Month: November 2025

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.