(SO from Ishikawa Prefecture/Male/60s/Office employee)
About a year and a half ago, my hands and feet started shaking and my movements became slow. It made me worry a lot even though I was seeing a doctor about it. Strong cramps, especially at night, but I don’t even notice because I’m asleep. One day, my wife told me that she had gently placed her hand on my body when I was suffering the pain in my sleep. When I heard that, I told her, “I feel safe just having you by my side.” That was my honest feeling.
As I feel the changes in my wife…
I am not an honest person to begin with. The days when I didn’t really listen to what my wife had to say, but focused on “Me”—everything was about “me.” If someone points out something that I didn’t want to be interfered with; even if I think in my heart, “They are right,” I become strangely stubborn and cannot say “I’m sorry.” When I hear something that’s not convenient for me, I cover my ears, close my mouth, and close my eyes. Even though I know it’s not right, I didn’t know how to face it. This was my true intention.
Just like that, 30 years passed without being able to communicate with my wife. The first person to change was my wife. Last year, when I lost my mother, she continued to cheer me. Even when I came home late from work, she was by my side at meal times, which made my kokoro feel warm. I’m not naturally talkative, but as I felt my wife’s kindness, little by little I was able to talk about my own feelings.
Practicing the teachings was not difficult!
Kami’s teachings helped me understand “how to face my family,” which I didn’t understand. “What does my wife think?” I started thinking about things I had never thought about deeply before.
One day, I told my wife, “I’m sorry for making you feel lonely.” It was a miracle that I was able to say, “Now I feel like I understand a little bit of how you truly feel.” When my wife always makes lunch for me, I feel grateful every day, and I start telling her things like “the tamagoyaki (omelette) was delicious.” The joy and happiness she expressed on her face! There was nothing difficult to “communicate.”
Being aware of your role
If I hadn’t learned Kami’s teachings, I would never have known that every member of the family has a role. My role as a husband and father is to support the kokoro of my family. I offer kigan so that I can create a home where everyone can live in peace. To my son who leaves early in the morning and comes home late at night, when I see his face, I call out to him and make the effort to have a conversation with him. As we exchanged smiles, I thought to myself, “Wow, things have changed…things are nothing like from before.”
When my wife puts her hand on me, the cramps mysteriously subside. I learned that she was by my side watching over me, worrying about me for an hour or two after I went to bed. I tell her my genuine “thank you” and “I’m sorry.” “This is the happiest I’ve ever been.” These words came out naturally because that was how I truly felt.
I have always wanted to be honest, but I couldn’t. It was because of Kami’s teachings that helped me change. And throughout the process, there was no need to force myself or hold back. I feel a stronger connection with my wife each and every day. And now I can say I am happy.
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 tell us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
In a family environment where each family member interacts being aware of their respective roles and position, human being’s (a person’s) jittai (kokoro) is elevated.
This is where you find the principles (state) of family environment where a generous kokoro gets fostered.
When you live your life with a generous kokoro, the illness will heal naturally; the kokoro and the body will become lively.