This was Takako Takano’s second time participating in a nehan retreat.
Through her work with Vedic astrology and flower essences, she has faced the inner worlds of many people.
Many of her clients’ concerns relate to money and partnerships.
“I can’t do it because I don’t have money,” “What if they dislike me?”—she has heard such limiting beliefs and anxieties countless times. Yet these were also things she herself carried.
In her previous nehan retreat, Ms. Takano had gained one conviction.
When she changes, her clients also experience transformation—that experience motivated her participation this time.
Attachment to money. Limitations around partnership. What lies at the root of these?
Seeking that answer, Ms. Takano visited nehan once again.
When I Change, My Clients Change Too
Ms. Takano’s participation in this nehan retreat was both for herself and for her clients.
Takano
I participated this time for my own issues, but also for the attachments and limitations around money and partnerships that many of my clients carry.
Takano
Fears of being disliked, feeling unable to do something because of no money,
wanting more money but not having it now—these negative emotions around money, love, and partnership that many people carry also exist within me.
In her days of supporting people through her work, Ms. Takano had realized something. The limitations her clients carry also exist within herself—that’s why it’s important for her to change first.
Takano
In my previous retreat, I experienced with strong conviction that when I change, my clients also experience transformation.
So I wanted to expand that first, which is why I participated this time.
When she changes, those around her also experience change. That conviction seemed to guide Ms. Takano back to nehan.
Time Without Finding Answers
Over two nights and three days, four breathwork sessions in total.
Each time, different work was offered, and this time yoga led by facilitator Haider was also included.
Ms. Takano sincerely engaged with each practice.
Yet the “answer” she initially sought didn’t readily appear.
Takano
Each time there were things like yoga feeling good, or having insights from the work.
But the answer I was initially seeking didn’t really emerge this time.
The pleasant sensation of her body opening through yoga. The sensation of something moving during breathwork. Those were certainly there.
But “what lies at the root of limitations around money and partnership”—that answer remained elusive.
Truly a Soul’s Journey
There was no anxiety about not finding answers. Rather, Ms. Takano accepted that “not knowing” as part of the journey.
Takano
But wondering where this would lead—truly a soul’s journey—that’s how I spent the two nights and three days.
Each practice was leading somewhere. But where that was remained unclear.
Enjoying that ambiguity, Ms. Takano continued breathing, moving her body, and facing her inner world.
Everything Connected as One Story
Then, the final day. In the very last breathwork session, everything began to move.
Takano
What stands out is the very last breathwork session on the final day.
With that bodily experience, everything from the first day onward connected as one story.
The first day’s yoga. The second day’s emotional work and breathwork. Insights in fleeting moments.
The sensation of all these connecting as one thread.
Takano
What I had intended from the very beginning—what lies at the root of the limitations I place on myself around partnership and money?—I realized that on the final day, and it was truly moving.
Attachment to money. Limitations around partnership. Something deeper at their root.
What that was—that answer quietly arose from within Ms. Takano.
Puzzle Pieces Clicking Into Place
Ms. Takano’s experience at this nehan retreat wasn’t like a Q&A where “answers come immediately.”
That’s precisely why—when everything connected at the very end, the impact seemed profound.
Takano
So I realized there’s no need to worry or feel rushed about not knowing, and if you enjoy even that and concentrate on each practice, each breathwork session—
Takano
It’s definitely not like a Q&A where you get satisfying answers each time.
But at the very end, it’s like puzzle pieces clicking perfectly into place—I think experiencing that satisfaction is the real pleasure of this retreat.
Not rushing what you don’t know. Concentrating on this present moment. Trusting the process and carefully experiencing each step.
By doing so, everything inevitably connects at the end—Ms. Takano truly grasped that sensation.
What Ms. Takano gained at nehan was awareness of “the root of limitations around money and love” and the sense of trusting the process to arrive there.
The answer wasn’t found immediately. But by enjoying that “not knowing” while engaging with each practice, the moment when everything connected arrived.
Puzzle pieces clicking perfectly into place—the impact of that moment was surely beyond words.
Now, Ms. Takano knows the root of the limitations that existed within herself.
That transformation will surely spread to the people around her as well.
