In the past, I was a person that was critical of the Japanese movement. I used to think that it was too extreme, that it wasn't possible or normal to be so "hard-core".
However, deep down I think that I was trying to justify my own lack of passion. I have come to realise that one of the things that i would like most, is to have the same level of faith and passion that the Japanese UC community dedicates.
I arrived in Japan in early February this year. After years of wishing to speak Japanese and having recently been blessed to a Japanese, I felt that it was about time to just throw myself into it.
I spent the last few months with a Japanese family in a village in the countryside. I managed to overcome culture shock and - for once in my life - take a LOT of time to myself; studying japanese by myself and I started attending Japanese Ink painting lessons.
It was all really wonderfull and manytimes, I wondered why life couldn't always be this way. Sitting by rivers and eating ice-cream. Taking long walks and reading books. However after a while, I started to wonder what was the purpose of it all. I even felt internally stale. and felt frustrated easily.
So I found myself on a night bus to Tokyo.
Life went from my own pink bedroom, with birds singing and frogs croaking out my window.
To sharing a room with 5 other gilrs, next to a traintrack and a childrens playground.
I have to say though, that I suddenly feel really enriched.
I don't yet know much about the structure of CARP, and why it works so well here. But I can say that I have been struck and inspired by the dedication of the CARP members here. Yoshiko said once, that she hasn't seen any conflict here - in a house of 20 people - and it doesn't surprise me. Everybody is serving each other and there is a lot of energy and positivity.
As Europeans, we are wondering what we can offer to a country with a movement that is so advanced. However, there is a reason that True Father blessed so many East/West families. I am really starting to realise the importance of connecting and understanding the best of both worlds as there is a lot that we can learn from each other.
Love
Keishin
Perhaps it's not the structure that's the most important key to success but rather the attitude and the culture people practice - I hope when everyone returns from their Japanese experience they'll be able to share and multiply that culture within the UK communities.
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