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In June of 2000, I met up with
my dear friend Jimmy Sjoblom, who was working with the Natural
Step in Sweden. I had met Jimmy through my work with the IH&RA
and we shared a common interest in Responsible and Sustainable
Tourism.
Jimmy invited me to join him
on a trip to Japan to look at some areas where the national
office of The Natural Step was talking with municipalities
and communities about such developments.
One of the locations we went
to was a village called Shirakawamura, located as part of
a World Heritage site in Japan.
It was funny that when we arrived
at the village, although I had never been to this place before,
I had an unusual feeling that I had somehow seen this place
before and also of being “home”.
We were accommodated in a local
Ryokan for the night and enjoyed the traditional Japanese
style rooms. Although they could not speak English, the owner
and his wife and some local officials entertained us for dinner.
It was a memorable evening that I will never forget. The hospitality
and genuine friendship that was shown to us was wonderful
and matched any experience I have had traveling the world.
It was like you were with family.
As we continued our tour of
the village next day and inspected the unique architecture
of the area, my mind went back to an earlier part of my new
journey in life.
By now you will know that at
the beginning of my new journey in life I read a book, “Many
Lives, Many Masters” by Dr. Brian Weiss, about experiencing
insights from past lives. Whether you believe in past lives
(or future ones) or not, to me the notion of something happening
after we “Passover”, is a far more positive one
than nothing happens! Anyway I digress. During a Reiki session
I had at a resort subsequently I believe I had an insight
into some of my “past lives”. One of them was
in the form of a Japanese Samurai Warrior. After the experience,
while interesting, I really didn’t think too much about
it.
It was only when our Host and
hostess in Shirakawamura gave us a parting gift of a history
of the village translated into English that a number of thoughts
and feelings resurfaced. You see the history of the village
was that it was established by a group of Samurai Warriors
returning from a Mighty Battle. Was this why I felt I had
been here before and at home in this place. Was it not from
this life, but a previous one? Who knows.
But I do know this. Several
years have gone by and then last month (March 2005) I received
an e-mail from Ms. Sachiko Takami, Chief Executive from the
Natural Step Japan, who guided and translated for us on the
original visit to Shirakawamura. She asked me if I remembered
her and the trip we took (it was unforgettable) and told me
that our hosts, Mr. & Mrs. Matsufuru, need help to renovate
and upgrade their Ryokan in the traditional style of the area,
and she asked if I could help.
I am now trying to help
through some contacts of mine in Japan and other places. Wouldn’t
that be the least expected of a Samurai Warrior.
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