Compass of the Times by Keiko Takahashi

August 2016

Compass of the Times 149

To Seek Strength

Keiko Takahashi


A Way of Life to Resist the Rising Climatic Temperatures


August is traditionally called hazuki (leaf-month) in Japan.

The origin of the word is not certain. However, the most convincing theory is that hazuki derives from haochizuki (month of falling leaves), as August in the lunar calendar corresponds to early autumn, from September to October of the current calendar, when leaves fall. On the other hand, there is a theory that hazuki derives from hatsuzuki (first month), shortened from hatsu-ki-zuki (first-come month), as it is the month when wild geese begin to arrive from the north. There is also another theory that it comes from ho-hari-zuki (rice ear growing

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month), which later was shortened to hari-zuki and then to hazuki .

In Japan, which is located in the Northern Hemisphere, August is the peak of summer and the hottest time of the year. Possibly due to global warming, it is predicted that Japan’s climate will shift from temperate to subtropical over time, and is said that the increased incidences of sudden tropical-like showers, or typhoons arising of larger size, are signs of this change.

It has become no longer unusual for peak temperatures to reach 36 or 37 degree Celsius. In such rapidly rising temperatures and sweltering heat, our appetite and motivation decline, and it becomes difficult to concentrate on things. It is said that this year’s heat will be even harsher than that of previous years.

However, that is why I would like you to accept that these rising temperatures call for a certain way of life.

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To Seek Strength in Our Way of Life


What is needed in our way of life? Of course maintenance of our physical condition is obviously important. However, this is not the issue that I would like us to think about.

Our daily activities are influenced greatly not only by the changes in temperature but also by other environmental conditions surrounding us. In the same way as severe heat or cold exposes our weakness and fragility, social environments such as a wavering society, uncertain reality, severe and harsh competition and confusing situations clearly reveal our immaturity and inadequacy. It is extremely difficult to live our usual way of life in such harsh social environments.

When the environment that surrounds us becomes more and more severe, I believe that more than anything, we need strength in our way of life.

What I mean by strength is the power to not lose our own

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self and maintain consistency no matter what, even when obstacles emerge or collisions happen.

Even if another person strongly imposes an opposing opinion, can we accept it fairly and express our own thoughts in clear words? Even if unpredicted situations occur and our plans are about to be crushed, can we exert our power to the fullest to accomplish our original aspirations and purpose by changing the paths to actualize them?

Confident views, a determined will, unwavering words and stable conduct are the types of strength that we seek in our way of life.

Most things are decided by a single chance of a given time and place. At that time, in order to exert our potential to the fullest, we need strength in our way of life. Whether it might be, for instance, in the athletic field or in the performing arts, no matter what field it may be, there are times when we are able to perform at our highest potential in rehearsal but not during the final

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performance. Our strength is the critical factor that determines how well we perform. If we think that “trials are callings” at one moment, but at the next moment are engulfed by the oscillation of pain and pleasure, we should perceive that we still lack srength in the way we live. If we keep thinking what we really want to cherish, we can attain an unshakable heart/mind.

When our way of life has the strength it needs, we will be able to fully discern the truth of the world.

The Season to Cultivate Strength


The rising temperatures of the world also mean that the world contains energy within it. In order for our reality to transform into a new state, it needs energy that has not previously existed.

Therefore, we think as follows:
“The summer season is a time when energy is excited in various forms. Because of that, in such a world, let us nurture confident views and keep a determined will. Let

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us polish our unwavering words and continue our stable conduct.” I would like to consider this month as the season to cultivate strength in our life style.

Preliminary translation as of August 6, 2016

GLA member-volunteers translated Takahashi Sensei’s words.
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