Reasons Why We Were Born (No.1)

(December 27, 2008, No. 13)



Hello, this is Dragon.

I have been thinking that there are past lives without any sense of incompatibility. Like falling leaves and new buds for a next season, I don’t think it is strange that man also has a cycle of transmigration. Though it is only my simple belief. (･Θ･;)

If this assumption of rebirth is the truth, what is the meaning of rebirth for man?

If there is no transmigration of soul, why is man born?Today’s story started with my question.

It began when I questioned Kamisama about the world of postmortem.

G: Kamisama (Guardian Deity)

D: Dragon (Younger brother)

A: Aniki (Medium, Older brother)

Is there a world of Postmortem?


D: Kamisama, I have a question….G: Please. I read your blog. I am enjoying it.

D: Ah! Thank you very much! I would like to start discussing something for my blog again.

G: Yes, there is a world of postmortem.

D: Ah! Kamisama reads my mind again! Yes, that is my question.
(Kamisama answers before I question. )

G: Do I need to talk about what will happen after a person’s death?

D: Yes, please. For instance, what will happen after I die? For instance, do I become a soul after I die?

G: Yes, but man is a soul while he is alive.

D: Ah, I see. Then the body will be gone after a person’s death?

G: Yes, and someone will come to welcome the deceased.

D: Wow! I read it in a book about near death experience!

G: Yes. Don’t worry. Spirits who loved and watched over for a long time will welcome the deceased.

D: Hmm. Who will come and welcome me? Is there any chance that no one will come to meet the deceased?

G: There is.

D: Ahhhh! That is lonely!

G: Don’t worry. When no one comes, that means it isn’t time to die. Therefore, in such a case the soul needs to return to the same path he came from.

D: Ah---, Indeed. Also, it seems to be a beautiful place according to the near death experience book.

G: Yes. It is a truly beautiful place. There is a field of beautiful flowers and innumerable light. Dragon, look forward to it because it is the most beautiful scenery.

D: Oh….. That is great!

A place to where all souls return

D: Then, where do souls go after that?

G: Though it is likely they will go various places, there is one place souls return to for now.

D: Ah! Is it like a house?

G: It could be an individual home, but it could be one.

D: ???

G: We call it a “Great Light”

D: Great light….. Oh…, it sounds great! Is it really a large light?

G: Yes, it is. Literally it is a very large light. It is so beautiful that it can’t be described in words and it is such a solemn light, that it arouses awe in the atmosphere around it.

D: I see. I have read from a book that when a soul returns there, it decides how to live, its purpose and direction of the next life.

G: Hmm, it is so. However, not all souls decide on the meaning, or targets for the next life.

D: Wow? Unexpected… It is so…

G: Different people with different tastes. The souls are the same way. There is a soul which is born with a purpose or none at all. For instance, sometimes a soul which regrets his past life may want to start over again, or it may want to fall in love again, and so on. There are many souls who come back for such reasons.

D: Wow! I see. So unexpected! Is it so simple? I am relieved. (Because I definitely so simple, too. )

G: Yes, however, there are souls who come back with a mission.

D: Hmm. Which one is happier, a soul who decides his purpose of living or a soul who doesn’t have one?

G: Either way is okay. Various lives can exist. However, it can be said what all men should do in their lives.

D: Wow! What is it?

G: Then, let’s think together.

D: Ah, he doesn’t answer right away…

(Continue.)

Unexpected "Effect" of Incense

(December 26, 2008, No.12)

Hello! This is Dragon.

I have loved “Incense” for a long time. I am a man, but I enjoy its fragrance? I love perfumes as well.

When my brother Aniki and I were talking about incense, Kamisama joined in our conversation.
I would like to introduce the story.

G: Guardian deity, Kamisama
D: Dragon (Younger brother)
A: Aniki (Channeler, older brother)


Hidden “Effect” of Incense.

Aniki: Ah, Dragon. Did you buy incense? It is nice, isn’t it?

D: Yup. It is nice. I love incense. I could burn it forever.

Aniki: Indeed. I love it as well. Ah, wait a minute, Kamisamas is talking…

D: Oh! What? (I sit up straight. It is pretty strange, but I am getting used to this situation…)

G: Dragon. Do you know why you feel good when you burn incense?

