Great Construction

How My Mind Works

     In all affairs and matters, I simply must turn about a subject in my mind deeply and thoroughly. For example, when setting up a plan to do or make something, most people cannot restrain themselves thinking about getting started as soon as possible, and they probably have a strong sense of reliance on their fate that having once started, things will somehow work out. But they find that when they do start out, things do not seem to go so smoothly and they end up being frustrated at every turn, ultimately failing. It is exceedingly dangerous because they do not consider what to do with failure and think only of success. I am the opposite, though. I start out by thinking of what would happen in the case of failure, and then in advance I make a plan for recovery in the case of failure. So, if there does happen to occur some kind of failure, it is not that worrisome. I wait for the right time, in which case the results are not fatal, and I can easily recover.
     The same goes for money. I prepare money in three groups. If the project takes up all of the first amount, I use the second, and if that gets used up, I use the third. With such a practice, I do not have to fear exposing myself to ridicule. Thus, in such a way, preparation is well researched, and since all matters and affairs have been more than carefully and thoroughly covered, although it may seem on the outside to be tedious, there are no mistakes, and projects proceed unusually quickly. Wasted money, time, and labor can be avoided, so the account books benefit. As is well known, I am making some very bold plans, but they are realized without anxiety, effortlessly, without a hitch.
     As the preceding shows, I make every effort to be sure all preparations are in order, but I do not start off right away. Without haste, I wait for the proper time. While waiting, a favorable occasion will most certainly presents itself, and then I know that the project can proceed. Even at this point, I try not to be in a hurry. Human beings should never be in a rush. With rush comes strain, and with strain comes a pitiful conclusion. When the failures of society are observed, without exception, rushing and straining are the cause. What comes to mind whenever I think of this situation is the period during the Pacific War. At first, because Japan’s progress went on so swimmingly, the populace became quite swell-headed and conceited, but when the situation changed, all became quite inflexible and piled strain on top of strain with pitiful and tragic results. At the time, I thought with such a rush all the efforts were quite useless, but since I could not say anything to those around me, I kept my thoughts to myself. That is why I think that if the possibility of defeat had been considered beforehand, our situation might have been even a little different now. Needless to say, what happened was entirely a result of the thoughtlessness of those in charge at the time.
     For the above reasons, it must be impossible to guess what I am doing at any one moment, for I can seem so impetuous, and then at another, so much at leisure. This is, of course, because I have God’s immeasurable protection, but because everything I do and create is so rapid, there is not one person who is not surprised. This can be understood from observing the speed of the unparalleled growth of World Messianity. The next thing about which I would like to urge caution is that human beings should be prepared to change their mental state. We often see individuals who stick blindly to one task. This type shows relatively low levels of growth in efficiency. Even though resignation and fatigue may occur, it is borne, and this attitude will not do. Rather, it is at times such as this that to have some sort of pleasant diversion is very good for a change of pace. I often hear of artists who will not touch their work at all if they do not feel like it, and I think this is a good idea. Rather, at one point, with a bit of selfishness, efficiency instead increases. For that reason, I do not like to be glued to one job, so I change what I am doing, going from one task to another. This way, I can work pleasantly and with interest, so the agility of my brain is greatly improved. Even so, there are those in circumstances in which this cannot be done. I do believe, though, that by applying resourcefulness to the circumstances, what I have taught can turn the situation to some benefit. 

Eikō, Issue 162, June 25, 1952
translated by cynndd

　 　　　　　　　＊　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊


“Watakushi no Kangaekata,” which was published originally in Eikō, Issue 162, June 25, 1952, has previously appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“My Way of Thinking,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 317.

“How I Use My Mind,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Three, 2005, page 70.