Self-Love - Guidelines for the Heart by Ryuho Okawa 195 -

Feb. 20, 2021（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

Ryuho Okawa's original work "Guidelines for the Heart" is serialized in the Happy Science's publication Monthly 'Happy Science'. Posters are displayed at branches nationwide, and it is widely known as the monthly face of Happy Science.

For those who want to read the guidelines in the monthly magazine, you can also find it in Monthly 'Happy Science' March 2021 issue.

This month's "Guidelines for the Heart" highlighted the issues surrounding "self-love," which everyone inevitably possesses. We asked Mr. Go Suzuki, who is in charge of youth and students at Happy Science, about the troubles and suffering arising from self-love and how to resolve them.

鈴木豪（すずきつよし）

エル・カンターレ信仰伝道局担当局長（青年・学生担当）

1979年、埼玉県生まれ。中央大学経済学部卒業。大手外食企業に勤務し、2008年幸福の科学に奉職。17年より現職。

Setbacks Caused by 'Self-Love'

At the beginning of this month's discussion on 'self-love,' it is taught that 'love for others can only be understood if taught,' and reflecting on myself, I truly think, 'That's exactly right.' Until I had faith, I did not know the true meaning of 'love' and lived solely in self-love, experiencing significant setbacks.

When I was 25 and working for a major restaurant chain, I was promoted to the youngest sales manager after increasing the performance of multiple stores. I tried to share my successful methods with everyone, but I was pushed back by several subordinates and became isolated. Not knowing what was wrong with me, I struggled and eventually fell into a state of depression, leading to a demotion and transfer about a year later...

During that time of setback, I began to learn the teachings of Ryuho Okawa.

Reading the book 'The Origin of Happiness' open_in_new, I was shocked to find the teaching that 'those who are driven by ambition and self-assertion do not consider the happiness of others. The path to happiness is to give love to those around you,' which precisely pinpointed my issues.

Moreover, when I went to the Happy Science temple and reflected on my heart, I could see that I was filled with self-love, constantly seeking more and more validation and expressing feelings of 'not being fulfilled.' On the other hand, I began to contemplate the meaning of 'even such a self is still alive because of the Buddha,' and I started to strongly feel the 'love of the Buddha.'

That became a turning point for me. By suppressing self-love and acting with consideration for 'the happiness of others,' not only did those around me become happy, but my own mental suffering also began to dissipate.

'The Love of the Buddha' Changes Lives

Whether one is leaning towards 'self-love' may only be realized after experiencing setbacks. However, by learning the teachings, one can become aware of it during setbacks and recover more quickly.

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, self-love tends to become stronger, but when we realize the 'love of the Buddha' watching over us, our hearts are truly fulfilled, and our lives change. Would you like to walk such a life?

This content is reprinted and edited from Monthly 'Happy Science' No. 409.

The very popular 'Guidelines for the Heart' is featured in Monthly 'Happy Science,' and subscriptions are available, so please take advantage of it!