Thanks to (Okagesama)

The Shape of Love: Discovering Who We Are, Where We Came From, and Where We're Going
by Masaru Emoto, M.D.

(Page 2 of 3)

Strangely, the water crystal in Figure 4 has a shadow. I was surprised because water seemed to capture the word okagesama ("thanks to" in Japanese, or more literally "thanks to the shadow of"). Among the water crystal photographs I took, one was shaped like an elephant's trunk and one like the rope ornament of a shrine. I realize that water has a mystical power to show its surroundings. Maybe we could say that water is a blueprint of reality. I sincerely think that you can find the systems of the universe in this blueprint.

An important Buddhist text, the Heart Sutra, states, "Form is emptiness; emptiness is form." I take this to mean something that exists is in fact void (emptiness) and void does in fact exist. A shadow is certainly empty. Therefore, I believe that a shadow must have a high potential within itself to create something anew. It is a wonder to me that okagesama is an expression used exclusively by the Japanese. It is a beautiful phrase that everybody knows in Japan. The feeling of gratitude contained in okagesama gives off positive energy to others and transforms itself into love in their hearts. It would be splendid for people to frequently exchange such a beautiful expression. Have you said okagesama lately?

You Fool

"In the beginning was the Word," says the Bible. There is no doubt that words have a strong influence on people. The same is true with water; after being exposed to the words "you fool," water has never formed beautiful crystals.

In the beginning, the world probably had only beautiful and creative words. Thus it must have been filled with creative energies to produce new things. Then the words with negative energies appeared, for example, "you fool" and "no good."

The crystal depicted in Figure 5 gives us the impression of a swirling typhoon with the force to destroy everything. Looking at this crystal makes me wonder if saying "you fool" to someone has a similar effect on that person's heart, making it corrupt and ugly like the crystal in this photograph. Simultaneously, the person who calls others names is inevitably tainted by the same negative influence. Words affect our heart and create vibrations. A good vibration creates good energy; a bad vibration amplifies bad energy.

Happiness will never come from a negative and destructive phrase such as this one. Your words have the potential to change everything.

Confidence

The crystal in Figure 6 makes me realize that confidence is created by the accumulation of experiences. Overconfidence, or behaving with too much confidence not backed up by solid practices, is merely a pretense and bound to be exposed sooner or later. True confidence comes from trusting yourself as well as others. That is how one attains real, unswerving confidence. Having been shown the word "confidence," the water creates a crystal with a complete and beautiful shape. Ideas that have positive energies produce beautiful crystals. We've all heard the saying "Silence is golden." Silence - "no talk but act" - is often valued as a virtue among the Japanese. However, I myself tend to "talk and act." I believe that confidence can be built by taking responsible actions after you have announced what you are going to do.

Those who wish to gain confidence may want to look at this water crystal photograph frequently and always have it on hand, perhaps by carrying it in a breast pocket, placing it in a pocketbook, or putting it up on the wall.

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True confidence is generated by behaving responsibly. All of your experiences, whether successes or failures, will turn into confidence that will support you and help you shine.

I Love You

The water that was shown the phrase "I love you" made a big, dynamic crystal, as seen in Figure 7. This crystal also had a very large, beautiful base. When a person says to someone, "I love you" - for example, a mother to her child, a husband to his wife, or a wife to her husband - the one who hears the words will shine beautifully. Compared with crystals that were formed after water was shown the phrase "love and thanks" (which I'll discuss later), this one, having been shown "I love you," seems less restricted. I wonder if it has something to do with the present progressive form used in Japanese for "I love you": "I am loving you."

In love, agape (unconditional, self-sacrificing love) is often compared with eros (passionate love with sensual desire). I believe that eros is changeable while agape is not. Thus eros can generate more energy. When eros changes into agape, vast love will wrap you in gentle warmth.

Copyright © 2007 by Masaru Emoto.

About the Author

Dr. Masaru Emoto is a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University and the Open International University as a doctor of alternative medicine. His previous book, The Hidden Messages in Water, has sold more than 600,000 copies world-wide. He lives in Tokyo and frequently travels to the United States to speak about his work.