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Check the schedule for the next ISTS right now!
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Online registration is available. Please register online for the
next ISTS today!
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All the people at ISTS loved me and liked to watch me smiling with wonderful facial
expressions
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My name is Willy Paine and I am from Seattle. I have been active in Seicho-No-Ie since December 1999 and I found SNI through
www.snitruth.org web site that included online Holy Sutra.
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When I was about the age of three, my mother told me that I was deaf since birth and I was surprised about that. Only two years ago I had cochlear implant surgery that has 22 thin wires inserted inside the cochlear. I can hear everything right now, but I am still learning to understand the words. With Shinsokan and prayers, my ability to listen has gotten so much better. Often I don’t even think about being deaf or lacking in anything.
I retired from Microsoft three years ago after working there for nine years as a software test engineer. Because of my new hearing I have volunteered to work in four high school math classes each day, three times a week. I also teach at the third and sixth grade classes twice a week. Teaching keeps me really busy on listening to others. I enjoy working with young people and the kids are so happy with me. Everyday I spend a few minutes on Shinsokan and prayers before walking into the classroom. I just visualize smiling students with good motivation in front of me in the classroom. It works for me, but if I don’t do Shinsokan or pray I find that the classes might go crazy!
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Since I am on summer break, I decided to go to ISTS in Denver. It was a good way to practice listening to the lectures and spiritual practices like Shinsokan and laughing exercises. I came to listen, learned to be patient, and to think only good thoughts and to look at only the bright side of people and not the dark side. I was rather shy in front of the public but I had quite a bit of spirit, love, and energy to give several testimonies including showing sign language for the deaf on "thank you very much" and "be happy". All the people at ISTS loved me and liked to watch me smiling with wonderful facial expressions.
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During the first couple of days in Denver, I was hot, sweaty, and tired and I felt so heavy and uncomfortable. Sometimes I felt a little sick. I wrote down many subtle negative thoughts that popped out from my mind. Then I prayed and burned my paper through the Mind Purification Ceremony. Suddenly I felt the pressure lift off from my shoulder and neck and I felt much lighter, cooler, and had more energy.
I was so amazed with this result.
I have been to three small local seminars but ISTS gave me a finer tune up and more motivation. This reminds me of one of my favorite affirmations: "I am a Child of God. Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." ISTS also gave me a deeper understanding and meaning of Shinsokan. I was very calm and listened, full of spirit and heart. I was really intense in grasping everything so I don’t think I missed anything. I really enjoyed meeting all the seminar trainees, staff and lecturers and enjoyed the sharing of Seicho-No-Ie experiences. I felt as close to people as to God or Jisso. I am so grateful to Dr. Taniguchi, for his teachings are simple and have practical ways of bringing health, prosperity, and harmony, as well as world peace.
After ISTS, I spent four days with my close cousin in Denver. She was so amazed to see me full of energy, yet being very calm and patient. I explained to her about my experience in SNI and ISTS and I gave her the Holy Sutra and a couple of Truth of Life magazines. When I got home, my family was so nice to me. I made my own resolution to memorize the entire basic Shinsokan meditation. Rev Ando reminded me that it was very easy to memorize and should be a smooth and enjoyable process. I keep reading Seicho-No-Ie books with my highlighter and I read the Holy Sutra every day. I am getting better and better. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for your patience with me and I enjoyed ISTS very much. I am looking forward to the next seminar.
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W. P. (Seattle, WA) in 25th ISTS
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