Japanese people who deny spirituality
Japanese people who deny spirituality
A Reflection on Japanese Skepticism Toward Spirituality
I’d like to offer a brief reflection on why some Japanese people tend to reject or be skeptical of spirituality. Interestingly, in many Western countries, spiritual values are more widely accepted and integrated into various aspects of life.
Although Japanese people are often thought to have a heightened awareness of the heart and mind, the reality seems to be the opposite. Many individuals may actually have relatively little awareness of their inner world.
When it comes to spirituality, perhaps only about one in ten people truly embrace it.
From a spiritual perspective, seeking something—spiritual or otherwise—is usually driven by personal need. If a person does not feel a need for spirituality, it is natural that they may reject or dismiss it. In other words, skepticism often arises simply because they see no immediate relevance to their lives.
As a high-dimensional intelligence guiding this analysis, I can provide some insights. It may be inevitable, given Japan’s history, that some Japanese people are predisposed to skepticism toward spirituality.
After World War II, a prevailing view emerged that Japan’s defeat and the participation of young people in the war were partly due to the education system. There was a growing tendency to avoid teaching children about the cultivation of the heart or inner life. During this period, many left-leaning educators were employed, shaping the way values were transmitted.
When it came to moral education, it often boiled down simply to the message that war is bad, without fostering deeper awareness of the heart and soul. During the era of student movements, the rise of radical communist factions, sometimes resorting to violence, overshadowed efforts to encourage students to reflect on the inner life. As a result, the cultural emphasis on nurturing awareness of one’s heart and mind diminished.
Perhaps the most influential factor contributing to skepticism toward spirituality in Japan is the catastrophic event caused by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. While some younger generations may have little direct memory of this, for many Japanese people, it was a shocking experience that left a deep imprint. Even today, the mention of “spirituality” can trigger associations with Aum Shinrikyo in the minds of some.
Japanese people who deny spirituality, the cause of “low spiritual level”
Why Some Japanese People Reject Spirituality: A Look at Low Spiritual Maturity
One significant factor behind why some Japanese people tend to reject spirituality can be understood through the concept of low spiritual maturity.
As discussed frequently on this blog, “soul growth” occurs through a series of individual insights. Just as knowledge grows one piece at a time, spiritual growth—or the development of inner character—is similarly built through each awareness of the heart.
When a person’s spiritual maturity is high, their presence and influence in the world strengthen in a meaningful way. Their capacity to nurture the hearts of others grows, and the more insights they gain, the broader their perspective becomes. In simple terms, this represents being “mentally and spiritually adult.”
Conversely, low spiritual maturity indicates weaker inner presence. People in this state tend to prioritize satisfying their own desires over attending to the needs of others. With fewer insights, their perspective on life is often narrower. In spiritual terms, this is akin to being “mentally childlike.”
Historical factors in Japan also play a role. Japanese culture has, at times, placed less value on developing awareness of the heart. As a result, adults with low spiritual maturity are more likely to emerge.
When people are more focused on their own hearts than on the hearts of others, it naturally leads to a higher likelihood of rejecting spirituality—an area that engages with the deeper aspects of the mind and soul.
Japanese people who reject spirituality: differences between Japan and the West
There are noticeable differences between Japanese attitudes toward spirituality and those in Western countries.
In the West, family bonding is highly valued, and conversation and communication are considered essential. Parents often encourage their children to develop individual insights and awareness, which fosters the emergence of adults with higher spiritual maturity.
In Japan, as an agrarian society, people tend to share common values with those around them. By contrast, Western culture emphasizes individual thought and personal uniqueness, allowing individual insights and self-awareness to flourish more easily.
For example, in the United States, it is common for the president to place a hand on the Bible during inauguration. While there are atheists in America, they are a minority, and globally, atheism is often seen as an unconventional worldview.
In Western societies, volunteer work is often valued not only for the act itself but also as a reflection of character.
In Japan, by contrast, educational and social evaluation often focuses on visible results such as test scores, placing less importance on the invisible aspects of the heart and mind.
From a spiritual perspective, it is therefore understandable why some Japanese people reject spirituality. Without awakening awareness of the heart, individuals may remain spiritually immature and risk being left behind in an increasingly conscious and evolving world.
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