Ichigo Ichie

ONE DAY AT A TIME! Ichigo ichie, is a Japanese phrase that relates to traditional tea ceremony. Back in the day of Samurai and Warlords, tea ceremony was a traditional part of going off to war. The Tea Master would prepare the fire, gather the instruments of tea ceremony such as the special tea called MACHA, a very finely ground, hand selected, green tea powder, special cups and papers for serving. There are many things written on tea ceremony and I am far from knowing all there is to know. It is a tradition as old as Japan and it takes years to Master and become accredited.

The concept of "ICHIGO ICHIE" is much like our concept of "ONE DAY AT A TIME", only much more steeped in the practice of the ceremony. A master would spend hours selecting charcoal for the fire, using an almost meditative ritual of preparedness before the tea is served. As in the days of old, the Tea Master put 100% of themselves and their learning into that preparation, be it for one or one thousand, a pauper or a prince. It is lovingly practiced today, however the younger generations are not so keen to study the traditions of Japan like tea ceremony, dance, flower arranging and the like. So it is, in the New Age of the Internet!

One day at a time, such a simple phrase, but so hard to apply. The ego would have us living either in the past or tied to the future. Regret, failure, or the "GOOD OLE' DAYS" are stuck in our memories like a broken record. We find ourselves arguing with loved ones over past deeds, or romanticizing over the best of days. If not there, we are tied to future events, wishing and hoping for better choices, to win the lottery and sometimes, just to get the bills paid on time. Here is where we spend most all of our time.

Ichigo ichie, is a more complex phrase, of living fully in the moment. Everything that you know, everything that you are, brought to this moment in time to do the very best thing you have ever done for THIS moment. If you are a baker and if you love your job, you will make the most delicious bread as you put your skill, knowledge and passion into baking that loaf of bread. No matter what the example, the point is to be HERE NOW! To be fully present at each moment is more difficult than it sounds. We ARE all that we know and have learned. Experience becomes knowledge that with practice, becomes Wisdom. Once it becomes Wisdom, then like breathing, it can become that Natural movement, no longer the Nurture movement.

In the past week, we have seen a very stoic, resilient Japanese culture get hammered by a triple fold tragedy. Earthquake, tsunami and then the nuclear problem. All three of these events are not strangers to the Japanese people. While this may be the worst event EVER, they have been through all three before including Nuclear bombs! Amazingly and with Grace, they venture forth showing all humanity, what Nature and Nurture is all about. Their sense of community, the very fabric of the Japanese, is stronger than ever. Ichigo ichie, being shown as a matter of course, not a command. It is ingrained in them, as is "SHIGATAGANAI", meaning that nothing can be done about the situation. Whatever has happened, has happened and we must go on from here.

There is no looting in Japan, no need to rush out and take what others have. Even with incredible shortages, they will offer up to another, what little they have and wait in long lines to get whatever rations they can. They help each other like no other culture on this planet, there is no thought of "me" or "mine". The younger generations have been greatly westernized, just as American's did in the 50's and 60's. Recently, in the past ten years or so, there have even been the motorcycle gangs and groups called "chimpira" or "punks" that are following in the footsteps of the Great Yakuza but without the organization or guidance. Like with all mafia models, there was the "brotherhood" that was strictly planned and adhered to. Those days are gone everywhere now, no longer honor and pride being a central theme but rather money and status, a human life has no value.

This recent tragedy has turned our world into a new place. The Japanese have offered themselves up, once again, to teach Humanity valuable lessons. What will we take from them? At best, will we learn about Nuclear plants on fault lines and next to the Ocean?  Will we learn that nuclear is NOT the answer?  I am deeply saddened by the Japanese' latest lesson for Humanity and the problem is not over.

There WILL be further degradation of the nuclear facility, there will be further damage to the citizens of Northern Japan, there WILL be more big earthquakes, Honshu WILL rip apart and Mt. Fuji WILL wake up. But DEAR GOD, will WE learn the lessons? America is next in line for these events, will we say "SHIGATAGANAI"? No, we will NOT. There will be such hatred and discontent in this country from the top down. We will start the blame game, wherever there is destruction there will be culture vultures, picking the bones of the dead and dying for anything of value. The talking heads on TV will be all over it as they are now and thank God they are.

Ichigo ichie, be in the moment. To panic about what has happened, is happening, or will happen is a waste of your energy. Practice preparedness, over and over. Know your surroundings, be ready for any eventuality by knowing yourself and your own requirements. If you live fully in the now, only in the moment then you have the best chance of survival and living to another moment. Only after the event is there nothing to be done. Before hand, there are a ton of things to do, like being HERE now, 100% of you 100% of the time. This is ichigo ichie.