D: Ah? Of course, because it smells good! ….but it seems like you are indicating something more…

G: Ha, ha, ha. Very good. The effect is more than just the smell.

D: Hmm? What do you mean?

G: Incense existed from ancient times. For instance, why do we have the incense stick?

D: Ah! This is my guess, that the incense stick was used at funerals. It might be to hide the smell of the dead body.

G: Boo….

D: Wow, I was confident about my answer.

G: Ha, ha, ha. Don’t people use incense for Buddhist service not just for funerals?

D: Ah, I see. Then why do we burn incense….

G: The answer relates to guardian gods.

D: Ah? Guardian gods? What happens when we burn the incense…????”

G: They are pleased.

D: “Wow Guardian gods like incense? In other words, they can smell incense?

G: Of course.

D: Wow!!!, I am really surprised … guardian gods love the smell also.

G: Indeed. For instance, what would you do if you were a guardian god and somebody burned incense in this room?

D: Ah, I will stay here for a long time?

G: Indeed. Rather, other guardian gods will gather in this room.

D: Oh! Great! I am happy!

G: That is great. Gods like clean places or beautiful Ki (energy).

D: Indeed. Then I should continue to burn incense

G: Yes, you can do that. However, be careful. There aren’t just good guardian gods.

D: Wow! Not only good guardian gods? There are bad ones?

G: There are. All kinds of gods exist.

D: Wow, that is scary…

G: We will talk about it some other time. There are many good guardian gods, so continue to use incense. If there is a good one next to you, your luck may increase.

D: Okay, I bought a lottery ticket, so I will burn incense next to the tickets!

G: Ha, ha, ha! Do what you want. Don’t have high expectations.

D: I see. If guardian gods like incense, do they like perfume as well?

G: Of course! As I said before, it is easy for guardian gods to gather together in a good environment. I can say the same thing to a person. If a good person is good, then guardian gods can easily help him.

D: Then I will be a good person! I will burn incense!

G: Hang in there. (^∇^)


End.

Ah! The answer was unexpected and it surprised me. What about you? (Dragon)

If you want to get better, faster then do this....

(December 25, 2008, No.11)


G: Guardian Deity, Kamisama
D: Dragon (Younger brother)
A: Aniki (Channaler, Older brother)

Hello! This is Dragon. I caught a cold!

On a chilly night I went to the movies wearing a light jacket. I caught a cold because of this.

When I called by brother, Aniki, yesterday and told him about it, Kamisama said this to me.

"Dragon, if you want to get better, do this …..”

Before I go to bed I want to tell you this story.

The hotline with the god…

G: Dragon, how are you? Are you feeling alright?

D: Ah, can you tell? I have a little fever…. I caught a cold.

G: It will be okay; you will get better but do you want to get better faster?

D: Yes, I don’t want to call in sick. I want to recover within seconds. [Cough, cough.]

G: I understand. Then let’s teach you a special secret.

D: Oh! Great! Please teach me!

G: Okay. By the way, Dragon, what are you thinking now that you caught a cold?

D: Ah? I am pissed off (shit!)

G: I understand. However; you’re not going to get better thinking like that. I am sorry.

D: Ah? Then what do I need to do? Should I think like “Yahoo!”

G: Yes! Right’s right!

D: Wow!!! Should I really think “yahoo!”? Are you sure?

G: Yes. When you get sick, Dragon, be grateful.

D: Grateful? I have never heard of anything like this! How can I be happy!

G: Don’t you want to get well faster? Then be happy. Think that it was great that I got a cold!

D: Hmm. I understand it as positive thinking, but I am not convinced….

G: If you think positively, it is good for you mentally. But do you understand that it will also influence you physically?

D: Hmm, honestly I can’t imagine that…

Love your cells…

G: Dragon, what are you made of?

D: Ah? The body? Muscle, bone structure, blood?

G: Tell me what’s deeper than that?

D: Ah, a cell?

G: Yes. It is a cell. When a person is sick the cells are weak. If the cells are weak, they need to get stronger.

D: That is why I need to be happy? If I am happy, the cells get stronger?

