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The Value of Knowing and the Two Walls Beyond It In our daily learning and training spaces, we often face the dilemma where we "understand it in our head, but cannot translate it into action." This is often a key point when evaluating the effectiveness of a training programme. Certainly, "knowing" is the entrance to making something happen. If we do not know what is happening in the world, the scope of our thinking, and consequently our actions, is limited. Knowing can be the catalyst to initiate our own action. In today's world, where we can freely access a variety of information through the internet, the hurdle to simply "know" is not particularly high. However, two major challenges lie beneath this. The first is that if there is no inner interest within the person, they will not reach the information in the first place. It is important for us to acknowledge that what we know is limited, and that there is a mountain of things we do not know. To have a mindset to explore the unknown is vital. This is why, instead of cramming information into people, an "inviting" approach is preferable as a first step. This approach draws out their interest in spaces where they can encounter the unknown and prepares their inner readiness [1]. Beyond that awaits a deeper challenge. Even if we reach the information and "know" it, there is an invisible wall where it does not become a personal matter ( jibungoto, 自分ごと ) and fails to connect to actual action. This might be caused by apathy towards the known facts, or it might be brought about by a sense of powerlessness, feeling "I cannot do anything." In either case, it is a crucial step to shift from the state of merely knowing in the head to "internalising" it beyond logic, reaching a deep conviction at the bottom of our Kokoro  (心, mind and heart). In Japanese, we have long expressed this process as Haraochi  (sinking into the belly). Knowledge that has sunk this far naturally creates a flow that connects directly to the next action. Interestingly, this sensation of "shallow" and "deep" is not merely a figure of speech; it aligns perfectly with the actual structure of the brain. Surface-level understanding is indeed processed in the cerebral cortex, located on the surface of the brain, while the deep understanding that connects directly to action truly takes place "deep inside" the brain. Furthermore, regarding the realm of "intuition" and "deep conviction" that cannot be explained by the logic of the head alone, why did people of the past apply the word Haraochi  (sinking into the belly) instead of "sinking into the brain"? Looking into neuroscience reveals a structure that perfectly justifies this. As touched upon later, this also overlaps beautifully with the "spirit that does not rely on words", which has been cherished in the East since ancient times—a very fascinating area. From here, let us unravel from the perspective of neuroscience and cognitive psychology how surface knowledge grows into a deep state that connects directly to action, and how the "head" and the "belly" are connected.  Please follow the text for a little while to look into the precise mechanisms of the human body. The Limits of "Understanding in the Head" Confined to the Cerebral Cortex When we encounter a new concept solely through words and the logic of text, the cerebral cortex (especially the prefrontal cortex) on the surface of our brain becomes primarily active [2]. Here, conscious information processing occurs, and a "mental model" is formed in the head [3]. However, this state relies on singular senses, such as sight or hearing, and is not necessarily accompanied by bodily experience. Therefore, when attempting to initiate action from this point, we must logically think about "how to move" every time, requiring significant cognitive energy before execution [2]. Abstract concepts remain difficult to internalise as a personal matter, and the hurdle to put them into action remains high. It is here that the teaching of Furyumonji (不立文字) in Japanese Zen resonates. It is the idea that important truths and essences cannot be fully conveyed solely through the logic of words and text; they are acquired only through practice. We can say our predecessors intuitively and brilliantly sensed that the cerebral cortex, which handles verbal information processing, can hardly be the deep driving force for human beings to take natural action. So, what is necessary to overcome this wall of "understanding in the head" and reach the true understanding indicated by Furyumonji? The Process of Taitoku   (体得) Accompanied by the Five Senses The key to this is bodily experience that fully utilises the five senses—namely, the process of Taitoku  (bodily acquisition/realisation). In the cognitive psychology theory of "Embodied Cognition," physical interaction with the environment is considered essential for true conceptual understanding [4, 5]. Multisensory stimulation—sharing an actual space, feeling the texture of tools, sensing the atmosphere of a room, and engaging in a live dialogue with others—dramatically increases the plasticity of neural circuits in the brain. Nerve cells governing different senses connect, forming a robust network of memory [6]. Furthermore, realistic experiences that move our emotions encourage the collaboration of the amygdala and hippocampus, transforming the event from mere information into a living reality. Internalisation