In the age of AI, knowledge is increasingly accessible and automated. While AI excels at providing structured answers, human individuality emerges from exceptions—unexpected experiences that shape how we think and act. Education may shift from memorizing information to cultivating the ability to face uncertainty, think beyond answers, and create meaning in situations where no clear solution exists.

Meditation is a time to notice what is happening here and now. It is a simple, non-religious practice. Sit with a stable posture, either on the floor or on a chair, allowing the spine to naturally align. Meditation is not about stopping thoughts or reaching a special state. Simply notice the breath, bodily sensations, and surrounding sounds. If you feel sleepy, rest. If uncomfortable, stop. Meditation is gently noticing your present state.

Dialogue is more than conversation. Ellie Taniguchi explores dialogue as a creative process where new meaning emerges between people. Influenced by Process-Oriented Psychology and David Bohm, he describes dialogue as suspending assumptions and listening deeply. Rather than exchanging fixed ideas, participants allow differences to generate insight—like something quietly emerging from silence.

When people cling to being right, the world easily divides into right and wrong. Yet reality is more ambiguous and overlapping than such binary thinking allows. Language helps us understand, but it also separates and simplifies. When we accept our own incompleteness and contradictions, we may move beyond division. The future may not emerge from certainty, but from openness within ambiguity.

Messages telling us we are “not enough” quietly shape modern life, making self-love feel difficult. Even the advice to “love yourself” can become another pressure. But self-love may not be something to achieve. It may simply mean accepting weakness, uncertainty, and the inability to love oneself. Beginning from that acceptance, life may gently become easier.

War may begin not only in politics but in the human heart. When people feel “not enough,” they seek identity in nations or ideologies, dividing the world into “us” and “them.” Erich Fromm suggested that self-love—the quiet acceptance of one’s own existence—reduces fear. From this inner stability, others feel less threatening, and peace becomes possible.

Sometimes life shifts quietly, without dramatic change. What once felt clear begins to soften, and we find ourselves listening differently. Many people arrive at such thresholds—not seeking answers, but sensing something unnamed emerging. This reflection invites careful listening to life, nature, and inner movement, allowing what is beginning to take shape.

A few days have passed since the beginning of February. There were several mild days, and for a moment, it felt as though spring might arrive. Yet, it is still February, and Japan is experiencing the coldest days of the year. According to the calendar, spring begins in early February. While the cold remains severe, beneath the soil, the quiet awakening of spring has already begun. We invite you to step away from daily life and experience this subtle seasonal shift in a quiet

As evening falls, the sky unfolds like a watercolor—soft hues blending into one another, fleeting yet timeless. The summer has passed its peak, and the quiet arrival of autumn can be felt. The cicadas sing more gently now, and from the garden, the first notes of autumn’s song begin to emerge. It is often asked of me: “What exactly is a retreat?” For me, a retreat is “a sacred journey away from daily life, where you can meet the voice of your soul.” In the rush of modern livin

On July 13th, we held a Tanabata gathering on Osakikamijima. Our theme was to spend time deeply connecting with ourselves, and to write down our true wishes on tanzaku strips of paper. We wanted to reimagine this Japanese tradition—not merely as a custom, but as a chance to listen inward and express what truly matters in our hearts. Daytime: A Market for Body and Soul The venue was Sōan. From the moment we opened, the Acupuncture & Fortune-telling Booth and the Sacred Hemp an

The retreat I run on this island is housed in a historic old residence. It was originally built by a man named Mochizuki, right in the middle of a small village said to have been founded by the defeated warriors of the Heike clan — a village “hidden from the sea.” With its stone walls and enclosing fences, the house has the presence of a small castle, and in the past it was known by the name Tonoya (殿屋）, meaning “the lord’s house.” For many years, it was home to Mr. Era, whos

I first encountered Osakikamijima about twelve years ago. By chance, I visited this special island in the Seto Inland Sea, accessible only by ferry. The calm sea, the gentle flow of time, and the warmth of its people left a deep impression on me from that very first trip. Over the years, as I visited repeatedly, my connections with the island gradually grew. Friendships formed, and I found myself drawn to the seaside scenery and the quiet charm of the villages. Little by litt

This spring, I moved my home base from Tokyo to Ōsakikamijima, an island in Hiroshima Prefecture. I now run a retreat center here—a place where people can safely pause, step back from daily life, and spend time quietly reconnecting with themselves. For many years, I lived in cities like Tokyo and New York, working in the financial industry and running a technology startup overseas. From the outside, relocating to a quiet, nature-rich island may seem like a dramatic change. Bu

It may have all started with my personal experiences—times when my inner world shifted, and suddenly the world outside looked entirely different. That’s what eventually led me to begin offering retreats on Osaki-Kamijima. One of the most striking experiences came after a session of Process-Oriented Psychology counseling. In that session, something that had felt like trauma, rooted in past events, seemed to dissolve. My body felt lighter. I won’t go into detail here, but that

Morning light stirs us awake. We prepare breakfast, tuck it into a basket, and wander down to the shoreline together. Someone begins to play the harp—quietly, effortlessly. A tender melody drifts into harmony. Birdsong joins in, waves keep rhythm. Without even noticing, I begin to dissolve— until I am nothing but sound. → Our Approach　→ Retreat Schedule

In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly swept up in the flood of information, perpetually rushing from one thing to the next with little opportunity to pause and reflect. Chasing the next update on social media. Rushing to answer emails, only to find that the day has already passed. Starting each new week without even fully realizing how we feel. In times like these, the ability to “pause” — meditation — is more essential than ever. How Meditation Can Transform You Wha

During this season, the weather shifts periodically, weaving between cold and warmth, gently guiding us toward spring. The biting cold, which made winter feel as though it might last forever, has finally receded, and today the air holds the soft promise of spring. As the ume blossoms begin to open, they whisper that spring is already on the horizon. The plants are steadily awakening toward spring. Humans, too, are a part of nature, carrying within us the mechanisms to welcome

Deeply embracing oneself is the foundation for living as one’s true self. People often unconsciously bind themselves with thoughts of how they “should” be and are influenced by the evaluations of others. However, by accepting oneself, one can break free from these external standards and attain inner peace and harmony. Recognizing not only strengths but also weaknesses and shadow aspects reduces internal conflict and allows one to live naturally. As a result, relationships wit

Self-transformation is the process of fundamentally changing one’s inner world and way of life. It goes beyond superficial growth or skill improvement—it is a deep shift in values, awareness, thought patterns, and the core of one’s actions. This transformation can be intentional, but it can also be triggered by life events or crises. It often occurs through deep introspection, psychological therapy, spiritual experiences, or major life transitions such as illness, loss, or ca

Osaki-Kamijima is not just a quiet island—it is a place where hidden connections and meaningful coincidences naturally unfold. This retreat is designed for those at a crossroads in life, seeking clarity, renewal, and a deeper understanding of their path. 1. The Island as a Mirror of Your Inner Journey With its rich natural landscapes, historical charm, and the ever-changing sea, Osaki-Kamijima serves as a mirror reflecting your inner world. This retreat offers a space to paus