As One Network

Creating the Next Society - serial no.11
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.



Chapter Three

4. Parenting: there is no force them do it or stop it

To nurture a child in its own way

We are often asked the question: "How do you raise and educate children in the As One Suzuka Community?
The nurturing of the next generation is a very precious theme. Indeed, it is one that we would like to focus on.
There was a time in the early days of our community, when we had an uncertified nursery school for about four years. However, it became clear to us that no matter how motivated and willing we were, we were not yet "doable persons or a society" enough. and we closed our popular day-care center.
We decided that our first priority was to nurture the adults ourselves to become "doers" and create a social environment, so we spent the next 10 years nurturing us and building a community.

Finally, in 2015, we began to focus on the theme of "child growth" in concrete terms.
I would like to briefly introduce one aspect of this.

Creating the Next Society - Part 10
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.



Chapter 3
3-2. How we have been able to free from "Blame Each Other"

Even though research has advanced, it is still a human activity, so many things happen every day, and of course there are mistakes and failures.　For example, we cooked 100 special lunchboxes and delivered them to a customer, only to be told that the order was for next week.
In the common society, when such an incident occurs, the blame is placed on the person who caused the problem. or even submit a letter of apology.
However, what is the point of blaming and pursuing responsibility?
Blaming will not undo the mistakes.
What we can do is to think about how to make the best use of the 100 lunchboxes we have now.
And so we need focus on searching for the cause (not to pursue responsibility!) so that the same mistake will not happen again.
In this case, the lunchboxes immediately brought back to As One community, and quickly communicated to the people there, and they could taste them.
"Why did this happen?", we can research clearly. And the mistake was the key to the next step. These mistakes led to a review of the reception process and the creation of a department specializing in special box lunches. Also, when such things happen, lots of people tend to arise feeling to blame others or thinking that someone else is to blame.

However it is not natural to feel blame some one when something like this happens. But to wonder what is going on inside. It becomes a subject for exploration. Gradually, we can grow into people who do not blame each other.
In such a blame-free atmosphere, a safe and comfortable working environment is being created. If people think they will be blamed, they will hide mistakes, lie, and create a guarded atmosphere that makes it difficult to say anything about mistakes in order to avoid being blamed. The lack of blame makes it easier to discuss events cheerfully and to find out what the core of the problem is, so that problem-solving can proceed smoothly.



There is also a farming company, Suzuka Farm, established in 2010 by a group of young people, which supplies vegetables to local people. The relationship has no boundaries or barriers, so people and goods can freely interact and make use of each other's talents. During the busy farming season, people from the lunchbox shop sometimes rush to the farm. The lunchbox shop also tries to make the most of the vegetables produced at the Suzuka Farm as much as possible. We will try to make the best use of even misshapen vegetables in our lunchboxes as much as possible, and if we have a good harvest and produce a lot of vegetables, we will try to include as many as possible in the lunchbox menu. (Since May 2021, the two companies have been merged into a single company in the hope that we can operate more as one and make maximum use of each other's people and goods).
There seems to be a lot of talk about the next generation of management methods, such as the teal or holacracy organisation, but I believe that by freeing ourselves from fixed fictions and moving forward while discovering what we truly wish deep down, we can realise this kind of company in reality.
I hope people all over the country can give shape to their own ideals!
I think that Mummy's Lunchbox company and Suzuka Farm Coltd can be real examples. Come and see the actual ongoing the shop and such atmosphere is very active, once you visit.

Creating the Next Society - Part 9
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.



Could you imagine a company with no rules, no orders, no bosses, or no responsibilities?
In fact, such a company exists in this present capitalist society of Japan.　

Chapter 3
3-1. A company that satisfies the heart and soul
- "Mum's Lunchbox company"

We have established and kept operating our own community business, in order to create an economic foundation for "our aim. That is a society building which people can live gently and without conflict, just as they feel. Through community businesses, the entire community becomes affluent, and each person can live in affluence.
The Mum's Lunchbox company is now in its 16th year. It has about 50 employees. The company produces about 1,000 handmade lunchboxes a day and delivers even a single one with a pink car, and is well known by city dwellers in Suzuka and neighbor cities.
From the very beginning of the company's establishment, we had a clear image of the ideal company. However, things have not worked smoothly.
We are exploring toward a truly delicious lunchbox everyday, as well as challenging to create a company that is managed through conversations without hierarchy or orders.
In such an ideal company we are aiming for, there is no work to earn. Instead, an innovative work will emerge as people want to work because they are willing to do it.
That is, by doing such work, the person is fulfilled, and many others are fulfilled by receiving what is produced from such work.



Of course, however, since we started the company, we have faced many things.
For example, some customers would say, "Lunchboxes should definitely be delivered by 12:00 noon. We often found ourselves constrained to do as our customers insist, saying, "We are received money for it, so we should do it. In this way, we began to blame and manage each other for our own delays and failures. ・・・・・・
The "I have to" mentality is favored by almost of all people as a fiction that allows us to discipline ourselves and our society. However, it also carries with it the obligation to do. That is, the fear of not being allowed, attacked, or punished for not doing something. We, too, had become embedded with fear, and so that it had been difficult for us to free ourselves from the fiction that is the source of our fears.
When you are bound by such a fiction, even the company becomes awkward, doesn't it?
However, as our studies progressed, we were able to ask ourselves, "What do we want to do?"
Gradually we can see the world not as a result of what we "have to do". but as a result of what we really want to do.
When we go back to our own starting point, we can see that it is not "I have to deliver because I am ordered to," but rather the real wish, "I want to deliver delicious lunchboxes to those who are waiting for it". We have been able to discover the starting point of the company and the true spirit to do so in our hearts.
In this way, we have been able to create a work-environment, in which focuses on finding out the right place for each person to demonstrate their natural talent. And so that the number of people have been increasing, who feel comfortable doing things just because they want to use their skills, knowledge, and experience for the benefit of others and have others use them.
Now we are in the process of creating a company, in which we can talk anything what we have inside, and express each distinctive characteristic, as well as feel fulfilled.

Creating the Next Society - Part 8-2
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.

