• Keep questions short.
• Because Ilchi Lee receives so many questions, it is impossible for him to personally respond to every query.
     Selected questions will be added to the Q&A page with Ilchi Lee's responses, and may be edited for style and length.
• Please note that Ask Ilchi Lee does not provide specific medical advice.
     You should always consult your health care provider to discuss specific symptoms and conditions.

Q: Almost a year ago I had surgery that I really should have waited to have until I had a strong mind. After this choice that the universe seemed to be shouting at me not to do, my life has been so difficult. It affected my sexuality and vitality, my life force. I have taken the Shim Sung, Initial Awakening, and Power Brain Method workshops and practice daily, but still I am plagued by this past decision as it affects me every day. Can you help?

A: I'm glad to know you have been so diligent in your practice. One of the best things you can do is to keep going and watch your body and mind carefully as you practice. You may discover what is wrong and the answers for it from your own body. Without knowing your particular condition, it is difficult for me to give you particular advice. But I can say that continuing to worry about a past decision can only make it worse. Let your past be past and move forward from this moment. Remember, everything is a learning experience, and a gift.

Was your surgery a huge mistake or was it an experience you needed for your growth? Don't judge yourself or the world harshly. Just trust your true self. By holding onto the emotions surrounding that decision, you are giving it more power and blocking your own inner power, thereby preventing further healing from taking place.

Instead, use the tools you've learned in the workshops to change your brain and create a happy state. Laugh for no reason. Then focus on what you want--to be strong and healthy for example--and hold that goal in your mind. Then make a plan and act on it from this happy, focused state.

Even if you feel like you didn't listen to what the universe was telling you before, you can listen now. Just keep connecting to your true self. Of course, all of this takes practice. Even with all of the training you've done, you have to keep reminding yourself of it. You have to keep connecting to your true self and letting the past go. Most important of all, never lose hope.

Ilchi Lee

Q: How can I overcome my lifelong habit of putting up a wall that prevents people from getting to know me?

A: First of all, know that you are not alone, in spite of the loneliness you may feel. Our society is full of people who are hiding their true selves from others. In fact, most people do this habitually to some degree or another. This is why so many people feel lonely, even when surrounded by many.

Putting up walls is a natural, reflexive habit that you gained when experiencing hurtful things in the past. This habit may have begun early in childhood, when you were most sensitive to the world around you. Essentially, it was your way of protecting yourself from emotions that were too difficult for you to handle. More than likely, you don’t even remember what those harmful things were, but nevertheless they continue to shape your relationships even today.

Fortunately, you have taken the first important step toward changing the habit—you recognize that you build up emotional walls and you are willing to change. Changing the habit will just be a matter of time and practice.

Begin by watching the habit carefully. Notice what sorts of events and circumstances seem to make you want to pull away from people. Then, make a deliberate choice to keep as engaged as possible with others, even if it may be uncomfortable. If you practice this consistently, you will be able to retrain your brain to respond more positively as people grow closer to you, but it will take some time.

Make a conscious decision to release any negative emotions you feel as you begin to open up to people. If you start to feel nervous or uncomfortable, try to refocus your mind on the love that you have for people and the love that they have for you. Keep giving yourself plenty of positive reassurance, telling yourself, “I am safe and loved.” Visualize releasing all your old, painful memories as you exhale every breath you take.

The big test will come when someone hurts you again. This is inevitable because it is part of life. When you experience this, you may once again feel the urge to protect yourself and build the wall once again. Even if you do build a wall, realize your ability to break it down again in an instant. See if you can say to yourself, “I love this person, whether they love me or not.” To feel this honestly takes great confidence and courage, but it is also the greatest and most rewarding expression of love there is.

Ilchi Lee

Q: There are a couple of different goals that I would like to pursue in my life, but it seems like I have to choose one or the other. Do you think it is possible to pursue two dreams at once?

A: The quick answer is, yes, of course you can pursue two goals. Most people pursue many goals in their lifetimes.

However, you may feel conflicted if the two goals seem incompatible for some reason. And it is true that the more goals you focus on, the more divided your attention will be. If you want to accomplish something quickly and without compromising quality, then it is probably best to focus on no more than one thing at a time.

I firmly believe that we all have a mission to accomplish in this world, and that through accomplishing this task we can continuously improve and refine ourselves. To discover this life purpose, try asking yourself what truly brings you lasting joy, beyond ego or societal expectation. If you still feel strongly attracted to two seemingly different goals, then you might consider how they both could be part of a single, greater vision for your life. Once you have a clear picture of this vision, it should be easier to determine which of the smaller goals is most important and more immediate.

