Shinkiko Blog

Yesterday, December 11th, was the death anniversary of my father, our founder.  He passed away in 1995, so exactly 30 years have passed. Time really does fly.   The Shinkiko Members’ Gathering, which began on the anniversary of his death, will be held over three days this year as well, in Kumamoto on the 14th, Osaka on the 20th, and Tokyo on the 21st.

The energy of Shinkiko is relayed to members who are in high spirits, and our founder is also exerting his power from the universe.  Incidentally, the fundamental meaning of ancestor memorial services is to send the light known as Ki.  Therefore, I would like all participants to not only receive ki themselves, but also to be conscious of their ancestors and send them Ki.

Doing so will increase the energy of the souls of those who have passed away, and they will likely receive even more support from them. As our understanding of the soul deepens, we realize that people can continue to play an active role even after death.

Shinkiko is not a religion, but the thoughts of our founder, is still at work today.

Our founder devoted himself to his role of spreading Shinkiko, so he must be very pleased to see so many people attending our members’ gatherings.

Our founder said, “The purpose of Shinkiko is not to cure illness.  The true purpose is to enhance spirituality, purify the environment, and enable all things to live in a state of good energy.”  Shinkiko members’ gatherings are also an opportunity to send Ki to not only your ancestors, but also to people you care about, such as your children and grandchildren.

When many people align their consciousness at the same time, powerful energy from the universe gathers on Earth. The energy that gathers through the person receiving the Ki spreads to the surrounding area, changing the ki environment.

I intend to keep this point in particular in mind when attending members’ gatherings. I hope that everyone will also tune into this wavelength.

Next year will mark 40 years since the invention of Hi Genki, which means that Shinkiko began.  We need everyone’s cooperation to make it a good year.

It’s not a big end-of-year cleaning, but while I was cleaning out the storehouse, I came across a bunch of books entitled “Ki: The Energy of Light that Fills the Mind, Body and Soul.”

This book was published in 2009 and is a little old, but we will provide a copy free of charge to anyone who requests one (postage will be charged if mailed), so please come to our head office or the nearest center.

There are limited numbers of copies, so we apologize if they run out. We hope that many people will participate, and that we can gather a lot of Shinkiko energy on this Earth.

Children grow up quickly, but even adults who are always concerned with aging are surely experiencing great spiritual growth. Even if something bad happens at first glance, it may have been a valuable experience that helped develop the soul. Looking back over the past year, I’m sure there were many different things that made you happy, sad, angry, and depressed. However, all of those experiences are important and have shaped who you are today.

We can honestly be happy when good things happen, but when bad things happen, we tend to think, “Why does this have to happen to me?” However, it’s important to realize that even events that at first glance seem negative can have meaning or lessons to teach us. For example, even if you have trouble with your relationships, it can make you think about the other person’s feelings and make you realize your own shortcomings.

My father, the predecessor, often said, “Everything has meaning.” He said that everything, good and bad, is a learning opportunity for the soul to grow. It is certainly true that when we go through difficult experiences, we think deeply and reexamine ourselves. It is not uncommon for us to realize for the first time in difficult situations important things that we didn’t notice when things were going smoothly.

When the influence of negative energy is strong, you focus only on the bad things that happen and you end up believing that you are unhappy. However, by receiving the energy of Shinkiko, your perspective changes. Even with the same event, you will be able to see the positive side, thinking, “This is an opportunity for me to grow,” or “This experience has made me who I am today.”

This month, the Shinkiko members’ gathering will be held, and you will be able to receive a lot of Ki, so it would be good to look back on the past year. Of course, look back on the good things, but have you learned anything from the painful and sad times as well? Think about how that failure has helped you become more careful now, or how meeting that person has given you a new perspective, and try to reevaluate each experience like this.

