I could not read, write, communicate, nor understand anything of the language or the people. It was a turbulent time, but a time for profound and permanent changes within and outside of myself. I was still deeply religious, but Japan was definitely not a religious country, or religious in the way that Western civilization might recognize. My husband traveled extensively all over Asia. My children were teenagers and happily finding new freedom in Tokyo, riding the subway anywhere they wanted.
Japan is an extremely safe country with no worries or fears about allowing one's children to roam.
And so it was that I either spent many hours alone or immersing myself into the Japanese culture by teaching English. Teaching English in Japan encompasses much more than simply teaching English. It involves a cultural exchange, which includes many topics of interests in the course of an English conversation. One day the group topic turned to that of spiritual matters. I spoke enthusiastically and scribbled on the black board.