A guide to the richness that comes from good sleep and satisfaction.
In the northern part of Kyoto City, in Keihoku, where the Satoyama culture still remains strong, an experiment was conducted to test a journey for a good night’s sleep. After being diagnosed by the Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, the participants received advice from a group of professionals on how to get a good night’s sleep, and immersed themselves in a program of bedding, food, activities, acupuncture and moxibustion. All of them were effective, but I would like to introduce the three days when I felt Kyoto’s immeasurable healing potential when combined with the Satoyama environment. Where does wealth come from?
"I slept very well. I slept so well and feel so peaceful.” Jun, one of the participants of this trip. He runs a hotel in Hong Kong that specializes in good sleep, and also runs a camping car business in Japan based on Zen philosophy. He said, “Sleeping well and being satisfied, and being in contact with this unique region, I could feel the blessings of all living things. What we need now is to be slower and deeper. Some people say that if you are not financially rich, you cannot afford to think about others or the earth. However, I believe there are several ways to create a state of contentment. By experiencing a good night’s sleep from the perspective of oriental medicine in a Satoyama environment, a new context was created.
Approach to Sleep
A good night’s sleep is an important factor in achieving contentment. Depending on who you are, you spend a third of your life asleep.
As thinking reeds, we are burdened by worries, and eventually we cannot sleep well. This is why the retreat approach to travel is gaining attention. A retreat is a way to heal your mind and body by getting away from your usual living area for a few days. The purpose of the retreat is to refresh the body and mind by getting away from the daily routine, rather than to gain stimulation.
Every night, acupuncture treatments are offered. The acupuncture treatment is performed every night to promote a gentle awakening and to remove the damper that had been holding back the fatigue, making the participants realize that their autonomic nervous system was in disarray. The participants fall into a deeper sleep on the second night than on the first. They realize that they have been unknowingly working too hard due to the adrenaline produced by self-improvement and the caffeine consumed by the drinks. An early morning yoga session to reset the body clock in the morning sun, to regulate the autonomic nervous system through breathing and postures, and to improve concentration through meditation. Some participants were able to increase their concentration through relaxation to the point where they could clearly recognize the moment they fell asleep. Creating a vessel to feel the blessings.
The meals made with local ingredients, mainly organic vegetables, and minimal seasonings are nutritious and very tasty, even though they are adjusted to be about the right portion. The mellow aroma of organic rice produced using the duck farming method, and the ducklings that have fulfilled their role, are also enjoyed with gratitude. People, nature, and animals. People, nature, animals... I want to be grateful for everything. There is something between heaven and earth that has been lost in urban areas as a result of placing the highest priority on efficiency. What can I call this blessing? In Keihoku, we can catch a glimpse of hunting, farming, and the exchange of values other than money. Perhaps this atmosphere encourages people to slow down their minds and bodies, and the conversations among the participants inevitably overflow with perspectives on a sustainable society.
It was an experience that I can’t even begin to describe. It was an inexpressible experience and I want to do something for Keihoku. I hope to visit again soon with my family,”
said one participant. The participants used the opportunity of a good night’s sleep to face the Satoyama culture and themselves, and to feel something important. Perhaps it does not take much to fill the body and mind. When a fulfilled person wants to “do something” for others, he or she can be very gentle and creative. From the bottom of my heart, I want to preserve this region and the world. When you wish to do so, you may be able to understand the recycling society with your heart.
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Organized by ROOTS, Inc. Special Thanks to Megumi Kaji (Sleep Improvement Instructor / NPO Sleep Culture Research Institute), Hiroaki Torii (Torii Co., Ltd.), Hajime Nakane (Ferrero Co., Ltd. / Acupuncture & Moxibustion Meridian Karasuma), Ayako Ide (Acupuncture & Moxibustion Meridian Karasuma), Atsushi Nakahigashi (OneRiceOneSoup), Minami Shimizu (activity coordinator), Raika Toyama (Rai Rai Ken), Yuko Murai (organic farmer/jibie procurement), Juan (photographer), Kazuki Fujimoto (video recording), Kenichi Hino (assistant staff) Kenichi (assistant staff), and participants
[Yoga Teacher][Aroma Teacher]
