50th International Spiritual Training Seminar
Held in Seattle, Washington for The First Time
The 50th International Spiritual Training Seminar was held from August 13 to 15 at the Hotel Best Western River’s Edge in Seattle, Washington. The number of participants was 32. Newcomers accounted for about half of them, or 15 people.
The lecturers were Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Chairperson of the International Spiritual Training Center), Rev. Mario Kawakami (Ordained Minister, Chief of Southern California Missionary Area), Rev. Bruce Mallery (Ordained Minister, Chief of New York Missionary Area), and Rev. Hideki Takao (Assistant Minister, International Spiritual Training Center).
There were 11 lectures, including “The True Image and Phenomena” and “We Will Protect our Earth.” The Seminar program also included a Q&A session, Mind Purification Ceremony, and Ancestor Memorial Service. In the workshop, “Seicho-No-Ie Way of Life—Gratitude to and Harmony with All People, Things and Occurrences,” Rev. Teshigawara first talked about the importance of promoting propagation. She then explained the significance of the Readers’ Meeting which uses attendees’ technical and artistic talent. There was also a workshop on picture envelope creation, a program well received at May’s Leadership Spiritual Training Seminar held in Los Angeles. A “praise box” was placed at the Seminar site for the first time. Later there was a period to read out the words of praise which the participants placed in the box. It was an excellent opportunity to practice the sundial way of life.
According to the International Spiritual Training Center, this was the first time that an International Spiritual Training Seminar had been held in Seattle. The participants were presented with a “gratitude bag,” which had a mug cup and other commemorative gifts prepared mainly by the members of Seattle, who managed the Seminar.
A Christian participant, who participated for the first time, commented, “I could understand the meaning of the teaching, all religions emanate from one universal God, and it helped deepen my understanding of my own faith. I am grateful that I could participate in this Seminar.”
REMARKS BY REV. YOSHIKO TESHIGAWARA, CHAIRPERSON OF INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL TRAINING CENTER“To make the 50th International Spiritual Training Seminar a success, the leaders/members of the English and Japanese groups in Seattle joined forces in preparing for it from about a year ago. What pleased me the most was the fact that through the Seminar several people decided to take the Regional Lecturers’ Examination in English. I will continue my effort to develop members.