G: Yes, it will get stronger. ‘Joy’ releases healing power more than anything else. It is occasionally reported in the news that 'laughter' makes the immune system stronger. That is true. Dragon, if you are happy, the cells are happy. And when the cells are happy, they feel your love.

D: Love my cells?

G: Yes. For instance, when there is a backache, love your back’s cells.

D: How do I love them? Should I say “I love you?”

G: Of course. It is important to think that way, but do something for instance put a blanket on your back, apply a compress or be gentle with your posture.

Okay then, Dragon when do you think someone loves you?

D: I am happy. I feel thankful.

G: Indeed. Cells think that way too.

D: But they are my cells?

G: Ha, ha, ha. You call the cells your own, but do you really think they are? When you act do you consider your cells?

D: Hmm, No, honestly not. I don’t even think about my cell’s existence.

G: Dragon, I have been telling you this but think about existence. The cells are you, “Dragon” and that is equivalent to the one universe. Therefore; do things that make you and your cells happy.

D: Indeed, ･･･ I think I understand. I will thank the cells always. Although it is likely that others will consider this strange.

G: Ha, ha, ha. Just send love to the cells; you don’t need to verbalize it.

D: Yes. Then I will think positively when I catch a cold.

G: More than thinking about it, express the happiness.

D: Hmm? Like I did?

G: From the bottom of your heart jump up and down with pleasure. And, love your cells more seriously. Only you can be nice to your cells. The body will be activated if you do and the recovery speed will increase.

D: Is it so-called self healing? Ah, by the way, does a person with a fatal disease recover this way?

G: Happiness is strong to overcome even cancer, though I don’t want to exaggerate. However; it’s not necessarily effective in all people because some choose to be sick.

D: Ah? Is there a person who dares to get sick?

G: Yes. Before being born the person decides that his challenge is this lifetime will be “sickness.”

D: Ahhh….. Indeed…….. a great person….

G: I will tell you a story after you recover from your cold. Let's review this story. When you get sick the next time, what will you do?

D: I will be ecstatic!

G: And?

D: I will love my cells!

G: Indeed! Your recovery speed will be far faster.

D: Thank you very much! Then, for the time being, my cells are telling me that they need rest, so I will go to bed! After that I will feed them with special food!

G: Okay. I will pray for your fast recovery.

End.

Please take care of yourself and love your body.

Ah! Kanji “Gojiai” which means "love myself" (to take good care of myself) shows what just Kamisama said …. (We say "gojiai kudasai" to a sick person.)

Dragon

A hidden message delivered through intoxication

(December 24, 2008, No.10)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am like most Japanese who are non-religious. We celebrate all religions. How are you spending your day?

Well, due to the holidays, most people drink in celebration on holidays. Therefore, today’s topic is “A hidden message in gap.”

Each person handles alcohol differently. Therefore the behavior can range from laughter to anger and so on.

When I get drunk, I tend to speak non-stop. The other day, I said something to my friend that hurt his feelings. (Now I regret it.)

Personally, I wanted to ask Kamisama why I acted this way. (･Θ･;)

Let’s start the conversation. By the way, this conversation came about from the original discussion about god’s hierarchy.

A question about Kamisama’s life…

D: Well, sorry if this question sounds funny,but Kamisama, do you drink alcohol?

G: Yes, I drink.

D: Really! Seriously?

G: Not only do the gods drink alcohol, they also eat food, smoke cigarettes, fall in love and have sex.

D: Wait a minute ･･･ I am shocked to hear that gods do that.

G: Ha, ha, ha. It is true. Just like man, gods like to do these things as well.

D: Ah, it is so… Then, where do you buy your food?

G: I don’t buy the food. I make my own.

D: Ah…, homemade?

G: Yes, if you want to do that.

D: Ah? How else do you get your food?

G: Dragon, you may not believe this, but we get anything we want just by thinking about it. Food and alcohol materialize instantly and it is possible to travel to places in no time.

D: Wow….!? I am Jealous…

G: Certainly, it is a wonderful world. However, because of this, gods can choose to be born as man.

D: What? Why do you want to be born as man? You are god?

G: Some choose to stay as gods, while others choose to be born as man. The reason is that gods want to experience the joy and hardship of being human to cultivate the soul.

