Message from the International Spiritual Training Center
Praying for My Sister Brought Tears to My Eyes
Mr. Rick Decastro, California, U.S.A.
“I was raised by a devout Christian family. I found myself looking for God in many places. All the time while I was searching for God, my father left me alone to follow ‘My Truth.’ I will always be thankful to my father for that. It made me the Truth student I am today.
“A week before the Seicho-No-Ie Southern California Missionary Area public lecture I broke up with my girlfriend of five years. Leaving her house I passed the Armstrong Theater in Torrance and saw the billboard for a Seicho-No-Ie public lecture. It stuck in my mind and a week later, on the morning of the lecture, I asked my sister who is an associate minister in the Unity Church to come and she gladly accepted. The simple message of gratitude struck a chord in me. After the lecture my sister gifted me a copy of the Life's Reader. This is where I really got to know a little bit more about Seicho-No-Ie. I find Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi's writings to be the clearest, most practical writings on New Thought principles that I have ever read. Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi writes of very practical applications to regain control of our lives. I decided to attend a Seicho-No-Ie event the following Sunday. I am now a Holy Mission Fellowship member. After having read several of Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi's books, when I heard about the International Spiritual Training Seminar (ISTS), I jumped at the opportunity without hesitation!
“The 56th International Spiritual Training Seminar (ISTS) was held in a beautiful place. Having attended at least five different spiritual seminars a year for the past six years, I was glad to see that the ISTS dedicated a lot more time to lectures.
“The second and third days of the seminars started out with Shinsokan, Holy Sutra reading, Daily Conduct and exercise and a laughing practice. I must say that the Shinsokan practices in the mornings were very powerful.
“On the third and final day of the ISTS, after three lectures and the Ancestor Memorial Service, we heard a lecture by Rev. Mallery on Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer. I asked for mutual prayer for my younger sister who is hooked on methadone and alcohol. During the mutual prayer tears were flowing on my cheeks, and I felt very warm all over. I know that something powerful and wonderful happened to me and all the people who participated. I did not tell my younger sister about the mutual prayer but she seems happier now.
“The ISTS is the most profound and powerful spiritual seminar I have ever attended. I have been doing Shinsokan every morning right when I wake up and I have resolved to attend the next ISTS. Thank you very much!”