Could you share the core values that lie at the foundation of your work?
Although I’ve been involved in many different things, the one constant has always been my vision for a world where we, as modern people, can respect each other’s individuality and live authentically. We have miraculously arrived in this present moment by receiving so many things—from our daily meals to the kindness of those around us. I believe that by not forgetting our gratitude and compassion for this fact, we are taking small steps towards a world where we can better respect and support the people and things in our lives.
What led you to become involved with nehan?
For three years, from 2022 to 2025, I was focused on community building on the Chita Peninsula. I was actively working towards a model that operated on a worldview and value system different from the existing one. Just as my work there reached a point of natural completion, Rie (Coordinator, Tanaka), with whom I had a prior connection, contacted me at the perfect time. That contact led me to visit nehan, where I immediately hit it off with Yoshi (Founder, Koitani). I knew intuitively that this was my next stage, and in a very natural flow, I have been involved ever since.
What is your current role at nehan?
At the moment, I am primarily directing the retreat business. This involves the various tasks of planning and managing retreats, improving our operations, and ensuring the business is sustainable. I am moving things forward step by step, together with Yoshi, Rie, and all the wonderful people who resonate with nehan’s mission and actively support us.
Do you have a final message for us?
At nehan, we offer our retreat participants the value of “discovering their true selves.” When we live busy lives in a modern society overflowing with information, our own true feelings can become buried and difficult to see. However, each and every one of us is a unique being, living here and now, connected by a precious chain of life passed down from our parents and ancestors through some profound connection. It would be an immense waste for that special quality to be lost. If each person’s originality is expressed, and if we can respect each other and cooperate as one, the world before us will become better than ever. I believe this will allow us to live in a way that passes on something truly precious to future generations. In our retreats, we have devised various ways to help you dive deep into your inner world (your spirit) and have an experience of insight that feels like remembering something important you had long forgotten. We intend to continue improving and refining this process. If you ever feel lost in life, I warmly invite you to come and visit us in this abundant forest of nehan.
