Mitsue’s husband had been suffering from a very severe panic disorder for about 6 years.

His first panic attack occurred when he was on an airplane traveling from New York to Japan. He literally panicked; standing up and pacing throughout the aisle on the plane saying, “I need more air; I need more air!”

As time went on his panic disorder became more intensified and manifested itself more frequently. He started to find it difficult to be anywhere where there were no windows, or in a place where the windows would not open. He suffered panic attacks in such places as hotels, department stores, conference rooms, movie theaters, almost anywhere.

As a member of a college faculty, he is expected to be in attendance at various ceremonies, but after having experienced such attacks, the very thought of being in a building such as a gymnasium where such ceremonies were held, was extremely stressful for him to even think about. Typically Japanese graduation ceremonies are conducted with a solemnity  similar to prayer services held at our Atami Sacred Grounds, where everyone remains completely quiet, and no one leaves while the ceremony takes place.

The most agonizing symptom was that he began to be afraid of getting on a train although 

he often was required to travel by shinkansen on business trips. He regularly consulted with a doctor at work and asked for advice. Although his physical condition did not change, he felt somewhat relieved by speaking of his feelings of anguish and anxiety to someone. The doctor suggested that Mitsue, his wife, could travel with him if necessary.

During the Covid pandemic, he did not need to travel long distances, however this year he was required to attend a conference in Canada that took place in July. He asked Mitsue to accompany him because the occasion was very important for him professionally. She hoped that he would decline the invitation to attend the conference, as they have a 15-year-old daughter to care for, and also because the tickets would be significantly expensive. Mitsue could not understand why he insisted on attending, considering all the circumstances. Yet, she had no choice to stand by his decision because his job depended upon it. 

Mitsue have been receiving Johrei online from Rev. Marco Negrao since early in 2023 and she actually requested that he assign her a mission before she initiated travel to Canada. At first, there was consideration that Mitsue might bring some of Meishu-sama’s calligraphies and Divine Scrolls to Canada; those that had once belonged to old-time members in Japan. 

During the Johrei sessions, Rev. Marco mentioned that he was seeking a new frame for Meishu-sama’s picture in time for the Paradise on Earth Service in early June. He expressed his frustration and disappointment that the frame he had requested from Brazil did not arrive in time, while acknowledging that there must be a special reason behind the circumstance. Mitsue then offered to donate and ship the special frame, which was available at the Zuiun store, our shop for sacred objects located at the Atami Headquarters.

Since she had already donated other religious items that the minister had previously requested, the 200 dollars required for the frame and shipping costs were beyond her budget.

Rev. Negrao always channeled Johrei to her while thinking of the people’s names she had shared with him, in the hope that they too could also receive online Johrei along with her. She advised Rev. Marco that two of them had actually received Johrei and had been prayerfully receiving Johrei simultaneously , as he channeled the Johrei Light to her.

She also became aware of the construction of the new altar at the Miroku Headquarters in Long Island City, and how ministers and members had been devoting themselves so tirelessly to its completion and dedication.  Upon learning about the altar construction, both of her two friends immediately offered 100 dollar donations.

Thanks to their donations and also  from support coming her mother, Mitsue was able to send the frame to the National Headquarters. They all felt very happy by being able to be useful to our movement in North-America,  while engaging in Meishu-sama’s teachings with both sincerity and gratitude.

She remembered one of the laws of nature, that the spiritual precedes the physical. To Mitsue, the frame is a symbol of a sonen through which Johrei online is able to spread the world every day from our Church’s Altar. Mitsue and her friends are deeply grateful to the Miroku Association for the daily online services they provide. Although she has not been able to pray before our altar in person, she believes that Meishu-sama will give her an opportunity to get closer to the altar one day. It is her deep desire to continue serving our movement and joyously be effectively utilized by Meishu-sama. 

As for her husband’s panic episodes while flying, he did panic in the beginning of a domestic flight, but he did not panic at all throughout his long international journey. His business  affairs proceeded successfully, and he regained his personal confidence. Now he sees and feels the world through a more blessed perspective.

Rev. Marco and Mitsue discussed that her husband’s panic attacks may very well be related to the death of her husband’s uncle, which occurred in a submarine during World War II. Accordingly in her prayers, Mitsue includes her husband’s uncle and all those who may also have lost their lives in similar tragedies. She is happy to share this experience with us on the occasion of our Annual Ancestors Service. Thank you very much!