D: Training to cultivate the soul.… Hmm, if I were a god, I would stay as a god forever.

G: Ha, ha, ha. Dragon, on a different subject, it doesn’t matter if you become a god or not. Just remember that there is a wonderful world waiting for you after you die. Except, Oops! Suicide is not good because it degrades soul’s rank!

D: What? Souls have ranks?

G: Yes it does. “Ranking ”is exactly as you understand it. However, I don’t want you to think that you can increase ranking by force. It goes up naturally. I will not talk in detail, but just understand that there is ranking for souls.

D: Hmm…

G: Anyway, there are similarities in god’s world to man’s but there is a huge difference in timing.

Does god like alcohol!?

D: Indeed... Let’s return to the story of alcohol… I love alcohol.

G: I know. I love it, too.

D: Oh! I am happy! Do you drink every night?

D: Of course! Having a drink after finishing a job feels great!

D: Indeed! Ah, I am pleased. Then, Kamisama, most the time when I get drunk, I talk a lot and then get sleepy, but recently I made an outrageous remark to a person…

G: Because of alcohol?

D: I didn’t mean to say those terrible thing… I apologized, but I still regret saying it.

G: Ha, ha, ha. It is okay now that you apologized. On other hand, there are many things you can learn from this behavior.

D: Indeed. What I learned is to drink in moderation.

G: Yes. It is okay to drink moderately if it is within the range of your capacity. However, since you have regret about your behavior, it was a good experience for you. So learn from the way you behaved when you were drunk.

The message from being under the influence of alcohol

D: A message? To whom?

G: Of course, a message is sent to you and the people around you.

D: Hmm, do I send a message when I get drunk?

G: Ha, ha, ha. Oh dear, yes, Dragon. For instance, some people are very happy and smile a lot when they get drunk.

D: I like a man like that. It is healing.

G: Indeed. Why do you think that man is a “happy drunk”?

D: Ah, I guess a depressed person?

G: True. Also, a serious person may tend to laugh while drunk. It brings to light the night and day gap between his sober and drunk behavior.

D: Indeed. The result can be that when a happy person gets drunk he may start crying and this impacts the people around him.

G: I agree. He can also be called a “Sentimental drunk.” Now, let's think about the meaning of the night and day gap. In a word, the gap is THE message.

D: Hmm, does that mean that a drunk person is conveying the message that he has a gap?

G: Yes. What else?

D: In other words, hmm…. If a person acts very happy when he drinks then we can call him a “happy drunk.”

G: Yes! Normally this person wouldn’t laugh but under the influence of alcohol, he becomes a very happy person. What else could we say?

D: Ah, this person has the desire to laugh and be happy every day but for whatever reason doesn’t.

G: Yes, that’s true! Most of the time, drunken behavior is the suppressed part of him which he wants to express but he can’t until alcohol is introduced. Of course, this is not the same for all cases.

D: Ah, I think I understand it very well. Alcohol usually helps a person become brave and do what he normally won’t do because it embarrasses him.

G: You don’t need to be embarrassed. Alcohol could have a wonderful affect of opening a part you that is confined and thus releasing it. By the way, Dragon, what do people say to you when you get drunk?

D: Ah? I wonder… People say that I don’t change much, but I become talkative.

G: What do you talk about?

D: Considerable things. I like to talk about philosophical subjects.

G: So, for instance, you have the strong desire to talk about deep topics. However; if you need alcohol…

D: For that purpose; this blog may be a release for me!

G: I hope it helps you. Anyway, what people say about your behavior when you are drunk is a very wonderful message. You should consider that your drunken behavior is that suppressed part of you.

D: Should I remind myself that and live accordingly?

G: It is up to you. Dragon, did you forget? What do you need to do if you want to know about life?

D: Ah, it is “existence”. I recognize that there is a gap. Indeed! I have a suppressed desire and need to recognize that existence.

G: Indeed. Suppression isn’t a bad thing and it isn’t necessary to change it. Man admits the existence of suppression. Now it’s up to each person to do something about it.

D: I see. By the way, what about a person who drinks excessively or someone who is an alcoholic?

G: What do you think, Dragon?

D: Well, maybe he is suppressing living or maybe he has a suicide wish.

