(ES from Nagano Prefecture/60s/Female/Housewife)
I wasn’t feeling well after my surgery with the Gynecologist, and I couldn’t move around like I wanted to. I didn’t have energy in my legs and arms; I couldn’t even stamp my hanko (used instead of signing a paper in Japan) on a paper. It took me 2 years of physical therapy to be able to write with my own hands. I couldn’t even smile. It was truly light and darkness for me, and it was filled with misery.
What Allowed Me to See the Light at the End of the Tunnel
While in process of my recovery, my husband collapsed three times due to a stroke, and he was left disabled in his legs. We have no children, and all we have is each other. But the reality was different. We wanted to support each other, but we somehow couldn’t. My husband has a bad mouth and I would become consumed by his words, get emotional, and go against him with the same kind of words. We became a couple where we would fight until the end. My husband was a man with all smiles when we got first married, but before I knew it, his face turned mean and always upset.
“If only my health got better…” were my thoughts back then. But through the teachings of Kami, I realized and felt like Kami was telling me to create a loving family environment to support each other. A Shinji that helped me realize this was: Realize what a family is, and strive to live by the teachings as a family. Feelings to communicate with each other, and to complement and support each other will sprout.
Clear Changes That Were Seen
I would react so much to every word my husband would say. So, I decided to try to take away my sharp edges in my kokoro so that it won’t harm him in any way. I offered kigan so I can be calm, gentle, and generous.
One morning, the birds outside were chirping really loudly. Somehow, I wanted to find out why the birds cry so loud and searched the internet for some information. Then I found out that the birds cry when the male birds are trying to impress the female birds. My heart felt warm finding this out. And I would normally think of it as distraction, but this time, it felt nice to my ears. Compared to the time I was feeling low, I perceived it differently. This is when I felt the definite changes with my kokoro.
When my husband would get upset at me for being on the phone for a long time, I used to get upset and not talk to him. But lately I can say, “Oh sorry. I lost track of time.” And just recently, we had a guest at our house, and my husband was welcoming them with a very pleasant smile. It was a smile that I hadn’t seen for a very long time. So, I said to him later on, “Did you notice? Your face was smiling.” He answered back saying, “I know. I was surprised to see myself smile too.” And we both couldn’t help but to smile.
Experiencing the Connection Between Kokoro and the Body
And now, my husband’s physical therapy has been going so well. He has been able to get back on the road, driving a car despite the doctor’s projection that it would be impossible for him to ever drive again. In addition to that, my physical therapy has been very successful, and my symptoms of always having cold hands and feet are gone now. My body is always feeling warm and comfortable. My body has not healed completely, but it’s amazing how I can accept my condition for what it is now, and not worry about it.
I used to think life is difficult to live. But now, I feel relaxed and even think it’s enjoyable to live. I believe this is because my kokoro has gotten much healthier. I don’t have to force myself to smile, and my life with my husband is nice and pleasant. I am feeling much happier than the time when I first got married—I am enjoying my life right now.
Heeding the Shinji to Understand the Reasons for the Joys Experienced
Shinji is the universal principle (truth), and can also be the guidance of life that foresees the future. Please feel the wonders of a life that flows exactly in a way the Shinji tells us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
To have true health, strive to become a person who opens up the mind to deeply understand the principles.
Understand one’s role and position, and interact with family members with a hope to create a family environment where the kokoro of harmony sprouts.
The more the kokoro comes together, true health is experienced.