Chile F.H. (25 years old, female)

〔Losing my father and brother〕

　My family of six, included my parents and four siblings, and we lived a happy life. However, in 1992, my father was suddenly diagnosed with heart failure due to myocarditis. He was informed that if he did not improve, he was sentenced to three to five years of life. From that point on, our family began to suffer from having to accept the death of our father.
　My father was willing to spend the rest of his time with his family and to have a memorable life. However, the sadness and anxiety of losing her beloved husband made my mother depressed, and many days she couldn’t get out of bed. I was worried that I wouldn’t know when my father would die, but I kept it in my heart and told myself to think positively.
　In 1997, my brother, a very active person who was into various sports and was so healthy and had not experienced any illness (16 years old at the time) suddenly died of meningitis. I was 14 at the time. I think the sadness of my father and mother was immeasurable. My father also died in 2004.
　Even though I wasn’t doing anything wrong and I had a really good family, I spent my days in distress. I was asking myself why such sad things happened and considered it as “God’s punishment.” These events made my mother’s depressive symptoms to progress and created an even darker home. After my father died, my younger sister, three years younger than me, said, “I can’t think of a family without a father.” She then went to her friend’s house, and there was a time when she didn’t come home for two months. My older sister became angry all the time and began to spread sadness and pain to my mother and me. My younger sister, four years younger, had the same sadness but she tried to keep it in her heart like me. She endured that she had to live positively. Time went by vacantly without healing the pain in my heart.

〔Suffering that cannot be escaped〕

　I went on to college, but I couldn’t confess this suffering to my friends. I thought that confessing would not be a solution. I felt lonely, thinking, “Even if I obtain encouragement and kind words from others by confessing, no one will understand my feeling.” “I can only believe in myself.”
　Even so, I met someone I loved. We got married in 2004. I became a mother the following year. However, before giving birth, I had symptoms like depression. Eventually, I lost my motivation. I spent more time alone, just eating, looking in the mirror every day, and not knowing what I was living for.
　On the other hand, from the cry of heart that I do not want to experience the sadness of losing my family member again, I began to think too much about what to do if my son gets sick and what to do if something happens to my son. My life became all about my son. My husband warmly accepted my situation and always stayed by my side, caring, encouraging, and watching over me.
　Around November 2007, I couldn’t sleep and unknowingly scratched my body and became full of scars. Because I was fat, I could finally return to myself, saying, “I can’t do this,” and “I have to get out of this situation.” “I want to return to myself as bright and energetic as before.” With these thoughts, my mother and I randomly searched for psychiatry, fortune-telling, palmistry, religion, and other places that I heard were good.

〔What I was looking for was this wellness program〕

　Around April 2008, I saw a poster that said “Yoga Class” and it caught my eye and I entered the MOA Center. The center was near my house on the way to my college, but at that time I hadn’t noticed it at all.
　I thought it was a gym, and when I went inside, I was surprised that it was a beautiful and clean place with flower arrangements and the beauty of the wooden interior. I told the receptionist, “I’m stressed and want to lose weight, so I want to do yoga.”
　Then, he said, “We do not have yoga today, but if you want, you can take a health promotion seminar. Why don’t you try it once?” As I was listening, I became interested in it, so I decided to participate in the health promotion seminar from the next day.
　I participated in the seminar. First, I received a slide explanation of the Okada Health and Wellness Program from a doctor. I then obtained explanations and experienced Purifying Therapy, ikebana, and dietary method, including sampling some food. I then filled out a simple questionnaire before leaving the MOA Center.
　What impressed me most was the appearance of the therapists, MOA Arts and Culture instructors, and volunteers who offered those experiences to me. I was impressed by how each and every one of them welcomed me warmly and kindly and listened to my stories in a friendly manner. I thought, “It’s unthinkable in today’s society, where there are many self-centered people.”
　On my way home, I noticed that my shoulder stiffness and pressure were alleviated and I was very relaxed. At that time, I thought, “This is the wellness program I was looking for.” On my way home, I heard that I could participate in a Purifying Therapy survey at the center, so I decided to try the therapy once a week.
　From the time I received the second Purifying Therapy, I was surprised that urine was excreted frequently. I wanted to go to the bathroom many times while I was receiving Purifying Therapy. Even after I got home, I urinate frequently. In the explanation about the purification process, I heard that “only through the excretion of impurities from the body would health be restored.” From what I was going through, I realized that it was “true.” For that reason, I told my mother, “I am experiencing an energy therapy called Purifying Therapy at the MOA Center. I’m getting better from it so why don’t you come with me to experience it?” She decided to participate in the survey together with me.