G: It might be. That is very wasteful.

D: Indeed… What should people do who don’t drink alcohol?

G: Ha, ha, ha. It’s not necessary to get drunk in order to disclose a suppressed part of you. A person who won’t drink alcohol may choose something else such as “Karaoke” or “dressing up to make a fashion statement.” Anyway, if your friends tell you that you have a gap when you are drunk, that’s a good hint.

D: Yes, I understand! Thank you very much

G: You are welcome. Thank you.

End.

I love sake, so this story made me think a lot.

I wish everybody a happy holiday and good drinking. Dragon.

Origin of The Earth (No.6)

Do we understand the meaning of our lives when we think about the origin of the earth?
(No.6)

(December 23, 2008, No.9)


Hello. This is Dragon. This is now the six of the series of “Do we understand the meaning of our lives when we think about the origin of the earth?”. Today’s blog is the last of the series.

It is the continuation of "an old tale " which is told as a parable to teach you about man's "Roots".

Action of the young man whose torii was destroyed ------

G: One of the toriis was destroyed with no respect to how hard it was for him to have made it. First, he went to the site and picked up the broken pieces of the torii. He then returned to his home and several hours later, he went to see the elder’s son who had destroyed the torii.

D: Ah-, my heart starts beating…!

G: “The young man said to the culprit.

"You destroyed the torii I made, however, I will not blame you if you wear this charm which I made from a piece of the destroyed torii?"

It was a lucky charm in the shape of a fish. The young man made it with love. He worried that the elder’s son would seriously suffer from his action because the young man was pious and believed in gods and in Buddha.

D: Wow. He is a really good man!

G: Yes, his actions are very honorable, he sympathizes with the culprit who hates him. When the elder's son accepted the lucky charm, he became awkward, and took it silently.

Several months later, something unusual happened to the culprit who is also a young fisherman.

D: His ship sank?

G: “No, something else happened! The young culprit was protected by the lucky charm. His fish haul went up. Only his ship began to caught fish and none of the other villagers.

One day, the elder asked his son: What are you doing different than the others? His son reviewed his steps in detail, the same ship, the same bait, and the same bay. The only difference was ･････ at that time, as if he had been struck by lightning he realized the difference.

The only difference from the other fishermen was the “lucky charm”.

The elder son was changed on that day. He apologized to the hero and made a vow to be his comrade and began ardently beautifying the mountains.

At the elder's request, lucky charms were made for the other fishermen. In time the pollution from the mountains ceased and fish came back to the bay.

Their haul increased and 3 years later, the story ended as you are thinking.

D: The tourism plan was withdrawn.

G: Yes.(*゜▽゜ノノ゛☆」

D: Ah, great! Great for the young man!

What was the “Roots” for this young man?

G: Now the old tale ends. How did you like it? Did you get what his roots are?

D: Well, for one, his strong intention, it is an honorable root. The young culprit who broke the torii might have been a root for the hero as well as the sea and the mountains.

G: Exactly. When he made the decision to increase the haul, which was to do it at any cost, that was his intention and the beginning of the "roots". He fed the roots by studying with books, his own experience and other things. However the most important thing above all was a “root” of zeal which never be wavered.

D: Indeed…

G: There might be the word "Nezasu (rooting)". The root (Ne) is piercing the earth (zasu). Only the rooting is important, thrusting deeply into the ground. In that sense, it can be said that this young man's roots thrust quite deep.

D: Ah, I think I understand. In another words, it may be a strong root called “Faith”.

G: Yes, and his "Strength of Spirit (Kikotsu)" which made it happen. This also is very important, remember it.

D: Strength of Spirit! Faith and Strength! I will remember.

“Roots” will change and evolve……

G: Well, the elder's son became a lifetime friend of the hero. By the way, the roots of these two actually changed.

D: What? Stuck together?

G: Yes, that is right. This is the case where each root connects with another like the intertwined branches of trees with their roots growing deeper.

D: Oh, this is terrific!

G: By the say, this phenomenon has happened between you and your brother.

D: Yes, I think so.

G: Always express your gratitude for your existence. Do you understand the theme of finding the meaning of your life.

D: The meaning of life is clear if we understand the origin of the earth, isn't it?