Chapter 3.　2. An Experiment in an Economy without Money Intervention（Part 2）

Possession is a human idea that the owners do not allow others to use his or her things freely. It is a social system, in which one can use a thing with the owner's permission, but is punished for using it without the owner's approval. In other words, once one person owns an object, the rest of the world cannot freely use that object without that person's permission. In today's society, people all over the world are trying to expand their ownership, so no matter how abundant things become, there are few things that can be used freely except for the things one owns.
In such a society, the only way to use things freely is to own them in a self-protective manner. In such a negative cycle, we seem to be strangling each other and suffering. If we leave the idea and social system of ownership alone, trying to achieve more freedom and affluence, it will be no different from trying to do so in a prison of bondage.
In the As One Suzuka community, an innovative economy has been operating; that has escaped from the fiction created by human. In other words, an economy is being operated according to the human nature, i.e., without exchange, without possession, without reward, and without money.

It is important to make things rich, of course, but it is also important to have a system and operation that everyone can obtain freely. At present, I think there is a strong economic concept that each individual has to earn and live separately. However, we do not have to work hard individually. We can all enrich society and live in peace with its blessings, so that we can live a unique life, fulfilled both physically and mentally.
The Suzuka community members live in an ordinary town, each building or renting a house, flat or condominium, so it looks like the lives of separate families, but the community has become like a 'home' and there are more than 70 people who live in 'one household' with no separation. It is an economy where goods, services and money (wages, household income and property) are freely utilised by each other.　　　
　
Because they are a very tight-knit family, free from fiction, it is very natural that there is no money involved and that money can be freely and flexibly shared with each other. If you are in a close family relationship, it is normal not only for family members not to transact money within the family, but also for money to freely and flexibly flow between them, isn't it?　It means that many people have such close family relationships.

To ensure the smooth flow of 'one family budget', there is a system of community HUBs. It is a place where people can openly and freely discuss all aspects of their lives, including work, housing, education, health, family, taxes, health, money and even psychological matters.
They professionally help each family to understand their financial situation and take care of procedural paperwork and administrative tasks, so that each person can focus on their own area of work without the hassle of worrying about the family finances.
I also live in the As One Suzuka community, but I don't usually carry a wallet.

The act of giving is not limited to goods, but extends to wisdom, skills and abilities.
People's acts do not require a favor or reward in return. There is no need to exchange a person's act for money. All the work comes from the person's willingness to do it. It is an act or gift from the person's heart.
People who have skills, such as hairdressers, repair and maintenance of cars and bicycles, repair of household appliances and installation of air-conditioners, give the best of what they have.
In addition, people who are good at what they do can easily take on tasks that are too much for amateurs or people who are not good at them, such as buying and supporting computers, houses, land, appliances and cars, and arranging travel and moving.
It is a joyful chain of satisfaction for both the person who does it and the person who gives it.
In a close, friendly relationship, there is no need to worry about money. One after another, a system is created in which necessary goods, whether cars, home appliances, books or clothes, flow to the necessary people.
In a rural city like Suzuka, many households have two or three cars per house. However, In the As One community, the number of cars is very low.
For people are closer than family members, and lots of such people live in neighborhoods. Their workplaces are close by and they rarely need to go shopping because of the community space Joy and the family dining system. Some cars are used exclusively by the person and some are used by people from different members as car shares.
I don't have a car in my name either, but I have a car that suits my needs; a car for when I go far away, a car that suits my needs when I carry luggage, or a larger, clean car when I pick up people, etc. I live in a lifestyle where I am provided with and allowed to use a car that suits my needs. When a close relationship is achieved, a good ecological and economical lifestyle is achieved with ease and simplicity.
Many people say, "I love it! I want to bring JOY back home!" I want to create JOY in my community too." when they visit As One Community, But it doesn't work if you try to imitate the form. The key is familiarity before form.
To achieve that, it is necessary to be aware of and release the fixed fictions of possessions of households, exchanges and rewards; that disturb the closeness, isn't it?
If you try to imitate the form, you may find that you are bound in the opposite direction, as you should not own anything, and this can be crippling.
A world free from fixed fictions is an inherently free world. It also means a relationship where people can talk to each other about anything.
It means that once you have really close relationships and can talk about anything, a world that does not need money is easy to create.
More proof than argument!　Come and see our attempt at an economy without money!

Creating the Next Society - Part 8-1
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.


Chapter 3

2. An Experiment in an Economy without Money Intervention - A Free and Flexible World Where All Can Be Made Alive


When people visit The As One Suzuka Community, almost of all visitors are most interested in "The Community Space JOY". JOY is a place where food, ingredients, and daily necessities for daily living are lined up.

What surprises visitors at JOY? It is because here is a place where no one needs money. Not give and take. Of course, there is no exchange or reward either; in other words, it is a place that operates on a system of one-way giving and one-way bringing.
Suzuka Farm gives rice, vegetables, and processed agricultural products, and The Mother's Lunchbox Company gives lunchboxes and side dishes. Fruits from the community's Gardening Park, shiitake mushrooms, charcoal, and wood-processed vinegar are delivered from the satoyama woodland. There will be home-cooked food from people in the community, handmade sweets, miso and pickles, persimmons from the garden, bamboo shoots, wild vegetables and chestnuts from the mountains, shellfish and fish from the sea, gifts from people in various places with close relationships, and souvenirs from overseas, including Korea, Brazil, Switzerland and other countries.

There are also foodstuffs and daily necessities purchased by skilled shoppers.
In appearance, the purchases are similar to a joint purchase where everyone contributes money. But in reality, it is a system where these items can be taken home freely, as much as one wants, without involving money. It is like a storage place for groceries and daily necessities within our "big family", so single people can bring home seasonings, bread, etc. in small portions so that they do not spoil or go to waste at home.

It is just only a few times a month for most people to go shopping at the local supermarket, as they can get almost everything for their daily living from JOY
Currently, about 100 people are using the service. (about 200 people including their families)

In December 2020, "Family Dining Zero" started in the space next to "JOY". Lunch and dinner are now prepared for the community members. You can eat in the family dining room with your big family, or you can take those side dishes home and eat them at your home.

A parenting mother says, "I can concentrate on what I want to do, such as work, until the evening, and then go to the family-dining-room and get side dishes to eat at home, so I don't have to think about the menu, shopping, cooking, and cleaning up. I'm happy about it.”
Of course, when they want to cook for each own family, they can do it as much as they want.
All together, the meals for about 100 people are prepared using equipment in Lunchbox company. And so it can be done by one person in a few hours. When you consider the time, effort, and energy required for each individual family to prepare their own meals, you can imagine how much more efficient and eco-friendly life can be.

When visitors see the JOY, they often ask us, "Can someone ever take too much?"
However, this question is a "?" for us. Why not take a lot? We can take as much as we want at any time, and so we don't feel the drive to take more than we need.

