Happy Science: Meditation At Public Library

Saturday afternoon programs at the usually come with the sounds of classical instruments or the magnificent capacity of an opera singer’s voice to relieve a week's worth of stress. Working 40 hours a week, waking early and commuting to work can certainly put a person on edge, and music can certainly help take at least some of the edge off.

But the library also holds a program devoted solely to meditation in an peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. Yoshi Taguchi, head of the meditation program in both New Jersey and New York called Happy Science, talked about the significant impact meditation works on his audience, such as easing the mind and the muscles.

“There are many types of meditations that we do, but through simple meditation, we teach individuals on releasing stress, negative thoughts, anxieties and anger,” Taguchi said. “We also guide you through the paths of finding yourself.”

Originally from Japan and setting his sights on Fort Lee in 1994, Taguchi added that Happy Science evolved from several Buddhist teachings but was modified to accommodate today’s world. For instance, with different types of stress factors in most people's lives like finances, lifestyles and social connections, Happy Science reinterprets and teaches new approaches to match these circumstances.

“Although we carry out the old legacy of the Buddha, our new teachings are appropriated for today’s modern society,” Taguchi said. “Whether dealing with the political environment or the economics of an individual, we have new teachings and the belief that people can be saved from these modern struggles.”

These meditation sessions consist of a chilled, darkened room with projected slides and Taguchi’s voice guiding his audience to their own personal tranqulity. The accompanying music is serene and delicate.

According to Taguchi, the meditation sessions begin with the closing of the eyes, a focus on breathing and the visualization of being at peace.

“In order to radiate stress and calm your mind, we have to guide each individual to visualize a tranquil setting like a forest or a lake,” Taguchi said. “We also tell them to reminisce of their past, positive experiences in life, so they could feel as if they just experienced them.”

While focusing on other meditations like visualizing each participant's ideal, personal futures, Taguchi and Happy Science serve as a vital resource in the Fort Lee community. Happy Science and its free sessions offer an alternative to classical music or opera to relieve a person’s stress.

“With meditations preaching love, prosperity and a stress-free life, I’m proud we are serving Fort Lee and other towns because it upholds resource diversity,” Taguchi said. “Although we have roughly five to 20 people come for our seminars in Fort Lee, the turnout is growing.”

For more information on Yoshi Taguchi and Happy Science, visit www.happy-science.org. Taguchi's office is located at 725 River Rd. Suite 58, in Edgewater. For information on upcoming programs at the Fort Lee Public Library, click here.