December in Japan is entirely different from how we experience it in the West. It is no surprise that with just 0.5% of the country’s population being Christian, Christmas is not celebrated, but even knowing this, it seems strange to think that December 25th is just another working day there!

Of course, in addition to this time of year raising awareness in the West of what Christianity fundamentally means, Christmas invariably involves much activity surrounding gift-giving and partying and attending all the events associated with the time of year, from nativity plays to works parties. A western Christmas is undeniably a time of religious awareness and much enjoyment, particularly involving family and friends.

In the midst of all the excitement, however, Kendo Nagasaki would offer an alternative perspective – a counter-balance to all the current intensity.

In Japan, for a many centuries, December has been a time of looking forward to the forthcoming year. Indeed, spread out throughout the month there are many individual ceremonies and festivals which involve the making of offerings in the hope of receiving blessings during the forthcoming year, such as good harvests, and there is also a day for couples which resembles the Western Valentine’s Day. In some ways, compared to the West’s roller-coaster ride towards Christmas, December in Japan seems almost anti-climactic – much like any other month across the centuries, in fact – and from Kendo’s perspective, this is no bad thing.

One of the fundamental principles of meditation is to set aside all the things that occupy the conscious mind. It is not until we really experience meditation that we understand just how involving and compelling that the clamour of consciousness really is, and how it it can keep us embroiled in activities and processes that can prevent us from being in balance with our whole selves, and this is disempowering. Whilst there is nothing wrong with fully immersing oneself in all the excitement of this time of year in the West, because it’s so busy and frantic, it is arguably even more important now to take a little time for one’s own “self”.

Many would argue that Christmas has become very commercialised and oriented around consumerism, and, at this time of year, wherever we look, these very processes compete vigorously and imaginatively for our attention. Whilst some of the messages can give us good ideas for a good Christmas, it can hardly be denied that we are subject to information overload at this time of year, and maintaining an “even keel” is a greater challenge than ever.

So, find a quiet place, even for a few minutes, and relax. Imagine that you are walking through the grounds of Kendo’s Retreat – walk the paths, pause at the Koi pond and listen to the water, look East from the Contemplation Seat, lay your hands on the Tree of Souls, reflect upon the Kamakura garden, lose your thoughts in the Hidden Garden, and take healing from all these places. Come into the sanctuary and see Kendo seated, his gloved left hand raised, gaze into the all-seeing eye as he lowers it to his lap, and find yourself in an oasis of peace. Each time Kendo strikes a singing bowl, your conscious mind becomes quieter and quieter, until your intuitive self is fully revealed. Freed from conscious distractions, you have now achieved the peace at the heart of the warrior. Empowered, you return to full consciousness, knowing that bringing Kendo’s image to your mind’s eye at any time will restore the balance of a quiet consciousness and fully accessible subconscious power.

Being able to bring such moments of healing and empowering contemplation to the clamour of the festive season will help you maintain the inner strength of the warrior, and be a source of strength to others; as well as being exhausting, this time of year in the West can give rise to unexpected and unique challenges, and Kendo Nagasaki can guide you to peace and strength throughout it all.