It is truly admirable to meet people who keep their promises by working tirelessly to achieve worthwhile visions. I recently returned from a trip to Japan where I lectured and trained Japanese managers of Dahn Yoga centers in Brain Education and Brain Wave Vibration.
While it is problematic to generalize about cultures and the behavior of the people in them, I was delighted to witness amazing evidence of the capacity of these Japanese to keep their promises to make a better world – full of health, happiness and peace.
While I know strong promise-keepers in North America, Europe, and my native South Korea, I was struck by how much the Japanese really want to do good for humanity, how focused they are on their goals, plans and actions, and how hard they work to achieve genuine results. A popular phrase that Japanese say to each other is “persevere until you succeed.”
It is very apparent in Japan how good (and fast!) service is in stores and restaurants. While some countries declare that the “customer is king,” Japanese say that the “customer is god,” and so they act with great respect, spirit and gratitude toward their customers.
Japan has a long history of turmoil and order vying with each other. In the past 150 years, Japan went from a closed feudalist state to a nation open to the world, which then led to an aggressive and brutal period in which the Japanese military conquered neighboring Asian countries. While victorious for a while, in the process the Japanese lost much of their humanity and social accountability, eventually leading to the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since then, the Japanese have devoted their considerable energy and ingenuity to material pursuits, with substantial success.
Lately Japan seems to be entering a period where more and more of its population are searching beyond material concerns and for spiritual goals. The Japanese I met are among the innovators and leaders in developing and providing a higher-consciousness life for an increasing number of people.
What a powerful vision they now have! I am impressed by their incredible energy to keep their promise of establishing more Dahn Yoga centers throughout Japan to meet the needs of the Japanese for health, happiness and peace. It is my hope that through those centers, the people of Japan can keep their promises to themselves, and move forward into a peaceful future of abundance and satisfaction.
