Trip to Fukoaka

Sitting in the airplane, waiting for the take-off for the trip to Fukoaka. The radio show is scheduled for the afternoon. Sessions, workshops, talks and media events all have become part of one single stream of situations, seemingly effortless and self-arising, for which we merely show up. Of course, guided by Keiko's astounding boundless energy, there exists an entire organization to make this all happen. Personally, I feel that Keiko's heart focus matches our own in that see too wants to see upliftment and alleviation of human suffering in the biggest way possible. This commitment is deeply woven into her soul.

The plane, a Boeing 767, is in the air right now, flying at 21,000 feet and still climbing to reach cruising altitude of 30,000 feet. I am scribbling away and Raylene is writing additional passages for the japanese version of her book. Yes, the japanase translation finally solidified last week. The publisher asked that more spiritual techniques be added to the book for the japanese book. and she is working on that right now. The book is scheduled for publication in May-June --- the Japanese creative pace continues to boggle the mind. I am ready to spend my life between Europe and Japan.

With the book scheduled for publication so very soon, the next trip back to Japan will probably be unexpectedly soon. To promote the book we will likely be here again in fall, after the France tour is completed. This is good, because Tokyo during summer time is very hot and unbearably humid.

Evening
We are currently on the 10th floor of a skyscraper in Fukoaka. We are viewing the ocean from the office of the radio station, Style FM 76.8. The sun has almost set. The radio show has been taped and will be aired next week.

Saturday 3-31
After that radio show was done, a diner was given for us. The entire atmosphere was very gentle and supportive. The hostess, Chiharu Hara, showed us the heart of her house - unusually large for Japanese standards - which was a Shinto shrine that contained objects of tremendous spiritual value.

She also invited us to meet the head priest of the major Shinto Shrine of Amaterasu in Ise, the shrine of the emperial family.

Keiko explained that something extremely extraordinary was unfolding here, because this particular type of invitation was impossible to obtain for the ordinary japanese mortal.

Something unusual was happening and it began to dawn on me that we just received an invitation to the very heart of the Spirit of Japan.

With the deepening of this realization, my amazement grew. I could sense grace enveloping us and with that I entered a deep sense of gratitude.

Meiji Shrine in Harajuko

Yesterday we visited the Meiji Shrine in Harajuko, which is on of the biggest in Japan. At one point we spent time at an area that was dedicated to prayers that people could write on small wooden slates and hang them onto boards provided. As quite a few prayers were written in English, I took a few moments to read them. As I did, I began to feel how much suffering was actually concentrated at this particular spot and expressed in many calls for alleviation.

Suddenly I felt a huge wave of this reality move through me to the point I was utterly overwhelmed by the collective emotion of pain. Suddenly the body was in tears and because the intensity was so much, it became impossible to remain in that area. I had to walk away.

I was rather surprised by the experience.

Many lightyears

It feels like lightyears have passed since my last entry. And positively I have traversed into an new galaxy by being here. Mount Shasta feels like a faraway dream and Paris is slowly approaching on the horizon. I am positive that I have not worked with so many people in such an intense manner as now. I also can safely say that the media exposure that we are having right now is simply unparalleled. Our 4th interview is scheduled for tomorrow and next week we are getting interviewed on a Tokyo radio show that beams out to the rest of Japan.

So far we had almost 70 individual sessions, the workshop last weekend went fantastic. This weeked we are free to relax and it is just on time, we need a moment to breathe.

Cherry blossom is very close. The picture below was with a tree that was in a warmer area in an underground mall that seemed to sprawl forever beneath Osaka. So, it was a little bit ahead of his brothers.

One is in love with the Spirit of Japan.

In Osaka

The work here takes place on the 12th floor of a skyscraper in Osaka. People just show up for the sessions and when they are done, we open the sliding doors into the next room and are at home. The traditional japanese bath is part of this set-up and this helps us greatly, especially Raylene.

In between I communicate with Olivier in France, who is preparing the workshops there and is doing very well. Starting in April, there will be workshops in Paris, Brussels, Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez and Lyon.

The Japanese people have dedicated themselves to working in such an intense way that there is practically no time left for relationship. This has been going on for decades and has caused a collective sadness and suffering that is now reaching a culmination. It is my hope that we are able to contribute to alleviate this suffering by the work we are bringing to this country.

Some Reflections

As we spend time in different countries and cultures, the contrasts become very accentuated. Looking at the USA from afar, several observations arise.

Throughout time empires were subjected to cycles of expanding and contracting, just like everything else in this Universe is governed by these modalities. But there seem to be certain indications that point to the decline of a nation or an empire. To me the most important cue that reveals the decline of a society can be found in the decrease of civil, courteous and respectful behavior that its citizens have for one another. This is a huge and telling indicator.

The other cue that I personally find to reveal the course of a society can be found in the way it spends money on military expenses. The US is now approaching a degree of spending that reminds me of the spending the Soviet Union engaged in (knowingly lured into by the US) that led to its collapse.

Food for thought.

Teachings In Japan

I have very little time to be on the computer now.

But here is the update.

As the plane descended to land at Tokyo airport, waves of joy washed through my body. The entire system went into recognition mode. Japan is like being more at home than I could describe. I will just say that there were tears as we took the shuttle bus into Tokyo. And now enough of that.

We went to bed that night very tired and very happy. The next day was completely filled with interviews, reporters and photo shoots. We gave a mini individual sessions for the photographer.

The next day we were off to Osaka, where we are right now.

At this point the pace increased further. We spent the entire Sunday at a Spiritual Fair here in Osaka and we pretty much saw people for 10 hours straight. No lunch, just a few rice balls thrown in. Around noontime we gave a one-hour talk to about 100 people.
At one point we did a little exercise where we invited everybody to look at each other, hold hands and simply say ... to the other... you are beautiful.
While this would have been not much in California, we are in Japan and this was revolutionary here. They were blown away. They loved it. Grateful at the opportunity of being able to break out of the daily societal restrictions that do not condone the display of affection in this way.

I was prepared for seeing many people, but this really surprised me greatly.

On Monday this mode continued and it was individual sessions back to back.

Today, we have a few hours and tomorrow the pace is increasing again.

I will try to get back to the computer when possible, but please do not expect much.

Oh, I just found out that the English magazine I mentioned before is buying another article I wrote. Plus I found out Raylene book in Italy will come out in fall.