Kukai’s Tip to Transform Your Stuck Life : Multi-Camera Method for Parents

Kūkai's Teaching to Transform Your Life

Are you stuck in life? Kūkai(774-835), one of Japan's most renowned Zen Buddhist saints and calligraphers, shared profound insights on how to transform your life with lighter mood. He believed that excessive worrying can cloud our judgment and hinder our potential. His teachings emphasize observing ourselves objectively to alleviate worries. However, for parents, who often carry a multitude of concerns about their children, achieving this objectivity can be particularly challenging.

Why It’s Challenging for Parents to Observe Ourselves

As parents, we are naturally inclined to be keen observers of our children's actions, behaviors, and emotional states. This embedded role often leads to an accumulation of worries, making it difficult for us to maintain clarity and calm. Kūkai's wisdom reminds us that anxious contemplation about risks can paralyze us, preventing meaningful action. Once we recognize this cycle, we can shift towards more constructive methods of observation that can lighten our mood.

The Multi-Camera Filming Method

As I sometimes write film music, I suggest the multi-camera filming method, one innovative approach that can help us see ourselves and our children more clearly. Unlike single-camera setups, which limit our perspective to one angle or scene, multi-camera observation allows for a more comprehensive view. This technique not only captures different angles of interactions but also enables parents to notice the nuances of our children's behaviors while observing ourselves with bird’s-eye view.

By utilizing a multi-camera approach, you can observe interactions between you and your child without the bias of a single viewpoint. For instance, you can film conversations or playtime sessions from multiple cameras placed around the room. This setup creates an opportunity for you to analyze behaviors, identify dynamics, and even spot areas where support or guidance may be needed. More importantly, it fosters a sense of connection and understanding between you and your child, reducing worries and promoting a more enjoyable parenting experience.

Transforming Worries into Actions

Single-camera method allows for more flexibility in framing, lighting, and camera movement, resulting in a more cinematic and visually dynamic look. For example, the TV drama “Black List” uses this method. But for parents, it is not suitable. By embracing multi-camera observation method, you can shift from a mindset of worry to one of awareness and action. This transformation can uplift your mood, ultimately improve your quality of life. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate concerns altogether but to manage them effectively while nurturing a positive atmosphere for both you and your children.

Just to recap, Kūkai’s insights into self-observation resonate deeply, especially for parents facing daily challenges. By integrating the multi-camera observation method, you allow yourself the space to reflect and adjust your parenting strategies, leading to a happier, more fulfilling life for both you and your child.