The “Hybrid” version I introduced the week before last came about when two marks were accidentally superimposed and stamped onto an HG white sheet. Initially, I was convinced that the marks had to be distinct and clear; however, after hearing feedback from users who said the effect “penetrated deeper than usual,” I realized that my assumption had been mistaken.
It is often difficult to recognize one’s own assumptions. I find myself thinking, regarding my wife, things like “She should be able to sense what I’m thinking without me saying it” or “She surely understood after I told her once.” Similarly, at work, I might worry that a boss is angry simply because they have a blank expression, or fear that a colleague dislikes me just because they didn’t say hello. In all these cases, it is not the facts themselves, but rather my own “interpretation” that is running away with my thoughts.
In the field of psychology, it is said that everyone has cognitive biases; rather than seeing facts exactly as they are, we interpret them through our own personal filters. While I am not an expert in this area, the idea makes perfect sense to me. That is precisely why it is important to consciously establish a way to recognize our own preconceptions.
Suppose, for instance, that your boss didn’t make eye contact with you today. ① You might initially view this as a “fact,” but ② you should ask yourself whether it is truly a fact or merely your own “interpretation.” In reality, they might have simply been looking in a different direction by chance; even if it is a fact that they didn’t make eye contact, concluding that they “must be angry” could be nothing more than your own assumption. ③ If you explore other ways of looking at the situation, you might consider perspectives such as “they were just too busy and flustered” or “they were simply feeling unwell.” Cultivating the habit of distinguishing between “fact” and “interpretation” helps loosen the grip of your assumptions. By continuing this practice, you can identify your own unique thought patterns—such as a tendency to interpret others negatively, a habit of thinking in terms of “shoulds,” or a tendency to blow failures out of proportion—thereby reducing the number of assumptions you make.
From the perspective of Ki (life energy), negative Ki tends to infiltrate the vulnerable parts of our minds, seeking to pull us further into negativity. Those long-held, deep-seated beliefs of ours may well be things we were unconsciously led to adopt by that negative Ki.
That is why receiving Shinkiko helps accelerate this process of transformation. Shinkiko energy works at the very root of the issue, fostering awareness. I feel that by combining psychological practices with Shinkiko, a rigid mindset can begin to change from a much deeper level.