Dear Precious Friends and Supporters,
I wanted to send this message of deep gratitude to all of you sooner rather than later. I truly value your patience, and although I wished to reach out earlier, I just recently had time to respond. As you can imagine, rebuilding my life after losing my home has been an endless journey—one of resetting, reprogramming, and renewing myself with every step. Every day has been a lesson in what to do, how to change, when to move, and where to go.
With the loving support of my daughter Lisa and her husband, I have been able to come to this point, continuing to practice and teach Eastern Medicine. Without them, I might have ended up returning to Japan. And with God’s grace, I finally found the strength and clarity to send this long-overdue message. Please feel free to share my message with those who are on a similar journey, especially those who may also be facing challenging times. I deeply understand the terrible pain and suffering endured by people affected by war and natural disasters in the Middle East, Ukraine, and around the world. My hope is that it brings even a little encouragement along the way.
After the devastating forest fires on January 7th, I received prayers and words of encouragement in the blink of an eye. Support came from so many — starting with the members of the Rinri Hōjin-kai (Ethics Association), the SGI members from the local meetings I once attended, the Rikkyo University Alumni Association, the Japanese Acupuncturists Association, those involved with the Tao Healing Arts Center and Shiatsu Massage School of California that I founded, its alumni, not only my long-time patients and students, but also recent ones, like Iris Abarbanel, cofounder of the Pelvic Academy in Israel, and all the donators of GoFundMe. I am truly grateful for the heartwarming support from so many people from all these distant places. To be honest, I cannot express my gratitude enough.
Thanks to the connections and ties that have been nurtured over such a long time, when I encounter unprecedented hardships, they grow deeper and deeper, like members of my family, and I truly feel that I am extremely blessed and fortunate. I feel truly glad to be alive as a human being in this way. On the other hand, receiving the kindness of so many people makes me reflect with some humility, wondering whether I have truly served them enough. Yet, I choose to simply accept your support with gratitude, because there is truth and sincerity in it. That truth, needless to say, is the love, compassionate care, and the deep sense of happiness that they bring.
Now, my friends, thanks to God’s grace, I have quietly and calmly begun to regenerate, as if nothing had happened. In life, it is inevitable that we each encounter misfortune or disaster at some point. Yet each morning, we are greeted by the loving sun, offering fresh reasons to live, to create, to sense the waves of divine light and limitless possibilities, and to feel gratitude. Although I have been burdened with many unimaginable challenges all at once, I am inspired to continue, like Toshio Maruyama, Shigeaki Hinohara, Jakuchō Setouchi, and Tetsuko Kuroyanagi — on the path of healthy living and a commitment to world peace, sharing this journey for as long as I am able. As always, with hopes as countless as the sparkling stars across the galaxy, I continue to walk the eternal and absolute path of the universe. So please do not worry. I keep smiling, breathing, and praying.
By grace, I was guided to a safe haven in a temporary nest on Main Street in Santa Monica, where I founded the Shiatsu Massage School Of California and Tao Healing Arts Center over 30 years ago, in 1982. I like my new sunny apartment with its updated facilities, 2 blocks from the beach. I feel happy and healthy near the ocean. It’s also only 10 minutes from my work at the Tikkun Holistic Spa near the Santa Monica mall. With the help of Alan Saruwatari, Lisa Kaneko, and Gwinn Ioka, we are continuing our educational programs, including my teaching at IPSB.
Now, my friends, let me share what I have learned from the universe today.
Emergency Preparedness for Natural and Man-made Disasters
備えあれば憂いなし, If you are prepared, you will have no worries.
However, praying for no disaster alone is not enough. If you do not take action, there will be no benefit or merit. I have been praying twice a day for the absence of natural disasters, man-made disasters, earthquakes, fires, and floods. Yet despite those prayers, I found myself unprepared, escaping with only the clothes on my back. I love to stay organized but precious things were not collected in one place. I was truly humbled when all I had time to grab was the stash of yen I’d been holding onto—hoping it would gain value someday. Ha! It will increase in value someday.
First thing to prepare.
