Month: March 2025

Spring is in full bloom again, and the cherry blossom season has come. There is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot nearby, so the population density around the station increases dramatically during this season. This year, there seem to be many people visiting from abroad, and I am surprised at how popular the cherry blossoms are. Everyone will be soothed by the positive energy of the cherry blossoms.

Master Tatsumura, who teaches yoga in our retreat seminar, teaches us about the interaction of “Ki” with trees. Trees, plants, and all living things, including us humans, have “Ki”, a life energy.

In the case of cherry blossoms, perhaps they are deeply influenced by the emotions that Japanese people have had since ancient times. The joy of spring, the melancholy of the fleeting petals, the hope for new beginnings… these may resonate with the “Ki” of cherry blossoms and give us a special healing power.

“By directing your feelings, you become more likely to receive Ki” – this is a very important point when it comes to taking in good “Ki”. By being captivated by the beauty of the cherry blossoms and having a heart that is genuinely moved by them, you will be able to feel the positive energy of the cherry blossoms more strongly.

Conversely, if you are caught up in negative emotions such as dissatisfaction or anger, you will be more likely to attract negative “Ki,” and if you are already strongly influenced by negative “Ki,” you will be more likely to resonate with similar bad “Ki.”

Therefore, it is important to always be in a state of mind where you are in tune with positive Ki, and to receive Shinkiko to raise your own “Ki.”  In particular, during this time of year when you will have many new encounters and learning opportunities, it is recommended that you have warm feelings towards others. The pure desire to do something for someone, to help someone in need, will in itself generate strong positive Ki. This will first raise your own “Ki,” which will gradually spread to those around you. Being conscious of “sending good Ki” will in the end attract good things to yourself.

Just as we are captivated by the beauty of cherry blossoms, it would be good if we could be conscious of treating those around us with kindness and generosity in our daily lives. These small actions will first warm our own hearts and fill them with comfortable “Ki.” Then, that “Ki” will surely spread to the hearts of those around us, creating peaceful connections.

Open your hearts to the beautiful cherry blossoms and extend warm feelings to the people around you. By doing so, our own “Ki” will increase, and we will be able to welcome a more fulfilling spring.

The other day, we were in an elevator together. While the adults were standing there quietly, my son, who will soon be one and a half years old, suddenly started yelling “Ah, ah” loudly. I thought there might be a bit of awkwardness, but everyone around us was smiling and watching over our son. The atmosphere instantly became more relaxed, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, I once again realized the existence of an invisible energy called “atmosphere.” Atmosphere is a kind of “Ki” that cannot be measured by science. We are always living under the influence of this atmosphere, both in a good and bad way.

For example, in a sad atmosphere such as a funeral, you will feel sad and tearful. In situations where you have to “perform a certain way,” such as a presentation, everyone has probably experienced being overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere caused by tension and pressure, and not being able to perform to your full potential. On the other hand, in a bright and lively place, you can naturally feel uplifted and your creativity can be stimulated.

When we are surrounded by bright, positive energy, we naturally smile and feel positive, but when we are influenced by dark, negative energy, our spirits can become depressed and we may not be able to demonstrate our true potential.

The important thing is to always continue to send out positive energy without being swayed by the atmosphere around you. To do this, you need to develop a strong mind that will not be defeated by negative energy, and to raise your own energy so that you are not swallowed up by the atmosphere around you.

It is also important to consciously make efforts to cultivate a joyful mind in your daily life. For example, listening to your favorite music, admiring beautiful scenery, and talking with like-minded friends can all help to increase your mental energy.

Also, remembering to be grateful and always trying to use positive words is also an effective way to radiate good energy. Expressing gratitude for even small things can help improve relationships with the people around you and create a better atmosphere.

Also, if you find that you are easily overwhelmed by the atmosphere and are unable to perform to your full potential, it is possible that your past self or your ancestors were strongly influenced by negative energy, so it would be a good idea to focus your attention on this and receive Shinkiko.

