August is a season for turning our thoughts toward our ancestors. The very fact that we exist here today is due entirely to the countless ancestors who, since the distant past, have carried on the unbroken thread of life.
I recently spoke with someone who had obtained a certified copy of their family register; as they carefully examined the document, they realized that each of their ancestors had lived through an era of great upheaval and war—spanning from the end of the Edo period into the Showa era. Imagining the hardships those ancestors endured likely allowed this person to feel a deeper sense of gratitude than ever before.
On the other hand, some of you may have heard negative stories about your ancestors—such as tales of lives ruined by alcohol or failed business ventures. However, it is important to view these matters from a different perspective. It could be said that precisely because of those failures and hardships, the family united and the next generation rose to the challenge, leading to the present day. In fact, ancestors who harbored such regrets or attachments are often the very ones waiting for the light; thus, there is profound significance in our sending that light to them with a heart full of gratitude.
From the perspective of Ki (vital energy), the soul continues to exist even after the physical body perishes, remaining deeply connected to us through an invisible, vertical bond. While the karmic ties with our ancestors may sometimes manifest as seemingly negative phenomena—such as poor health or discord in relationships—these are not things to fear; rather, they offer a prime opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.
You can share the positive Ki (energy)—charged using devices like High Genki or other Ki-enhancing products—with your ancestors. At the same time, while it is certainly important to look for the good in your daily life, you should also deeply reflect on your connection to your ancestors. Try writing down the stories and accounts of their hardships that you heard from your parents or grandparents. Research their names and the eras in which they lived using family registers or family trees, and try to imagine what their lives were like; your ancestors may well have endured immense stress.
What if you put yourself in their shoes? Imagining this makes their experiences feel much more personal and can offer new insights into how you approach your own current struggles. You may also discover something “passed down within you”—such as a shared ability to overcome hardships, or similarities in your talents and lines of work. As you come to perceive each individual as a real, tangible person, your sense of gratitude deepens and becomes more profound.
Then, let us translate those feelings into a “resolve to purify our mind.” Even a small step—such as pausing for a breath before speaking when you feel a flash of irritation—represents a proactive effort to change for the better; this act in itself serves as a supreme offering, and our ancestors will support us as a “cheering squad of light.” Let us strive together to reach greater heights.