Compass of the Times 225

Believe in the Power of Human Beings

Keiko Takahashi

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Human Potential Is Influenced by Genes and Environment

What is the ability to survive in a world in turmoil?

Even though many things may cross our minds, in the end, the last idea we may consider will probably be about human potential and human power.

Then, what is it that determines such human abilities?

Recent scientific research concludes that human abilities, intellect, and talent are mostly determined by genes and environment. According to one theory, 90 percent of our potential is determined by these two factors.

Heredity is caused by genes in physical bodies. Whether it is an academic achievement in elementary, junior high, high school, or college; or a talent in drawing, singing, dancing, or playing sports, most of these are determined by genes. That is not all. It is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing that is not related to heredity when it comes to interpersonal communication skills and personality.

However, it is also believed that nothing has more impact than the environment in bringing out the potential we already have.

For example, it is known that children’s academic performance is greatly influenced by the situation of the family to which they belong. Children from families filled with love and with financial stability are more likely to elicit their academic achievement. It is easy to imagine that if children are provided with a warm and secure environment, they are more likely to concentrate on their studies.

This means that the environment is a significant factor that influences the way human potential is brought out.

If this is the case, our human abilities are, in a sense, decisively affected by what is given to us by coincidence or by chance, namely, genes and environment.

There Is a Human Power That Goes Beyond Coincidence

It is a matter of luck what kind of genes and environment will be given to a person. Some are blessed with much, while others are not. It is by no means equal. Rather, it is the reality of inequality itself.

The more we think about it, the more we may have no choice but to think that this world is a cruel place. It is, in a sense, a reality that cannot be denied. This is one of the reasons why our world is called Saha¹—a place where we must endure.

But, as a little reflection reveals, genetics and environment are by no means the final conclusion or result. They do not determine the outcome as all is good or all is bad. They are merely conditions, and the relationship between conditions and results is neither fixed nor definitive.

Why is it then that those who are gifted and blessed with talent and environment do not always succeed and sometimes fail to create remarkable realities?

On the contrary, why is it that there are those who are not blessed with such conditions who still manage to live a life with radiance?

This fact indicates that we have the power within us to accept the seemingly decisive conditions that are given to us from the outside and, from there, pave the best possible path.

That power is the power of the soul that can use intellect and talents. The power of the soul can accept the environment as a condition and use it as a launching point for life.

And this power is equally given to everyone without exception, no matter how unequal the world may be.

Believe in the Power of the Soul

Please recall what I wrote in the last section of the Compass of the Times in the August issue of this magazine.

Before lamenting on lack of talents, capabilities, or possessions, we must concentrate on our own ability that we have.

Even though there are great differences in the genetic and environmental conditions that have been brought into us, the fact is that we, most of the time, fail to make the best use of the conditions that we have been given.

In many cases, we are given conditions enough to take on a new life, to make it shine, and to fulfill our own mission entrusted to us. And the soul is equipped with the power to prove this fact.

We, as souls, have the power to create a life of inevitability that exceeds the abilities that are given by coincidence.