Gratitude and Love | 秀明自然農法ネットワーク（SNN）

On a quiet morning, leaves wet with morning dew gently receive the light of the sun. Standing in a field accompanied by birdsong, it feels as if nature itself is whispering, “Good morning.” Our ancestors lived each day in conversation with nature, offering prayers and gratitude to the sun, the water, the earth, the wind, and the countless forms of life that dwell within them.

They believed that every living being possessed a soul, and they respected not only animals and plants, but even microorganisms, soil, stones, and natural phenomena like wind and rain as life-bearing presences. That is why nature was not something to be conquered, but a companion to live with. At the heart of the natural farming method proposed by Mokichi Okada lies this way of life deeply rooted in the Japanese spirit—“living in harmony with and showing reverence for nature.”

感謝と愛情の循環 The Cycle of Gratitude and Love

In the natural world, all life supports one another. The earth nourishes plants, plants sustain animals, and fallen leaves and manure eventually return to the soil to nurture new life. Recognizing the love and gratitude embedded in this cycle of life, Okada taught, “By observing nature closely and reflecting its ways in our fields, we can grow crops without relying on artificial fertilizers or pesticides.” When crops grow abundantly—more than enough—it is because nature is responding generously. “All things are taught by nature,” he said.

When a farmer stands in the field with gratitude and tends the soil with a sincere heart, that love is conveyed to the crops, and eventually to the people who eat them. And when those who receive the crops taste them with a thankful heart, they too become part of the “cycle of gratitude and love.” In this way, nature, farmers, and those who partake of the harvest are all connected as members of the great “circle of life.” Practices such as saving seeds and growing without fertilizers also arise from this very spirit of gratitude and love.

When we sit at a table filled with such blessings, we are wrapped in the affection of nature, and both body and soul begin to heal. “It tastes so gentle,” “I feel energized after eating this”—each of these moments of wonder is truly a gift from nature.

Rooted in the teachings of Okada, we are committed to spreading this way of life—natural farming—throughout the world, extending the circle of gratitude and love ever wider. In a life where we walk alongside nature and cherish all living things, we may rediscover the true richness that this era so deeply needs.