by Koji Uesugi
For years, I have turned to Joyousness Day After Day by Reverend Zenye Nakayama, the third Shinbashira of the Tenrikyo faith, for both spiritual and practical guidance. What I appreciate most is how this book simplifies the teachings of Tenrikyo so that anyone, regardless of their background or faith, can understand and apply them to their own life. Chapter 6, "The Mind Like Clear Skies" has been especially meaningful to me in my own daily practice of self-reflection. The chapter speaks to the work of recognizing the negative dusts that cloud how we see the world and how we treat others. As Reverend Nakayama reminds us, "When we find fault in others, we are usually quick to criticize them or take them to task...this is the very situation that provides us with a mirror in which we can see the reflection of our own mind's dust. Our first step therefore, is to settle the mind by being aware that the dust we see reflected in the mirror is actually the projection of our own dust." This is not a one-time fix but a daily process, and that is exactly how Joyousness Day After Day provides me guidance and motivation. Each chapter gives me something concrete to hold onto as I continue working on my spiritual growth and I have shared this book with friends.
Therefore, I was excited to learn that Joyousness Day After Day is now available for free online as an audiobook narrated by Ron Nakahara and produced by the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York. This audiobook makes it easy to carry Reverend Nakayama's application of the teaching to daily life wherever you go. Whether you are commuting, walking, or simply sitting in quiet reflection, this recording is a welcome way to engage with this material in a digital format, accessible at https://tenrikyoamericacanada.