August 3-5 2007 I am now in northern Japan, in Akita prefecture. It is very different from Tokyo, and a welcomed change. Everything up here is lush and green as well. The hillsides are dotted with rice fields, and fog covered mountains loom around every turn. This is what they call “inaka” in Japanese, meaning “countryside.” Most of the Japanese delegates had not even been up here, so it has been a new experience for us all! I just arrived back at Akita International University (which is brand new I might add. The dorms we are staying in were finished literally days ago and they are eco-friendly and beautiful!) from 2 nights of homestays with local families. I stayed with the Nakajima’s, who live in Happo-cho (Happo town), a quaint seaside village surrounded by the Shirakami mountains (World Heritage site). Until yesterday I could barely see the scenery, except for an angry and mean looking coastline. This, of course, was due to the typhoon that followed us up north! I was a littl...
Each Day In Life is Training Training For Myself Though Failure is Possible Living Each Moment Equal to Anything Ready for Everything I am Alive - I am This Moment My Future Is Here and Now For if I cannot Endure Today When and Where Will I? - Sôen Ôzeki The day is Monday, November 18. I am the only person at Daisen’in , one of Japan’s most famous Zen rock gardens. It was made close to 500 years ago and the garden, quite small in fact, creates a three-dimensional painting using rocks and plants. Some say the whole of existence is symbolized in this small space. Others say it's a gardening wonder. We all bring our own imaginations (or lack thereof). For me it is both things, and a good visualization of a clear and calm mind (meticulously groomed and cared for). It took me more than three months since living in Kyoto to visit this place that holds such a special place in my heart. I suppose I wasn’t ready to come back? Besides the garden, m...
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