Organize and keep your valuables, passport, cash, daily necessities, etc., in one spot and update your items. You may make groups like the most important group, the second group, the third, etc. Make full use of your computer to enter and back up important information. For example, keep your living trust, property management network, medical information, etc., on a hard drive or USB stick. In addition to safeguarding important documents, also store 3 months of food, water, and a first aid kit.
Secondly, it is wise to have an emergency kit to survive.
Third, you want to consider having fire insurance, earthquake insurance, etc., especially in the high disaster risk areas. In my case, I had insurance with Still Water through a long-time patient of mine, Nahai, who was an Insurance Agent. Their trustworthy office is located in Beverly Hills. Some insurance companies did not renew insurance for Palisades residents because of these risky zones. Please do enough research to select the right Insurance company for you.
What To Do When An Emergency Occurs
1. 平常心, Stay calm and do not panic.
2. After the event, use the 3Rs to navigate your new life: Reset, Reprogram, Renew. This is how you steer your life in the right direction.
3. Recognize what truly matters to survive and keep moving forward, one positive step at a time
4. Wisdom for Mindful Insight in Disaster Situations
1. 諸行無常 Impermanence of all things
Things are constantly changing, like the clouds drifting across the sky or water flowing through a river. Life is transitory. We must always remember the impermanence of all things, just as the four seasons come and go. Even a bad nightmare is temporary and it, too, keeps changing. Every phenomenon in the universe is in constant motion, and so is our life.
In the meantime, feelings of sadness, anxiety, and resentment gradually fade away. And as we learn and grow through these experiences, good things begin to emerge — strengthening our life force and deepening our integrity. In this way, I’ve come to genuinely appreciate this opportunity for transformation, without resentment. This perspective has been shaped by the many other hardships in the past, including the loss of my father, mother, wife, and dear friends.
2. 仮想現実の時と空間 Virtual Reality
What was the house I lost in the Palisades? In the end, it was never a permanent home—just a temporary form we called “a house.” Now gone, like a dream at dawn, it was only an illusion of permanence.
My house was never meant to last forever. Life itself constantly shifts from visible to invisible, from form to formlessness. Nothing in this world remains fixed across centuries or even lifetimes. All things are in motion, as fleeting and changeable as the clouds drifting through the sky. As the Japanese saying goes, shogyo mujō—all things are impermanent.
So in the face of this disaster, my path is to accept it with humility, to restore my balance, and to move forward, step by step, understanding that change is not the exception, but the constant rhythm of life.
3. 色即是空, 空即是色 – Matter (like color and shape) comes from invisible energy
Energy, like the clear sky, is the unseen source behind all change. What we see (form) comes from what we can’t see (energy), and that unseen energy shows itself as what we can see.
Let us remember that our lives are a temporary gift from God, the master of the universe, the creator of all things. We are players in a virtual reality, and sooner or later, when the time comes, we will return to where we truly belong. This is an absolute certainty for all of us.
I believe I belong to the vast galaxy of the universe, where everything is in a constant state of flux between the visible and the invisible. This, in essence, is the principle of E=mc²—the interchangeable and ever-changing relationship between matter and energy. With this understanding, I find the strength and encouragement to embrace these inevitable changes as my life continues its journey.
4. 我ただ足るを知るなり To rest in enoughness is to rest in peace
Master simplicity by overcoming the “Lack Syndrome.” In losing what we once had, we are fortunate to gain wisdom. True abundance is not found by endlessly accumulating more, but by letting go of what is unnecessary, both in things and in thoughts. In doing so, we draw closer to the essence of nature. I am deeply grateful for the nurturing of the universe and the care of those around me. This simple awareness opens the heart to love, bringing joy, contentment, intimacy, and warmth.
5. 即心成仏 – Momentum Enlightenment
Amid the ever-changing laws of the universe, there exists a paradoxical truth that remains unchanging: we breathe only in this fleeting moment, in this temporary place. We do not breathe in the past or future, but in the space between. In this present moment, we are given the profound opportunity to become whole—one with the infinite universe. This is the essence of enlightenment. With each breath, we deepen our connection to the cosmos—drawing in the presence of our divine heavenly Father with every inhalation, and releasing into the embrace of our graceful Mother Earth with every exhalation.