G: Indeed... However, knowing the roots is only the first step. Look at your roots, there are always right and wrong answers. Take it easy.

D: Thank you very much. We started talking about the ways of gods at first, but it has gotten bigger.

G: Indeed, this is only the beginning. In the unknown world, there is a depth that exceed your imagination, Dragon. By the way, I have more to tell the nature of god. May I do so in the end? It might become one sided message from me.

D: Of course, please!

G: Thank you. Well I have explained the deep love of plants. Plants have helped men by answering their efforts to cultivate them and nourish their bodies. However, man is not showing its gratitude properly as he is unabashedly destroying nature. (Of course not all men.)

D: It is sad....

G: It is very sad.... Man has been warned for a long time about the destruction of the environment which has advanced to considerable level. I don't think the god of nature is pleased about that.

D: If I were the god, I would be mad.

G: Me, too. In fact the god of nature is very angry. So, I, who is on man's side, try to come down the god of nature. All of you reading this blog, I want you to respect nature including you, Dragon. I don't want you to wast what you eat and want you to express your gratitude for nature's love.

D: Yes, we will express our gratitude and our respect.

G: Thank you. Plants existence could be man's teacher. In fact, there are a lot of things that plants try to each man by their being. I want you to understand this. As for me, I do not want you to think of this in the negative, I never threaten man. If I express myself in harsh words, it is to impress upon you that destroying, or not, the earth depends on whether man creates its roots (intention) in his mind first.

D: The root in one's mind... Indeed. I will learn from plants and pay attention to roots (intention) and do good things for man.

G: Thank you, I will end this story. It was long, but you did a good job.

D: Not at all, thank you very much. I learned a lot.

G: See you soon.


End.

It was a very long story, but did you enjoy it? As for me, I haven't understood completely but I would like to make the most, that I can, of what I have learned here. (Dragon)

Origin of The Earth (No.5)

Do we understand the meaning of our lives when we think about the origin of the earth? (No.5)

(December 22, 2008, No. 8)

G: Guardign deity, Kamisama
D: Dragon (Younger brother)
A: Aniki (Channeler, Older brother)


To understand the meaning of “Roots”, Kamisama asked me what do I need to know. He said that the answer is very simple… (The hint is already shown in the previous conversation.)


What do we need to do to know the meaning of roots...

D: To know the meaning of roots... Ah, first, start looking for the things we appreciate around us. Another thing is to find out what makes us as we are now. Also, look for the things we are passionate about.


G: Indeed, all of them are wonderful answers. However, what do you need to do before that?


D: Before that?


G: So. Your answers today are all wonderful, but what do you need to do before that? It came out of a previous conversation.


D: Things I need to do before. What do I need….?


G: Simply? There is roots or there is not…?


D: There is?, there isn’t? ・・・Ah!!! It is existence, isn’t it?

G: Yes! That is right! It is "Existence"! First, we need to recognize that there is roots. Everything starts from their existence.


D: I see! First, there is existence. Do I just accept the idea of “I have roots”?


G: Indeed! You have roots. It is just okay to recognize existence, that is the most important thing.


D: Indeed! I see, but what will change if existence is recognized?


G: Ha, ha, ha. It is up to you, man’s free will. You can think freely. For a person might be a family, and for another it might be money, lover, hobbies, books, companies, and parents, etc…There are unlimited choices, each person can have different roots from others and it is okay. Of course, it doesn’t matter how many.


D: Ah, I am relieved you said so. For instance, can I change today's roots from tomorrow's roots?
G: Yes, it is quite okay. But the true root doesn’t die.


D: I see….. If I recognize my existence, I can see roots automatically!


G: By the way, roots are just a metaphor and can’t be seen. In the composition of roots, there is an external factor that Dragon mentioned a little while ago and there is an internal factor, too.


D: Internal factor? Is it my feeling?


G: Yes, it is. Man's behavior changes depending on feelings. Man's behavior starts from feelings. If roots are the function of absorbing, it is also equipped with releasing function. That is action.


D: Ahhhhh… Complicated!!!


A hint for roots is in an old tale…



G: Ha, ha, ha. Then, let’s me tell you an old tale. There may be a hint in it.


D: Ah. That is great!


