(MT from Nagano Prefecture/70s/Male/Part-timer)
One day as I was driving back home, I thought I hit something. I got off my car and checked, but there was nothing in particular, so I went straight home. But later on, I found out that I had hit a pedestrian’s hand with my side mirrors. This turned out to be an incident that greatly changed my way of life.
A Family with a Strong Mutual Tie
I went to the police station and told the police about what had happened. And when my wife and my daughter came to pick me up at the police station, they didn’t blame me at all; instead, they told me warm words and said, “Otōsan, are you okay? You must be tired.” With a sense of deep security in my heart, I felt the need to change how I live my life.
Short after, I went to sōdan (consultation at Kyōkai) with my wife. The staff member told me that my life from now on is important. There is no turning back of time in life. That is why it is so wonderful to be able to know what to do from now on. So therefore, I deeply felt the need to talk to my family more about anything and face the victim of my car incident with sincerity.
Thinking of what is going to happen in the future, I was extremely worried and scared. And I honestly told my wife and my daughter how I felt. And they said, “We are with you.” And those words from my family saved me. I knew it wasn’t good, but in retrospect, I wasn’t facing my family and never made enough conversations with them. That is why I decided to change that from here on.
I would initiate a conversation about what happened that day. Then my family would talk to me about theirs, so I would listen… This seems such a small thing, but it made me feel good and I was enjoying these conversations. On a day when my daughter took my wife to see a doctor, I sent a text to my daughter saying, “Thank you.” It was my first time to exchange messages like this with my daughter. Then I heard from my wife later on that my daughter was really happy about the text message I had sent. This made me realize that it is so important to communicate every thought I have for them.
Is Work about Gain or Loss?
My kokoro regained calmness. I sent my sincere apologize to the victim and we were able to reach a settlement without going to court. When I think about it now, I was living with an unhealthy kokoro that attracted accidents—the basis of my decision was always gain or loss. Even at work: it took me a lot of effort to get my job right now, but I never took this job seriously thinking this is only a part-time job. I used to only do my part of the job and not help my colleagues thinking extra work would not produce any extra money for me.
Having the mindset of “What can I do from now on?” expanded my possibilities. When I am not doing anything, I would ask my colleagues if they need help. And it felt good to be asked to do something to help them. I can communicate better with this person I felt indifferent with. My days are so fulfilling that I don’t have time to think if the things I am about to do would be a gain or a loss for me. I am surprised about the changes with my kokoro. I can’t help but to think that this is the power of Kami that is in working.
There is something that is even more I am happy about. My daughter didn’t used to have a job, but she has started to work. I can see how gaining awareness through the teachings of Kami would change the outlooks of life so drastically. I have so much gratitude and appreciation that if I can talk to me in the past, I would probably say, “Just being a registered shinja is not enough. You have to learn the teachings!”
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
Learn the teachings with family members and continue to strive to create a family environment that interacts with principles.
The kokoro (unmei) of family members will start to come together naturally and jittai will be highly elevated.
The Six Elements will start to bloom and will keep you away from accidents, disasters, and illnesses.
The Principles will become the support of your life, and your life led by unmei will begin.
When humans become conscious about a life that is one with their unmei and live, the environment will change for the better, and will be able to walk each day filled with happiness and filled with meaning and purpose.