山伏
キウイ
Here, now, self.
Ask Hoshino Sendatsu the reason why we do Yamabushi training, and he’ll tell you we do Yamabushi training to do Yamabushi training. This answer is both insightful, and annoying.
In my opinion, Yamabushi training is to get you to focus on the now. A lot of the training we undertake is hurried, or there is an element of danger that means you have little chance to stop and smell the roses. This may sound counter-intuitive, but as a result we are forced to focus on our steps one by one, or each individual breath, and not to worry about those around us.
This reinforces the here, now, and self, of Zen Buddhism. This is essentially the same as the Haguro Shugendo philosophy of Uketamo, I accept, and is one important thing to take home with you after Yamabushi training. No point worrying about yesterday, it’s gone. No point worrying about tomorrow, not yet at least. All we have is the here, the now, and the self, and that’s what we should put our focus towards.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi, a New Zealander who became a Yamabushi Ascetic in the Dewa Sanzan mountains of north Japan. I’m part of the Yamabushido team, and we host life-altering Yamabushi training on the Dewa Sanzan (website link). People come to us for the ultimate mindfulness experience, to reach the next level, or simply connect with nature and themselves.
I’m on a mission to summit all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to spread the splendour of this fabulous location, and in dedication to all those who lost their lives out in nature, including my father.
On my daily blog I post thoughts of a practicing Yamabushi that I hope people can use to better themselves and live as fulfilling a life as possible.
Sign up to the weekly Mountains of Wisdom newsletter, follow me on social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Clubhouse, all @kiwiyamabushi), or send me an email via the link below to stay in touch.
Tim.
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