G: It may be a long story, but keep listening.


D: No, no! You are the ones that have hang on !


G: Thank you. ･･･ Once upon a time, actually it was in a modern time, there was a fishing village in a remote place in Japan. The fisherman’s haul decreased every year, and in the last few years it was especially pitiful to look at. The village was on the verge of a crisis.


There was a young man who came from a long line of fishermen. He had a degree in Fisheries' Science and had graduated recently. The crisis came just as he was about to take an active part as fisherman.


The elders in the village had come to a decision which made his heart sink.


D: What did the elders decide?


G: They decided to give up the fishing business. The fishermen in the whole village made a decision to stop fishing completely, and they decided to build up the land as a sightseeing spot within three years.



The young man was heartbroken. He had loved the sea since he was a child. Finally there was his chance to be a fisherman...

He thought that if they found the cause of the poor catch, they could find a solution, and the elders' opinion might be overturned.

From that point on, he studied desperately. He thought that he could revive the haul. He had a time limit of three years.

Now, Dragon. Do you see roots here?


D: What? ･･････ fisherman's lineages ･･･ ? poor catch?


G: Of course, it could be, but I want you to pay attention to his “Feelings”. He wants to increase the haul within three years at any cost. His enthusiasm has become 'Roots' for him.


D: Indeed… Feeling, determination, it is an excellent root!

G: Yes, it is. Let’s continue the story.

The young man studied very hard and searched over and over until one day he found something which could be the cause of the poor catch.


Cause of the poor haul...

That was something was the“Mountains”


D: Wow! Mountains? Isn’t it opposite! Why?

G: Mountains in the vicinity were dirty, and pollutants flowed out of them to the sea. It is a story that often exists in Japan.


Either way, he thought that pollution was the cause of the poor haul.


That same day, the young man went to the mountains and began to clean them thoroughly. A lot of garbage was collected, abandoned refrigerators, TV sets, cars, vinyl products, and corrugated cardboard.., and he recycled as much as possible. If he didn’t recycle, they might be thrown away by someone else again.


Then, he negotiated with a factory on the mountains, and made them stop pouring away the pollutants. It was a touching and powerful action.

However the people in the village were still closed to his solution. They were backbiting him, and they were still throwing away garbage on the mountain with an air of ostentatious pride. There even was a person who dispersed excreta, saying that “If you have time to beautify the mountain, why don’t you have time to catch fish?”


The young man was completely perplexed. What can he do to make them stop polluting the mountains any further?


He found the answer in a newspaper. There was an article about the torii (a gateway to a Shinto shrine) which was drawn on the walls. Man stopped urinating on the walls with these drawings. A simple but powerful solution, however, the torii cannot be drawn on mountains.

So, he built a genuine torii. There were seven mountains in the village, seven toriis were made by him and set up by each entrance.

D: Powerful! I respect him…


G: Great deed! The villagers should have been proud of the clean mountains and toriis, which would have helped them with the touristic attractions, but they were against him because he was against the tourism.

One day, an incident occurred. A son of the elder who was of the same age as the young man broke one of the toriis.

D: What! Terrible…


G: Well, Dragon. If you were this young man, what would you do?


D: Hum… I would simply attack him?

G: Ha, ha, ha. Dragon, you are tough, but he didn’t do that. Actually, after this, what he did changed the future of the village.

(Continue)

(It is getting too long but thank you for reading. The next time, it starts from the continuation of this story.)

Origin of The Earth (No.4)

Do we understand the meaning of our lives when we think about the origin of the earth? (No.4)


(December 21, 2008 No.7)

G: Guardian deity, Kamisama
D: Dragon (Younger brother)
A: Aniki, (Channeler, Older brother)



Now, according to Kamisama, now, there is a point that man needs to learn from plants. Let’s think about it.


The answer is unexpected…


D: The difference between animals and plants are plants have it, but animals don't have?

G: Yes, It is simple. Look at the foliage plant next to you.

D: Ah, a leaf?

G: Boo, not a leaf.

D: Shoot! Then, stems, flowers, roots!

G: Ha, ha, ha. Your strategy is to say it all. Of course, there is an answer in there. What do you think?

D: What, then, Ah, what is it? Just roots, maybe!