Everything I experienced this year is a treasure that has helped me hone my soul. Everything, both the good and the bad, had meaning. I would like to continue to cherish my daily experiences and continue to learn from them, while receiving the support of Shinkiko’s energy. As we enter the final month of this year, I am reminded once again that the key to making my soul shine is to treasure each and every experience and welcome the new year with a feeling of gratitude.

Recently, I’ve been having a hard time remembering people’s names.  I find myself saying, “That person, um…” but just can’t remember the actual name.  When this happens more and more, I tend to think, “I’m getting old, so it can’t be helped,” but I’ve heard that this way of thinking is good, so I keep saying “um…” forever.  

My mother had dementia. Watching my mother gradually lose her memory has given me a real sense of how the brain deteriorates, so I want to be mindful of this on a daily basis.  Then the other day I read an article that said, “They say that muscles can get stronger if you train them even after you’re 90, and the same goes for the brain.”  You can get stronger if you train them even after you’re 90.

This is because the brain has a characteristic called “plasticity.” Brain plasticity is the ability to change its structure and function in response to new experiences and learning.  When you try something new, your brain creates new neural circuits to accommodate it. And with repeated use, these circuits become thicker and stronger.

When you think about it that way, the problem lies in using your own standards to decide that “I’m just getting old.” At the monthly Shinkiko retreat seminar, yoga master Mr.Tatsumura teaches methods of activating the brain by performing different movements with each hand.

For example, you could make a fox with your right hand while making a rabbit with your left hand, alternating between these movements.  It’s difficult at first, but this is precisely the kind of training that creates new neural circuits in the brain.

I always tell people, “When you receive the energy of Shinkiko and your Ki rises, you will find it easier to feel at ease in your mind.” The function of the brain is also deeply connected to the state of Ki.  When you are affected by negative Ki, you become more convinced that “I can’t do it anymore” or “I’m too old,” and you lose the motivation to try new things.

Furthermore, by keeping negative energy at bay, you will be able to try things that you previously thought were difficult.  You will feel less reluctant to take on challenges and be able to take on new things without fear of failure.   From now on, with the support of the energy of Shinkiko, you can try new things with peace of mind. The brain continues to grow no matter how old you are.  Make good use of Shinkiko and live a life of continuous growth.

My son has recently become interested in railroad crossings. He tries to stay there for hours, which is very difficult for me. Since they happen to be on our walks, it takes twice as long, so I can only pray that he will no longer encounter railroad crossings. As my son is taking up so much of my time, I was hoping to have more time for myself, when I came across an article.

According to the study, having too much free time can actually decrease happiness. Having less than two hours of free time per day increases stress and fatigue, but the happiest people are those with two to five hours of free time. However, what’s surprising is that if you have more than five hours of free time, stress actually increases and happiness starts to decrease.

I realized that the problem was that I had decided by my own standards that I didn’t have enough time. Why does having too much free time make you unhappy? It’s because having too much free time means wasting it on “unproductive activities,” like lazing around watching TV or aimlessly scrolling the internet or social media. It’s true that sometimes you feel empty and wonder what that time was all about later.

When you are affected by negative Ki, you tend to waste a lot of time and end up wasting more and more time. Conversely, when you receive the energy of Shinkiko and your Ki rises, you will start to use your time more wisely. You will be more likely to receive the support of positive Ki, and you will naturally be able to spend your time in a fulfilling way, and you will be able to find time for joy and fun. If you think two hours is enough, then it should be manageable.

It’s also important to increase work efficiency, finish work earlier, and reduce the amount of time you waste. And it’s important to use the free time you create with a purpose, such as for exercise, studying, or spending time with family. If you change your perspective, spending time at the railroad crossing with your son could be a precious time to attend to your child’s interests and curiosity. Rather than fretting about not having enough time, if you adopt the perspective of “cherishing this moment now,” you’ll likely feel differently about the same amount of time.

