Dear friends,

A journey that is meant to be will be. As long as I remember, I was born with spiritual gifts. But, nothing is free, so there was a time when I was struggling everyday to make sure that I was not paranoid and I was born for a reason. These are the textures of my life, a life I never fully imagined until 縁 (en) – the profound concept of connection, fate, and destiny – wove its intricate threads around me. In Vietnamese, we call it Duyên. As my journey to Japan began, like many great stories do, started with love. But before that, what started as a romantic yearning blossomed into an unexpected spiritual awakening and a deep, intellectual dive into a culture that has captivated my very soul.

My initial En-縁 was a very handsome Japanese man, whom I fell in love with during my “supposed to be the last trip to Japan”. That cruel summer, I decided to end my life when my visa expired in October. But then I met him, a man with the shiniest smile and he has the most beautiful soul I’ve ever seen. Fate kicked in then ruined my plan. Our connection felt immediate and undeniable, a resonance that transcended distance and cultural differences. As my feelings for him grew, so did my desire to be closer to him, leading me to make the life-altering decision to move to Japan. I arrived with a heart full of hope and a head full of dreams, ready to build a life where my heart is. It was an exciting, sometimes overwhelming, introduction to a new world. During the time I came, we were still in separation. He is my twinflame, my ultimate love, the love that follows me since my first incarnation on Earth.

“It’s your path. Walk it on your own.”

Sounds perfectly right! However, before my romantic En-縁 began to branch out, intertwining with a deeper connection to the country itself. When I was a child, I was always curious about Japan. I thought of Japan as the home I once lost and I needed to go back. As I settled into life here, the vibrant tapestry of Japanese history and culture started to unfold before me, revealing layers of complexity and beauty that captivated me entirely. From the elegant simplicity of a tea ceremony to the subtle nuances of daily etiquette, I found myself enchanted. I realized that merely living in Japan wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wanted to understand Japan’s soul and spirit. This desire ignited a new passion: to study, to learn, to immerse myself in the very fabric of this fascinating land. What began as an adventure for love quickly became a scholarly pursuit, driven by an insatiable curiosity to unravel the stories held within its temples, its art, and its people.

My journey in Japan has profoundly deepened my path as a spiritualist. The country’s pervasive reverence for nature, the quiet dignity of its Shinto shrines, the contemplative serenity of its Buddhist temples resonated deeply with my own spiritual leanings. I’ve found myself drawn to ancient sites like Izumo Taisha or any random forgotten shrines I’ve found while wandering unintentionaly during my trips, where the air hums with centuries of prayer and natural energy. Sitting still and meditating beneath towering cedar trees at a mountain, or feeling the grounding presence within a dimly lit temple hall, has offered insights and experiences that feel like profound spiritual En-縁. As if the land itself, with its deep traditions and respect for the unseen, has become a guide, leading me to a more profound understanding of interconnectedness and my place within the greater cosmos. My spiritual practice here feels more rooted, more authentic, nourished by the very essence of Japan.

All of these invisible strings – my love, my studies, my spiritual growth – are bound together by En-縁. “It’s must be fate” – That’s what he told me when we first met. Yes, it must be fate, it’s the invisible force that guides us to the people, places, and experiences that shape who we are. My journey to Japan has been a testament to these unseen connections. From the initial spark of attraction to him, to the unexpected pull towards ancient texts, and the tranquil moments of spiritual insight. Every step has felt guided by a benevolent hand of fate. It’s in the friendly smile of an Ojisan when I asked for direction, the shared laughter with a new friend, the quiet wisdom gleaned from an book that I was so lucky to find at a small bookstore in Jimbocho – all are moments of En-縁 that enrich my life daily.

Japan is initially the destination for my love story. Japan has become the canvas for my life’s most profound discoveries. It has offered me not just a home, but a deeper understanding of myself, the beautiful web of connections that define our existence. My heart remains with the man who brought me here, but my soul has found an enduring En-縁 with Japan itself – a destiny I continue to embrace and explore, one beautiful connection at a time.