Compass of the Times 264

To Discern

Keiko Takahashi

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Reflections in a Turbulent Era

The Time of the Unbelievable, where realities no one could have foreseen, continue to unfold and persist to this day.

One of such examples are the recent House of Representatives election yielded results that astonished many. 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party achieved an overwhelming victory, far exceeding most predictions. This signified not merely an LDP win, but a resounding endorsement of the Takaichi Cabinet.

The significant influence of social networking services (SNS) is cited as a key factor in such developments. While the Internet is criticized for being flooded with fake news (fabricated information), the reality is that, despite these problems, the public carefully considered the mixed bag of information from their own perspectives and made their own choices.

On the other hand, many people today do not believe that major mass media outlets likely provide impartial, unbiased reporting.  Criticism persists that these media services have long engaged in biased reporting, including exercising the “freedom not to report.”

In any case, what is certain is that it is the end of the era in which only major mass media exclusively provide information.

This represents a societal shift far greater than we might imagine, and this tectonic upheaval continues and expands everywhere even now.

Act Immediately, but Not React Reflexively

In a rapidly changing world, there is an essential attitude we must maintain in order to walk our path without losing sight of the essence of things. One of these is timing.

Things are constantly generated and transformed within various flows and movements. Even if we map out an ideal progression on paper, unforeseen events occur, and various noises (interferences) intrude, preventing things from proceeding as planned.

Furthermore, the situation we face contains a pivotal point where the course of events diverges significantly. It is not something that exists everywhere at all times, but is entrusted to a single point in the flow of time.

If we wish for the situation to achieve its potential as a Light Transformation¹, we must not overlook that critical point. Missing it can lead to losses beyond imagination, transforming reality into something entirely different. We must act without missing that moment, responding to what we should respond. That is what timing means.

If we do not act immediately “here and now,” we cannot capture that timing.

To move without missing the timing, we must always be prepared. We must live a way of life where we can move instantly and act without hesitation.

On the other hand, there are times when the exact opposite attitude is necessary. That is, not to move immediately, not to react reflexively.

Our actions are, in part, governed by the habits we have formed. We react and move without even being conscious of them. Like instinctively dodging danger, we often act immediately when feeling we are in trouble. 

Further, these actions are often poorly considered and not based on a judgment that looks ahead to the future.

We should avoid overreacting, observe the situation as it unfolds with a steadfast mind, and discern the place we should go. What matters most is to perceive the Divine Truth that permeates that time and place.

To Discern “Motion” and “Stillness”

Such an attitude, in a word, is to discern between “motion” and “stillness.”

We need the power to discern beyond mere words whether now is the time to move forward or the time to hold our ground.

When we master the timing to live in “motion,” and live in “stillness” by sensing the unchanging Divine Truth, we can begin living, responding to the calling of this ever-changing era.

Excerpt Translation of G. Monthly Journal March2026 issue
Preliminary translation by GLA member-volunteers
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