This is the first and only book in the West to reveal the Buddhist Wu Hsing teaching on the ancient art of hand analysis, developed in the monasteries of India and China. The Wu Hsing method is based on the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether. Because each of the five elements represents an aspect of ourselves -- the physical, emotional, creative, intellectual, and spiritual -- the result of this method of study is a holistic understanding of the individual. Most textbooks based on the European method of Cheirology require that the student memorize lines, shapes, and their meanings without really reaching a basic understanding of why. In this comprehensive textbook, Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio focuses on the principles of the Chinese method so that we learn the underlying structure of how and why lines mean what they do. This allows for the interpretation of any "anomalies" that a memorized repertoire of hand characteristics can't accommodate. The result: a more thorough understanding of the principle of hand analysis and a deeper awareness of ourselves. The author places special emphasis on the fact that our hands can be put to use to diagnose our psychological, physical, and spiritual health, and provides in-depth techniques for diagnostic study. Written especially for the Western student, this book will appeal to both beginners in the art of hand analysis and to students of esoteric oriental philosophy. It is also an important reference work for anyone interested in mind/body integration.