6. 調息即調心 調心即調身- Integration with Breathing
Those who breathe with awareness have the power to reset, reprogram, and be reborn. By mastering the breath, you awaken to the present moment—the space in which you temporarily live. When you learn to calm the mind through the breath, you gain mastery over the body. And when you can master the body, you become the master of your life.
7. 一息,一生,感謝心 – One Life in One Breath
At the end of a deep and long exhalation (yin), a new life is reborn with the next inhale (yang). With each breath in, life expands and matures, reaching its peak. Then, it gently transitions—aging, softening, and returning to stillness. Death, too, is not an end but the ultimate opportunity for healing and peace. We are called to affirm the sacredness of each moment and to live in gratitude for the breath that carries us through it.
8. 小宇宙 即 大宇宙 – Microcosm and Macrocosm
We are the universe itself. Our microcosm reflects the macrocosm. As the Earth breathes, we witness its rhythm in the rise and fall of ocean waves. Our own breath follows this natural pattern—short, quiet inhalations followed by deep, extended exhalations. Through this sacred rhythm, we come to realize we are not alone. We are held, supported, and loved by the universe. Though the universe may challenge us, just as nature does, it also offers mercy. When we meet these challenges with respect and gratitude, we remain aligned with the grace that flows through all things.
9. If today were my last day, could I meet it with peace and readiness for transformation? Death is not an end, but the ultimate healing passage we are all destined to walk. In that moment, we are released from suffering, fear, and pain—awakening from this virtual reality. It is not a loss, but a blessing: a return to the boundless world of divine light, where we shine eternally among the stars.
10. Breathing deeply brings a peaceful mind, and a peaceful mind inspires peace in others. The frequency of a genuine smile and a radiant spirit can light the way to a more harmonious world. People are naturally drawn to those who embody love, wisdom, and vital life force. Let us breathe together, and in doing so, share the beauty of this precious moment of life.
The Palisades Fire, January 7, 2025, Year of the Snake
This unprecedented Palisades fire burned approximately 23,448 acres, destroyed or damaged more than 6,800 structures, and sadly claimed 12 lives. It was caused by strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching 100 mph in some areas. These winds caused the fire to spread rapidly, and efforts to contain it continued for more than three weeks.
Let me show you pictures of my home before and after the wildfires. I had the rental unit in the front, my home office in the back, and in between was the pool and Jacuzzi.
This was the front house.
This is was my home office.
The below picture was taken on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, one day after the wildfire began. You can see the fires burning my home office at the time. That completely burned down as well.
As I witnessed my house burning down to ashes, I felt like I was left with nothing. Yet in that moment of profound loss, I realized that all that truly remained was my immortal soul—fully connected to the eternal consciousness of the universe. Rather than feeling like a victim, I was overcome with gratitude for being one of the few chosen to awaken through such loss. In that moment, three guiding words came to me: “3Ds to Inner Freedom”—Detoxing (清浄心, Purity of Heart), Detachment (吾唯知足, “I am content with what I have”), and Departure (the Impermanence of All Things).
“Life is exciting, never boring”. As long as we’re here on this Earth, we carry our passion and mission forward with purpose.
My appreciation of this disaster. It felt as if I had emerged from a long dream—as though everything I had been carrying and clinging to from the past had been washed away, leaving me lighter and freer. This release wasn’t something I could have achieved on my own; it required a greater power beyond myself, a force I had to surrender to. That surrender is what I must truly appreciate.
The universe constantly shifts between Yin and Yang energies. In classical Chinese and Taoist medicine, it is understood that when Yang reaches its peak, it naturally gives way to Yin, and when Yin reaches its peak, it transforms into Yang. In the same way, when happiness reaches its height, it may turn into sorrow, and when sorrow deepens, it eventually gives rise to joy. I’ve experienced this cycle many times—and I’m sure many of you have, too. Your thoughts?
