We have got into trouble with the family living right next to us. Many of our neighbors don’t want to get involved with them because they are so troublesome. Although the trouble has been resolved by mediation, they started to harass us. When I talked it over with my husband, he just told me to let it pass. However, the harassment from them has been escalating; they even call me up in my workplace to complain. What can I do to resolve this situation in a peaceful way? (Female in her 60s)
A
Kami teaches that the foundation of happiness is a family in harmony. What is always important is for the family members to come together as one.
Shinji(*1)
Learn the principles as a family, and create a home environment where the family members live by the teachings.
The more this thought is shared, the more greatly your kokoro(*2) will be protected in the hands of Kami(*3).
Because you will be able to communicate each other’s thoughts more deeply through conversations, the kokoro of your family members will mutually come together and be enhanced, allowing you to be free from disaster.
As you go on to learn the teachings of Kami as a family, and frankly communicate what’s on your mind to one another, each of your family members will become composed and calm. This will allow you to have enough room in your kokoro to react cool-headedly, without being overwhelmed by their behaviors. When you stay calm, you can do some soul-searching together and reflect on how you interacted with them, then you may come to see the reason for their negative feelings toward you.
When you are able to keep your feelings stable and have positive mindsets, you can get involved with others, keeping at appropriate distances. It will naturally make those you interact with feel calm. They will not hold a grudge against you.
In order to keep your feelings anchored and positive, you should let go your anxieties and discontentment. So therefore, strive to create a family where each member always communicates their thoughts and feelings with others and maintains a positive and cheerful heart.
*1 Shinji: The principles and teachings that are the word of Ōyamanezunomikoto and given to us through Shisha.
*2 kokoro: The thoughts and emotions that constantly move between the soul(unmei) and the physical body(jittai); if the kokoro is influenced by our temperament and other physical predispositions of our jittai, it becomes unbalanced; if it becomes one with our unmei, the kokoro becomes balanced and anchored.
*3 Kami: Great power above named Ōyamanezunomikoto; the source of all life.