How to connect with people in a new era

──It is important to confirm the connection and mature it.

 

　That’s right. I think that many people in today’s spread of the COVID-19 virus have reaffirmed that they are living while interacting with someone and that they want real contact with others rather than just doing things on the Internet. In addition, the less forced contact since the pandemic, the more time we have been given to think about who we have a deep relationship with and who we want to be with.

 

　I mentioned earlier that it is important to get a reliable companion to get out from suffering. For example, when we are in a depressed state, we not only receive medical treatment at the hospital, but also self-help to support each other. By participating in help groups, we can talk openly about our life and take an inventory of our life. We then may feel less pressured. Thus, we may become more open to discussion and may enrich our life in such a manner. There are many people who are doing activities to spread the activities of such self-help groups so that everyone can regain their smiles.

──MOA also has a group called the Healthy Life Network in various places. There are people who are working together with fellow network members to offer support to those who are suffering.

 

　I think the size of a group of people who can feel that kind of human skin is very important.

 

　That is to say, for 40 years, the post-World War II Japan advanced based on a group basis. Thus, individualism was buried in the group. And after the collapse of the bubble economy in 1990s, individuals had to take all the responsibilities. Everything became their responsibility. The group was steadily shattered. It can be said that one intermediate or middle society that supported finding the meaning of life for many people has become more and more hollow and eventually collapsed.

 

　Therefore, I think we must recreate the middle society, a group-sized community where people can see their faces and think “I can stay and I belong here.” For that reason, I think that support groups and self-help groups have a big role to play.

 

　Joining such a group can also double track one’s life. I mentioned earlier that if one lives only for the purpose of working hard and getting an evaluation from the company or making money, the damage will be great if he cannot get the evaluation he wanted. To prevent that, it is important to have something other than one’s main line but to have a double track. It can be PTA activities, neighborhood association activities, world of hobby; but I think it is even better if someone is pleased through volunteer activities to help others. In fact, there is data that people who donate money for a good cause or work to help others are happier.

 

　Therefore, in the COVID-19 era and upcoming era of post-COVID-19, I think that the question of “how to gather people with high satisfaction” will be asked once again. It is important for one to clarify in oneself the parts that are sufficient for the Internet connection and the parts that must be connected in a real way.

──I would like to think about this new era’s new way of connecting with people. Thank you for your valuable time.

information

Introducing the book “Awakening Network” by Vice President Noriyuki Ueda
Vice President Ueda’s book “The Network of Awakening” was published by Anonima Studios on May 6, 2022. This book was published by Kodansha and Kawade Shobo Shinsha after being published by Katatsumurisha in 1989, and is a reissued version. It’s been over 30 years since it was first published, but the content is still new. This book is a must read for modern people living in harsh social conditions.