The Reiwa era? Inevitable? Spiritual

 The Reiwa era? Inevitable? Spiritual

From a spiritual perspective, the name Reiwa—the current Japanese imperial era—may carry a deeper, destined significance.

When it was first announced, I sensed that the name itself carried a heavy vibration, as though it was not simply chosen by human hands, but emerged from a larger flow of inevitability.

The character Rei (令) is rooted in an ancient pictograph depicting people kneeling in reverence, listening to the words of the divine. It represents a moment when humanity opens itself to the voice of heaven. The character Wa (和), meanwhile, expresses harmony spreading among people, like ripples moving outward through a still pond.

Seen spiritually, Reiwa can be interpreted as “a time when humanity bows to the guidance of higher realms, so that harmony may spread across the world.” Yet, such guidance is rarely gentle—it often exposes both light and shadow. Harmony may emerge, but only after society confronts contradictions and hidden wounds.

Critics on the political left saw echoes of Japan’s imperial past in the name, warning that it suggested authoritarian undertones. But in a spiritual sense, Reiwa may point instead to a collective initiation: humanity learning to listen to the subtle voice of spirit, and to discover harmony not as something imposed from above, but as something born from within.

When I sensed that Reiwa might not be the most auspicious era name, it was not merely because of politics or history. My concern comes from the perspective of Eastern philosophy, particularly the principle of yin and yang.

In Eastern thought, the harmony of yin and yang is the foundation of creation. Yin is heavy and descends, yang is light and rises, and when these opposing energies intertwine, they generate new forms, new cycles, and new possibilities. Creation is born through balance.

However, the characters of Reiwa do not reflect this balance. Instead, they suggest yang followed by yin—an inversion that implies not creation, but collapse, breakdown, and polarization. Rather than blending into harmony, the energies stand in opposition, intensifying division.

And indeed, when we look at the world since the beginning of the Reiwa era, is it not true that society shows stronger tendencies toward fragmentation, conflict, and polarization than before? The name itself may carry the resonance of this imbalance, quietly shaping the collective experience of the age.

In the Reiwa era, it is inevitable that there will be a “feminine energy” and “spirituality.”

The Reiwa era itself may reflect a kind of inevitability—an age shaped by the rise of feminine energy. From a spiritual perspective, this transition is not accidental but part of a larger cosmic flow.

In spiritual thought, the Earth’s collective energy is gradually shifting from a dominance of masculine energy toward feminine energy. This change does not happen suddenly, like flipping a switch between black and white. Instead, it unfolds gradually, like the dance of the sun and moon, influencing all people regardless of gender.

At this stage, feminine energy is still in its opening chapter. Like the emotions of a young girl, it often reveals opposing forces—joy and sorrow, anger and tenderness. In society, these can manifest as polarization, contradictions, or sudden reversals of direction, creating instability much like waves rising and falling.

Masculine energy tends to control and suppress emotions, becoming rigid and hardened. Feminine energy, by contrast, tends to release emotions outward, remaining soft and flexible. And because flexibility allows for transformation, we are entering an era of rapid change, guided by feminine energy.

From this perspective, the name Reiwa itself can also be interpreted spiritually. The sense of collapse, breakdown, or even destruction associated with its characters may not be negative in essence—it may symbolize the crumbling of values tied to masculine-dominated energy. In other words, Reiwa could mark the inevitable dismantling of the old order, making way for the new.

The Reiwa era, inevitability, spiritual growth, “spirituality”

The Reiwa era, too, can be seen as inevitable—not only in historical terms, but in the deeper sense of inner growth. From a spiritual perspective, this age invites us to reflect on the growth of the heart.

Masculine energy tends to place value on the visible and material, while feminine energy seeks value in the invisible realm of the heart. This shift marks a movement from external possessions toward inner awareness.

As I have often written, the growth of the soul is like the growth of knowledge: it comes one awakening at a time. Just as each new insight expands our understanding, each awakening of the heart leads to spiritual maturity—what might be called the growth of one’s spiritual rank.

When spiritual maturity rises, one’s presence grows stronger. A person gains the creative power to enrich others, and their vision expands with every new insight. In essence, this is what it means to become an “adult” in a spiritual sense.

When spiritual maturity is low, however, presence is weak. The focus turns inward toward self-satisfaction, rather than toward fulfilling others. The lack of inner awakenings narrows one’s vision. Spiritually, this is the state of being a “child.”

Low spiritual maturity also brings stress and frustration. It can manifest as destructive behaviors—verbal abuse, child neglect, bullying, toxic relationships, controlling parents, or even violent crime. When such people multiply, the very balance of the natural world can be threatened. Masculine-dominant energy, which often weakens awareness of the heart, tends to allow such immaturity to emerge more easily.

Thus, the Reiwa era may be understood as a time when the rise of feminine energy pushes humanity toward the growth of the heart—the growth of spiritual maturity. Yet this path is not without hardship. People often awaken only when they encounter pain. From a spiritual perspective, this suggests that the beginning of Reiwa will be a difficult chapter for humanity, one that tests us so that we may ultimately grow.