into the Deep Brain and Haraochi  　Connecting to Action By accumulating the process of Taitoku  accompanied by the five senses, knowledge that was confined to the cerebral cortex is "internalised" into two deeper systems of the brain. One is the cerebellum. The mental model in the cerebral cortex is written into the cerebellum, which governs unconscious prediction, as an "internal model" [3]. This automates the prediction of what will happen next. The other is the basal ganglia. The accumulation of lived experience is written into the basal ganglia as a "database of optimal behaviour patterns." The basal ganglia functions as an "information selection device" that instantaneously chooses actions without going through conscious thought processes [2, 3]. The moment the internal model clicks into place in the brain, a deep Kizuki  (気づき, aha moment, realisation) occurs, and simultaneously, the basal ganglia becomes able to unlock (inhibit) action at any time [3]. The completion of internalisation into these two deep systems, reaching a state where one can naturally move into action without thinking in the head, is exactly what Haraochi  is. Mind-Gut Connection The Physical Network Connecting the "Hara" and the Brain As the word Haraochi  implies, this internalisation process does not complete solely within the organ of the brain. The concept of the "Gut-brain axis" in modern medicine and neurophysiology proves that the Hara  (belly/gut) and the brain are indeed directly connected. The gut possesses a massive neural network of its own, to the extent that it is called the "second brain" (enteric nervous system). This nervous system of the gut is directly connected to the deep brain through the "vagus nerve," the longest and thickest bundle of nerves in the human body. As explained in Dr. Emeran Mayer's book The Mind-Gut Connection [7], sensations and states felt in the Hara (gut)  are instantly transmitted to the brain via this vagus nerve route, before ever passing through the cerebral cortex (the thinking brain) which processes language and logic. Additionally, it has become clear that many important neurotransmitters—such as serotonin, which brings calmness to the mind, and dopamine, which governs readiness for action—are produced by the work of gut bacteria, directly influencing brain function. From an anatomical perspective, the root area of the brain where the spinal cord (transmitting sensations from every corner of the body) and the vagus nerve from the gut connect is called the "brainstem." The basal ganglia, the action selection device, is a deep structure positioned right on top of this brainstem. In other words, when signals from the body enter the brainstem, they are structured to be directly passed to adjacent deep systems like the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Without passing through the surface of the cerebral cortex that processes words and logic, sensations from the Hara  enter the brainstem through thick nerves and reach the basal ganglia sitting right nearby. This anatomical physical proximity and the existence of these networks strongly support the logic that Taitoku  accompanied by the five senses resonates deeply, and that the state of Haraochi  easily connects to smooth action. Designing the Space as a Weaver of Manabi Haraochi  is a state where knowledge has sunk from the surface layer of the cerebral cortex to the deep layers of the brain, making the hurdle to action extremely low. When designing dialogue spaces or simulations to guide people to this state, the following four approaches are important: Fostering readiness through Inviting:  By letting go of evaluation or coercion and preparing a space where participants naturally want to join, we drive the brain's motivation network [1]. Spontaneous interest promotes dopamine secretion, switching the brain into a natural Manabi mode. Creating a multisensory environment:  In addition to sight and hearing, providing multisensory stimuli such as physical movement and passionate dialogue with others encourages the transfer of information from the cerebral cortex to the deep layers. When emotions are moved, the hippocampus and amygdala collaborate strongly, making it easier for memories to settle as a "living reality." Accumulating pure experience without evaluation:  Repeating trial and error in a safe environment without the pressure of binary evaluation allows the basal ganglia to accumulate high-quality behaviour patterns. Preventing the amygdala's overreaction (fight-or-flight response) caused by the fear of evaluation is essential to protect the pure Manabi process. Designing Yohaku  (blank space) for Kizuki  to emerge:  Providing time for reflection after a rich experience, allowing the brain to integrate information unconsciously and let deep Kizuki  surface as intuition. It is precisely in quiet, blank (yohaku, 余白) time that the brain connects past experiences, weaves meaning into them, and updates its internal models. The essence of designing dialogue spaces or simulations is not merely to convey information. It lies in providing an internalisation process where participants interact with the environment, and in cultivating the soil for Haraochi  to draw out an attitude of naturally moving towards action from within each individual. Conclusion: The Value of the Yohaku  of Intentionally Not Verbalising Today is an era where logical thinking and the "ability to verbalise" are particularly