A Gracious Person
April 2025
Perhaps there is no word that sounds more agreeable than “gracious.” Think about it. To get along in the world, being gracious toward others is more important than we may realize, for, it has a very great influence on the society in which we live, to say nothing of personal fortune. For example, when a person comes in contact with another individual who has a gracious personality, that person begins to feel gracious, and this can happen over and over until a very amiable society can be brought about. The result can be that all the deplorable problems, especially those involving conflict and crime, steadily decrease. Naturally, this means that a spiritual paradise can then be realized. And, to achieve this we don’t have to spend a penny; no effort is required; we can begin to do it right now. What could be better?
This may sound very easy, but it clearly is not, as I think everybody realizes. I say this because the mere external appearance of being pleasant is not enough to achieve it; it must be something that emanates from sincere love within. So, everything depends on the spiritual and mental attitude of the individual. In other words, the spirit of love for others is of primary importance. Let me write a little about myself in this regard. It may sound rather odd for me to say it, but, since my youth I have seldom been disliked or resented by others; most people have been attracted to me wherever I have gone.
One reason for this especially strikes me. I am always careful to try to do first only what satisfies others, what makes them happy, taking care of my own interests or pleasures later. I don’t do this to uphold some moral standard or spiritual viewpoint; it all happens quite naturally. Perhaps it is simply because it is in my nature to act in this way. I really enjoy being kind to others and trying to make them happy. People have often told me how lucky I was to have such a disposition.
Since I became a spiritual leader, this quality has grown more prominent, of course. Whenever I see a sick person suffering, the desire to help and heal is so strong I cannot refrain from doing something. I give Johrei, and when I see that person recovering and rejoicing, that feeling of joy reflects on me and I begin to feel happy, too.
Because of this disposition I have been involved in quite a number of cases which have been hard on me. When I have realized that there has been no hope for the recipient’s recovery, I have known I should stop giving Johrei immediately if the family members have been looking for only physical healing, not understanding the deeper spiritual significance of Johrei. Instead of quitting, however, I have often continued to channel for I have not been able to say no when I was being entreated either by the sick person or by the family. I have forgotten my own interests, have made many trips back and forth at the sacrifice of time and money, only to see disappointment results. This has often caused family members to be disappointed, to bear feelings of resentment toward me. Each time I have had this kind of experience, I have said to myself that I should have been less sensitive.
Though my disposition has occasionally caused personal hardship, it has helped me in advancing the construction work of prototypes of Paradise on Earth and especially of art museums. So, I believe God has given me this kind of nature for a specific purpose.
For example, whenever I find a wonderful art object or come across a place of superb scenic beauty, I cannot enjoy it by myself. The desire begins to well up within me to share the pleasure with as many people as possible so they can be happy as well. In this way, rather than appreciating nice things all by myself, it gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction to be with other people and watch them also enjoying those things and feeling happy.
Eiko Newsletter # 257 – April 21, 1954