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From SHUMEI MAGAZINE, Vol. 239. MAY/JUNE 2002
Blessed by God through the Work of Meishusama
Carole Buchanan
At the 2002 Grand Sampai, held at the International
Center of Shinji Shumeikai in Misono, Japan, Carole Buchanan of
the London Center shared her Jyorei experiences and related her
journey of spiritual transformation. Her presentation follows
I was introduced to Shinji Shumeikai, London, in August,
2001, by my dear friend, Althea, who also traveled from London to
be with the family and to experience the events to be held here
in Japan over the next week. We are very honored to be here in Japan
at this time and look forward to personally meeting more of the
Shumei family.
Today I would like to share my Jyorei experience and
the impact it has had on my spiritual journey. I received Jyorei
for the first time in July, 2001, and in January I was initiated
and received my Ohikari* at the London center.
I believe each person's experience of receiving Jyorei
is unique not only because we are unique as individuals. We come
from different races, cultures, religious backgrounds, spiritual
disciplines; as well as being at different stages in our spiritual
development. We also have different aims about fulfilling our soul's
purpose in this life.
What I find exciting about Shinji Shumeikai and Meishusama's work
are the three aspects to the activities: the practice of Jyorei,
Natural Agriculture and the appreciation of art.
What I find even more exciting about Shinji Shumeikai
is the way in which it actively promotes the principles and philosophy
of interfaith and embraces people from all backgrounds and origins
across the globe: cultures, races, religions etc.
In terms of my own background, I was brought up as a
child in the Christian religion and for the last 5 years I have
been studying Raj Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris World
Spiritual University. Together with this interest, I also have a
strong and growing connection with the work of Shinji Shumeikai.
It is from this context that I wish to share my experience with
you.
Going back to July when I was first introduced to Shinji
Shumeikai, I did not have a particular reason for receiving Jyorei.
However, soon after, I noticed that my level of concentration and
focus whilst in meditation began to improve: I was experiencing
deep inner peace, happiness and contentment not just in meditation,
but for prolonged periods of time. To demonstrate how quickly I
began to experience this result, in November I decided to receive
Ohikari at the earliest possible opportunity in January, when Eugene
Sensei would be coming to London.
Receiving my Ohikari greatly improved my meditations
and, consequently, my spiritual development. What was also extremely
comforting for me was learning that the basic teachings of Shumeikai
and the Brahma Kumaris were similar where both speak about the ages
of day and night and the need for us to purify ourselves at this
time in the world cycle.
There were also other profound experiences taking place
as I continued to receive Jyorei: prolonged periods of tremendous
healing energy surging through my body. At these times I would smell
a fragrance that for me is always present when I sit in the prayer
room at the Center and during meditation, even at times whilst driving
the car. These moments indicated for me that Meishusama was present.
Equally, there were other things happening (too personal to mention)
that indicated that a major block, affecting my level of focus during
meditation, was being removed.
Reading Meishusama's Teachings was another significant
experience in my journey: as I read the book, I experienced the
same healing energy surging through my body, and the same fragrance
I described previously. Needless to say, I read through the whole
book all at once as I wanted to continue the experience.
Meishusama's teachings provided me with understanding
about my karmic relationships with family and ancestors. I realized
that the blockage I mentioned earlier, as well as other family genetic
illnesses, was linked to ancestral karma. It was then that I decided
to attend the Ancestral Ceremony to be held here next week.
My initial reasons for receiving Ohikari were not as
clear as they now are: I have seen how I can do spiritual service
through providing people benefits by giving Jyorei. I experience
giving Jyorei as another way of healing myself, hence the saying
“as I heal myself, I help to heal the world.”
I now regularly give Jyorei to my mother, who suffers
from heart disease as well as high blood pressure. My father is
a diabetic, and has had both legs amputated. When I recently gave
him Jyorei, I experienced tremendous healing myself. One of the
main reasons for my visit to Japan is to take part in the Ancestors
Healing Ceremony. I am aware of the level of healing that will take
place not just for myself and living family members, but for those
who have passed on. I am, therefore, greatly blessed by God through
the work of Meishusama. I feel very special, indeed. So, to summarize
the benefits I receive from receiving an Ohikari and practicing
Jyorei, it has helped me to:
See how meditation and Jyorei can work as a powerful tool for spiritual
development;
Remove the blocks which prevented my spiritual development
—I am more confident about who I am as a spiritual being;
See how my family and ancestors can be healed through my own commitment
to heal myself.
I am now much clearer about the amount of purification
to be done in the world and the level of effort that is needed by
the individual. As individuals we are responsible for the transformation
of the world not just in giving Jyorei but in purifying our thoughts,
words and actions in coming closer to God and doing His work.
Finally, in terms of my future involvement with Shinji
Shumeikai, my experience so far is that I have given Jyorei to many
people and I am excited to continue to do so as a very important
part of my interfaith activity.
* Ohikari is the personal Scroll of Light worn by every member when
giving Jyorei.
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