to accept or reject them as we obtained them without making any effort. We cannot change the nervous system and the traits that we have inherited. However, we can change their relationship with our behaviour as well as the way in which they appear. This change is very difficult but possible. We can revise what we have received from our parents, although subsequently.

Taoists believe that there is a very close relationship between our physical heredity and our qualities. For example, if a person was born with a weak spleen then that person is more prone to anxiety and distrust. This will affect the kidneys and will cause fear. The fear of the kidneys will enhance the tendency of the heart to produce hatred. The hatred will break the balance of our lungs, thus causing sadness and depression. The lungs will affect the liver, which will result in more anger and jealousy.

If we add to that a parent whose behaviour and reactions are highly anxious, then it is very likely for the child’s predisposition, which is reinforced by the behavioural pattern to appear. And if this pattern has been established and followed for years, it can lead to diseases.

The good news is that this vicious circle can be reversed as follows:

If we positively influence and balance the weakest system, then it will affect the others and will reverse the process. The spleen will "produce" honesty and openness instead of anxiety and distrust. The lungs will ensure courage, the kidneys tenderness, the liver kindness and generosity and the heart love, joy and happiness. According to Taoists, balancing the energy of our vital organs and our emotions is the first step by which we can change our bad habits and predispositions.

All this is achieved by two practices, namely, Inner Smile and Six Healing Sounds.

They do not stop here. By working on the emotions that are on the surface, we can reach the behavioural patterns and automated reactions that we have learnt from our parents and change them. Through exercise, breathing and meditation practices, we can even get to the point when we were "programmed" for the first time. This may sound fantastic but, on the other hand, I prefer to think that our human capabilities are much greater than we imagine, instead of supporting the belief that nothing depends on me myself.

Here is the specific practice through which we can do this:

Breathing like a "fan"

This practice is useful before falling asleep and is very good in combination with the healing sounds. It is also quite simple and easy:

Sit down with your back straight. Turn your head horizontally to the right, your chin pointing to your right shoulder. Start breathing and, at the same time, inhaling until your chin starts pointing to your left shoulder. Then, exhale on the way back. It is like folding and unfolding a fan, if you imagine the movement of your head seen from above. So, this is the exercise.

The purpose of the exercise is, while breathing, to recall the events of the past day, starting from the opening of your eyes in the morning to the moment when you had sat down to perform the practice. You will be surprised how easy it is and how images of the events are rushing alone to be recalled. The aim is to get rid of the emotions that have been accumulated over the past day. They are still fresh and are not yet buried inside us, so we can easily take them out to the surface. The purpose of inhalation is to restore the energy that has been spent during the day and of exhalation to "erase" the event so that it does not affect us any longer.

Tip: Before you start recalling the events of the day, try the movement until you get used to it. Allow the breathing to determine the speed of the movement of the head and you will not get out of breath.

Once the thoughts and emotions have reached the surface, you can reinforce the effect through the practice of healing sounds in order to spread the heat and emotions into the body and to transform them into positive energy.

This is an ideal tool for falling asleep and having sweet dreams.

Over time and with practice, you can turn your attention not only to the events of the past day but also to those of your near and distant past. The most important thing in this practice is to be impartial observers. It is as if you are looking on yourself. This insight will allow you to realize the moments when you have learnt or reinforced any unwanted habit or behavioural pattern.

Changing the DNA?

Taoists have gone even further. They argue that if one can balance one’s inner energy, get rid of the emotional patterns of behaviour and bad habits, then this person is only a step away from changing his or her overall fate. They call this "escaping from family history" which is nothing but getting rid of the predispositions to diseases inherited from the parents. This is the change in the DNA. Is it possible? As I have already stated, my personal position is that of a man who does not believe blindly but prefers to think that there is a choice and that human capabilities are much greater than what is accepted in society. Due to my experience, I could say that the Taoist practices are very simple and easy to learn. Especially the basic practices, like the healing sounds and inner smile, work flawlessly.

A fundamental principle in Taoist practices is "Take nothing for granted". One should try them and consider whether they work and how, whether they bring the expected results. Once the basic practices are effective, is it possible for the more advanced ones, the results of which sound incredible, to be equally effective as well?

Viewed through the prism of evolution, Taoist practices are a system of personal development that promises evolutionary development within our lives. It might be worth getting to know them from personal experience. What do you think?