'Spiritual Care' and a soul

 

We have been currently discussing what psychological care for victims in

 

disaster-stricken area should be together with a religionist, a psychologist, a doctor and

 

a Buddhist, and we obtain an opportunity to come into contact with varied knowledge

 

during this time.

 

Moreover, the new knowledge produces an experience to get to know anew what we have already known.

 

 

 

According to U.S. government's emergency relief manual, it is said that the first thing to do

 

in the disaster-stricken area is to research 'the state of religion at the actual place' while

 

providing emergency supports, and that prevents from people suffering from physical and mental

 

problems by applying 'their religion'.

 

 

 

A care that religions take charge of is called 'spiritual care' in English, and 'Seelsorge' in

 

German, which means 'care of the spirit' or 'consideration for the soul'. Such things can take

 

precautions against many possible physical and mental problems.

 

 

 

That is, in other words, we think that our society has lost something important nowadays.

 

 

 

We have come to sense such a lack strongly since February.

 

 

 

The existence of scores of the needy is being confirmed at 'Foreigners'support project for sufferers'.

Our country has a satisfactory welfare system on its own way and a relief measure that is suitable for a

 

civilized country.

 

However, such a system or a measure hasn't reached to them.

 

 

Why?

 

 

We believe what is necessary in order to do that is probably 'words' and 'bodies'.

 

 

The words with all our thoughts have sincerity.

 

When the words are testified by action, those who hear the words remember a footing of life.

 

Care for 'invisible things' is provided in such a way.

 

 

In a Christian tradition, we called 'soul' and 'life' for 'spirit' that obtained the place within the 'the body'.

 

And to care for the 'soul' was supposed to be the role of pastors and priests.

 

 

Now at the stricken areas, many bonzes and Shinto priests are putting all their energy into the care for 'souls'

 

indeed, weaving up words with action.

 

The action is now gradually increasing in importance and its necessity is increasing day by day.

 

 

While taking these things into account, we are disclosing the report on holing lecture meetings which Tohoku Help

 

took part in.

 

The point of the lecture meetings is all meant to talk to the sufferers directly.

 

One of the meetings has already finished and another one is being held shortly.

 

Here we inform you with gratitude that we are able to hold such meetings with your support.

 

 

Feb.22. 2012 Naoya Kawakami