I too plan to recharge my energy with Shinkiko on a regular basis, keep negative energy away, and make my time more fulfilling. I will also transform my limited free time into time that enriches me. I hope that you will also make good use of Shinkiko and improve the quality of your time.

My son is now two years old and tries to touch my mobile phone whenever he gets the chance. I always manage to take it away, but sometimes he touches it in the wrong place and makes a call to the wrong place.

He must be very interested. I always tell him, “You can’t use it,” but the other day I was surprised and thought, “Wow, there’s a way to use it like that!” As he was touching the screen with his finger, a function I had never known about appeared. I was able to teach my son a unique way of using things that I would never have come up with based on my own way of using things.

I am usually in a position to explain Shinkiko to everyone. However, my father, the previous generation leader, often said, “Don’t become a teacher.” Shinkiko is an energy from the universe that is connected to the universal consciousness. He probably meant, “You may think you’ve studied a little, but you still have a long way to go. It’s important to have a humble attitude of learning.”

It’s true that if you believe you’re always right, you won’t be able to see other perspectives. If you decide, “This is what I think,” or “This is the correct answer,” you’ll lose the willingness to listen to what others have to say.

When the influence of negative energy is strong, you become rigid in your own thoughts and lose flexibility.

To do this, it is important to be flexible in your thinking and not be stubborn. You should always ask yourself whether your own thoughts are really correct, whether the other person’s point of view might be correct, or whether there are blind spots in your way of thinking.

For example, even when I’m explaining Shinkiko, I sometimes ask myself, “Is this explanation really getting the point across?” or “Is there a better way to express it?” Rather than assuming that it’s okay just because I’ve been doing it for many years, I think it’s important to always try to put myself in the other person’s shoes and reconsider.

When you receive the energy of Shinkiko and your own ki rises, you are more likely to develop this kind of flexible mental space. As negative Ki turns into light, stubbornness and preconceptions soften. And as your positive Ki increases, you will be able to listen to others and see new perspectives.

Even when it comes to my son’s mobile phone usage, I have made some unexpected discoveries. Even when I think I am in a position to “teach,” it seems that in fact I am often the one being “taught.” From now on, with the support of Shinkiko’s energy, I would like to continue to constantly question my own correctness and maintain an attitude of self-reflection. This incident reminded me that a humble attitude of continuing to learn is important for enriching one’s life.

While walking with my son, I noticed birds basking in the sun on the sparkling surface of a river. Even a casual moment like this can calm my mind. When you feel calm, even the smallest everyday events seem different. This is due to the nature of Ki, which means that when you emit positive Ki, positive Ki will gather in response from those around you.

In the ShinKiko retreat seminar, we explain two main states of the mind as “guidelines for purifying the mind.”

“A mind that attracts positive energy” – a strong, cheerful, righteous mind, self-control, abandoning undesirable desires, living in harmony with others, and a life of gratitude.

“A mind that easily attracts negative energy” – hatred, envy, jealousy, envy, curses, anger, complaints, dissatisfaction, doubt, worry, guilt, irritability, and a hasty mind.

The emotions that attract negative energy are triggered by regrets about the past and anxiety about the future. In other words, it is important to focus on the present as much as possible, and it is especially good to use your body to focus on actions that you can take now.

However, since we are not monks, it is difficult for us to concentrate on each moment. In the our retreat seminar, we recite various “words of vows.” For example, the awakening vow is “I have just awakened. I vow to live my life today, giving my all in everything I do,” which focuses on the “now” of today. The unit of one day is easy to imagine and practical.

For example, when you wake up in the morning, open the window and take a deep breath of fresh air. Take the time to slowly savor your favorite drink. Say “thank you” to your family and colleagues. Each of these small actions will attract positive energy.

What’s even better is if you can “find the good in others” and share their good points. Expressing a casual kindness in your family. Saying “thank you” to a colleague or store clerk at work for their smile. These actions will bring positive energy not only to the other person, but to yourself as well.

