Today was the last day of Obon. I thought of my late mom. Every year on August 15th, we used to go to the local beach to see our ancestors off back to the Spirit World. At our local beach, the community people prepared a small wooden boat for our ancestors. The people put small letters, vegetables, and snack for our ancestors on the little boat, and push the little boat onto the ocean. After said good-bye to our ancestors, we are not supposed to turn back. We have to go straight back to our house without turning back and stopping by anywhere. I don’t know why, but I always remember about this traditional custom that my mom taught me. I hope my mom is doing well and stay being happy in Spirit World, even though I know she has been.
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Last night I went to bed early to take some nap and woke up at 11:30 p.m. I could attend the Reiki share group with European people at midnight. There were 56 attendees. Among them 5 people including the teacher were Japanese. There were a variety of Nationalities in this group. The Reiki teacher explained in English, then three interpreters in Russian, French, and Italian followed.
As usual we started off from self-healing and followed by Shuchu-Reiki. We had 8 people who wanted to receive the healing energy. I felt calm and peaceful energy for most people while sending healing energy.
The host announced my Reiki teacher’s upcoming teaching trip to Italy and Ukraine was postponed for everybody’s safety.
We sent a birthday wish and good thoughts prayer to the Reiki originator; Mr. Mikao Usui. He was 156 years ago; born August 15th 1865. I sent my appreciation for his contribution to the world.
The Reiki teacher shared one of the Japanese traditional habits. We say a quick prayer before and after meal. We say Itadaki-masu “戴きます” before we eat, and Gochisou-sama-deshita “ご馳走様でした” after we eat.
Our teacher explained like this.
“Itadaki” can also written in “頂きます.” “頂” means the top of the mountain. By using the word Itadaki, we express our appreciation and gratitude to the food.
“chisou” 馳走 both means “run” and “run.” So it means running around. In order to make one meal, there are so many people running around behind the scene. After we eat, we thank all the people and all the living creatures for their hidden effort and lives.
He concluded that this teaching can be applied to everything in our daily life. Every event in our daily life is an integrated work from many people and living creatures’ efforts and so, we should show our gratitude and appreciation to them.
I always respect my Reiki teacher to explain things very well.
three wisdom 