Ownership, money, individual households, exchange, and rewards, are all fictions created by humans. Local currencies and virtual currencies on the Internet are also all based on the fiction of exchange.
In the original world, there is no ownership, no households, no money, no exchange, and no rewards. The picture of the blue earth seen from space has no borders anywhere! I don't think the natural world is founded on exchange. We each give, while we each receive what we need. It is very simple indeed.

I believe that humanity was originally in a simple world, but today's society is bound by many of the fictions of possession that we have created with our own ideas. Some people seem to think that when you own something, you can use it freely, but originally, any object can be used by anyone in any way, as long as it is not enclosed or separated by human ideas.

Possession is the idea that the person who owns the thing does not allow others to use it freely. It is a system where you can use the thing with the owner's permission, but if you use it without permission, you are punished. In other words, once one person owns an object, the rest of the world is not free to use it without that person's permission. In today's society, people all over the world are trying to expand their ownership, so no matter how abundant things become, if you don't own something, there is almost nothing you can use freely.

Creating the Next Society - Part 7
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.



Chapter 3
1. Organizational management of the next society - How is your decision-making?

A lot of people have come to visit the As One Suzuka community from around Japan and abroad. Many of them are surprised to learn about the corporate management without orders, hierarchy, rules, and responsibilities, as well as a challenge of economy without the need for money. And there is one question that always comes up.
"How is your decision-making?"
"Is there really no leader?"
These are not only our core themes of community building, but also interesting topics for those seeking new organizational management, such as teal or holacracy ones. Also, in various activities, families, couples, and other relationships,it may be a major theme "how do we decide what to do?".

There is a UNESCO certified educational program called Ecovillage Design Education for people who are interested in community building. It is held in 45 locations around the world. In Japan, GEN-Japan (Global Ecovillage Network Japan) has been organizing and hosting the program since 2017, and the As One Suzuka community has kept cooperating with the program as its main venue. In its text, the first thing to do in community building is "to decide the way of decision-making".

How is it in the As One Suzuka community?
In a nutshell, our management method is "to bring whatever members have in mind, consider study them carefully, and try them out freely".
When I explain like this way, many people misunderstand and say, "So you get together and decide together!" But this is not the case at all. We have never had a meeting with all members for twenty years.
People, who spontaneously want to come together and do things, start holding conversations here and there freely.

And sometimes, opinions may be formed like "Let's do this!". But even if such agreement is reached at that point, the decisions to do or not to do it are left to the independent will of each person.
In other words, the "decision-making" is done by each individual. If you do not agree with it, you do not have to do it. And even if once a decision is made, circumstances, feelings, and opinions can be changing. And so you can choose not to do, reconsider, or discuss it again.
Everything in nature is constantly changing, and there is no center or leader anywhere. I think it makes sense for the operation of human societies to change constantly as the natural world is.
I also think that human society can exist in harmony, without a center or a leader.

"Wow, that's how you build a community?"
"Your company makes 1000 boxed luches every day, doesn't it? How can you operate with that?"
I am sure some of you may be asking yourself those questions.

We have been educated in democratic societies, and subconsciously we have developed a pattern of thinking that we must gather together, make a decision together, and follow what is decided ; "these are the rules of democracy."
However, those are some of the ideas created by humans, fictions. In addition, they have become fixed ideas among people. As the result, when we meet those who do not follow the rules, we may come to see such persons as "selfish" or "self-indulgent". Such fictions become the norm and lead people to obey what are decided, even if they don't agree; willing obedience"

"Willing obedience" means that "a person is convinced of his or her own autonomy, however objectively, the one obeys others and the social systems unconciously". It is a state in which the person "teaches himself or herself" that "I must do this here" or "I must not do this here" without being told by anyone.
Because of repeated taught "what they must do" and "what they must not do" through punishment and rewards since childhood, an attitude has been developed; "actively try to do what is praised rather than what is scolded"

As the result, people are in a fixed state of thinking as if there are certain things they "must" or "must not" do. If you are alone in this condition, you may have a chance to reconsider. But if most people in society are in the similar state, it will be easy to say,"I knew it." or "Everyone is like that". It also often happens that people exclude, blame, or deny others out of the norm as "weird" or "strange". But also when they see others being blamed or denied, they will try to avoid being blamed or denied themselves. In this way, they will fall into a cycle of making their own obedience stronger.

If we take "must do" for granted,a truly free society will not come.
We have interacted with various communities and organizations, but few of them are reviewing their operations from a zero-point perspective. That is why people bind each other and create hierarchies.
In today's society, we often feel fear of "having to follow the decision". And so when a decision is made in a place that you are not involved in, the fear makes you uneasy, doesn't it? Some people get angry, "Where was it decided!" I think such people are actually in a very anxious state of mind.

In the As One Suzuka community, it is all rich and joyful to have someone somewhere to think about. Many things are decided by ideas that I don't have. We are tempted to try it, first of all, riding on the results of someone else's idea like that, because it sounds like fun.
That kind of cheerful and lighthearted relationship is a big part of it.

And, even if it is something we don't want to do or be involved in, then, of course, we don't have to do it. Also, once something is decided, if there is a different opinion in mind, we can always say as much as we want, and we can always review or change it.

However, I don't think it is possible to just try to do the way the Suzuka community operates in a form. It is necessary to free ourselves from those fixed ideas such as "It must be done what has been decided", "We must take responsibility for what we say,", and "We must decide together,"; they are considered natural in today's societies. If we can not get free from them, we will not be able to act freely, nor will we be able to accept people who do act freely.

Also, you need to know how to "really talk things over" and the basics essential to discussion, such as "listening to people". I don't think As One's management method will work smoothly without them.

For example, when several people come by and something is decided in the place where you are not invited, you may feel like a victim, feeling "left out","ignored". Or you may complain or get angry;"Why didn't you call me!" or "Where did you get this decision?". In such cercumstances it is certainly that a frlexible management is not possible.
Also, if people are concerned that "I really want to have a discussion with these people, but if I don't invite that person, he/she will be in a bad mood, so I should invite him/her" or "I feel sorry for him/her, so I should invite him/her", we will never have a truly free society.
The first thing we need to do is to free ourselves from the fixed ideas such as "we should all talk it over", "it's wrong to refuse", and some others!

If you want to manage an organization of "the next society," the first step to realize is to become a person who is free and independent, free from the restraints that bind you and others. If our thoughts are still old-fashioned, we cannot run the next new societies.
The next societies will be able to be managed in harmony by people doing things on their own free will. We call such a management system an "Independent-will Harmonious Society," or a "Dynamic Harmonious Society".