I used to say ‘Life is good’ as countless dreams have come true one by one in my 77 years of life. Now I find myself saying, ‘Expect the unexpected,’ because the world keeps moving and changing—regardless of our hopes or intentions.”
Dreaming in the Palisades
The entertainment of the sunset in Pacific Palisades
View from my patio towards the beach
The movie theater in the Village Area
Palisades Village, built by Rick Caruso, real estate developer
who built many of Los Angeles’ most popular shopping
centers such as the Grove at Farmer’s Market.
Virtual Reality
You don’t know you’re dreaming until you wake up
I learned stories of the dreams of three great and famous Shoguns from Masao Osajima, a missionary of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
They were generals of the War period in Japanese history from 1467年（応仁の乱）to 1600, 織田信長 Syougun, Nobunaga, Oda
人間50年、仮天の中をくらぶれば, 夢幻の如くなる、一期なり
A human life of 50 years is like a dream compared to the temporary world, but it is only a single lifetime.
明智光秀 Syougun Mitsuhide Akechi
55年の夢、さめ来たりて、一元に帰す
Awakening from a 55-year dream, returning to unity
豊臣秀吉 Shogun Hidetoshi Toyotomi
露と落ち、露と消えにし我が身かな, なにわのことも夢のまた夢
Falling like dew, disappearing like dew, my body. Naniwa (the location where he built the castle) is just a dream within a dream.
Even the former victors realized that this world is fleeting, sad, empty, and heartless, a dream world that disappears in an instant. This is a truth that becomes clear only when we confront the one certainty in life: death.
Masao Osajima’s Youtube video, “School of Happiness” stated significant comments on the dreams.
夢のように夢見て暮らす夢人が 夢物語するもまた夢かな A dreamer who lives in a dream like a dream tells a dream story is also a dream
Indeed, even if life is but a dream, within that dream we still experience ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and the entanglements of existence do not simply vanish. This world is really dreamlike. What do you think? Are you getting sleepy?
Summary
1. We are born with worldly desires that draw us toward temporary, illusory things. As we cling to these desires, we often experience hardship. This attachment can lead to unhappiness, not only for ourselves but for those around us, and may trap us in a state of ignorance often referred to as “fundamental darkness.” To live with greater peace, we must strive for balance between the material world and the spiritual realm. Creating such harmony is not easy—it is a profound and ongoing challenge.
2. Illusion of Lack Syndrome
The hole in the center of the rock garden is likened to the Chinese character for “mouth,” and together with the four characters for “five,” “sole,” “arrow,” and “leg,” it can be read as “I am content.” People who are not dissatisfied with what they have now, but are grateful and satisfied with the way things are, are always content and at peace
京都の龍安寺の 石庭, 吾唯知足 I Have Enough
3. When the right causes and conditions align, a result appears—even if only temporarily, because nothing remains the same. My house was just in a temporary manifestation, like a dream in a virtual reality.
4. Even when we are consumed by worldly desires that arise one after another, a deeper wisdom still shines within us, guiding us to awaken from the attachment to material things. In this constantly changing world, the illusion of permanence feels real. Yet in truth, this fleeting world is best understood as a kind of virtual reality.
5. Our reality—or what we perceive to be real—is always changing and inherently uncertain. This reflects the principle behind Einstein’s equation, E = mc²—the interactive relationship of energy and matter. The universal energy created a fire which destroyed my temporary home, and the energy of my desire to rebuild will probably manifest another temporary home—but I must stay ready for change in the future. Im accepting this disaster and transforming it as an opportunity to reshape my life for the better, with gratitude.
6. What is E=MC 2? It is the law that under certain conditions, visible matter becomes invisible energy under certain conditions, and invisible energy becomes matter under certain conditions. The conclusion of quantum mechanics is that electrons, particles, have a dual nature of being both waves and particles, and that this changes depending on the observer. There is a constant mutual conversion and exchange between energy and matter.
7. In everyday life, the hidden but negative effects of stress can be observed in the formation of illness and cancer, and similarly, there are numerous instances where meditation has been linked to the disappearance of illness including cancer.
