Posts classified under: General

(Earth Village)
Zhu Lan

Thirty years ago, an accident changed Dr. Mitchell May’s life, and led him to be a healer and establish the Synergy Company to help others. In Japan, Mr, Takagi Yoshiyuki had a similar experience, and used a different approach to awaken others around him.

Takagi Yoshiyuki was born in Osaka and worked in National Electronics after his college graduation.  On a fateful Sunday when he was 34 years old, he got in a debilitating accident while riding his motorcycle. He suffered extensive injuries to his neck, hip, four limbs and nerves, and there was no part of his body that did not suffer a broken bone or bruise. Because of the seriousness of his injury, the hospital in the vicinity of the accident location was unable to help and he was transferred to a university-linked hospital. The doctor in charge informed Takagi Yoshiyuki’s family that the patient could enter into a coma anytime, and that the extent of the injuries was so serious that it would be impossible for him to resume normal life and work.

As Takagi Yoshiyuki lay on the hospital bed, he felt like an Egyptian mummy because his body was extensively cast in plaster. He had all kinds of tubes inserted into his body, and periodically suffered excruciating pain. He felt that if his life were to continue like this, it would be like being sentenced to a life of suffering.

While he was experiencing this immense suffering and sense of hopelessness, he was also caught up in an unbelievable event—he was witnessing the entire course of the accident! He felt that he was looking into a television camera capturing various scenes: the accident, his admission to the hospital, the surgery, the dialogue between the doctors and nurses, and his wife sitting next to his bed in the hospital’s intensive care unit. He felt that his wife was sitting at his funeral wake. He thought that he must be dreaming … or dead.

In the next moment, his consciousness returned to his home village that he had left 30 years ago—Matsuyama City in Ehime-ken. From an altitude of two to three meters, he saw the place of his childhood, just that the scenery had completely changed. He was like a sparrow flying higher and higher, with the river, forest, mountains, and even Japan growing smaller and smaller. Finally, the entire earth appeared before him. The beauty and magnificence of the earth deeply moved him, and he felt a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, and bliss. The questions “Who am I? Where did I come from? Where do I need to go?” that had troubled him since he was five or six years old were finally addressed as light enveloped him. The experience impacted him deeply at the spiritual level and moved him so much that he cried. He clearly sensed himself change and merge with the earth and universe to become one. He felt a sense of bliss and satisfaction that he had never encountered before. Slowly, he emerged from the dark universe and entered into a world of light. There was no material object in this world, but it contained the past, present and future. He saw his imminent recovery from the accident, and how he would embark on his journey to save the environment and promote world peace. He witnessed his last days on earth and the past, present and future of the earth, the sun, and the universe. He saw how life forms progressed (from inorganic lifeform to sentient life form), how the sentient life form progressed (from the astral level to an integration with the universal consciousness), how human civilization came to rise and pass, and the timelessness nature of the universe and the sentient life form.

When Takagi Yoshiyuki returned to his physical body in the intensive care unit, he was bewildered and confused by this strange “near-death” experience. He could not move his body, and began a dialogue within himself:

1. What are our worries?
2. What is the purpose of our existence?
3. What aspects do we want to affirm?
4. What do we want to do after retirement?
5. Why wait till retirement to begin to do what we want to do?
6. What do we generally disdain from doing?
7. How much money do we really need?
8. Why do we always want to be better than average?
9. What is common sense?
10. Is increasing our wealth a good thing?
11. Why is there conflict?
12. What is humankind doing?
13. What is fulfillment?
14. What kind of fixed views do we have?
15. Why do we have these fixed views?
16. What is the meaning of existence?

During this continual internal dialogue within himself, he felt many doors open within himself. Every piece of the jigsaw fitted together. He found answers to deeply-buried questions he had as a child. “Life is light. We came from the world of light, and will return to the world of light. All kinds of life forms are connected. My life, the lives of everyone, all mankind and all other life forms are all connected.  Thus, only when every life form encounters happiness will there be true happiness.”

Half a year after the accident, Takagi Yoshiyuki still could not move his body. But he had already made a resolution. When his body has recovered, he wanted to work on environmental issues, which currently loomed large. He would gather information and use hard facts to wake people up to the core reality. He resolved that if he couldn’t move as the doctors predicted, he would use his writings to communicate his message. If he could sit on a wheelchair, he would spread his message on a wheelchair. After he made this aspiration, his body began a miraculous recovery. A year later, he was able to leave the hospital with full usage of his limbs.  Takagi Yoshiyuki was filled with gratitude and hope as he re-entered the society to fulfill his responsibilities.