If you really want to grow quickly and to accomplish great things in this world, I recommend simplifying your life as much as possible so that the majority of your energy can go toward your vision. Many people want to do more with their lives, but instead they find their time frittered away on vain and needless activities. If you are able to give up these attachments and really focus your energy, I am sure that you will be able to accomplish both your goals, and maybe something even greater than you ever imagined.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I would very much like to learn how to speak with a strong, powerful, and confident voice. How can my Dahn practice and breathing exercises help this?

A: Anyone can have a strong, powerful, confident voice. It is important to realize, however, that this is not the same thing as having a deep or loud voice. Rather, it means cultivating a voice that comes from deep inside you, from your center. There are two important concepts that will help you learn to speak from your center. One is learning to develop a healthy energy condition, which in Korean is called seu-seung-hwa-gang, meaning "water up, fire down." The second requires, focusing on your Dahn-jon (the energy center in your lower abdomen) when you speak.

Seu-Seung-Hwa-Gang is an energetic condition in which more of your energy is concentrated in your abdomen than in your head, allowing your abdomen to feel warm and energized and your head to feel cool and calm. In this state, fire energy generated in your heart travels down to your Dahn-jon and then up to your kidneys. The water energy of your kidneys cool the circulating energy, which can then travel up to your head, keeping your brain cool and relaxed. This flow of energy is your body's natural state. In this state you feel relaxed, powerful, happy, and peaceful. When we say someone has a “cool head,” this is the kind of relaxed, confident person who exhibits seu-seung-hwa-gang.

However, certain conditions, such as habitual stress or disease, can cause this energy flow to be blocked or even reversed. If your energy and focus are concentrated in your head, your voice and your breath may not go deeper than your throat. But the body's real power is in the Dahn-jon, which is the center of physical energy in the body. Brain Education and Dahn Yoga exercises are designed to create seu-seung-hwa-gong and build the power of your Dahn-jon.

Some simple exercises you can practice daily are Chest Tapping to loosen and relax your chest; Dahn-jon Tapping and deep Intestine Exercises to release tension from your intestines, helping you gather energy in your Dahn-jon; and the five Dahn Energy Breathing (Jung-Choong) Breathing postures. (If you need more information about these exercises, please ask an instructor or consult a book like Dahn Yoga Basics.) You should also practice focusing a part of your mind on your Dahn-jon whenever you speak and feeling your voice rising up from deep inside. Eventually speaking in a confident, powerful voice will become second nature.

Ilchi Lee

Q: Sometimes I have so many emotions during and after an intense training, I feel like I could cry forever! I thought that after many trainings this would not happen anymore, but it still does. Do I still have so many stuck emotions?

A: Having an emotional release, especially during an intense training, is fairly normal and can actually be quite healthy. This is because most people have a tendency to “stuff” or suppress their emotions, rather than letting them be expressed. On the other hand, some people find they all too easily become lost in their emotions - to the point of feeling controlled by them. In both cases, it is helpful to understand that the human brain is hard-wired to respond and react much more by habit than by conscious choice. Therefore you must first ask yourself if your brain’s behavior is something which is ultimately helpful for what you want. If you are clear that you want to get more mastery over your brain, try to observe its patterns and behaviors more closely rather than following the immediate knee-jerk reactions that often come. The next time you feel you are getting lost in your emotions, try to make a new habit of switching your focus to your physical body. Running, dancing, and other kinds of exercise can be great ways to bring your attention into your body, and out of your emotions. The important thing is not to get frustrated with yourself. As much as you can, just do your best to accept yourself and your habits. Remember, practice makes perfect: make daily effort to improve, and keep a light heart about it.

Ilchi Lee

A: Helping someone recover from a serious condition such as a stroke is a practice in love, patience and persistence, as I am sure you have realized through caring for your mom. Although there’s nothing I can offer to “cure” her condition, her recovery could certainly be aided by some simple meridian exercises. Any kind of gentle stretching or body patting she could do - on her own or with help - would be great for her to improve her blood and energy circulation and release some of the stiffness that results from the paralysis in her body. I would also recommend having some kind of holistic treatments for her: acupuncture, acupressure, and healing massage are all very effective at boosting the body’s natural healing process.

best thing you can do for her, though, is to keep giving her love, support and to help her have hope and belief in her own ability to heal. Make sure to spend quality time together and let her laugh be joyful. If all of this can become as much a part of her routine as her therapy sessions, you can be sure she will live a more healthy, happy and peaceful life until her last moments on this earth.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I live in Venezuela where I only have your book+CD "Brain Respiration". I would like to know how long to spend on an exercise before moving forward. Also, shouldn't I use the CD before practicing recommended calisthenics?

