The chapters in this book address larger questions of human capability and the meaning of life and death with guidance on a range of everyday topics, from love and marriage, to health and personal troubles, to the education of children.
Showing us the ways in which we readily violate our own freedom and hand over control of our lives to others, Ms. Saionji then offers practical tips on how we can change our habits, make the best use of our life-energy, and draw our our latent power to create an entirely new self.
From the Introduction by Masami Saionji
It is indeed true that peace begins in each human heart. Yet, for the majority of people in the world today, the creation of world peace seems like too large a task to be attempted by average, individual citizens. We always think that the world’s problems were caused by governments, or people holding special authority. Likewise, we feel that the responsibility for creating peace also belongs to some force outside us: politicians, world leaders, or people who are greater, stronger, more learned, or more experienced than we. It never occurs to us that our own daily thoughts, words, and actions have an impact on the world scene, nor do we think that we are in any way responsible for creating global peace and harmony.
Why do people feel this way? Why do so many of us believe that our own power is insignificant, or that we lack the potential to make a real contribution to world peace? I think it is because, although we are living in the 21st century, our minds are still locked into 20th century values.
If we continue to live with 20th century values, humanity will not be able to survive in the 21st century. What the world needs now, more than anything else, is a total revolution in consciousness. It is time for us to shift our focus from a belief in what is external, short-term, and ephemeral, to an exploration of what is internal, lasting, and essential. My hope is for the 21st century to be an ‘age of the individual,’ an age in which each of us inquires deeply into to our intrinsic nature and potential.
MasamI Saionji Ph. D.
Chairperson of Byakko Shinko Kai, The World Peace Prayer Society, The Goi Peace Foundation and author.
Masami Saionji is the Chairperson of three organizations: Byakko Shinko Kai, The World Peace Prayer Society, and The Goi Peace Foundation. A native of Japan and a descendant of the Royal Ryukyu Family of Okinawa, she continues the work of her adoptive father, Masahisa Goi, who initiated a movement for world peace through the universal prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth.
As a spiritual leader and lecturer, she has touched thousands of people’s lives through her guidance and inspiration. She travels globally on speaking tours, and has led peace ceremonies in many countries as well as at the United Nations and other international organizations. She is the author of over twenty books including The Golden Key to Happiness, You Are the Universe, The Earth Healer’s Handbook, and Vision for the 21st Century.
She is also an honorary member of the Club of Budapest and a member of the World Wisdom Council. She was awarded the Philosopher Saint Shree Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize of India along with her husband Hiroo in 2008. She has won the circle award of the global woman leaders summit in 2010. She and her husband currently live in Tokyo, and have three daughters all working for peace.
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