Takagi Yoshiyuki began spreading his message through his family, the orchestra he conducted, and the company he worked in. He continued to collect information and explored different ways of delivering his message to different types of audience. In 1991, he established Earth Village, He spoke not only about environmental issues, but also about the serious social problems of bullying and despising others that are deeply etched in the Japanese society. He also discussed problems relating to war and poverty. He wanted to awaken people and change their mentality so as to build a happy and harmonious society.

The Earth Village initiative single-handedly started by Takagi Yoshiyuki in 1991has now become the largest non-profit organization in Japan, with membership boasting over 100,000 people. It has also been awarded UNESCO status. During this period, Takagi Yoshiyuki experienced some low points and challenges in his personal life, including conflict of interest with his company (he left the company in 1997 after being with it for 28 years). Nevertheless, he never abandoned his mission. Over the past decade, he delivered over 20 talks each month, replied to over 10 mm thick of letters/faxes everyday, have several publications, as well as other types of activities. He persevered in letting people know the truth, hoping that they will, at the earliest possibility, abandon materialism (the endless craving for more material things). He wanted them to gain realization at this crucial point when the earth is facing a crisis. He hoped that everyone will use his/her own unique skills to accomplish his/her mission in life. In saving others, we save ourselves; in helping others, we help ourselves. He made the aspiration that he himself and others too will have the spirit of giving all that we have, and to never give up the cause even at the very end. He wished that this message will rapidly reach as many people as possible so that more people can realize the truth and join the ranks in fulfilling the mission of letting our next generation inherit a beautiful earth.

We do not know when this life will end. Thus, we have to cherish every day. We have to start with ourselves, and not think that there will always be someone else to do the task. We have to take up our own responsibilities, not find excuses for ourselves. We do not want a life where we just waste our time away, and we do not go after external objects (money, status, and material things) to seek our own happiness.  We want to value every day that we are alive, and make each day fulfilling, happy, and meaningful.

We all have our own goals, missions, and responsibilities. However, we are living in an increasingly unnatural social environment where endless competition, destruction, and conflict consume our energy. This has resulted in an increasingly number of deaths through exhaustion, illnesses or war. Do we need to wait till our life journey comes to an end before we begin to regret not waking up earlier? Although it is not possible to totally change another person, it is possible to change ourselves when we realize the truth and adopt a different perspective. What is more alarming than ozone destruction, global warming, famine, poverty and war? It is human consciousness. Man’s selfishness and tendency to care for immediate and short term gratification without concern about the future—this is the biggest issue. We are responsible for the state of our environment. “I oppose nuclear plants but I can’t live without electricity”, “I oppose the construction of a waste incinerator but I dispose of lots of rubbish everyday”, “I oppose building a crematorium but I occasionally have cremations to do”—these kinds of short term perspectives cannot fully address issues. Only by overcoming our ignorance, indifference, and apathy in life can we hope to solve the crises facing mankind and the earth from its core.

In the universe, the alarm bells for Mother Earth have already started ringing. How much longer do we want to party on?

Extracted from Lapis Lazuli Light Magazine May 2007 issue

 

The Dragon Tribe Of Long Island (The State That Needs No Money) Series
Zhu Lan

Walking along familiar streets, but the blue skies and sweet air have already revealed that this is a foreign land. Looking around, the whole street is covered with lush green trees and fresh flowers while images of buildings and transportation vehicles all feel very pleasing to the eyes. There is not the slightest tinge of luxurious extravagance. The integration of the entire environmental co-ordination is simple, succinct and natural. Passer bys are of different ethnicity and skin colors but they all seem so happy and delighted. One cannot help but smile upon seeing such overflowing joy and happiness. Though I am not clear where this place is but intuition tells me that this is a good and beautiful place.

As I walked on, I felt a little thirsty so I leisurely strolled into a coffee shop round the corner. After drinking a cup of thick, fragrant and delicious coffee, I left my seat, prepared to make my payment. The genial service personnel who seemed a little stunned, asked, “What is money?”

Even more stunned, I decided to first clarify exactly what country I am in. There is a bookstore not far away. I walked in quickly and went straight to the map section. I discovered that this is an enormous state but it does not match with any of the countries on Earth. Is it not on Earth??? But I have never heard of any findings on human habitation in other planets.

I returned to the streets, totally confused. I took a deep breath of fresh air, reorganized my thoughts and arrived at a supermarket. The first thing I did upon entry was to check if there are any cashier counters. I saw many customers carrying their goods waiting in queue near the exit. This familiar scene greatly set my mind at ease. I conveniently picked a few daily items and went to queue at the end of a waiting line. When my turn was near, I noticed a strange phenomenon. The working staff only focused on organizing and packing the customers’ items swiftly and did not have any cash register operations. My mind felt blank. I put my items down and left the supermarket quickly. Once again, I stood lost in the street.

Where is this place exactly?

How is it that all things here do not have a price?

How can a society possibly not have money?

