(SK from Yamagata Prefecture/70s/Male/Unemployed)
There is nothing but gratitude for the many miracles I have been gifted and for the life that I am living today.
It was my daughter’s sudden refusal to go to school 35 years ago that led me into my journey as a shinja. I’ve been involved with many organized religions, but none of them helped us find a solution for my daughter’s problem. I was in a total devastation thinking “There is no Kami or Hotoke (greater being) that would save me.” That is when a friend of mine convinced me saying “I promise you will find salvation” and found myself registering as a shinja.
My Life Turning and Turning for the Better
In the beginning, I was completely lost in following the teachings that encouraged me to learn, kigan, and put the teachings into practice. But as I became more aware of the teachings, I started to see my life gradually turning to get better and better. For example, I own a market serving fresh fish. On my end, I was making the same dishes to serve, but the feedbacks I got from the customers started to change. One time, a memo from a customer I catered said, “The food was delicious. I would like to ask for you service again, and will recommend you to my friends.” Our sales were hitting rock bottom, but it was showing signs of surplus. And eventually, my daughter started to go to school and it was truly amazing to see her graduate.
My Life Was Saved Many Times
One day, a cyst was found in my parotid gland. And as we looked into it deeper, the doctors were able to find three small cancerous spots in my throat. However, we found out that the three cancer were gone during my pre-surgery checkup. And few years later, I suffered a heart attack and lung cancer. But every time my life was on the verge, I was saved. And my doctors would be very surprised of my results.
And when the doctor told me, “You are a true miracle. It’s hard to believe after what you have gone through. Please take care of the body/life you are given,” I decided to close my market I ran for 42 years. We had a huge closing sale, but all inventory was sold in just 2 days. Many people were sad to see us close our business. And I truly believe that people loved us because we were running our business based on the ideas taught in the teachings of Kami.
Moving Forward Each and Every Day of My Miraculous Life with Kami
All of my three daughters are now married to their great spouses. My wife and I are surrounded by 11 children and grandchildren. It is truly a great joy and happiness to be loved and to be called ‘Grandma and Grandpa.’
It’s been 35 years since I became a shinja. Looking back my life, my life has been filled with myriad of miracles along every step of the way. I gave my greatest gratitude to Kami at goshinzen (place of kigan at Kyōkai). The presence of Kami that has always supported me by my side every step of the way. Nothing but gratitude filled my kokoro.
In the beginning, I was completely lost with the teachings of Kami. One of the things I realized about myself through learning the teachings was the lack of my kokoro of gratitude. I’ve always offered my kigan to ask help so that I can live with my deepest gratitude. And the consequences were all the mysterious things I have experienced through the interaction with family and the surrounding people. I have experienced firsthand, that life truly depends on your kokoro—depending on the state of your kokoro, the consequences are completely different. My kokoro is no filled with pure gratitude.
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
When you entrust your feelings to Kami, your kokoro will become strong.
Deepen your feelings of gratitude, and show/express the words and acts of love to the world (people).
There will be miracles without fail.
The kokoro (mind) and the body will anchor and become stable and the joy of living will start to spread.