A: How long you spend on each exercise can vary according to your condition and your goals. If blending the “Brain Respiration” exercises together into a class is what you’re looking for, one or two minutes each is probably sufficient. However if you want to more deeply grasp the essence of the techniques (especially some of the later ones in the book), you could just choose one exercise and make that the focus of your routine for the day-- or even a week. The important thing is to listen to your body and your brain. Be mindful of your body as you exercise. If you focus on your body and breathe well as you do the postures, you will naturally be able to feel when to move to the next exercise.

The “Brain Respiration” CD can be a useful guide for the exercises. However if you’re earnest about doing Dahn Yoga or Brain Respiration techniques from your home, I would recommend the “Dahn Yoga Basics” books for a great visual outline of the postures, and the “Dahn Yoga Energy Breathing Self-Training CD” for an excellent guided class flow with music. If you’ve never taken a Dahn Yoga class before, or simply don’t live close enough to a center, the CD is the next best way to connect to the feeling and timing of the exercises.

Ilchi Lee

A: Passion for God and life makes one’s life meaningful, exciting and joyful. If you have passion for God and life, follow your passion because that will lead you bliss and contentment if your passion is genuine. Following your divine passion will naturally dissolve your stress and anger. If you don’t see any change in your anger and stress, then sincerely ask yourself again what you are really passionate for? Having a clear answer to this is the beginning of contentment and peace. Also I recommend for you to practice daily the Brain Wave Vibration that I introduced in this website. It will help you release stress and anger energy and connect yourself with the source of peace. Do not accumulate your stress and anger energy and make meditation and breathing your daily routine.

Ilchi Lee

Q: How does overcoming your limits through physical training like pushups help you overcome a fear of being judged and become more confident?

A: Physical strength alone doesn’t bring you self-confidence, but it surely is the foundation of your self-confidence. Fear of being judged is fear of being hurt. It comes from your belief that you are not strong enough. When you overcome challenges or resistance by using your body, it is not only your body that becomes strong. Your mind and spirit also get disciplined and strong. It leads to empowerment of your entire self. This is how push-ups can be an exercise for your soul.

Ilchi Lee

Q: Can you give me any pointers on how to improve my Jangsaeng walking technique? I have difficulty tucking in my tailbone, and I am not sure that I am leaning forward at a one degree angle.

A: Because you have a lifetime of habits built into your body, it can be difficult to keep the proper Jangsaeng posture at first. If you have trouble tucking in your tail bone, it is probably because you are holding a lot of tension in your lower back, hip joints, and intestines. You may want to practice some stretching exercises daily in order to gain more flexibility in your lower body. In the mean time, try focusing on pushing your pelvic bone out. In reality, you can not move your pelvic bone independently, so try to move your entire pelvic area, not just your tailbone. You will know you that you are in the right position when you feel a slight tension and heat in your lower abdomen.

As far as the one-degree tilt is concerned, you do not have to try too hard. When in the proper position, you should only have the slightest perception that you are tilting forward. Just focus on keeping your head slightly ahead of your toes, and try not to push your abdomen out. You can think of it as walking with a very proactive, deliberate attitude. Keep practicing and soon this will all seem very natural.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I just listened to your 21-Day Miracle audio lecture. I enjoyed your Brain Wave Vibration training. Can you let me know the name of music used in the training? I have been looking for that music since I first heard it.

A: The music used in my Brain Wave Vibration audio training was composed by PURI, a famous Korean drumming group. The CD containing the specific music was published eight years ago under a Korean music label. I have used that music for the Brain Wave Vibration training and other advanced energy trainings, as its rhythmical drumming beats help us move our body freely with energetic passion. Unfortunately, the CD has been out of print for more than two years and is no longer available.

If you are looking for music for your own Brain Wave Vibration practice, any rhythmical drumming beat will work for you. The indigenous music of many cultures in the world are powerful art forms that induce changes in human brain waves.

Although music can be used to ignite vibration, do not rely on it. Instead, rely on the sensation of naturally occurring vibration coursing though your body. Ride this sensation to enter deep into the rhythms of live.

Q: In the prime of her life, my daughter was diagnosed with MS. This is very frightening for her, and as her mother, I want to help her through it. I have had to walk her through many dark moments. Now she is doing very well on her own managing her illness, and for the first time is getting more connected with her inner self. I there anything else I can do for her?