emphasised. Certainly, words are essential for organising thoughts and sharing them clearly with others. However, at the same time, recognising the existence of "sensations at the bottom of the Hara " and "intuition" that do not appear in an easily understandable verbal form, and finding value in intentionally leaving them un-verbalised inside us, might be equally important. If we try to force everything into the framework of words, there is even a danger that the rich information obtained through the five senses will be stripped away, pulling us back to the shallow understanding of the cerebral cortex. The frustrating time before Haraochi  occurs, or the deep conviction beyond words that remains after it happens. Perhaps, not forcing ourselves to fill that "un-verbalisable - Yohaku ", but rather tasting it exactly as it is, is the most certain guidepost for nurturing surface experiences into authentic Manabi . References Fujiwara, H., Ueno, T., Yoshimura, S., Kobayashi, K., Miyagi, T., Oishi, N., & Murai, T. (2019). Martial Arts "Kendo" and the Motivation Network During Attention Processing: An fMRI Study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience , 13, 170. Method-Labo. サッカーにおける「直感」の正体：シャビの脳を参考に解き明かす. 伊藤正男 (2009). 将棋プロ棋士の脳から直感の謎を探る. 理研NEWS , 2009年9月号. Wellsby, C. L., & Pexman, P. M. (2014). Developing embodied cognition: insights from children's concepts and language processing. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 506. Bechtold, L., et al. (2023). Brain Signatures of Embodied Semantics and Language: A Consensus Paper. Gkintoni, E., Vassilopoulos, S. P., & Nikolaou, G. (2025). Brain-Inspired Multisensory Learning: A Systematic Review of Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Outcomes in Adult Multicultural and Second Language Acquisition. Biomimetics , 10(6), 397. Emeran Mayer, The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health

Possible World created across generations Building a World from Scratch This is a photograph from our in-person session of 'Possible World', held for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026. Around the table was a mixed group of children and adults, most of whom were meeting for the first time, coming together to build a world. The Intersecting Paths of Adults and Children It was quite fascinating to observe the dynamics at play. There was the innocent honesty of children loudly pointing out what was lacking in their environment. There were students who, perhaps accustomed to a traditional classroom setting, initially turned to me—the host standing outside the game—as a figure of authority when they faced something they did not understand. Meanwhile, the adults naturally, and without hesitation, asked the digital-native children for technical help. Various possibilities were already unfolding right in front of me. An Autonomous World Born from Questions For this session, we ran the game for 40 minutes with almost no prior explanation. A video demonstrating the game screen controls played in the background for participants to reference as needed. Halfway through, we paused to reflect on the world they were building. What is currently happening? What kind of world do we truly want to create? What can we do to achieve that? These questions prompted thoughtful discussion. As the host, I found almost no need to intervene. The participants built their world while looking out for one another, occasionally stumbling, and quietly reflecting on what they could contribute. The Scenery After the Session and Gratitude After the session, a primary school student proudly explained to their mother how they had contributed when the society's situation worsened. A high school student shared that they were moved by feeling a tangible connection between the wider world and themselves. An adult reflected on the broadened possibilities that emerge when we interact with children not simply as 'kids', but as equal stakeholders. Watching from the outside, the space appeared to hold inexhaustible possibilities. Every World is up to our Mindset and Actions.
Possible World. My thanks go to Gagee from CDU Radicle Centre for connecting me to this session, Jessica from the library for helping to prepare an ideal environment, and to all the people who joined us with curiosity. I felt so bless with those people.

On 31 January 2026, in Darwin, 15 people from diverse backgrounds experienced the Possible World  simulation in-person with 2030 SDGs Game card kit. They created a world together first hand, from scratch, and saw the link between how the world showed up and how they showed up. Through quick but deep reflection, they painted over the world’s absurdities to create something new.  Though the game, rules, and participants remained the same, their mindsets—their internal OS—shifted. The invisible internal shift was captured clearly in the visible data, revealing a definitive movement toward hope and agency. This is the true story of how each took a step toward the future they wish to inhabit, at their own pace. World Condition Meter - after Part 1 (BEFORE) World Condition Meter - after Part 2 (AFTER) The Inquiry: A Quiet Starting Point State of hearts At the start of the session, the whiteboard displayed the current state of 15 hearts through a collection of colourful sticky notes. Q1 (Affection for the World): Average 3.1 . Most participants clustered below "5"; the collective sense of affirmation for the world was chilled.
