Summary of the Shinji (December 29, 2020) from Kyōshu Seishisha Tomomarukō Sensei

The Shinji for December 29 is showing us the importance of having the awareness and the self-motivation to continue to be in touch with the teachings and manifest Kibō no Michi to live life in one with your unmei. It is to live with your unmei—within your given parameters. This is possible if you live by the teachings. And the determination to live by the teachings comes from an awareness and a deep sense of need and understanding that your unmei is the key to your happiness. Afterall, true happiness is not achieved without you wanting it and working for it.
If your life is currently filled with worries and problems, perhaps there is a lack in your awareness, self-motivation, and the effort to live within your parameters. It is relevant to be diligent in living by the teachings and not overreach with what you want in life. Knowing your unmei, which is equivalent to knowing your parameters, is truly the way of life with awareness and self-motivation to live by the teachings.

 

Moving on into the Shinji, today’s Shinji can be separated into two parts, which both consist a set of deep understanding we must have and a realization needed at the moment.
Let us begin with a part that shows the deep understanding in the first half of the Shinji.

The more you learn the teachings and deepen your understanding of the principles, people’s kokoro will anchor and not be bewildered.
You will start to see the flow of things and the kokoro will not be at a loss.
The experiences that result from knowledge are weak and lack principles, and you will be consumed by the flow deepening the problems.

In the beginning of the Shinji, Kami reminded us of the importance to deepen the understandings of the principles. To deepen the understandings contains several processes; which are to learn the teachings and realize your shortcomings or any thoughts that are not abiding the path, then to kigan so the kokoro can live by the teachings in an honest and natural way. If these can be done, you are not just realizing, but deepening the understanding.
If we live abiding by the path, people’s kokoro will anchor and not be bewildered. If you are not feeling well, it is important to get some rest before worrying too much. If your child is being repulsive and objectionable, you should listen to them before getting upset with them.

When things come to a dead end and you feel lost, go back to the teachings and read the Shinji repeatedly—especially the ones that are revealed on the 29th every month.  Then you will start to see the flow of things and bewilderment will fade away from your heart.

We live in an information society. Anything that bothers us or crosses our mind can be looked up and be answered. However, since the experiences that result from knowledge are weak and lack principles, what we read and attain through our search of information may not be absolute or necessarily be fit for your situation. When you only listen to other people’s words, it will not fit your situation, and at the same time, you will go beyond your own parameters and be consumed by the flow and deepen your problems further. 
For example, fish lives in water. But those that live in fresh water and sea water live differently. People know this truth, but do not see the difference at times.  And therefore, when people hear “This product is good for your health,” “This is how you lose money…and this is how you make money,” the kokoro moves towards that. We must have a principle that is essential to living life, and an eye to see the right things you need in your life.
The next part is followed by a realization. To live each day without bewilderment, the following is what you need to follow and practice.

To the Shinja
Learn the teachings as a family and establish a family that makes conversation about daily things at any time.
The family will naturally perceive the principles, conversations will grow and love will deepen.

Family members are the closest people (supporter) to you. It is not your good friends, your acquaintances, your boss at work, or your colleagues. It is your family who lives and resides in the same Kokoro no Michi (family line). And therefore, Kami emphasizes to learn the teachings as a family. When each family member acquires the teachings and interacts, you can learn from each other from their words. For example, if you were considering to purchase something and talk to your family about it, following conversation could occur; “I am thinking about purchasing this…” But maybe your family would say, “I think that product is out of your price range. You should get this instead.”  As seen here, having conversation with your family will help you see your options clearer. Or in other cases, you can reassure that you have your family’s support through simple conversation and be encouraged. That is why Kami encourages to make the effort to establish a family that makes conversation about daily things at any time.   

Then Kami continued by showing us that as we establish that family environment filled with conversation, the family will naturally perceive the principles, conversations will grow and love will deepen. Family that value the teachings often interact to enlighten each other. And each family member will become useful to society using their unmei, and each member will live life successfully in their own ways. And to live life in one with your unmei is to have that awareness and self-motivation. As Kami repeatedly shows us, to learn the teachings as a family is important.

The second half of the Shinji is another set of deep understanding and a realization. And the following part is a deep understanding explained from a different angle. 

The principles will bring the kokoro of each family member together as one and conversation that fosters love will grow.
The more the family talk to each other about their feelings and trust grows people will take actions to protect the family.
The source of happiness is a harmonious family.
Unmei will be honed in a family where the kokoro of each other comes together.

Home is where your life is honed. In other words, it is a place where the jittai is corrected and the unmei is honed. And we have to make your family/home to be the place to make that happen in your life. 
Kami said that the teachings will bring the kokoro of each family member together as one and conversation that fosters love will grow. Feelings to care about each other and the heart to always want to be a part of the family’s life is needed to have conversation that fosters love. If you are in a situation where you feel undecided about something, the family would share their thoughts and give suggestions to help make the right choices that would be good for you or enhance your qualities. Or if you are down, they would be there to listen and support you all the way.
Like this, the more the family talk to each other about their feelings and trust grows, the love and care for each other will be stronger and a mutual support that will become a strong foundation of your life will be established. And naturally you will start to think and act based on the family; “I can do this because I know my family would be there…” “Will this decision worry my family?” “My family will be proud of this decision,” etc. These thoughts are what protect the family.

The source of happiness is the family.  This one principle applies to each and every one of us. Because there is a family where the kokoro of each other comes together, every one of us can live life that doesn’t reach beyond our parameters and allow our given unmei to be fully used. A life that goes beyond the parameters will be avoided. Family knows well about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That is why the interaction and the involvement with each other will help correct the jittai and the unmei will be honed.

Given the deep understanding above, next is an important realization.

There is no bewilderment in the kokoro of a person who is one with their unmei.
The principles correct and elevate the jittai.
Realize you are deepening your own problems from being consumed by the flow of the times.

A person who is one with their unmei, is a person who knows themselves very well. Thus, they will not be bewildered about anything in life. They can make the right decisions and will not push themselves to reach beyond what they can have. That is why it is relevant to be in touch with the teachings as a family. This is because the loving and heart-warming conversation between the family members will naturally allow you to correct and elevate the jittai. Which means, each family member will live out their life without any remorse or regretful feelings for each other.
Kami emphasized to realize that we are deepening our own problems from being consumed by the flow of the times. There are many changes that come forth in life. And because we are currently living at a time where the changes are exponentially big and significant, it is the importance to live by the teachings as a family.
Making your own decisions without talking it over with your family, you might be consumed by making the wrong choices. However, when the family learn the teachings together, and try to make conversations about anything, you can enlighten each other through the exchange of words. And at the same time, you will know what is right and what is wrong. If the family members are tied with a strong love for each other, the kokoro will move to enhance each other—which allows you to keep calm and be focused on the right things.    

A strong message to have an awareness and to be self-motivated was expressed in this last Shinji for 2020. Neglecting discussions with your family or assumptions to think that you are always right should be avoided. Life may bring you situations where you worry and become bewildered. But if you can live life merged with your unmei and do not push yourself to reach out beyond your parameters, every hurdle in life will bring you enlightenment and an opportunity to correct your kokoro. The culmination of this will help you become a person of awareness and self-motivation.