Beauty of Resilience Shines in Light of the Japanese Tragedy

By Debbie Must

Last week, CTV News reported: In the days following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan, despite stores reporting a wave of panic-buying that cleared shelves of food and other basic supplies, there were no reports of price-gouging or looting sprees.

Rather than panic and fear, the predominant attitude in Japan following the devastating pair of natural disasters appeared to be one of calm, determined resolve.

March 26, 2011 marks the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom festival in Washington DC. One hundred years ago the Japanese gifted these magnificent trees to the people of the United States as a symbol of friendship and solidarity. The blooming of the cherry blossoms is an event that has been celebrated in Japan throughout history. The beauty of rebirth is honored and celebrated during this annual event. This year the essence of renewal and hope symbolized by the cherry blossom embodies the sentiment we all wish to extend to the people of Japan.

While studying Japanese literature in university many years ago I was amazed by the impressive depth of the Japanese language. For example, they have dozens of different words to express the concept of beauty including one that describes the beauty of change and impermanence. As users of the English language we occasionally face its limitations, finding ourselves at a loss to adequately express events in our lives that are so moving yet that somehow words cannot describe. At this time, I find myself struggling to find the words to express my deep reverence and respect for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011.

Images of massive waves sweeping away entire villages had me glued to the CNN and BBC websites for days. I watched as countless people returned to their communities to find that their homes and families had been taken from them in the blink of an eye. A rescue worker returns to his own home and discovers the bodies of his wife and children. His anguish was palpable yet he continued his rescue efforts, believing that he could perhaps save others who remained trapped in the devastation.

Would we have the same grace and depth of character when faced with uncontrollable events? Do we share their sense of honor, dignity and courage?

I received two emails from Japan, one from the north near the epicenter of disaster and the other from Tokyo. I have included the letters below and I am certain that the inspirational message they convey will instill a feeling of hope not only for the people of Japan but for all of humanity.

I truly hope that we never experience an event of that magnitude in North America, but if we do we must remember that we can choose to face adversity with courage and resilience.

Perhaps the Japanese will discover that there is a word in their language to describe the beauty that their people have demonstrated at this pivotal moment in their history. I would suggest that it be described as the beauty of resilience.

______________________________________________________________

Letter from Sendai
3/14/2011

Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend’s home. We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful.

During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets.

It’s utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, “Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another.”

Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often.

We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire group.

There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.

Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them silhouetted against the sky magnificently.

And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.

They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is betteroff than others. Last night my friend’s husband came in from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.

Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don’t. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that’s much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.

Thank you again for your care and Love of me.

________________________________________

Letter from Tokyo
03/22/2011

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible letter with me. The writer is absolutely correct. It is exactly as she describes it. Even here in Tokyo where we have not had the dreadful damage that people in the north face, the feeling of everyone wanting to help, everyone caring about each other and wanting to share is so strong. ON nights when we have blackouts, John and I walk down the streets in total safety, no fear of violence or looting like we would have in a big city in the US. We try to find some place that is open and go inside to be with other people in the candlelight. It is such a nightmare and such an inspiration at the same time. I wish that everyone could experience this and see how good human beings can be. I get so tired of people saying human nature is essentially bad. That it is our nature to “look out for number one” and be greedy and so forth. Clearly that is not true, and in fact it is just an excuse to continue with these kinds of behaviors. But here we see human beings are capable of so much more.

Thanks again for sharing this. It made my day!