My wife went to the hair salon. When she came back, she asked me, “What do you think of my hair?” and I replied, “It looks good.” When she asked me, “What do you like about it?”, I didn’t know what to say right away, so I answered, “It looks fresh.” Of course, since she had a haircut, it should look fresh. I felt a bit funny saying that myself.

To me, it’s nothing special, but to the person in question, that seems to be the key point. I was reminded once again that not understanding this is my weakness.

The other day, I read an article titled “How to improve your wife’s mood…” and it made me realize that I’m not good at small talk. People who aren’t good at small talk tend to dismiss small everyday events as “unimportant.”

It’s true that I’ve always prioritized things I consider important, like work and big goals. However, things like my wife’s hairstyle and other small everyday events may seem small to me, but they’re important to her. I realized that the problem was that I was using my own standards to define what I considered “small.”

I tend to think of rambling, inconclusive conversations as “unimportant talk,” and I don’t enjoy the conversation itself. “I’ve heard that story before,” “That story again?” “What’s the solution?” “How long are you going to be struggling with that problem?” These kinds of questions pop up one after another, and if there’s a problem, you want to solve it, and if there’s a goal, you want to set a goal. If the conversation isn’t leading to a solution or a goal, I lose interest in listening.

I always tell people, “When you receive the energy of Shinkiko and your own Ki rises, it becomes easier to feel at ease in your mind.” Feelings of joy emit positive Ki, which not only raises your own Ki but also changes the Ki of those around you. To achieve this, it’s important to be able to have casual conversations and chat. By listening to what others have to say through casual conversation and cherishing their small joys and interests, the bond between you will deepen.

From now on, when I think that something my wife is talking about is “small,” I will try to think, “Is it small to my wife?” and try to be in a position where I can listen to the things she likes. I would also like to borrow the power of Shinkiko’s energy even more, so that I can enjoy casual conversation with a relaxed mind.

As I wrote about in last week’s article, when my son is crying, if I make a series of funny faces, he often stops crying and starts laughing. I’m sure that to others I look ridiculous doing this, but it’s just what a doting parent does.

I believe that the act of “making people laugh” is actually very important. To raise your Ki you need to emit positive Ki from yourself. This is because Ki has the property that by doing so, positive Ki will gather from those around you due to the vibrational synchronization effect. Laughter is truly the source of generating positive Ki.

At the Shinkiko Retreat seminar held every month, we do something called “Laughter Practice.” Everyone joins hands and at first tries to force themselves to laugh. As they yell “Ha ha ha,” the atmosphere gradually becomes more cheerful, and before they know it, they’re actually laughing.

My father, our founder, always had a punch line in his stories and valued the humorous aspects of rakugo and manzai. Even in serious stories, he would always include something that would make people chuckle.

To increase laughter in your daily life, you need to have the mental space to see your own and those around you’re making jokes about their mistakes. For example, while I was seriously explaining Shinkiko, my nose suddenly started to itch and I sneezed loudly. The sound echoed through the quiet hall, and for a moment I wondered what to do, but then I said, “This is also proof that the energy of Ki is working on the body,” and it became a funny story, lightening the mood in the room.

When you receive the energy of Shinkiko and your Ki rises, you will find it easier to have peace of mind. If the influence of negative Ki is strong, you will take even small failures seriously, but as the support of positive Ki increases, you will be able to turn the same event into laughter.

Laughter is not something we passively wait for; it’s good to create it ourselves. Laughing with others also raises the energy in the room and deepens the bonds between you.

It’s especially in difficult times that we should not forget to laugh. A little laughter creates peace of mind, which gives us the strength to take the next step. And when we laugh, we not only send positive energy to ourselves, but to invisible beings as well.

So, try to find humour in the little things that happen in your daily life, turn your failures into jokes, and laugh at silly things. By doing so, you will attract positive energy around you, and your life will become more enjoyable and fulfilling.