Even if we can explain it in words,we think that it is difficult to understand such operation. Seeing is believing. Please take the time to actually see and feel it for yourself.

Creating the Next Society - Part 6
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.



Chapter 2
3. Listening to the person - What is a heart-to-heart conversation?

Conversation is indispensable for comfortable social life. When that conversation does not function well, it can lead to unpleasant feelings and various problems such as confrontations and conflicts.
I suggest that when conversations become essential, we are able to demonstrate our intelligence in a state of peace of mind, and as a result, we are able to move in the direction of true solutions to various problems, not just temporary ones.

What element is the most important element for becoming a true conversation?

It is the listening, we believe. It is not simply listening to words, nor superficial feelings nor thoughts. To listen to the person, in other words, to understand the person himself/herself, will lead to an abundant conversation in which people can truly communicate with each other and respect each other.

This phrase, "listening to the person," came about as we explored true conversation in our attempt to create the As One Community.
(Now available for anyone to learn it in the ScienZ School.)
What does it mean to "listen to the person?"
Not listening to others, nor to words, but listening to the person.

Even in everyday conversations and discussions, there may be such times as people are not able to communicate with each other despite their best efforts. Or when they have a difference of opinion, or when the topic of conversation is lively but something is missing, or even when they feel frustrated at times. You may also have conflicts because of differences of opinion, be hurt by the other person's words, or get angry and start arguing....
In addition, even when we sympathize or feel as if we are in agreement, saying "yes, yes," or " we are the same," it is often only a verbal and superficial reaction.
What we can put into words is too small to express our thoughts and feelings in our own way. However, we tend to misunderstand that words can express for a person's feelings and thoughts. And so we often react as if we can understand "the person" through their words, which often misleads to emotional reactions and miscommunication.


At lectures, I often ask participants, "Why can't we talk things out?" the answer is often, "Because we have different opinions, it becomes a confrontation.
Let's think about this from the ground, a zero point of view. One way to look at it is, "Different opinions are good because there are diverse viewpoints," or "Different opinions are the reason for development. Even if we have different opinions, there are people who are having friendly discussions saying, "Well, I wonder which one is better?"
I don't think that different opinions mean that there is a conflict. I think that conflict arises because there is a "fixed idea" that says one's opinion is "absolutely right" or "must be". I think the root cause of conflict is the stubbornness to believe that one's own opinion is "right" or "must be". According to the ScienZ Method, the cause of this stubbornness can also be examined and easily removed. When stubbornness is eliminated, no matter how much we disagree, we can talk things in an enjoyable and even funny way.

Every person has his or her own unique world.
Even if they seem to feel the same or different from your opinion, they have their own world that is different from yours and that you cannot know. Each person's world has been formed by the experiences, knowledge, experiences, relationships, and feelings that the person has cultivated.
It is an existence that cannot be denied or affirmed by anyone, but only exists as it is. Knowing that such a world exists and trying to understand it is what "listening to the person" is all about.
I think that conversation is a way to let the other person know your world and to think together with you.
It is precisely because we have different opinions that we want to know more about the other person's world, and by understanding different ways of seeing the world, we can create a conversation that will enrich and deepen our knowledge of the world.

I think that today's society has a strong emphasis on "saying" somethings. Observing everyday conversations, it seems that many people are trying to "say" or "say" something. It may be that there is little experience of being listened to in a comfortable manner. I also think that there is still a lack of understanding about the meaning of "listening" and its potential power.
Listening is not a technique or skill.
I think that when people are listened to, they feel at ease and fulfilled.
I also think that by being listened to, people can become aware of their own true hearts.
The pleasure of being listened to and the joy of listening. A conversation that fills you with delight will begin.

The activity of listening to the person itself begins, as both parties want to know the person and want me to know the person itself. Through mutual acquaintance and understanding, a new "something" is born. By being able to listen to each other about anything, we can build a comfortable relationship with each other, free of any divides or conflicts.
You can say anything and not say anything. No matter what you say, you don't have to deny, reject, get angry, try harder, or say nice things. You don't have to conform to others. You don't have to worry for others. You can be yourself as you are.
I think that is a comfortable relationship. And this is the base of a community where there is no conflict, where everyone is intimate and lives from the heart.

If you are interested in this topic, please read my book, "Listening to the Person: What is a Heart-to-Heart Conversation" (SCIENZ No.2).
Click here to read "Listening to the Person: What is a Heart-to-Heart Conversation" (SCIENZ No. 2).

It is also positioned as a course for listening to the person in the SCIENZ School courses.
Click here for more information on the SCIENZ School.


4. a heart-to-heart conversation solves all problems!　~A sustainable society starts with sustainable relationships.

Some may think, "It may be ideal for us to have this kind of conversation, but realistically it is impossible. However, even if we give up on that and try to deal with the real problems, we often fail to reach a solution because we cannot really have a conversation.
In their haste to solve problems, they end up complicating relationships and making it impossible to have conversations, and many people may have given up on the idea that "people are at odds when they disagree," or that "if there is a stake, there is no choice but to fight," and some others.
As mentioned above, I think it is important to review it from a zero point of view, and to explore and remove the causes of inability to talk and conflict. After becoming able to communicate (becoming someone who can communicate), then we can have conversations. Then, the conversation will develop smoothly. I think this perspective is missing in today's society, or it is not thoroughly understood. When the ScienZ Method frees us from conflict and bad feelings and allows us to have a intimate relationship with anyone, we can have heart-to-heart conversations with anyone, on any topic. A sustainable society starts with sustainable relationships. In other words, relationships that allow for heart-to-heart conversations are the basis of a sustainable society.

In many cases, such as environmental issues, solutions cannot be found because of the inability to overcome conflicts of interest. If each side remains firmly committed to its own position, no heart-to-heart conversations will be possible. If we can free ourselves from the restraints that bind us to each other and understand each other's position, it will not be so difficult to find a path that is truly good for the people around us and for future generations, including ourselves. If we can understand each other, we will be able to utilize and make use of all technologies and methods for real solutions.
Moreover, by talking with each other, free from fixed fictions created by human beings, both things and people will be able to make use of each other freely. In a world free from possessions, exchanges, and rewards, waste and things to be thrown away will disappear rapidly. Just by not selling and buying, there will be no more wasteful weighing and packaging. And there is no need to exchange money, record it, or account for it. Energy and time are also no longer wasted because there is no need to shop and cook individually. At the As One Suzuka community, the amount of resources used, as calculated by Ecological Footprint, is well below the Japanese average, even though we live in a city.

