Following the earthquake in Shimane Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture, I came to the concert praying sincerely for everyone’s safety. The first piano concert of the year by Master Idaki Shin was held at Hikari-no Hall of Mitaka City Public Hall. As I read the concert message, rich with literary fragrance, countless subtle scents seemed to unfold within my heart. I savored the happiness of being able to experience with my life, through the piano performance, what cannot be fully grasped by words alone, listening with care and reverence to each and every note. While enjoying a pleasant, nostalgic moment that felt like tracing a literary aroma, a sudden, loud cough shattered the silence, and a sense of tension and regret spread through my chest. Even as I became absorbed again in the quiet sounds, I noticed myself flinching, half-expecting another noise somewhere, and I endeavored to be connected to Great Being, to a world beyond, as I listened to the performance. States in which life is burdened from within, and states in which people stand in opposition to one another and contribute to war, are manifesting themselves. Feeling deep sorrow, I consider how these dark things might be eliminated, yet I know all too well that they will not simply disappear. Therefore, I understand that there is nothing to do but to sit in one seat at the concert and entrust myself to the sound, listening intently to each note. While I am gratefully embraced by the music and by light, darkness melts into light. Comfortably, my heart is emptied of all things, and the inner state of being united with the beyond is restored. I continued to enjoy the performance in this pleasant state when, at the very end, something suddenly caught in my throat, and I felt a cough rising. I hurriedly covered my mouth and suppressed it. At that moment, exquisitely quiet and beautiful sounds were permeating the entire hall. I was desperate not to destroy that atmosphere with a cough. Holding my breath and reaching extreme discomfort, the performance ended and applause erupted. In that instant, a violent cough burst out. I asked myself why a cough would come at such a crucial moment. I bowed my head, realizing that I could never blame the person who had coughed at the beginning of the first part. I acknowledged that it was because this existed within me that I reacted so sensitively and felt aversion. I also understood that if my inner state were always empty and beautiful, such things would not occur. Ultimately, no matter how far one goes, the inner environment creates the external environment. This experience deeply impressed upon me once again that if one lives daily with a beautiful inner state, unpleasant or troubling events will not arise, and I felt profoundly the importance of purifying myself inside from now on. Moreover, through these concerts I am allowed to experience every time how states with no apparent way out are embraced by light and disappear—there is indeed a path to resolution. When even one person lives with inner beauty, that way of life does not contribute to war. Today, during the concert, I experienced with my very life that the way of living of a single individual and the path to realizing world peace are one and the same. While I was filled with renewed vitality and motivation to live this way, the concert came to an end. People from Ukraine also said that today’s experience leads to peace. Although each person’s experience is different, it is a great joy and source of hope to know that everyone can recognize the path to peace. I am deeply grateful and truly happy to have shared this wonderful concert at the beginning of the year with many people. Thank you.