Y.I.

"Put what you’ve learned into action"—with this simple attitude in mind, I will do my best to incorporate the lessons of the temple stay into my everyday life.

I participated in a six-day, five-night temple stay at Fukuganji and gained many valuable insights throughout the experience.

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the fellow participants I met during this time, and for the monks who guided us so patiently and with great care.

One of the most important realizations I had over these six days was how often I view the world with myself at the center. Being in a new environment gave me the opportunity to reflect on the areas where I fall short. Until now, I had thought there were no real issues in how I interact with others at work—but moving forward, I feel I will be able to better put myself in others’ shoes. I hope to share these insights with my colleagues and contribute to improving communication within my workplace.

Although my children are already independent, I believe that what I’ve learned will also positively influence my relationship with them in the future. This experience reminded me of the importance of returning to the basics and cherishing a beginner’s mindset.

Living without a mobile phone during the stay was surprisingly refreshing. As a small step, I’ve decided not to bring my phone into the bedroom anymore. Along with continuing my habit of waking up early, I plan to review how I spend my mornings by creating a clear schedule. I also came to realize the importance of physical health as well as mental well-being, so I’ve made a reservation at World Wing Gym in Okinawa.

“Put what you’ve learned into action”—with this simple attitude in mind, I will do my best to incorporate the lessons of the temple stay into my everyday life.

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