Five Tibetan Rites

The Five Tibetan Rites is a system of exercises reported to be more than 2,500 years old [http://jr-books.com/EyeOfRevelation/1939-EyeOfRevelation.html Forward from 1939 edition of "The Eye of Revelation"] ] which were first publicized by Peter Kelder in a 1939 publication entitled "The Eye of Revelation". Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] Although practically nothing is known about Kelder,Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] one source reports that Kelder was raised as an adopted child in the Midwestern United States and left home while still in his teens in search of adventure. Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] In the 1930's, Kelder claims to have met a retired British army colonel in southern California who shared with him stories of travel and the subsequent discovery of the Rites. Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] Originally written as a 32 page booklet,Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] the publication is the result of Kelder's conversations with the colonel.Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] The Rites are said to be a form of Tibetan yoga similar to the more well-known yoga series that originated in India. [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/464?page=4 Yoga Journal:The Tang of Tibet] ] However, the Five Rites and traditional Tibetan yoga both emphasize "a continuous sequence of movement", whereas Indian forms focus on "static positions". Although the Rites have circulated amongst yogis for decades, skeptics say that Tibetans have never recognized them as being authentic Tibetan practices. [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/464?page=4 Yoga Journal:The Tang of Tibet] ]

The "Five Tibetan Rites" are also referred to as "The Five Rites", "The Five Tibetans" and "The Five Rites of Rejuvenation". [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/464?page=4 Yoga Journal:The Tang of Tibet] ]

The booklet

Kelder's booklet states, while stationed in India, British army officer Colonel Bradford (a pseudonym) heard a story about a group of Lamas who had apparently discovered a "Fountain of Youth". The "wandering natives", as he called them, told him of old men who inexplicably became healthy, strong and full of "vigor and virility" after entering a particular lamasery. After retiring, Kelder's Colonel Bradford went on to discover the lamasery and lived with the monks where they taught him five exercises, which they called "Rites". According to the booklet, the Lamas describe 7 spinning vortices (chakras) within the body. As we grow older, the spin rate of the chakras diminish resulting in "ill-health". The spin rate of these vortices can be restored resulting in improved health by performing the Five Rites on a daily basis. Bradford was also instructed in how to perform a Sixth Rite (an abdominal breathing exercise), which the Lamas only recommended for those willing to choose a lifestyle of celibacy. Additionally, Bradford reveals information on the importance of what foods one should eat, proper food combinations and the correct method of eating.Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).]

Disputed origins

Although the origin of the Five Rites prior to the publication of "The Eye of Revelation" is disputed between practitioners and skeptics, a comparative analysis of illustrations of the postures show a clear similarity between the Rites and authentic Tibetan 'phrul 'khor exercises from a system called rdo rje lus kyi ´phrul ´khor nyi zla kha sbyor. [http://people.tribe.net/sahajananda/blog/743ffcef-f30a-454e-8610-14dd8a45cd06 Are the “Five Tibetans” really Tibetan?] ] [http://allyoga.tribe.net/thread/b7ecc195-67c5-48ef-a078-e9f7dc47b277 The Five Tibetans & ‘phrul ‘khor (yantra)] ] Chris Kilham, whose 1994 book 'The Five Tibetans' resparked the 'The Five Rites' current popularity says, "As the story has it, they were shared by Tibetan lamas; beyond that I know nothing of their history. [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/464?page=4 Yoga Journal:The Tang of Tibet] ] Even though the historic lineage of the Rites prior to the publication of Kelder's booklet remains to be ascertained, the Rites are nevertheless "a genuine form of yoga and were originally taken from an authentic Indo-Tibetan tantric lineage, namely a cycle of yantra-yoga associated with the Sadnadapadadharma." [http://people.tribe.net/sahajananda/blog/743ffcef-f30a-454e-8610-14dd8a45cd06 Are the “Five Tibetans” really Tibetan?] ] [http://allyoga.tribe.net/thread/b7ecc195-67c5-48ef-a078-e9f7dc47b277 The Five Tibetans & ‘phrul ‘khor (yantra)] ] Chris Kilham also states, "The issue at hand, though, is not the lineage of the Five Tibetans. The point is their immense potential value for those who will clear 10 minutes a day to practice." [http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/464?page=4 Yoga Journal:The Tang of Tibet] ]

