Compass of the Times 256

Heading Into the Future

Keiko Takahashi

In the Conflict Between Light and Darkness

We are now living in times of unprecedented turbulence. Behind such changing times, there is an ongoing, continuous issue we must address. That is the “conflict between light and darkness.”

Human history has many traces of darkness, such as the realities of numerous wars, discrimination, oppression, and countless crimes. These realities are not something that came about naturally, but have been created, amplified, and repeated by the Mind of Darkness in human beings. In this struggle between light and darkness, each of us must always be on the side of the light and aspire to expand the field of light.

This is an even more pressing matter for the children who will create the future. I wish for them to become the ones to expand the field of light because they are the ones who will give birth to the future world.

To Expand the Field of Light: My Wish Contained in the “Twelve Stories of Finding the Light of the Mind”

As a contribution to that future, I have decided to publish this month a new book titled Twelve Stories of Finding the Light of the Mind: Three Steps for Nurturing the Mind by Both Parents and Children.

This book is one of the projects that was originally created in response to the wishes of parents that their children, from the age of five to early elementary school, will have the opportunity to engage with the Divine Truth. During the Bodaishin Challenge¹currently being undertaken by the Youth School² and the Global Genesis Project (GGP) Studies³, how wonderful it would be if children could experience the Mind of Light through the beautiful pictures and words of the Twelve Bodaishin⁴, which is the Twelve Minds of Light?

In writing this book, however, I further wished the children would gain more than just experiencing the Divine Truth. I hoped that, through this book, they would realize and experience the light and darkness within them and develop a Mind Compass that would enable them to call upon the appropriate Mind of Light at any time.

For this reason, I have divided the book into three parts. Part 1 is to familiarize children with the pictures and prayers of the Twelve Minds of Light (Twelve Bodaishin). Part 2 is for children to deepen their understanding of each Mind of Light by parents’ reading aloud (story-telling) for children or reading together with children. Part３ is for parents and children to practice the Mind of Light together and create a Mind Compass.

In particular, Part 3, the practical guide to nurture the Mind of Light, provides key points for reading aloud, how parents and children look at the pictures together, and practical tips that can be implemented immediately. By working together and discussing their feelings, children are encouraged to awaken each of the Twelve Minds of Light within them, leading to the creation of new stories between parents and children.

To Nurture the Mind Compass

When we as souls are born on earth, we accept the conditions of life called the Three Streams of Influence⁵ and begin our life adventure with a mission.

The purpose of life is to realize the mission entrusted to each of us. For this mission, we begin our lives and encounter various trials in the process.

This new book will guide each person to nurture the Twelve Minds of Light (Twelve Bodaishin) and use their wisdom and power as the key to creating their lives.

First is the development from the Mind of Darkness to the Mind of Light. When ill feelings or cunning thoughts arise in children, or when they act selfishly or become lazy avoiding work, they can overcome the Mind of Darkness by cultivating their Mind of Light such as a Heart like Ears of Rice, a Heart like a River, a Heart like the Sun, and a Heart like Fire.

As they grow older, when they face more difficult realities or when new challenges come to them with a calling⁶, as if they harmonize with the situation, they can invoke the necessary Mind of Light to draw forth its wisdom and power to move forward.

For example, those who have developed the Heart like the Moon will gain an ability to watch over those around them gently and to see the light in them. Those who have been able to draw forth the Heart like Fire will be able to exercise the wisdom and power to concentrate and do everything possible in whatever they are tasked to do.

When we nurture the Twelve Minds of Light within ourselves in this way, we will be able to call upon the necessary Mind of Light at that moment and open up the future. We will become masters of the Mind Compass.

Editor’s Note:

1. Bodaishin Challenge

In 2024, the year of the 55th anniversary of GLA, the 31st Commemorative GGP was opened on the basis of the 30-year history of the GGP studies. The annual theme was the Bodaishin Challenge. The Bodaishin Challenge will continue in 2025. This is a challenge in which each participant sets one Bodaishin to nurture within them, and with that Bodaishin, they will face issues, problems, and trials to open a new path in concrete ways.

2. Youth School

The youth generation goes through the most drastic changes in life, such as entering higher education, finding a job, and getting married. Every young person searches for their own path while experiencing some difficulties. The Youth Seminar, held for three days and two nights in early May every year, provides such young people with solid clues to discover their true aspirations and to move toward the mission they should fulfill in their lives. (Participants: GLA members from junior high school students to 35 years old)

3. Global Genesis Project (GGP) Studies

The Global Genesis Project studies is a place of practical learning where “study” and “volunteer work” are combined into one. Participants can learn the wisdom of the front lines of the Study of the Soul once a week while gaining an experiential understanding of the Divine Truth through Project activities (volunteer work at GLA).

4. Twelve Bodaishin

In the Study of the Soul, Bodaishin is defined as a “mind that seeks one’s true self, loves others, and contributes to world harmony.” We cannot possibly put into words the full meaning of Bodaishin but we can describe its resonance and brilliance in the following Twelve Bodaishin: Heart like the Moon, Heart like Fire, Heart like the Sky, Heart like a Mountain, Heart like Ears of Rice, Heart like a Spring, Heart like a River, Heart like the Earth, Heart like the Kannon Bodhisattva, Heart like the Wind, Heart like the Sea, and Heart like the Sun. These Bodaishin can be said to be the twelve aspects of the nature of light that are omnipresent in the universe and nature.
(Excerpted and edited from the book Twelve Bodaishin by Keiko Takahashi. Currently available only in Japanese)

5. Three Streams of Influence

Wherever we are, whether it be in a community, a workplace, or an industry, there exist tacit premises, conventional wisdom, values, and a way of life. If we live there without realizing it, we become deeply imbued with the atmosphere of that place. I have called these the Three Streams of Influence—family, place, and era that anyone invariably takes on in life. “Family” refers to the values and way of life flowing from the family, such as parents. “Place” refers to the premises and customs flowing from the locality and field of work. “Era” is the conventional wisdom and values flowing from the time and society in which we live.
(Excerpted from page 59 of How to Make Your Life the Best by Keiko Takahashi)

6. Calling

Each encounter, each event, is not something that happens to us by “chance or accident.” They come to us out of necessity, for a reason, and have meaning. When we call out this sensibility of the soul, when we make the soul our center of gravity, we are able to ask of even the most negative situation, “What is this encounter, this event, calling me to do?” And we are able to step out on a new way of living as we ask ourselves, “How can I change?”
(Excerpt from page 41 of Reclaim Your Life: The Power to Survive the Time of the Unbelievable by Keiko Takahashi)

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