Birthday 2021

The 21ast of June, the longest sunlight day, is my birthday. Looking at the evening soft pink sky, I appreciated a gift from the earth in this season -an extra time we can do something under the natural light. I also reflected on this moment of two years ago. I was in the Netherlands and having unforgettable experiences. I met many acquaintances again, played the piano in church services, and visited so many schools and hospices. I also met many new people there. I watched their facilities and works, and I listened to their stories.

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For the birthday this year, I gradually shifted life more into silence and transparency.

Whatever the historical Zen tradition is, modern Japanese life unstoppably forces people to work much more than one can handle. So, I decided to do less work and to commit to things I loved to do. It was time to come back to myself, to my spirit.

In this pandemic period, it is not cosy to be outside. I chose to deepen myself, together with doing something enjoyable.

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I joined two web meetings of NDE experiencers in the U.S., And I received tremendous encouragement from other experiencers whom I would otherwise never meet in my life. I took courses concerning End-of-Life care and grief care for children in the U.K. Listening to a recorded lecture about Steiner's seven-year life cycle, I contemplated life before and after this point.

I ordered a book Laudato Si that I wanted for a long time as a physical book. I also ordered another book, Medicine of Hildegard von Bingen. Recently, my interest is slowly but naturally expand into healing in the medieval monasteries. I reached out Visions and Voice-Hearing in Medieval and Early Modern Contexts'. - It appeared as if I should know it for unravelling the mystery of life.

I arranged something fun, as well. I baked a very big bread at the weekend, and on the 21st, I made a vegetarian lasagna and celebrated with my mother. She gave me a leather handbag and a lovely little bouquet.

The afternoon of the day, a local newspaper visited me to interview. They wanted to write an article about my life. It was just a coincidence that this happened on my birthday. What is a surprising present!

Altogether, I felt as if I had a one-week retreat vacation. My soul is healed.

Now, I come back to a busy life again. However, a new stream seems to emerge: David Kessler, who had worked with Mother Theresa and Kübler Ross, announced that he is looking for the students of his web course. It was already a half year ago that he asked some people: what time we could join when he would give lessons. I answered. He now finished a timetable that I could join the live group sessions in the U.S. It is to become a certified Grief care worker. It will start in the second half of July. I wish to connect there with the right people who may lead me and/or can walk together.

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And just at the right moment... I am making a podcast: it is an assignment of a new course of Nat Geo: Storytelling. I take up a story of the sisters of St.Monica Augustinessen Utrecht. It is not at all an easy task. Creating podcasts is simply new for me. I must create and speak a story (not simply reporting researched data or reading an essay). I am not sure if I can make it. But it is worthwhile trying it.

Thank you again to everybody who greeted me for my birthday! I am grateful that you are together with me. By your warm heart and tender care, I can be at this point, and I will continue my life.