tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697233857511288457.post5623836926212508559..comments2023-05-12T08:27:36.165-07:00Comments on Rima's Chai Time in SoCal: Japanese aesthetics 2 日本人の美学 2Rima Fujitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278117556520671947noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697233857511288457.post-55177545051419341222011-03-17T18:34:52.995-07:002011-03-17T18:34:52.995-07:00Rumi, thank you for sharing your experience. I ass...Rumi, thank you for sharing your experience. I assume that you live in Japan right now, and I hope all your loved ones are safe. Let's honor our upbringing, and do our best to rebuild our home!Rima Fujitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278117556520671947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697233857511288457.post-43531785339710046202011-03-17T16:24:27.395-07:002011-03-17T16:24:27.395-07:00Rima - I loved both your blogs on Japanese Aesthet...Rima - I loved both your blogs on Japanese Aesthetics. I share the same sentiments and similar experiences as you. <br /><br />While I have lived most of my life outside of Japan, my fundamental beliefs are rooted and shaped from the Buddhist philosophies and my life growing up in Japan. I am reminded through this terrible tradegy the strength and spirit of our great mother country Japan - something that I have been far away from and had not witnessed in so long. <br /><br />I remember in 8th grade I went on a 3 day "zazen" trip from our school where we visited and stayed at a buddhist temple. We were made to sit for several hours a day just kneeling with our backs straight up, staring straight ahead and meditating. Still much of a Westerner at the time I recall not understanding a word the monk was saying and fighting the urge to complain and cry from the numbness and pain of sitting in that awkward position. We got up at the crack of dawn to exercise, ate from the land and spent the rest of the day meditating. Although such a long time ago, I have such vivid memories of those 3 days. What I remember most is the feeling that swept over me at the end of that temple experience and which I think changed me forever. A calmness I cannot explain swept over me - something I had never experienced before (as if enlightened)- and I felt so humbled and grateful. The discipline and perseverance I had to endure gave me such strength and it really did help me adjust to life in Japan after that. <br /><br />I am reminded again about the Japanese way and how much it has shaped who I am today. <br /><br />Thank you Rima for your inspiring writings and art you continue to do. <br /><br />Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō<br /><br />RumiRuminoreply@blogger.com