G: Correct! correct answer! Dragon, you so understand well, it is roots. Now, the point that man should learn the most about is “Roots”.

D: Lucky guess!, but it is an unexpected answer. Roots…

G: Then what does man need to learn from the roots of plants. Let’s think.

D: Please!

What is the earth made of…


G: Let's review for a moment before we start talking about roots. What was the origin of the earth?

D: There was fireworks like a Japanese sparkler and gases and dust created electricity which made them gathered together.

G: Yes, that is. That was a prototype of the planet. Then, what made the earth the way it is now?

D: What? By chance, could it be roots?

G: Bingo! It is so. After the earth hardened, the thing that made the earth was “Roots”.

D: Hmm, excuse me. I don’t understand well.

G: It is okay not to understand. It is natural. Then, let me explain slowly. For instance, Dragon, do you understand what causes a flood?

D: Ah! I have heard that when a hill is deforested too much, and the landslide will happen.

G: “Yes. Though there is various causes of flood, in a lot of cases, harvesting timber triggers it. The other day, floods occurred in foreign countries because of excessive deforestation. By the way, the reason of deforestation was a factory construction by Japanese businesses.

D: Uwaa ･･･ Is it so? It is a shame ･･･.

G: Oh well, I will wait for the next chance to discuss this story, but roots support the earth, supply water, and create circulation. It is understood that roots of plants are very important for these reasons. In other words, it is roots that gave its substance.

D: Indeed. Certainly, ...may be so.

What does “Roots” mean to you?

G: Then, again, I have a question for you. Dragon, what does “Roots” mean to you?

D: What? What? My roots? No, it is probably a parable though I don’t have roots.

G: Of course, it is a parable which you are good at. Now what is Dragon's root?

D: Hmm…, my parents? Yes? Or my experience? Or?

G: Wonderful! That is good thinking. Yes, you can have many roots.

D: However, it is difficult because I have never thought about what are my roots. Ah, but musicians often refer to their musical roots to explain their genre.

G: Yes, but that is about music and different the “Roots” we are discussing now.

D: Sorry. Is it like “Roots of Life”? Hmm, really, what are my roots?

G: Okay, let's think together while I explain the meaning in detail.

D: Yes!

What do roots mean to you? No.2

G: Plants made the earth, they prevent flood, they become the foods that we eat. Their appearance is beautiful, and in addition, they play a major role producing oxygen. Roots are the most important parts of plants. Man can live on the earth because of them. Do you not think it is wonderful?

D: They are a wonderful and valuable beings. Not once, have I never thought of it that way.

G: Okay. Most of people don’t express gratitude for their own existence, and furthermore, they don’t express gratitude for the plants that support them.

D: I need to think about this , but I could live without thinking about it.

G: It is okay one way or the other. However, if you can, I want you to understand that plants exist all around man's feet on the earth and nourish man and love man. By understanding their existence, man can see the meaning of man’s life.

D: Ah, it is a theme of this conversation. By knowing the origin of the earth, man can understand the meaning of life.

G: Yes, here, roots are the important things. There is earth, and there is the earth because there are roots. If man also has roots, what will happen?

D: Hmm? A difficult question… What is going to happen if man has roots?

If the concept of roots is applied to man…?

G: The roots of plants take nourishment, and support the earth. Now if this concept is applied to man...?

D: If there are roots in my mind ･･･what should I say, mental, financial...? Roots take all kinds of nutrition and are saved in the mind so that it can grow. Also, could it enrich the mental soil of the mind, like the earth, and be saved in its memory? Furthermore, can it circulate?”

G: Yes. Don’t you think that is a wonderful world?

D: I see, may be. I just said that, but honestly, I haven’t fully understood. Is there more roots aside the ”root of the mind" which we just talked about.

G: It is so. Though there is no correct answer for this. Each person could have a different answer, it is difficult for everyone to try and find the roots. Then, Dragon, there is another question.

D: Wow! Again

G: “Ha, ha, ha. This is really easy. Now, Dragon, what do you need to do to find your roots? The how to is concealed in the former conversation.”

D: “Uhhhhh….. Please let me think.”

(Continue)


(What should I do to know my roots? It is easy so. I would like everybody to think the subject.)