A: I know how painful it must be to see your loved one suffering and struggling. Even though no cure for MS has been found so far, there are many ways to help those living with MS through both traditional and complementary approaches. You are on the right track with your daughter because the strongest support does come from within, from ones own body and brain. What really matters, though, is not how nimbly she can move her body, but for what purpose she uses it. When her true purpose is clear to her, she will more easily become her body’s master as she strives to overcome obstacles and challenges. I appreciate your strength, and I send my best energy to you and your daughter.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I really do not trust myself and do not accept myself. What can I do?

A: Not trusting or accepting yourself means that you have not met your own expectations for yourself in the past. On some level, you start to believe that you really can’t do what you set out to do. But our understanding of ourselves is very limited. There is a lot more potential within us than we know. The person who cannot trust or accept you is only some small part of your personal self. Another part of you knows that you can do more and still expects you to reach the higher standard.

Here's my suggestion. Sometimes it may not be easy to trust or accept yourself. This is very normal, and I believe that you are not alone in this feeling. It will help to think of it in a different way. You may find it easier to trust your brain, instead of trying to trust yourself. There's no problem in acknowledging that you cannot trust or accept certain parts of yourself. However, at the same time acknowledge that you are more than your current knowledge of yourself, and based on that acknowledgment, trust your brain, which contains all the other aspects of you yet to be discovered and realized.

Ilchi Lee

Q: When I am confronted with people who, despite my good will towards them, persist on acting negatively towards me, should I continue to act nicely towards them?

A: You really don't have to be nice to everyone. What we call “nice” is really just based on our appearances to other people. It is all about manners and the judgments people make in that reguard. On the other hand, being kind is about your heart and comes from the deepest sort of love for life. When we are being nice, we do so in order to look good so that others will not think we are bad. However, when we are genuinely kind, we are not focusing on ourselves. We are focusing on how can be truly good to other people.

In some cases, kindness could even mean hurting people's feelings a bit. For example, it might be very “nice” for you to go on letting others treat you badly. This is obviously not good for you, but is it really good for them? Being nice in this way is actually not good for them at all. I believe that the purpose of life is to grow, and they cannot grow if “nice” people hide the effects of their behavior from them. The kindest thing may in fact be to tell them directly how their behavior affects you. Yes, they may get mad at you, but isn’t this better for them in the long run? Isn’t it the kindest thing to do?

That being said, it is very important how you present yourself when and if you confront them. You should have an absolute feeling of and love and respect for them. Often, when people confront others about their behavior, it is accompanied by anger and contempt for the people involved. If you approach them in this manner, you are not being kind at all; you are only returning the same sort of energy to them that they gave to you. So, before you deal directly with other people’s behavior, examine your own energy carefully, and make sure that your heart is really in the right place.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I have problems with my memory in general, but my main concern is my short-term memory. How can I improve it?

A: Some experts recommend developing the habit of mental registering. Mental registering means doing things in a state of full awareness, rather than in a mindless, habitual way. In other words, make a point of really paying attention to what you are doing. You could even imagine that you are photographing the actions you are taking and the events you are experiencing. This practice will reinforce the neural circuits that are used to access memories of your recent actions and experiences, making it easier for you to recall them.

Meditative practice will also help you develop the awareness and focus that helps improve memory skill. You might want to start each day with a 10-15 minute meditation in which you clear your mind and then run your plan for the day through your mind, as though you are watching a movie. That way, you will have reinforced your memories before you have even experienced them.

Ilchi Lee

Q: Sometimes I am very sensitive to other people’s energies. Although I try to let people’s emotions bounce off me like a rubber ball, sometimes I still feel their sadness or anger very strongly, and I wonder how much I can take around certain people. However, I realize that these emotions are not really directed at me, but are simply the result of what’s going on in that person’s life. I always try to remain calm and positive, but it is not always easy. How do I manage my sensitivity to others energies?

A: We all have a natural capacity for resonance, so it is natural to be affected by others’ emotions. But it doesn't mean this has to be automatic or inevitable. You really need to manage your attention, rather than your sensitivity. What you sense is what you pay attention to. You can re-direct your attention to some other object instead of resonating with and being affected by others’ unwanted negative emotions.