I assume that the problems of suicide and social withdrawal are also the result of the intertwining of various issues in today's society. It is not only the responsibility of those who commit suicide or are withdrawn. It is probably related to the fact that the state of mind that leads to such behavior is formed by the surrounding environment and the lack of an environment that accepts and truly understands the person.
When people are freed from the fictions created by human thinking, i.e., the "shoulds" and "musts" of what should be done, what is normal, what should not be done, etc., and when human relationships are established that allow heart-to-heart conversations, various changes will occur on both the individual and social levels.
The number of people who have their own problems will decrease as there are people who listen to the person and try to understand the person.
It is also reassuring to know that there are close people and communities with whom one can talk about such matters, rather than having to think about them alone.
We will also be able to find a way to review from a zero the various irrational social systems that cause suffering and distress, starting from where we can.
For example, there are currently some children who fail the high school entrance exam and are unable to enter high school, and they are suffering from this. A social environment where such children can be cheerful and energetic (children who want to study can study, children who want to work can work regardless of their academic background, children who want to study can participate in social activities they are interested in, companies are available for those who want to work, etc.) will be formed. As the network of such people expands, the possibilities will become wider and wider. As such relationships, culture, and social environment are created, a society will emerge in which suicides and social withdrawal will not be possible.

What kind of society will be created when heart-to-heart conversations function and are utilized in social management?
In the next chapter, I would like to introduce the current state of the As One Network Suzuka Community as a model for one such community. I would like to write about what kind of society is emerging specifically in the As One Suzuka Community, and how current social problems are being solved, although this is only a small part of the story.

Creating the Next Society - Part 5
Toward a society where people can live gently and without conflict
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.




Chapter 2

1. the heart of community building is human relations
～its abundance will not collapse no matter what happens

Toward a regenerative society, many challenges have been conducted through various activities like energy self-sufficiency, farming and eating methods that follow nature, local currencies and basic income in search of alternative economies, and clothing and construction using natural materials.
However, we think the heart of the community building is the quality of human relationship.

All of varios efforts are perfomed ofcourse through cooperation among people. That is, we cay say that the relationships form the base of these activities.If their relationships are not sustainable, no matter how wonderful the technology or methods, they will not work enough, and in some cases, the community, group, or company itself may not be able to survive due to stagnation or conflict.

According to the study on evogillages in the United States**, more than 90% of ecovillages have collapsed within three years of start-up. The reason for this is either relationship problems or economic issues (actually, this is also a relationship ones).

It is indeed a pity that people are not able to sustain the community because of poor human relations, even though they willingly start with feeling hope in communities or ecovillages. We also hear of many communities where people can continue but their relationships inside are not well, resulting in patience, reservation, oppression, and compromise, and various problems.

I suppose this is not limited to community building, but similar problems are occurring in couples, families, societies, workplaces, and various other activities. In other words, as is obvious when you think about it, all human activities are based on human relationships.

In other words, if the base human relationships are good, everything will go well. I would say that the core of community building, or rather, the core of all activities, lies in these human relationships.

In fact, I also think that today's social problems would be easily solved if only human relations could be improved, and all wisdom and technology could be put to use. (See Chapter 2, Section 4, and the various sections of Chapter 3.)
As mentioned above, in the search for peace, conflicts and confrontations arise with people who have different opinions.... It is very weird when you think about it, but these things often happen. People may think that human relationships are important, but I think they don't realize how important they really are.

When people promote community building, they may also believe that relationships are important, but they may not recognize that this is the core of community building. In some cases, "relationships are important in order to advance something" (i.e., relationships are secondary).
In many cases, we may prioritize matters and economics over relationships, or we may value our own arguments more than relationships.

Also, when we hear that relationships are important, we make an effort to create good relationships, make a conscious effort to get along with others, adopt communication skills, and some others.
"How can I improve my relationships?" Many people may think, "How can I improve my relationship? This may improve the relationship on the surface, but I don't think it will fundamentally improve the relationship.

The idea is to keep the relationship from falling apart, but it will lead to a relationship which we become careful to each other. In such a fearful state of mind, there is no way to have good relationships.
I would say that relationships cannot be solved by techniques or methodologies.

When we become closer to the communities,work together,or become a couple and some others, various relathinship problems come to the surface between us;that is, when we keep a certain distance,we can not see it.If something happens and people explode with anger, blame or accuse others, feel superior or inferior to others, or feel alienated, the relationship will fall apart.

If something happens and they don't get along, those people are in an unstable relationship.
If you don't focus on that, I think it will always be unstable.
If we leave that as it is, I don't think we can have sustainable relationships without conflict.

People are comfortable and pleasant when they are close. No one likes to be on bad terms with others. We get lonely when we don't get along with others, and we get uncomfortable when we disagree. And if they become angry or quarrelsome, they will feel uncomfortable, and so will those around them. Such relationships are not sustainable.

I consider that the most important thing is to have a close relationship in which one can feel at ease from the bottom of one's heart.
However, many people may have given up on such relationships, saying, "I can't do it. Or perhaps they do not know the path or method to such a relationship.

I think it is important to review the situation from the ground, zero. I think that unconsciously, people have given up because they have assumed that "people are like that," or that they are "angry," "always blaming," or " putting the blame on others," toward themselves or others close to them.

If we investigate this scientifically, we can find a way to resolve it. (We'll use the ScienZ Method I mentioned earlier!) ). If we can see the fictions created by human thinking, in other words, the "shoulds" and "should nots," we can get rid of them.
We don't need to do anything special. Just look at it straightforwardly and ask yourself, "What is going on? and you will observe it.

When that is resolved, you will see a relationship that will not collapse no matter what happens.
Whether the business is going well or not, whether we have different opinions, or whether we are in a difficult situation, we will be able to move forward together without conflict or confrontation.
When someone makes a mistake, we don't blame or accuse them, but rather we stand by them and ask, "Why did that happen? What can we do to prevent it from happening again? and how can we live together in the situation.

It is a intimate, family-like relationship that will never change, no matter what happens.
From today's common-sense viewpoint, many might ask, "How is such a relationship possible?" But it is possible. we difinitely could have that kind of relationship. And I think it is the easiest and most enjoyable relationship.

"What is going on inside of each other?" and explore it, and to have a close relationship that doesn't fall apart, it doesn't take a little skill or method. It takes a certain amount of time and energy, but if you go in that direction, even if it is not perfect, you will have a base for a intimate relationship.

Then, you will be able to communicate and discuss everything comfortably, and things will flow very smoothly. Even if things do not go well, we can always talk things over, and we can all find the best way forward on the spot. In other words, various activities can be carried out on a foundation of human relations that is not affected by any circumstances.