Q2 (The Power to Shape the Future): Average 5.2.  A cluster of about 10 sticky notes formed along the "5" and "6" lines. Though not satisfied with the status quo, they gathered with a secret aspiration held in their hands to change something. Playtime 1: The Trap of Individual Focus Playtime 1 - Negotiation and Changing the World Condition Meter The Scene:  Players huddled around tables, staring intently at their project cards, reflecting on the numbers through the lens of their own inner universes. Expressions of Confusion:  Participants could be seen pointing at cards with neighbours, asking, "What does this mean?". Initially, many were "very focused on themselves and completing their own goals," engaging in an individual exploration of the immediate challenges right in front of them. Confronting the Despair of "17-2-0" After Playtime 1, a brief check-in allowed everyone to see how the world was progressing through the World Condition Meter (WCM). The results were shown below. WCM - 17-2-0 (Round 1) Individual Achievement:  4/8 WCM Results:  Economy 17 / Environment 2 / Society 0 Mixed feelings and nervous laughter filled the room as everyone grappled with the realisation that "this wasn't how it was supposed to be". The stark "17-2-0" was a mirror, reflecting a world where the economy thrived at the cost of the soul and the earth. The Short and Yet Powerful Pause Playtime Round 2 - Examining Projects Before Playtime 2, the only guidance provided was a call for introspection:  "Please read the second sentence of your Goal Card once more" .  During this time of re-reading, the once-busy tables grew still. One participant reflected later: "I realised for round two that we would pay more attention to how the world was going, which in return let us create a world we would be happy with!". The silence wasn't empty; it was a space where individual goals met the collective destiny. Playtime 2: Achieving the Balance - "13-11-14" Playtime Round 2 - Transaction Playtime 2 proceeded solely through individual re-definitions. The speed of transaction went down, but the frequency went up. Participants noted that "engaging with other players helped grow my own perspectives on problems within our world". WCM - 13-11-14 (Round 2) Individual Achievement:  6/8 WCM Final Results:  Economy 13 / Environment 11 / Society 14 Deep Reflection and Tectonic Shifts Following the miracle of the "13-11-14" balance, the group entered a period of quiet self-reflection, paying attention to bodily sensations and asking: What am I feeling right now? What shifted in me and when? Why didn’t we see the second sentence even though it was there in the first place? Dialogue Time - Exploring Possibilities The Shifts Emerged As they returned to the whiteboard after sharing their insights, their hands recorded a definitive tectonic shift : Shift in Q1:  Average 3.1 → 3.8 .
The centre of gravity moved right, with half the group reaching an affirmation level of "5 or higher". Shift in Q2:  Average 5.2 → 6.4 . *The volume zone pushed collectively into the "7 and 8" area. At Their Own Pace:  Even those who remained at 5 or below moved their sticky notes slightly—but surely—in a positive direction. Shift in the World:   17-2-0  → 13-11-14
How the world appears is the result of how we individuals are.  Host’s Note: The Light We Carry They had smiles on their faces from the beginning, true. But at the end of the session, I saw a new kind of brightness in the room—one rooted in confidence. Hearing them say,  "At the start, I was scared, but I ended up having a lot of fun..." that is everything to me. They talked earnestly about the importance of bringing this experience to their teams, to their daily lives. As the photos reveal, many of these participants are young. While I understand that we have much to take care of in the real world, witnessing this sense of agency ignited within them at this stage is proof that we will be okay. I remain fully committed to doing my part: creating the spaces where their possibilities can continue to unfold. This is my "Shimei (使命)"—where I invest my life. Every World is up to our Mindset and Actions. Possible World. Join the Next Journey Are you ready to dive into the chaos, explore your internal OS, and shift it? Step into our next Online Discovery Session and experience the transformation firsthand. Let's find out what becomes possible when the map and instructions disappear.