Totally mystified, I could no longer think but only stood wherever I am. Suddenly I saw a smiling, well dressed gentleman walking towards me. He introduced himself as my guide and welcomed my arrival. Seeing the bewildered look on my face, he smiled even more deeply and inquired about my needs and what I would like to see, understand or experience.

Stabilizing myself, I sat down with my guide and started the multitude of my questions.

I asked, “Don’t you have something called money here?”
Guide asked, “Money? What is money?”

I took some notes and coins out from my wallet and placed them in the open. The gentleman guide took a look at them in detail for a while, then asked, “What is the use of these little dirty pieces of paper and small tinsels?”

How does one then explain money to another who lives in a country state, where money is not required? I really don’t know where to start, so I barely sorted out my ideas and answered, “In the country I live in, we do some work and we get paid in the form of money. Everything has a price, whether buying or eating, we have to pay through money. So without money, one cannot live.”

The gentleman asked, “So in your country, work is for money.”
I answered, “Yes. Ain’t work for the purpose of earning money?”

Gentleman answered, “We want to work for other people, for the society and also for making contributions of oneself while the things that we need in life, the society and people in it would cater back to us.”

I replied, “But with money, you can save them for future need. More savings can also bring about more luxurious lifestyle which many people in my country delights in.

Gentleman asked, “What is luxury?”
I answered, “One can buy and eat all that one desires.”

Gentleman replied, “We are also able to get all that we desire too.”
I said, “Obtaining your ordinary daily needs is not called luxury. Luxury refers to the possession of things that are very costly or having far more of what is required from our daily needs.”

Completely missing the point, the gentleman displayed an expression of disbelief. He asked, “What is the use of having more than what is required? Won’t the start of such pursuits bring about an endless cycle?”

I felt that the gentleman’s reasoning has been most logical but I could not concede defeat so easily so I answered, “However if one has savings, one would be able to feel more secure in old age or when one could no longer work, right?”

The guide who was becoming even more puzzled could only answer in question now. He queried, “Over here, we are happy to present gifts for the needs of the elderly and people who are unable to work. In your place, if such people have no money, they would get nothing?

Hearing this, I could no longer debate on my heaps of questions on systems such as annuity, so I changed the topic of discussion, “But how is a society to function without this money thing?

The gentleman replied, “Even in your country, no one eats or uses money directly right? Money is just a recognized common measurement tool for value by your people. Suppose money disappears totally from your country and everyone still continues to do what they are supposed to do, then how could a society not function?

Although I could share his logic, but I still did not think that realistically such a condition is feasible, “If money does not exist, then there would not be anybody working, our world would then collapse.”

Gentleman laughed, “The world collapses for these pieces of paper and small metal tinsels is indeed a very interesting view. However the possibility of immediate change in your country’s entire system is truly very small. What is most important and essential now is the spiritual growth of your people. You are the ones to fully decide how the future social system will look like. When you do not require money to obtain that which you want, would you be able to control your desires? Would you still go to work when you will not receive any direct remuneration from all your hard work and efforts?

I did not know how to reply the guide. He continued, “If the majority of the people in your state still hold the idea of working only for money, then there can be no real sense of consciousness progress. The purpose of work is to give, not to receive. If it is only for the reward, many problems would certainly arise. For example, no matter how much effort has made, one would always hope for the reward to be more, the better. Regardless of the work engaged is essential or not, one would never give it up in order to secure one’s interests and advantages. At the same time, the various professions, crises and problems derived from money would naturally cease to exist when there is no longer such a thing called money. As such, resources in the area of manpower, logistics and efforts restored to the society would be inconceivable.”

As our conversation continued, the picture of the money-less state is revealed even more clearly. Here, all is based on faith. The people are more concerned with how one can better serve the community and others, rather than the matters of oneself. One’s job lies in where one’s abilities are. There are absolutely no wastages, one takes only what is needed. Although the standard of living, culture and technology are highly developed, our so-called “luxury” does not exist in their world. Their wisdom is sufficient for them to realize what truly matters. They cherish resources, hence garbage is extremely minimal. There is no comparison of “what you have, I must also have.” Neither is there the competition of “I want to have more and better than what you do.” Neither is there the desire of “making one’s mark, to become outstanding.” Whether it is material or spiritual life, all possess a certain calmness and joy. We, who are lost in our endless pursuit of what is unimportant and unneeded, are a far cry in comparison to them.

Is such society created because there is no requirement for money? Or is it because such group of people exists in the society, hence making ‘monetary system’ totally unnecessary? Perhaps the most direct and important question that one wishes to ask is, “If money is not involved, would you still go to work tomorrow?”

Translated by D.D.
Original Chinese article was published in Lapis magazine (February 2009 issue);
Available online at: http://www.lapislazuli.org/TradCh/magazine/200902/20090206.html