This is on which the As One Suzuka Community has focused most of its energy.
Several people have left during this process. However, even in the face of financial hardship and major failures, by working on this task, intimate relationships that do not crumble no matter what have been nurtured over the past 20 years. Is the base of these relationships like rich soil? On top of that, now each individual is able to express his or her personality, various activities are blossoming, and a sustainable society is just now becoming clearly visible.

2. based on conversation - a relationship where we can talk about anything, anytime

In the previous section, I wrote that the core of community building, and indeed of all activities, lies in human relationships. I consider this to mean "a relationship in which anything can be talked about at any time.

In order for multiple people to work together on something, it is necessary to have constant conversations with each other and with the people involved. I think it can be said that the quality of a group or community depends on the kind of communication that takes place.
Failure to discuss issues that lead to disagreements, disputes, and conflicts, as well as restraint, hesitation, and compromise, will lead to the stagnation and collapse of the group or community.

What is the meaning of conversation in the first place, and what for?

We may have various conversations in various situations, but We may be talking without knowing "what is a conversation?.
In today's society, it seems as if people are discussing because they have something to decide. I have heard some people say, "If we get together in the midst of our busy schedule and nothing is decided, there is no point in getting together.
I think that conversations at the As One Suzuka community are " conversations to understand each other. It may be quite different from the conventional image of discussion.
Conversation is an activity to convey one's feelings (intentions, emotions, etc.) and to receive the other party's feelings. This " conversation" is the basis of all human relationships.

When I write this, many of you may think, "What, it's that simple!" In fact, I think it is very simple and easy.
However, I think that the current image of conversation in today's society, and the preconceived notions of what is good or bad, make it difficult to achieve this kind of conversation.
I think we often react to what the other person says, such as "what to do about the matter," "is it good or bad," and so on. (Maybe you think such things are "conversations.")

When the other person expresses an opinion or idea that differs from your own, you may take it as a negative, opposing, or conflicting opinion or idea and become emotional. In response, you may rebel, become depressed that you have been rejected, or insist that you are more right, which may go in a different direction from the conversation.
If you have a hardened sense of morality, common sense, justice, duty, responsibility, or preconceived notions about others, agree and conflicting emotions will arise, and you will not be able to communicate with each other.

In this state, people do not "communicate their feelings straightforwardly.
In this state, the person is not willing to "accept the other person's feelings as they are.
In this state, conversation will not be realized.
　
Instead of trying to pass on your opinions and arguments, try to convey your feelings.
Rather than reacting to the other person's words or topic, you try to receive the other person's feelings.
It is very important for both parties to be in such a state of being able to talk to each other, in other words, to become people who can talk to each other (people who "can do it"!). This is also why I say that the core of community building and all activities is human relations.

No matter how serious or unforgivable a matter may be, we must put aside our own will and feelings and become one with each other in order to try to understand the other person.
Then, when the other person expresses a different opinion or idea, we become more and more interested and eager to listen.
They will be able to listen to anything and say anything without restraint or contraint.

In current discussions, I think there is often a confusion between "discussing" and "acting," without a clear distinction between "discussing" and "acting," such as "Since we have discussed it, there is no point in discussing it unless we act accordingly.

If conversation leads to restrictions or compulsions to act, we are not inclined to speak our minds as we truly feel. For example, "Since I initiated the discussion, I have to take responsibility for it," "Since I insisted so strongly, it would not be cool to change my opinion," or "Since everyone is talking about doing it, it would be hard for me to express my own different opinion," etc. This is probably due to the fact that there is no distinction between "conversation" and "action".

When we communicate, we are free to talk without restraints, to say whatever we want, to listen to whatever we want, to be carefree, unrestrained, and irresponsible. And how we act is up to the free will of the individual.
In conversations at the As One Suzuka community, we " talk and act freely".

Through these conversations, we find points of agreement, make plans, and decide on things, and then we each put them into action. After the implementation of the plan, some points that were not addressed in the conversation or other matters come up, and it becomes necessary to talk about them. We will want to talk about it.
This continuous life of conversation, action, action, and conversation is also the work of a society based on human relationships.

There seems to be an idea of separating a place to talk what to do and a place to talk how to do it, but in the As One community, when we freely have conversations based on mutual understanding, we naturally feel that concrete things will come out of it.

As each person grows to be able to communicate (become a person who can communicate), the conversations are realized, and the community is nurtured and grows through the conversations.
The place for conversations is a free space with a good view where people can connect with each other in a familiar way, without psychological pressure or the need to protect themselves.
In other words, the realization of conversation is also the realization of a society where people can live gently and without conflict, as they feel.

Toward a Society Where People Can Live Gently and Without Conflict from their heart.
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.


Chapter 1　

7 . Method of Realization
～A Way for Everyone to Live as Human Beings without Binding Each Other

In the process of creating the As One Suzuka community, the various human problems have occured among us as I mentioned before.
We were confronted with the current situation where people bind each other and unable to discuss due to assumptions and fixed ideas.

In various books, you will find that assumptions and fixed ideas are the causes of anger, bad feelings, and conflict. When you hear that, you think, "How can I get rid of them?" and "Let's try not to have assumptions and fixed ideas!" Many people try to consciously avoid such things, make efforts to avoid them, or try to tell themselves not to do so.
　　
However this kind of thinking pattern may have a temporary effect, I don't think it will fundamentally solve, that is, eliminate the problem from the ground. I think many people have such experiences as anger. And "It's normal to have anger and bad feelings! We all have assumptions and fixed ideas," and we may often give up.
　　
Einstein said, "You cannot solve problems with the same mindset that created them. " This is exactly what you are doing. With the same mindset, you are thinking, "How can we get rid of it?"

We were the same way. We have always known about the harmful effects of fixed ideas and we have been making efforts to prevent them from happening. But they will not go away with that.
　　
We were faced with the reality; even though we had been trying to start up As One Suzuka community attempt from zero since 2001, we had not been able to go beyond that. Finally we came to realize that we could not achieve it with the theories, methods, and schemes we had been using,in order to create an innovative ideal society that had never existed before. In 2004, we launched the ScienZ Institute and felt the need to review and explore everything from zero, on a completely new horizon, and we decided to concentrate on the research activities in earnest.

In the process, instead of thinking "What do I do?"and "What if I do this?", we found the new path, that is a scientific inquiry, asking "Why?" and "What is going on? "

We have named this approach "ScienZ," from the initials Scien (Scientific Investigation of Essential Nature) and Zero (zero, nothing, empty...).