〔Recover health and change my family〕

　About two weeks after I started receiving Purifying Therapy, I noticed that my physical condition was getting better and my mind was changing. Based on these results, I wanted to know more about the Okada Health and Wellness Program, so I asked a therapist to teach me about the arts and culture method and dietary method.
　What impressed me especially was the dietary method. It is important to appreciate the blessings of Nature, eat fresh ingredients, seasonal ingredients, and have a meal that is suitable for Nature’s diet. I also learned the importance of cooking meals as a housewife desiring for her family’s health. I’ve never heard of these ideas before. I reflected on my eating style to date. I had spent my life without thinking about the importance of such eating habits. Our meals were mainly frozen foods, canned foods, spaghetti, etc. I stopped using them and decided to eat a lot of fresh and seasonal foods and vegetables. I made a menu considering the health of my husband and my son.
　Also, regarding the Arts and Culture Program, I heard that flowers also have natural energy that changes the environment. I learned the importance of carefully looking at flowers and discovering its beauty to make an arrangement. I didn’t observe the flowers carefully until then. I was impressed with the way we are supposed to arrange flowers. After that, when I arranged flowers and placed them all over the house, my three-year-old son and my husband frequently said, “They are beautiful.” I am very happy. Since then, I have changed to always decorate the table and the house with flowers and pay attention to creating a beautiful environment in the house. Recently, I’m very happy that my son said, “The house is clean.” Even with my husband, family topics such as meals and ikebana are increasing, and our communication has improved.

〔Find the significance of living〕

　I joined MOA because I wanted to administer Purifying Therapy to my mother. I also challenged the therapist certification course in order to volunteer at the MOA Center.
　Now, I am participating in a health promotion seminar as a volunteer therapist. At first, I was worried that whether I could do it as many therapists who have healed me. However, when I performed Purifying Therapy, the patient’s facial expression becomes bright and satisfied, and they inform me that they have gotten better. I was happy to hear that.
　Through volunteering, I have come to realize that I am useful for people. I realized that it is the way of life in Okada’s philosophy that people can sense happiness by serving for others and making them happy, I think I was able to find a “true way of life as a person” that I had lost sight of until now. I am grateful every day for making me think that such a life is wonderful.
　I think I received many treasures from MOA.

〔Mother’s change〕

　My mother was temporarily unable to participate in the survey. This is because the symptoms of depression have become more severe. I asked the MOA Center staff to visit her home. That led my mother to return to the center to continue receiving Purifying Therapy. With the support of the staff and the MOA Healthy Life Network, my mother’s symptoms have improved and she can now enjoy her favorite garden work. My mother also joined MOA in October. Now, she is enthusiastic about creating a kitchen garden group with everyone on the network and making a small model garden on the premises of the MOA Center. She still has pain in her heart, but I am very happy that my mother can finally lead a positive life.
　If I didn’t encounter MOA, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’m scared to wonder what would have happened to my mother and my family. I still have the sadness and pain of losing my father and my brother, but I am focusing on sharing my happiness to others. I want to do my best for people and society.”
　I am a Catholic, but I think the Okada Health and Wellness Program is the “light” for all humankind. I am convinced that if we utilize the true way of life as a person taught by MOA in our daily lives, we will be able to build a much better family.