Healing Through Being — The Path of Sonomama

Keiko Ozeki
Jul 12
2 min read

“Just being here, now.”It’s such a simple thing—and perhaps because it’s so simple, we often forget its magical power. At its core, being present in this moment holds immense aliveness and natural healing capacity.

Especially in times of pain, confusion, or inner turmoil, we need the strength to return to the ground of simply being. This quiet strength is what I call the power of being. In this reflection, I explore how we can stay with our suffering—not by trying to fix it, but by meeting it fully. From this meeting, healing and understanding naturally emerge.

Zen practice invites us to return to the present moment through simple, everyday acts—sitting, breathing, walking, washing dishes, weeding the garden, etc. When we carry out these acts with awareness, we return to what is actually happening now—this unfolding moment.All there is, is the way it is now. Not the past. Not the future. But the quiet, complete magic of being here.

This stance of “just being” cultivates inner strength and opens a spaciousness within us to face pain without fear. In this way, presence becomes a form of quiet courage. When we stop running and meet our experience honestly—when we let pain be pain, without adding meaning or judgment—a healing space opens. Compassion begins to grow.

The heart of this practice is a willingness to receive all that arises—without trying to fix, control, or resist. In this gentle acceptance, the body-mind begins to relax. And when we relax, the nervous system settles, the breath deepens, and our natural healing function is supported.This is the path of sonomama—being just as you are.

By opening our hearts and being honest with ourselves, we learn to meet life with gentleness. This opens the door to the body’s innate intelligence and quiet resilience. Our natural healing power begins to ease what hurts and softly reveal the truth beneath it. In this softening, insight and peace gently emerge.

Reflection

When pain arises—emotional or physical—how do you relate to it? Do you resist, try to fix, or look away?What might shift if, instead, you took a breath, let go of judgment, and simply allowed the pain to be—just as it is?

This practice isn’t about escaping or analyzing pain. It begins by trusting your own inner capacity to heal—by being present with kindness. In that presence, something softens. And within that softening, healing begins. Every moment becomes the path—just as it is.

Trust the process.

Lastly, I want to share a poem.

Wetland Magic

The wetlands are filled with quiet mystery.

I know they hold magic—though I may never know exactly what it is.

They always seem to whisper:

“It’s okay not to know.”

Their stillness brushes the heart

like a feather.

Yes—let everything be as it is.

And then, let me be as I am.

That is their magic.