You can’t hold attention totally within yourself because proper management of your life requires interaction with people and effective handling of difficult situations. However, you don't need to let your whole attention follow a given stimulation, whether it be someone’s emotional state or some other difficulty. A good rule of thumb is to distribute your attention in a balanced way, focusing 30% within yourself and 70% on the outside world. You cannot measure the distribution exactly, but being aware of this concept will help. It is like keeping your dog on a leash while you are walking him or her. You can allow the dog to follow his or her own whims in some cases, and you can pull back on the leash at other times. This is the best thing for both you and your dog, and likewise it is the best way to handle your own attention to the energies around you. Learn to recognize what energies are healthy to follow and which are not.

One of the most effective practices is feeling your body. Try feeling your body through internal sensory awareness, without touching it with your hands. If you can do this, it is a solid indicator that you are holding your own leash. Practicing this will enable you to consciously direct your attention to the objects you want to focus on, instead of being influenced by unwanted energy around you.

Finally, I would like to add that you should always take responsibility for any emotion you feel inside, no matter where you think it came from. Unless you acknowledge your full ownership and responsibility for your emotions, you cannot have power over them. Remind yourself, “Whatever is within me is mine.” You will experience the power of this statement when you really accept it fully.

Ilchi Lee

Q: How do I overcome a sad mood?

A: Many people hold on to a big illusion about emotions. They think emotions happen to them, instead of being something they create. In actuality, emotions are a function of your brain, and feeling an emotion means you are making an emotion in your brain. You would not expect your hands or feet move on their own without your willing them to do so. Then why do you think in the opposite way about the emotions? If emotions occur, it is only because you allow them to occur. In reality, feeling the way you intend is as natural as moving your hands as you want.

So how does one overcome a sad mood? First, choose not to feel sad and then verify and confirm your choice by taking some action to change your mood. Moving your body will help. Do not sit there thinking about your emotions, asking why you feel a certain way. That will only confirm and extend the emotion. Instead, breathe, stretch your body, and move more briskly. Soon you will realize you don't need to ask how to overcome your undesirable mood because it is simply something you no longer choose to feel.

Ilchi Lee

Q: What are the most common reasons I lack control over my brain?

A: The most obvious reason that people lack control over the brain is that they simply don't believe that they have control. Many people speak of the brain as though it were a biomechanical machine that simply follows the ebb and flow of hormonal fluctuations. I believe that this is a very shortsighted, incomplete image of the brain.

Instead, I think that you can control your brain and not be controlled by it. This belief is the starting point for genuine mastership over your brain. Your brain is a powerful rocket ship that can take you anywhere you want to go in life, but you must first put yourself in the pilot's seat. The thoughts you produce and emotions you feel do not need to be haphazard and random, potentially distracting you from your intentions. You can learn to process information in a clear, focused, and produtive way. Of course, it takes some time and practice to become a genuine pilot who can control your brain well, but you can do it!

Ilchi Lee

Q: I have been trying to go to sleep early in order to wake up at dawn, when energy is the most pure. But I always find something to do just before bedtime, and I don’t go to sleep before 1 or 2 am, which prevents me from waking up early to meditate.

Does this have something to do with my unconscious mind, and do you have any suggestion to overcome this struggle? I don’t need to sleep long hours, but I need at least six hours of sleep to function. Can you help me?

A: If you really want to change your sleep pattern, it needs commitment and power of choice like any other change of habit. The most important thing is managing your time and energy effectively, so that you have the strength and vitality to get things done as planned. To be in sync with the natural rhythms of your body, it really is best to be in bed before midnight. Always “finding something to do” is also just a habit that you can change, not necessarily some trick of your subconscious. Overcoming this habit is just a matter of will and persistence.

Ilchi Lee

Q: I moved from my home country 6 years ago, and since then I have lost my passion for life and my understanding of its purpose. I try to go out and be like everyone else, but it just doesn't seem the same anymore. I'm down to the point where even small daily tasks are a big effort for me. Anything that I look at around me brings only worry, sadness, and guilt. I feel useless and a failure in this life. What can I do to change these perceptions or thoughts to make my life happy again? How can I clear my thoughts of doubts about myself and move forward more freely and optimistically?

A: In my youth, I went through some very difficult times. I couldn't find any meaning in life, and nothing interested me. I felt misplaced and disoriented.

One day while I was walking around my small village, not knowing what to do, I saw a pile of garbage in my neighborhood. It looked ugly, but nobody was willing to do anything about it. I decided to remove it because I needed something to do, and it would help other people, also. I just did it without giving any serious thought to it. But unexpectedly, when I finished the work, I felt great joy arise in my heart. It was a pure joy that you can experience when you do something good for other people unconditionally, without expecting any reward or praise. Even though I didn't know yet what to do with my life, it left me with a lasting realization that human beings have an instinct to benefit others, and the satisfaction of this instinct makes us happier than anything else. It gave me a hint of the direction of the rest of my life.