My son, who will soon be two years old, has recently been carrying a picture book about vegetables with him wherever he goes. The book features a variety of vegetables, including radishes and cabbages, but he always has it open to the page featuring sweet potatoes. His favorite parts are the three pages that say, “Sweet potatoes grown in the fields,” “Now lined up at the greengrocer’s. They’re sweet potatoes,” and “Let’s roast them and enjoy them,” and he seems to particularly like the first page, where they are about to harvest in the fields.

Because he opens it every day, the pages have become tattered, and I have reinforced them with tape in several places, so it has become quite thick. The picture book is so small that he can barely hold it in one hand, but he even takes it with him when he goes for walks, and I always hold it open to the page showing the sweet potatoes growing in the fields, which makes me feel a little embarrassed in front of the people around me.

Why does he like it so much? He likes roasted sweet potatoes, but he could have opened it to page 3, where a girl is eating them with relish. But what he likes most is the picture of a field full of sweet potatoes hanging from vines being harvested.

There is no logic to liking something. This must be related to the Ki from this picture. It is truly because of Ki. I say that there is positive Ki and negative Ki, and both are related to “liking” something. We want to like things with as good Ki as possible, but if we are influenced by strong negative Ki, we will naturally end up liking things with bad Ki.

Since you are always on the same wavelength as negative Ki, you need to be careful and think logically about whether this is the influence of negative Ki. Even if you can’t tell for yourself, you may be able to tell through others. If you think something is wrong, I would like you to recharge with the energy of Shinkiko. If you take in Ki from outside and raise your own Ki, you will naturally lose contact with things that emit negative Ki.

It may be that the things that small children innocently like hide something important that we adults have forgotten. Seeing my son’s pure sense of “liking” something makes me want to cherish the things that make me feel truly comfortable. With the support of Shinkiko’s energy, I would like to hone my sense of naturally choosing things that give off positive Ki.

In the Shinkiko retreat seminar, we spend a lot of time practicing “finding the good positive points.” Today, we will explain the “finding the good positive points” method of deliberately setting small goals for yourself and recognizing that you have achieved them.

When things don’t go well, when failures or unfortunate events occur, the feeling that there’s nothing you can do can grow stronger. Negative energy is dark energy that doesn’t want to change, so it prevents people from changing for the better.

Just by being able to take action, our light-like energy of Shinkiko increases, but by accumulating small successes, the influence of negative Ki gradually fades away, and we become more susceptible to the support of positive Ki.

To explain a little more, when we make a decision and take action, we consider whether or not to take that action. When you think, “This is such a pain” or “Maybe I can skip it today,” your physical condition and emotions at the time can also link up, causing negative energy to take effect.

Therefore, setting small but achievable goals and acknowledging your success in achieving them will allow you to act more effectively with less effort, increasing your light.

If you think about it this way, “finding the good” by setting small goals is a challenge to negative energy, but you can make it easier to succeed by using the following methods.

1. First, decide on a goal that you are sure you can achieve.

The key is to clearly define the specific actions, time, and number of times.

For example, start with “always say thank you to my family at least once,” and gradually increase the number.

2. Once you have done it, be sure to record it.

For example, you can use a calendar or diary to write down not only “what you did” but also “how you felt.”

3. At the end of your record, add positive words such as “You did it again today” or “You’re doing well.”

These words are the key to attracting positive energy.

Also, even if there are days when you can’t do it, it’s important not to give up and start again. Furthermore, look back on the past and remember what you’ve accomplished. Think about “why you were able to achieve it” and focus on what actions and attitudes of your own led to that result.

Then, by thinking about how you can apply this to the problems you’re currently facing, you’ll gain the confidence that “if I did it then, I can do it this time too.”

Even if your energy is very negative, by continuing to use Hi Genki, it will change little by little. Furthermore, by looking for the small good positive things in yourself, you can get closer to your ideal self, one step at a time.