My Dream Project in Japan

I’m taking a break from teaching as I prepare for my long awaited trip to Japan.

If my visa application is accepted by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then as of January, 2012, I will be living just outside of Tokyo, in the seaside city of Chigasaki, a place apparently known for its many Shinto shrines. The length of my stay in Japan will depend on the generosity of the Ministry and whether my presence is felt to be of benefit to the Japanese people.

During my stay I intend to visit and photograph Shinto shrines throughout the country. I will post online the date and time of my intended visit to a particular shrine and will invite both tourists, resident foreigners, and Japanese spiritual seekers to join me so that we may meditate together in silence for 45 minutes. I am confident that those who attend will  soon feel the benefit. I will post the dates and times both here and on my Japaneses website at http://anasakta.jp.

In keeping with my normal practice there will be no charge, but I ask each attendee to please consider making a donation to the shrine itself. Such donations by the public allow for the continued upkeep of these holy places.

As a record of my time in Japan, I will be publishing a coffee table book displaying each of the shrines that I visit.

I will continue my blog on this site and will make it a practice to post shrine photos.

If you happen to have previously visited a shrine that you think would be good as a meditation site, I would be thankful if you would please let me know.

I hope to see you in Japan so that we might meditate together.