You may find it hard to do anything for yourself, but strangely you may find it easy and satisfying to do something for others as I did. That may awaken something within you that cherishes the greatest common goal of all humankind--to live in a peaceful, mutually benefitial world.

Ilchi Lee

Q: My workplace does not have a good environment; there is a lot of conflict and dissatisfaction. Is it best for me to leave the situation or to stay and try to fix the situation?

A: Your brain knows the answer already, but only if you know what to ask. I would ask, “What can I do to make a positive difference in this situation?” and “What do I really want?” If you are honest and courageous enough to acknowledge and accept the answer, I believe your brain always gives us the best answer you need, whatever the question is.

Ilchi Lee

Q: Can brain wave training enhance my third eye so I can see auras?

A: Yes, it could possibly help you develop this sort of ability. After all, heightened sensory ability must be awakened through your brain, and brain wave training is definitely intended to awaken your brain.

However, I would caution against making this the primary goal of your training. The purpose of brain wave training is the creation of complete physical, mental, and spiritual health. The ability to see auras is simply a skill that the brain can attain, like athletic or academic ability. It is really far more important that you are a healthy, happy, and peaceful person, and the ability to see auras can not guarantee these things for you.

If you really want to learn to see auras, please set that as goal for yourself. It will be great challenge for your brain. But during your quest, don’t forget to first ground yourself through development of your physical body and to work consciously to open your heart to those around you. If you let these things become a priority in your life, you will open yourself up to a whole world of beautiful things, not just the ability to see auras.

Ilchi Lee

Q: How do you describe a "creative" person?

A: First of all, everyone is a creative person. Sometimes only musicians, actors, and other “artistic types” are given credit for being creative. This is very unfortunate because creativity is a gift given to every human being, not just to a talented few.

In actuality, you are creating all the time, whether you know it or not. If you gain awareness of how important your creativity is, you will be able to begin using it well. It is wonderful to create beautiful paintings or inspiring poems, but true creativity is about making something far more important than these. The most important thing you create is your life itself. It is critical that you empower yourself to create the life you want.

Many people ignore their own creative genius in this regard, and turn over the creation of their lives to others. Instead of deliberately creating the life they would like to live, they simply follow the expectations of society, family, or some other influence. This is a tragic scenario that is painfully common, and it is the source of many people’s unhappiness. This is why I always tell people to ask themselves, “What do I really want?” Once you have found an honest and sincere answer to that question, you can start creating your life accordingly.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that you are not good enough or do not deserve the life you want. There may be many obstacles in the way of actualizing your dreams, but with diligence you can create anything. This, I think, is the true meaning of creativity.

Ilchi Lee

Q: Do you follow a specific practice to become inspired?

A: Habit is the opposite of inspiration, so try to free yourself from the idea that you need to practice something specific to be inspired. Forced practices, based on the notion that this is what someone “should” be doing, do not benefit inspiration. When I truly need creative ideas, I simply ask my brain. If you would like to emulate this, you first need to have great faith and trust in your brain, which comes from experience.

Once you experience the process of coming up with creative ideas, it becomes a lot easier. That is why when inventors have one successful invention, they often come up with hundreds of other inventions. Once your brain experiences the act of creating, it will become easier to repeat the process. Our brains need the experience of self-assurance and success, that feeling of “Ah, yes! This is how it’s done!” Then creating becomes a positive habit reinforced by positive emotions.

Perhaps you think that I have no earthly idea what goes on in the world and have no interest in it. Maybe you imagine that I meditate all day long with my eyes closed, focusing only on the inner world. But this is not the case at all. While I always make time for meditation and reflection, I also read all sorts of books, scan the daily newspapers, and surf the Internet so that I can see the news, trends, and innovative ideas shaping the world.

I am also greatly interested in the activities of many people in fields other than my own. People such as athletes, entertainers, artists, and businesspeople who have achieved great things in their fields always possess wisdom that they can convey to the world.

In my case, I get a lot of great ideas when I am on my morning walk or riding in a car or plane. Ideas come to me much more readily in environments with a constant feeling of motion and speed, rather than in quiet and still spaces. Maybe this is also true for you, or perhaps just the opposite. Observe the kind of environment your brain is the most creative in, and then make a great effort to create that environment for yourself.