We are capable of great things and technology, but we are not able to achieve our full potential in the sphere of "human beings" and "societies". The reason or law of things and the natural world cannot be determined by human ideas, can it? By observing the actual state of things and the natural world, we discover the underlying reason or law.
However, on the human beings and society, we often judge based on human ideas such as "this is the way it is," "this is the way it should be," and "that is good or bad. It is usual for people not to try to find reason or law, but to make decisions left and right.

Even in concrete situations, for example, when a machine breaks down, if you watch it carefully and ask, "What's going on? If you observe it carefully, the cause of the problem will become clear, and you will naturally know what to do about it. If you do not know the cause of the problem, and you keep saying, "This is the way to do it," or "This is the way it should be done," the situation will become more and more complicated.

What does "of course" mean? What is the meaning of "should"? When we explore these questions, we can see the mechanism. Why has such a mechanism been formed?　Where is the state of fixed ideas that binds self and others?　How does it work? and some others, can be grasped by oneself. You will be able to see that what you have taken for granted is in fact an unfounded assumption or a fixed belief. When we explore anger, worries, and conflicts in this way, we can naturally move in the direction of dissolving them once the mechanisms of these feelings become clear.

In other words, when we explore the reasons of conflicts and bad feelings, we find that the cause is "attachment to one's own thoughts," which is formed from "psychological pressure due to coercion, bondage, and some others. Attachment to one's own thoughts" refers to a state of "fixed ideas" or "I have to do something". We have developed a method to eliminate this attachment.
We named it the "ScienZ Method.

　　
For example, let's say something happens in the community that you think, "That's a big problem!" And then you immediately think, "I have to do something to solve it," or "What should I do? and then take action. But even in this case, what is the "problem"? "What is actually happening?" "What is going on inside my mind and emotions?" What do I really want to do? What do I want to be? When we observe and explore these questions, we can see what is going on, clarify the causes, and discover our deepest wish, and naturally find a path to the dissolution of disharmony.

Based on the idea of "ScienZ," we call our consistent method "ScienZ Method," which starts from "knowing human beings" to "realizing a society" where people can live as true human beings.
Awareness of the fact that it is a human idea": become aware of "fixed ideas" (it must be done).
How is the fact, how is the reality?" ・・・・
Turning to the actual world
What is the nature, essence, and truth?
Knowing the reason of the natural world. Knowing the deepest wish of human beings. Knowing the true nature of human beings.
Through the process of
This is the method of "realizing the ideal. ・・・・A society that follows the laws of nature = a society where there is no conflict, everyone is intimate with each other, and everyone lives from the heart.

When written like this, it may sound difficult.
But actually, I think it is the easiest and simplest way to live as a human being.
As you get to know human beings, you will find one element after another that hinders human nature. If we remove them, I think we will naturally see what a human is.
Birds, butterflies, and animals in the natural world live as they are without making any effort to be as they are! Humans seem to have bound themselves to "this must be done" and "this must not be done" with human thinking, and this has undermined their humanness. By becoming aware of and removing the "fictions" that bind us to ourselves, we can return to our original human nature.

This method can be applied not only to the As One Suzuka community, but to anyone and everywhere. Many people not only in Japan but also in Korea, Brazil, Switzerland, and other countries have learned this method and are using it in situations such as good human relations, community building, company management, share-houses, and child-rearing.
　　
I would like you to see this method in use at one of our sites. It is so comfortable, simple, easy, and pleasant to see people living their lives as they are.
And I hope that anyone who wants to make use of this method will do so.
　　
What do you do?" Do this?" I hope that people will move away from the "to-do" thinking patterns of "What's going on? What do I really want to do? We call this the "Human Knowledge Revolution.
If you would like to learn more about the ScienZ Method, please attend As One Seminar. In addition, the ScienZ Institute has published a book explaining ScienZ.

Click here to learn more about the as one seminar at Switerland

Toward a Society Where People Can Live Gently and Without Conflict from their heart.
Masashi Ono, ScienZ Institute, Inc.


Chapter 1
　
5. motivation and drive alone won't do it!　
～Aware of the reality full of "fixed ideas".

After 20 years, the current As One Network Suzuka community, although still small in size, seems to have grown considerably in number of people, and its contents seem to have become much richer with various industries, various activities, and buildings in place. However, of course, not everything went well from the beginning. We have faced many problems and crises.

In 2001, I joined this group who were highly motivated people with high ideals, and then we started this project, but soon we faced with various problems.
Even among those of us who were aiming for an innovative community,when it came to human relations and society,we had lots of assumption with us, such as "this must be done" or "this is the way it should be done". Moreover, we were not aware of it at all. In other words, there were "assumptions," "fixed ideas," and "resrain" lying deep in our hearts. They were too common, and people around took them for ofcourse as well, so no one noticed them.

Of course, I myself was like that, and even now I am constantly questioning myself about it.

When I was in university (40 years ago), I began to question life and society, and having been involved in the student movement and the peace movement, I began to aspire to create an ideal society.
After graduating from university, I threw myself into a community called Yamagishi-kai and was active in it for about 16 years.

However, as the organization grew and various problems arose, I felt a gap and a deadlock with the ideal world, and I left the association at the end of 2000. Then I moved to Suzuka with a group of like-minded people I had met at the Yamagishi-kai to try once again to create an ideal society from zero, and started new activities. This was the beginning of what we now call the As One Network Suzuka Community.

We, a group of friends with pure hearts, had gathered, we were fully motivated and we could make use of our past experience of failures in community building, and we thought, "This time we can do it!" I was burning with ideal, and I began to take on various challenges: "Let's create a company in which everything is managed by communication without hierarchy," "Let's create an economy that doesn't need money," and "Let's create a truly free lifestyle.

However, we found that different opinions caused conflicts among us, as well as we noticed to bias the opinions based on whether the person can do the job or sepeak reasonably well.Also, money was often in short supply, and this put pressure on those who did not work, and it caused restraints, or it led to blame those who spent more money.... In fact, all sorts of human problems erupted.


The reality was far from "the ideal of a society, in which people can live gently and without conflict," and the people were confronted with this reality.

People are gathering together hoping for an ideal society, so why can't it happen? "Wishing for peace, we go to war!?" The same kind of problem as that state of affairs has reappeared!

That's when I realized the fact that I was full of fixed ideas, such as I was the one who said, "We all have to do what we have agreeded to do."
I had to face up to the fact of myself: "I said I would do it, and so I must do it," "Good at my job is good eoungh", "We should act with the whole picture in mind," "It is common to help each other when we are in trouble," and some others.

