MEDITATION TIPS — 6th Sunday of Easter,
May 25, 2025

“The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

　Life is like the rings of a tree. The core represents the time of our birth, then comes childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood, and old age. As the rings expand, our experiences and knowledge grow. Yet there are times when, all of a sudden, memories from early childhood vividly come back. And with them, memories of those who have already passed away return as well. In such moments, we realize that those who have died are no longer confined to the grave but have been resurrected within the hearts of the living. Looking at the rings of a tree makes us feel that time doesn’t simply pass; rather, it accumulates within our minds and bodies.

　Like a large hourglass, countless grains of memory silently pile up in our minds and bodies. We live in the midst of countless memories, and it is through these memories that our character is formed. Memories usually lie dormant, but for example, when facing a great difficulty, we might recall someone’s words and a suddenly awaken, thereby gaining courage and overcoming the difficulty. “The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I have said to you.” Through Jesus, these words are spoken to us by those who have passed away. However, memory is something that can deteriorate or be rewritten. Sometimes we recall something and continue to be angry, resentful, or sorrowful, we are, in a way, rewriting that memory. Such memories are not stirred up by the Holy Spirit, but rather by evil spirits that bind and torment us.

　 When we interact with others, we often subconsciously harbor expectations. And when the other person fails to meet those expectations, disappointment or anger arises. These feelings also accumulate as memories. In Buddhism, it is said that mental disturbance stems from attachment. When we place great expectations on someone and they don’t respond as we hoped, we feel betrayed. But in this case, the expectations are not for the other person’s sake — they stem from attachment to ourselves. That is why Buddhist teaching encourages letting go of such attachments and maintain peace of mind. Conversely, even small actions performed with a pure heart, without the expectation of being seen or liked, possess immense strength. Because there are no expectations of others, there is naturally no disappointment or anger.

　 Indeed, the mind can be said to encompass all of humanity. But it is also important to view the mind as a “tool” that supports our life. When we are “used by” this tool, we are at the mercy of negative emotions like worry or anger. However, if we consider it as a “tool to be used,” we can, by the power of our will, turn worry and anger into something positive.

　 Whenever you realize that you are being overtaken by negative emotions, try closing your eyes and taking a deep breath. Then, acknowledge that while you’ve had difficult times, you’ve also had many happy ones. Tell yourself that your life isn’t so bad after all; in fact, it’s rather happy. As you do so, project your joyful memories onto the screen of your mind. The images displayed there, along with the smiling face of Jesus, will surely give you again the strength to carry on with life.

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Yutaka Akabae)