THE 43RD INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL TRAINING SEMINAR HELD IN FLORIDA
Seventy People Participate Including 38 First-Timers
The 43rd International Spiritual Training Seminar was held from December 14 to 16 of last year at the San Pedro Center in Winter Park, Florida. This was the first Seminar after a one-year interval. The number of participants was 70, including 38 first-timers. This was an increase of 37% (19 people) from the previous time.
The lecturers included Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Chairperson of the International Spiritual Training Center, Bishop of the United States Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Bruce Mallery (Ordained Minister, Chief of New York Missionary Area), and Rev. Hiei Ando (National Ordained Minister). There were eleven lectures including “The Law of the Mind and the Power of Words.” The program also included Mind Purification Ceremony, Ancestor Memorial Service, Q&A session and discussion session. Rev. Teshigawara, who gave three lectures, talked about the importance of daily using bright words and said that to live with gratitude for everything in heaven and earth, as taught in the Divine Message of Grand Harmony, is crucial in resolving issues of human relationship and environment.
According to the International Spiritual Training Center, since there were many first-timers, one question after another were asked about the teachings and how to carry on their daily lives. The lecturers were so busy providing individual counseling that they had almost no time to rest. The Seminar was excellent.
Comments received from the participants included: “I have now acquired a tool to realize my dream and mission”; and “I would like to share this wonderful teaching with many people.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara,
Chairperson of the International Supiritual Training Center
“At the closing ceremony, a male participant went up to the stage and said, ‘Here Brazilians and Argentines are studying the truth in a friendly atmosphere. What an incredible and wonderful sight!’ The participants erupted in a large voice of joy and gave a huge applause. This was made possible by Seicho-No-Ie’s teaching that all religions emanate from one universal God. I was deeply moved. I have great hope for the Movement’s expansion in this area.”