Spiral Thinking - Guidelines for the Heart by Ryuho Okawa 199 -

June 25, 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'. It is displayed on posters at branches nationwide and 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' July 2021 issue.

This month's 'Guidelines for the Heart' presents a prescription to correct the tendency to continue thinking in circles without being able to solve worries and problems. We asked Instructor Asamiko Oda open_in_new from Shinjuku Seika about the points to break free from the 'Spiral Thinking' that many people tend to fall into.

新宿講師　尾田麻美子

東京都出身。多摩美術大学グラフィックデザイン科卒業。大手電気機器メーカー勤務を経て、1991年に幸福の科学に奉職。2009年より新宿精舎。十数年間、多くの人気研修の講師を務め、人生相談も行っている。準本部講師。

Believe in the Buddha-nature of yourself and others

This month's theme is 'Spiral Thinking', but many may think that worrying in circles is 'normal' and have made it a habit.

However, if that worry stems from 'unpleasant spirals' born out of anxiety or self-preservation, it cannot be said to be a happy state at least, so it is important to switch your mind in light of the teachings of Happy Science and direct your thoughts towards the divine.

Ryuho Okawa points out that the causes of falling into 'Spiral Thinking' are the lack of 'faith in the divine', 'courage', 'self-trust', and 'trust in others'. In particular, it is important to 'believe in the Buddha-nature of yourself and others', which may be the key to preventing 'spirals' and eliminating the waste of time.

Repairing trauma through training and prayer

In fact, I also once declined a new job offer from my boss after thinking in circles about my abilities, and later regretted it.

Reflecting on such negative tendencies, I recalled my experience of being bullied by boys in childhood due to my large physique. The 'trauma related to appearance' at that time led to paranoia and fear, so I repeated training and prayer, receiving guidance from the heavenly realm, and gradually regained my self-trust and proactivity.

In such cases where past trauma becomes the 'cause of not being able to fully trust oneself or others', it is very important to not only polish the surface of the heart but also to deeply confront one's heart through training at the temple and gradually make corrections to the 'root of the soul', which is a modest task but very essential.

Additionally, for those who are 'learning the teachings but cannot seem to stop the spirals', I recommend reflecting from the perspective of 'truth, goodness, and beauty'. When you question whether your worries and actions are 'true or good' as well as 'beautiful?', the conclusion often becomes clearer.

The sensitivity to perceive that 'beauty of the divine' is also refined through exposure to Ryuho Okawa's poems and music. Together, let us cultivate a rich and beautiful heart.

This content is reprinted and edited from Monthly 'Happy Science' No. 413.

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

[Anniversary Year Special Publication] Refine your sensitivity with Ryuho Okawa's poems and gain the power to overcome worries!

会員限定の経典となります。お近くの支部や精舎までお気軽にお問い合わせください。

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Ryuho Okawa's great enlightenment, the 35th anniversary of the founding of Happy Science, and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the religious corporation, and a collection of poems written by Ryuho Okawa from his teens to twenties has been published. I believe that experiencing the beautiful words filled with the Buddha's compassion will refine one's sensitivity and wisdom, and also provide the power to solve worries.” (Instructor Oda)

Training for 'Guidelines for the Heart' is currently being held at temples nationwide! open_in_new

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