On August 9, the organizing committee of the Gathering of Clinical Psychotherapists of the Path hosted its first meeting in the Home of the Parent, drawing 52 participants from various parts of the country. This gathering was launched with the cooperation of the Mission Department of Church Headquarters to create a network for sharing knowledge and experiences among Tenrikyo followers involved in clinical psychotherapy.

In his opening remarks, Rev. Motoyoshi Tomimatsu, head of the Mission Department, touched upon the present situation of salvation work in contemporary society. "When we engage in salvation work today, we see that illnesses and troubles such as psychological disorder and dysfunctional families have become serious problems," said Rev. Tomimatsu. "I would like to ask all of you here, being specialists in clinical psychotherapy, to work as hard as you can to find solutions to these problems."

The opening remarks were followed by a keynote speech by Rev. Shinichiro Miyazaki, 53, chair of the organizing committee of the gathering and a psychotherapist, who also serves as the head minister of Umemitsu Branch Church. In his speech, entitled "Tenrikyo and Clinical Psychotherapy," Rev. Miyazaki talked about how the educational programs he had created for his church activities by incorporating methods of group work and clinical psychotherapy became the model for the Heart Awakening Recreational Program (HARP), an educational program currently used by the Students Advisory Committee. "Today we are called to apply our professional skills and knowledge of clinical psychotherapy to the tasks of the path," said Rev. Miyazaki. "That effort will allow us, I believe, to make progress as followers as well as clinical psychotherapists." He went on to say: "I do not think that we need to separate our identities as a follower and a psychotherapist. I am first and foremost a Yoboku, who makes use of my professional knowledge and skills as a clinical psychotherapist."

The following panel discussion focused on the theme "Salvation Work and Counseling," moderated by Professor Motoharu Kaneyama, 33, who is an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at Kochi University and the head of Yodo Kochi Mission Station. Participating as panelists in addition to Rev. Miyazaki were Mr. Masatsugu Fujieda, 30, a clinical psychotherapist at Mitsukaido Welfare Hospital in Ibaragi Prefecture and the future successor to the head minister of Toride Branch Church, and Ms. Kazumi Shimizu, 29, a counselor in the health room at Tenri University. "One thing that salvation work and counseling have in common is the attitude of patiently lending an ear to people," said Mr. Fujieda, reflecting upon Rev. Miyazaki's speech. Ms. Shimizu, for her part, commented, "I realize that I have always tried to separate my identities between when I work as a counselor and when I am a follower at my church."

Next, Professor Kaneyama brought up a topic based on a question from the floor: "How can we make peace between salvation work, which we do for free, and counseling, which we get paid for?" As panelists each shared their opinions, one of the participants made the following comment: "No matter what occupations we may have, the bottom line is that we should take advantage of our knowledge and skills to work on the tasks given by God the Parent. It doesn't matter whether or not we receive money for what we do. What matters is to embrace the mind of saving others, while lending an ear to those who are going through troubles." In response to this comment, Rev. Miyazaki said: "We see that there are those who are sick and those who are not. But there is a fine line between those who seek to save people and those who seek to be saved. What is crucial is that we clinical psychotherapists should always have humility, reminding ourselves that people around us have always saved us."

At the end of the program, the participants broke into five groups to have small group conversations. Participants earnestly shared questions they came up with during the panel discussion as well as the concerns they had in engaging in clinical psychotherapy. "I had always hoped that we would have a community for Tenrikyo followers involved in clinical psychotherapy," said Ms. Takako Nagata, 30, a participant from Tokyo, who is a clinical psychotherapist and a Yoboku belonging to Sakaida Branch Church. "I decided to attend this meeting when I saw an advertisement in the Tenri Jiho newspaper. I really appreciate a meeting like this, where we can share our concerns." Rev. Miyazaki expressed his hopes: "I would like us to continue to organize this meeting. I hope that we will eventually be able to establish Tenrikyo's own counseling organization and send counselors to various events held in the Home of the Parent."

August 21, 2009 18:39JST