Performing the exercises

In the original "The Eye of Revelation" booklet, Kelder never mentions the practice of any type of breathing exercise while performing the first Five Rites. Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] However, subsequent publications pertaining to the Rites contain edits by others which recommend and detail specific instructions for breathing while performing the exercises.Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] Some practitioners also recommend taking caution prior to performing the Rites due to the possibility of aggravating certain health conditions. [ [http://thepdi.com/five_rites_of_rejuvenation.htm The Five Rites of Rejuvenation] ] Kelder cautions that when performing the First Rite, spinning must always be performed in a "clockwise" direction. He also states that Bradford clearly recalled that the Maulawiyah, otherwise known as "Whirling Dervishes", always spun from left to right, in a clockwise direction.Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation"; (1946), "The Eye of Revelation, edited by J. W. Watt." Booklocker.com, Inc.; 1st Reprint Edition edition (January 10, 2008).] Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] No mention is made of the positioning of the palms, although the original illustration of the Rite in the 1939 addition of "The Eye of Revelation" clearly depicts both palms as facing downwards towards the ground.Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), [http://www.borderlands.com/eyeofrevelation.htm Borderland Sciences Research Foundation] ; (1975).] Therein arises a point of contention as it is known that Whirling Dervishes spin in a "counterclockwise" direction with the left palm facing downwards towards the earth and the right palm facing upwards towards heaven. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/12/whirl.dervishes/index.html CNN article on Whirling Dervishes] ] However, this discrepancy may find partial resolution in the fact that Tibetan Yoga regards clockwise rotation to be favorable whereas counter-clockwise rotation is considered to be unfavorable. [http://allyoga.tribe.net/thread/b7ecc195-67c5-48ef-a078-e9f7dc47b277 The Five Tibetans & ‘phrul ‘khor (yantra)] ]

*First Rite - [http://thepdi.com/1.of.5_Tibetan.Rite.gifClockwise Whirling] :Inhale and exhale deeply as you spin.

*Second Rite - [http://thepdi.com/2.of.5_Tibetan.Rite.gifHead and Leg Raises] :Inhale deeply while lifting the head and legs, exhale while lowering the head and legs.

*Third Rite - [http://thepdi.com/3.of.5_Tibetan.Rite.gifCamel] :Inhale as the spine arches back, exhale as the spine returns to an erect position.

*Fourth Rite - [http://thepdi.com/4.of.5_Tibetan.Rite.gifTabletop] :Inhale while rising up, hold the breath while in the top position and tense the muscles, then exhale while returning to the starting position.

*Fifth Rite - [http://thepdi.com/5.of.5_Tibetan.Rite.gifUp and Down Dog] :Inhale while raising the body, exhale while lowering the body.

*Sixth Rite - [http://www.ice-crystals.com/subpage5.html (Uddiyana Bandha Abdominal Breathing Exercise)]

Claimed benefits of performing the rites

According to Kelder, Bradford's stay in the lamasery transformed him from a stooped, old gentleman with a cane to a tall and straight young man in the prime of his life. Additionally, he reported that Bradford's hair had grown back and without a trace of gray.Kelder, Peter: "The Eye of Revelation". Peter Kelder; (1939), Borderland Sciences Research Foundation; (1975).] Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] The revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation" entitled "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth" also contain numerous testimonials by practitioners of the Rites claiming that they yield positive medical effects such as improved eyesight, memory, potency, hair growth, restoring full color to completely gray hair and anti-aging.Revised publishings of "The Eye of Revelation"::: Kelder, Peter: " Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth". Harbor Press; (1985,1989) Revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1". Doubleday; (January 20, 1998) Further revised, modernized and expanded edition of "The Eye of Revelation", copyright 1939 by Peter Kelder.:: Kelder, Peter & Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 2". DoubleDay; (January 19, 1999)] However, claims as to the benefits of the rites are often exaggerated resulting in unrealistic expectations. The benefits most likely to be achieved are increased energy, stress reduction and an enhanced sense of calm, clarity of thought, increased strength & flexibility and an overall improvement in health and well-being. [http://www.t5t.com/articles.cfm?Content_ID=93 The Five Tibetan Rite's Benefits - The Truth versus the Claims] ]

References

Further reading

*Kilham, Christopher S.: "The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy and Personal Power". Healing Arts Press; (April 1, 1994)
*Co, Stephen & Eric B. Robins, M.D.: "Your Hands Can Heal You: Pranic Healing Energy Remedies to Boost Vitality and Speed Recovery from Common Health Problems". Free Press; Reprint edition; (January 5, 2004).
*Weor, Samael Aun: "The Tibetan Exercises for Rejuvenation: Gnosis and the Yantra Yoga for Long Life". Glorian Publishing (June 1, 2008)
*Witt, Carolinda: "T5T: The Five Tibetan Exercise Rites". Penguin Books (Sept 2005).
*Witt, Carolinda: "The 10-Minute Rejuvenation Plan: T5T - the Revolutionary Exercise Program That Restores Your Body And Mind". Three Rivers Press (April 3, 2007)

External links

* [http://www.lifeevents.org/5-tibetans-energy-rejuvenation-exercises.htm Five Tibetan Rejuvenation Energy Rites]
* [http://www.flashmavi.com/yoga_5_tibetans_rejuventation_exercise.shtml Flash Mavi Animated 5 Tibetans Lesson]
* [http://www.gnosticteachings.org/content/view/580/43/ Lamasery Exercises] by Samael Aun Weor
* [http://www.t5t.com/articles.cfm Numerous informative articles on the Five Rites]