We who have access to Shinkiko at all times can use it effectively in our daily lives, consciously emitting good Ki, and living each day filled with positive energy.

Today, the Shinkiko Retreat seminar began in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture. The first time it was held here was over ten years ago, and it is held every other year, so I have been here five times already. However, I had never been interested in the somewhat unusual place name Soja. So this time, I decided to look into it.

It said, “The origin of the shrine is Soja-gu Shrine, which was built at the end of the Heian Period. In order to avoid the inconvenience of having to make pilgrimages to shrines throughout Bitchu Province, the gods of 324 shrines were enshrined here.” As with Ise in Mie in January and Dazaifu in Fukuoka last month, there was a shrine near the venue this time as well, so I felt a renewed connection with the gods, and was amazed that so many gods could be enshrined here.

By the way, Shinkiko Retreat seminar is a place where people who participate are drawn together by a mysterious connection, as if they were drawn by a magnet. This year marks the 399th time the course has been held, exactly 35 years in the past, and what I have come to realize over the years is that “here awaits you, an invaluable experience and learning that you could never have obtained on your own.”

When people come together, various realizations and discoveries are born. This doesn’t only happen when the teacher speaks, but also when surprising words are hidden in casual conversations between participants, and someone’s gestures can convey deep emotions that cannot be expressed in words.

For example, a past experience shared by one participant may provide a clue to solving a problem that another participant had, and a question posed by another participant may become an opportunity to deepen the understanding of all participants. Valuable learning can also be found in the casual conversations that take place during breaks and meal times during seminar.

The energy of Shinkiko changes negative Ki into positive Ki, and I believe this is the result of the support of all the positive Ki that has changed us up until now.

Since the time of our predecessor, our retreat seminar have placed importance on group living, and it is for exactly this reason.

By spending time together, learning together, and experiencing together, participants build deep relationships of trust, and become people who support and improve each other. They are friends who use the energy of the universe, Shinkiko, in themselves and around themselves (that is, on this earth) to change the Ki environment.

The time spent with friends who have come together through a mysterious bond is an irreplaceable treasure. I believe that the bond that the gods of the shrine have created is also a major factor here. What kind of seminar will it be? I’m looking forward to it this time as well.

The other day, two of the three elevators were undergoing maintenance, and there was a long line for the remaining one. It took a long time for people to get in, and some people’s faces showed signs of frustration. At that moment, the proverb “haste makes waste” suddenly came to mind. Feeling hasty can lead to carelessness and unexpected mistakes. This proverb is said  to have been around since the mid-Edo period, and people in the past, just like people today, were always careful to avoid a hasty mind.

Whether it’s waiting in line at the store or your computer is running slowly, we are always faced with a feeling of urgency.

Behind this urgency lies a “negative energy” that works to hinder us and make us fail. Negative energy makes our minds restless and invites carelessness.

For example, when we are in a hurry, we can’t find things or we trip on the stairs… This is because negative energy is taking away our concentration and making us distracted. Also, when we are in a hurry, we can’t see the situation around us and can cause trouble for others.

Negative Ki controls our minds and prevents us from exerting our true potential, but if we are aware of it and are conscious of it, we can minimize the effects of negative Ki and make it easier to receive support from positive Ki.

So, when do we create a rushed mind?

For me, it seems like the dangerous times are when I’m pressed for time on the train or somewhere else, when a deadline is approaching at work, or when I have a lot to plan and feel anxious. And to minimize this as much as possible, I have come up with and tried out my own countermeasures, such as prioritizing my work and making plans.

Also, when you start to feel rushed, it’s important to take a deep breath and calm your mind. Also, remember the saying “haste makes waste” and try to act without rushing.

It’s also effective to consciously create time to relax in your daily life. For example, getting up a little earlier in the morning to make time to relax, or taking advantage of the Shinkiko time in the evening to use more Hi Genki and take in more Ki into your mind and body, which will help keep negative Ki away. By becoming aware of our hectic mind and changing our connection with negative energy, we become more susceptible to receiving support from positive energy, and as a result, we can live calmer and more fulfilling lives.