8. Let us offer our prayers and gratitude to the heavenly gods, guardian deities, and the great powers of light, for their guidance in transforming darkness into light. This is the guidance of the infinitely shining galaxy of the universe
9. I was taught that the inevitable pain of life—from birth to death, through aging and illness—is not inherently a path to suffering. It is a choice. When we transcend the body, emotions, thoughts, and ideas, reaching a higher state of consciousness, pain can transform into healing. This transformation can occur through practices like meditation, prayer, spiritual faith healing, and more.
10. When we can break our bond to worldly attachments through self-transformation, we experience an unconditional sense of happiness. I believe it is essential to recognize that we can access this eternal happiness, the bliss of nirvana, in every moment. 涅槃の境遇
11. I believe this is possible with Transsage and guided meditation, and I hope to introduce it in a future health seminar.
My Post-Fire Response
The experience had a noticeable impact on me both mentally and physically—I lost my appetite during the first week and had trouble sleeping at night. Here are five things I did to help myself through that time.
1. Transendental Guided Meditation and chanting Buddhist sutras and the Heart Sutra.
2. Abdominal breathing with Massage 自己 按腹
3. Beach training, Qigong, Daoyin, Breath of Fire, strength training, and jogging
4. Practicing my mantra
イライラ, くよくよ, しくしく, せかせか,,カッカ カッカ, せず
Iraira, kuyokuyo, shikushiku, sekaseka, kaakukaau, sezu
Remain free from irritation, worry, haste, overwhelm, and anger.
いきいき,のびのび, わくわく,キラキラ, ハハハハ
Ikiki, nobinobi, wakuwaku, kirakira, hahahaha
Be lively, relaxed, exciting, sparkling, laughing
5. Keep smiling, breathing and praying
My Daily Prayers for the Following 9 Mindsets:
1. Appreciating mind 感謝祈り心 (kansha-shin)
2. Breathing mind (for oneness with the Universe),呼吸心 (kokyushin)
3. Caring Mind, 慈悲心 (jihi-shin)
4. Peaceful Mind, 平常心 (heijyo-shin)
5. Pure Mind, 清浄心（shoujyo-shin）
6. Smiling & Shining Mind, (hohoemi gokoro) 微笑み光心
7. Enduring Mind, 忍耐心 (nintai-shin).
8. Respectful Mind, 尊敬心
9. Unconditional Happiness Mind, 絶対幸福心( zettai kofuku-shin)
I have more prayers, I want to share with you in the next greeting.
After experiencing the recent Palisades fires, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the nine of the seventeen principles from The Guide to Happiness for All by Toshio Maruyama Sensei listed below. I would like to go into more detail on these later.
1.今日は最良の一日, 今は無理の好機 Today is the best day, and now is the perfect opportunity—it’s now or never.
2. 苦難は幸福の門 Hardship is the gateway to true happiness
3. 運命は自ら招き 境遇は自ら造る With determined faith, you shape your own circumstances.
4. 明朗は健康の父 愛和は幸福の母 Cheerfulness is the father of health, and loving harmony is the mother of happiness
5. 得るは捨つるにあり To let go of selfishness is to receive in abundance
6 本を忘れず末を乱さず Don’t forget the beginning, and don’t neglect the end
7. 希望は心の太陽である Hope is the sunlight that warms the spirit.
8. 信ずれば成り,憂えれば崩れるRespect yourself and others
9. 人生は神の演劇 その主役は己自身である Life is God’s stage—are you ready to play the lead role?
Let us live with hope, trust, love, dreams, and a sacred state.
Let us work with joy, in peace, with vitality, and a willing heart.
Let us believe that when we dedicate our souls in service to the world and others, our undesirable karma will surely transform into the circumstances we seek.
Thank you so much, Professor Maruyama, for these invaluable teachings and wisdom that are essential for everyone.
Your encouragement, guidance, and teachings have helped me overcome challenges and continue to grow, ultimately leading me to experience unconditional happiness. I am certain that these lessons have become a guiding compass for all people, regardless of age or gender, helping us navigate the turbulent waves of life.
May happiness fill your heart unconditionally, no matter what life brings
合掌 Gassho
