a letter from Japan

At 2:46 p.m. today, the people of Japan took a moment of silence and prayers for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami. It had been one week exactly. May we all take many moments of silence to send the Japanese people our heartfelt hopes and solidarity, and to mourn their dead and thank and mourn their heroes. It's hard to know the truth between the sensationalist Western media exploitation and hype, and the Japanese media's understatement and caution in its disclosures.

There has been much criticism of the Japanese government in the west, mostly by people from the United States. I find this ironic, given our own government's abysimal record of outright lies to, and manipulation of, the American people. In a crisis of this multi-layered magnitude, a government doesn't have a whole lot of time to give a blow-by-blow televised account of what's happening. This is not a football game or some televised "reality show" event. I'll bet many high level Japanese officials have hardly slept for a week.

Here is a letter that was forwarded by a friend of a friend. It's from a Japanese woman living in Tokyo. Names have been deleted, but her message  seems to embody the heart and spirit of the Japanese people. Since this letter, written early in the crisis, she has send updates, but its message stands.

My dear friends,  

This is the second email for some of you to let you know I'm fine in Tokyo and my family is fine in Fukushima.

Though my hometown is in Fukushima where was damaged by tsunami, my small village is more close to the Japan Sea side. 

I think many of you have seen those terrible photos and videos on TV, web and in newspapers for past two days, and they are all happening in my country.

Tokyo is o.k. now as we are getting normal transportation and lifelines back. Even we can feel aftershocks quite often, it's not so scary as it was yesterday. 

But of course the Pacific Sea side, north east Japan is completely attacked by earth quakes and tsunami, and we're getting more and more tragic news.

I am very, very sad and feeling so sympathetic to those who are suffering, but on the other hand, I feel much better than yesterday as we have worst but real information to have recognition what's happening actually and what we can do from now on.

I do not want you to be emotional or overwhelmed. You can help us with support and encouragement there, where you are. 

I think it's very important for the people who are in safe area or other countries just stay being calm, stable and keep normal life with people around together with love and trust.

Not forgetting we are one and one is for all, it means people who are not directly involved in can give the peacefulness, gentleness, feeling of connection and deep, profound love to those who are in severe situations including the ones are passing away.

I would like to ask all of you to just bring some attention to those people in my country. Just think about their suffering and pray in a moment without becoming too sympathetic or emotional. Just pray for better or the best for them and some situations. This is the most helpful thing for us at this point, and this is the only thing I (we, the people in normal life) can do for others.

And I want you to be with loving people around you, and feel and cuddle love together. That energy will be transferred to others. That feeling of appreciation will be others' feeling, too. 

We don't need to listen to fear messages or no need to be involved in emotional attacks. Just we stay present and pay attention, just be with others in the moment. 

Thank you very much for your reading. I do appreciate your concern and love every moment, as I can feel it that you're with me being present. 

Please take care and have beautiful time in your place each other, with laughter and smile.  

With best wishes and lots of love,