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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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"SNI gives us practical ideas on how to live day by day" |
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May 9th was the beginning of a week-end filled with
joy and grand harmony from Rev. Ando’s Opening Prayer and Welcome Greeting to
Rev. Otsuka’s (What is ISTS?), Rev. Kawakami’s (Introduction to SNI
Philosophy), Rev. Mallery’s (Yes, You have Infinite Power), and Rev. Tsuruta’s
(Shinsokan, Explanation & Practice) lectures. It was wonderful to see the
participants who, at first, were hesitant to speak, come forward and become so
open as they introduced themselves.
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La Casa de Maria, about 2 hours from the Los Angeles
Center, is situated on 35 acres in the beautiful coastal foothills of
Montecito, California and not far away from the Pacific Ocean. The food was
superb, not only spiritually but also nutritionally! The main study for this
ISTS was held in an immense room, decorated with large pieces of modern art
depicting Christianity, Islamism, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism a
perfect setting for the non-denominational teachings of SNI. |
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Up at 6 a.m. each morning for early morning Shinsokan and
Holy Sutra reading and to bed around 11 p.m. each night, the trainees were
invigorated by the teachings of SNI. The days were filled with many moving
testimonies along with the SNI services of Shinsokan for Mutual Prayers,
Memorial Service for Ancestors, Mind Purification and Candlelight Service.
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The 28th ISTS was definitely inter-national with
participation from people from Brazil, Canada and the United States (Arizona,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, New York and California). Of
the 65 trainees, 39 were first-timers!! Of the 39 first-timers, there were
about 4 newcomers to the SNI teachings! Some comments overheard were - "SNI has
taught me how to deal with people in my workplace. I’m so happy to be here and
to be able to study with everyone." "SNI gives me practical ideas on how to
live day by day." "Mind Purification - most amazing thing that I have ever
experienced!" " I am so peaceful and I am so grateful to my mother." An immense
hall for the 28th ISTS.
"Mind Purification - it was so pro-found. I feel so
much lighter." "Shinsokan for Mutual Prayer" - so powerful!" "My first ISTS -
what an exhilarating experience. I can’t wait to get back to Kansas and start
advertising for Home Meetings in the local paper." "I want to go back to school
to learn more English so that I can prop-agate the SNI teachings better!" And
so the 28th ISTS came to an end with Rev. Ando explaining the International
Peace by Faith Movement. Moved by his explanation, some of the trainees
expressed their true desire to spread the SNI teachings! Many affirmed to
attend the next ISTS in Vancouver, B.C. in August! It was a weekend that was
over-flowing with much laughter, tears, emotions and a wonderful feeling of
camaraderie as trainees met and made new friends, reacquainted them-selves with
"old" friends and all in all truly enjoyed themselves learning the SNI
teachings. |
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N. I. (Toronto) in 28th ISTS
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