Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-06
SEEK HEAVEN THROUGH
"HARMONIC BREATHING"
QUEER RELIGIOUS CULT GAINS
ADHERENTs
Originated $4,000 Years Ago, but Is
Good for Wear and Tear for
as Many In tho
Future

PHILADELPHIA, July b.-f1tee1i
followers OF Mazdaznan philosophy
were gathered in an attempt to gain
heaven through a proper use of their
lungs. Slow, harmonic breathing Is all
that is necessary to attain this great
end. Air is the link between man and
God, the finite and the infinite, and
once right breathing is accomplished
religion, law, ethics, morals, may be
dispensed with. Such actions as snor-
ing or putting are great errors and
vices, according to the Mazdaznanists.
The leader, Arthur Smith, was for
merly q German university student.
He is now in business in New York.
Four years ago he was so stout from
wrong breathing that he laced his shoes
with difficulty. He became Mazdaz-
nanist and is now the picture OF
health. Together with the ability to
lace his boots Mr.. Smith has attained
| a deeper insight into the meaning anc
mystery of life. All was accomplished
| by proper harmonic breathing-sever
seconds for inhalation, eight seconds
for exhalation, and keep your body re-
taxed and your mind concentrated.
This was the first public exposition
in Philadelphia Of the Oldest religion
in the world. According to Mr.. Smith
the records date back $4,000 years, and
much older. Confucianism, Brahmin-
ism and Buddhism are quite modern
in comparison. But age has not made
1t complex. 1.-THE vital essence Of MAJ
daznan is proper breathing" said Mr..
Smith. "Or washing dishes and
sweeping" added Miss Ellen Nelson,
who tends to the practical end of the
teaching. Instead of saying prayers
we do calisthenics. Air is the link be-
tween man and the infinite, between
you and God. Once you learn how to
breathe. everything else Will come
right"
Mazdaznan, which means master
thought in the ancient zend Ian
guage, originated with the human race
in Mesopotamia, where 1t is practiced
by the inhabitants of "Gan," who live
to be $50 at least. Any one who fol-
lows Mazdaznan may expect to turn
a century or even two. II one breatheS
so much slower one wears SO much
longer Everything is exceedingly sim
pie in the theory. In fact, the leader
of the cult, one Ha 'Nish, now In Chi
cago, who introduced the belief from
ancient Gan, looks to be but 20, al
though he has reached the allotted
three score and ten. Mazdaznanists
have a proper contempt for Oslerism.
Mr., Smith becaume very vehement in
his explanation of "all and all of proper
breathing" Strength lies in breath.
When you get in a fight don't hit your
man first. Draw In deep breath; If
he is not overcome by that, then hit
hin-and you will hit him with the
extra force impaired to your frame by
the air.
Several of Mr.. Smiths followers gave
testimonials to prove that strength
lies In the breath, not in the muscles.
Wonderful feats in bicycle hill climbing
had been performed without any pre-
vious training other than breathing
exercises. Longshoremen always take
a deep breath before lifting heavy
case. One little woman weighing not
more than 100 pounds testified to hav-
ing lifted q grand plano with deep
breath. From testimony as to the eff
feet of air as manifested in physical
feats. the Mazdaznanists passed on to
recount the wonderful effect of har-
monte breathing on mind and tempera-
ment.
"Never say anything before you have
taken breath, because that is how folly
arises" explained Mr.. Smith. "All
tempers and bad dispositions and vices
arise from bad breathing. If a man
and wife breathe right the family
won't fight. OF course, proper breath
ing must be supplemented by proper
diet and habits. MaZdaznanists are
not only strict vegetarians, but they
also believe nothing should be eaten
out of season. Canned peas are as
abhorrent to them as dollhouse grapes
or California peaches. But the matter
of diet is secondary in Importance to
breathing, because If you once learn
how to breathe tremendously the wis
dom as to food follows. In fact, every
thing follows. The Mazdaznanist be-
comes divine through his breath and
no longer needs law, moral code, ethics
or religion"