I also had to ask myself what it means to be "close"? What does it mean to be "happy"? What does "freedom" mean? I realized that while we say we "aim for such a society," in fact we don't really "know" what "closeness," "happiness," "freedom," really mean. In other words, it was as if we were blindly running without knowing the goal exactly.

I realized that motivation and pure feelings were not enough to create an ideal community.

We didn't have the perspective of "people who can do" community building.
I think it is very important for those who aspire to make communities, as well as for those who are trying to improve their workplaces and homes.
Are you a "can-do" person? It is the viewpoint of whether or not you are trying to become such person.

For example, even if a boy has a genuine wish and motivation to become a baseball player,his wish and motivation are not enough to become an active player, are they? I believe that a person can be active as a baseball player only after he goes through the path of developing basic physical strength, getting basic training, learning about baseball through practical experience, and in this way growing into a person who can "do" baseball.

However, in activities such as improving relationships, improving workplaces and neighborhoods, and creating communities, people tend to feel like they can do it if they are motivated and willing. However, it is only natural that if you are not a "can-do" person, you will not be able to do it.

For us, these realizations were a major turning point. What do we mean by "closeness," "happiness," and "freedom?" What causes conflict and
confrontation? What are fixed ideas? Where does it come from?

What is a "can-do" person? How can we grow into "can-do" people? In 2004, we established a research institute called the "ScienZ Institute" in order to conduct full-scale research on these issues.

We then began to reexamine human beings and society from zero, and to accumulate research and practice. We began researching the elements of what makes a " can-do" person, and moved to establish the "ScienZ School" (2006) as a human resource development institution to help people grow into "can-do" people.


6. Breaking free from the prison of fiction

～Beyond the binding of "ought" and "should"

Earlyer,I mentioned why people can not exercize their abilities toward themselves and societies inspite of their great imagination and creativity. I believe the reason why people have deep "assumptions," "fixed ideas," and "resignation". I would like to think about that a little more.

Yuval Noah Harari, historian and author of "The Complete History of Sapiens," a book that has become a hot topic in Japan, says, "As individuals, we are very weak, but we were able to prosper as we do today because we were able to use fiction. In other words, by sharing fiction, large groups of people were able to work together and have great power.

Chimpanzees and Neanderthals could only work together with about 150 others they knew, whereas humans can work together with a large group of strangers by sharing fictions.

Fiction is something that does not exist in reality. For example, countries, laws, human rights, rights, obligations, responsibilities, institutions, possessions, money, religion ・・・・.
In more familiar terms, money, promises, appointments, time, musts, shoulds, should nots, ought, usual, common sense, this way, people up and down...etc., these are all fictions, not things that actually exist. The list goes on and on.

What exactly does it mean to share a fiction? For example, money. Suppose here is a 10,000 yen bill. If you negotiate with a chimpanzee, "I will give you a 10,000 yen bill in exchange for the banana you are holding," it will not show any interest. To them, it is just a piece of paper. But as soon as the fiction of money is accepted between human beings, it suddenly looks valuable, and they will start using it as a material for exchange.

By sharing the fiction of a country, people who have never met can say to each other, "Go, Nippon! The result is that 130 million people can work together under the name of Japan.
On the other hand, in today's society, fiction has become absolute and fixed, and people have become subject to fiction, which binds people, separates them, and causes various human problems and conflicts. Being "driven by money," "bound by rules," "pressed for time," etc. are prominent examples of this. We are bound by the fiction that we have created, and this is a state of self-imposed bondage. It could be said that we cannot escape from the prison we have created.

This is not to say that fiction is bad, harmful, or should be eliminated. It is a wonderful ability of human beings to share and collaborate with fictions, and I think we need a new way to use intelligence that is not bound by fictions (see Chapter 1, Section 8).
When we are building a community, or trying to get some project or activity going in earnest, the relationship between people becomes closer and closer.

This can lead to the start of various binding relationships, which can develop into various conflicts and confrontations. On the other hand, it can also give rise to reservations, forbearance, and other separations. For example, "That person doesn't do what he/she said he/she would do," "He/she is on duty and doesn't do it."
"That person doesn't clean up the tools he/she used," "That person doesn't do what we all decided to do and does it selfishly," etc.

There may be people who blame others for these things, and disputes may
arise. Also, if you are trying your best to fit in with the people around you, trying not to be blamed, the situation may seem to be well managed, but it will not be comfortable, and those who are trying their best to do so will likely have bad feelings toward those who do not do so.

This is because the fictions that bind oneself and others, such as "If you say you will do something, you should do it responsibly," "If you are on duty, it is normal to do it," "You should clean up after yourself what you use," and "You should follow what everyone else decides," are unconsciously held within each person as "common sense" and "normal. The reason for this is that they have been created in our minds. It is a state of self-obsession, where bad feelings and confrontations arise toward those who don't do or follow the rules.
If you are the only one who is being fixed, it is easy to realize that you may be the only one who is being fixed, but if everyone else is also being fixed, you are under the illusion that what you "should" be doing is real. It's natural," "that's what people do," "that's what everyone does," and so on. And then, we blame others and end up in a state of conflict and struggle. . In this way, a prison of fiction is created. Fixed fictions end up destroying the relationships in the
community. The opposite of what we wish for happens.

Observing the current situation in which people themselves are bound by the fictions that they themselves have devised, we can say that they do not know how to handle the "human idea. In other words, we are unable to use our wonderful abilities, and we are instead tied down by those abilities. From this perspective, a method was found to free oneself from the fiction that binds oneself and others created by "human thinking" and to fully demonstrate one's abilities. This is the ScieneZ Method, which will be introduced in the next section.

What will happen when we are no longer bound by fiction?
When we are freed from the world of "this is the way it should be" and "this is the way it is supposed to be," we can clearly see that both we and our partners have intentions, wishes, and hopes. By honestly communicating these to each other, and by listening to and trying to understand each other's wishes and desires, I believe that a world of heart-to-heart discussions can be realized. We see a light and cheerful relationship between people that is free of pressure and restraints, such as blaming, making people do things, or making them stop, such as "I wanted you to do that," "I want you to do that," or "I want you to put away the tools after use.

I think the base of community building is conversation. (See Chapter 2, Section 2.) I believe that the exchange of one's true feelings within oneself, rather than the exchange within the confines of a fixed fiction, will lead to comfortable and smooth conversations.

(Continued in next issue)