During Yamabushi training, the conch is our alarm clock. When I first joined training, I would get so nervous waiting for the conch that I could hardly sleep. I would wake up probably an hour or so before the conch sounded, and then try and fail to get back to sleep. All that meant was …

Waiting for the Conch Read More »

The old saying live and learn is spot on. The only way to truly learn something is to live an experience of it. To learn is to grow. Therefore, the only way to grow is to live. That means you have to put yourself into situations where you live, sometimes uncomfortable situations, but they give …

Live and learn, in that order! Read More »

‘Let it go’ has two very important meanings. The first one is to let something go, to accept it, to let it pass, or to come to terms with it. This is the first and perhaps most important stage in moving on with life at times. The second meaning of let it go is to …

Let it go has two meanings Read More »

Any attempt at changing the culture is like trying to wind a moving clock back, it just won’t work if you force it. It takes ongoing effort at getting everyone moving in the same direction to make inroads, which is never easy, but it’s also not impossible.

Less reliance on paper in general. Less reliance on fax machines. Less reliance on stamps, both the kind that can be replaced by a signature, and the kind that they use to make payments official. We don’t have to get rid of them, just make it possible to get by without them. Less reliance on …

Things I hope Coronavirus changes in Japan Read More »

If getting started is hard, then you have to find a way to make it easier, or automatic if possible. That’s why routine is important. But at the same time, when you have started, you have to be careful not to take too long a break. If you’re able to continue, get on with it …

Get on with it Read More »

Mountains have the power to move. People who climb them regularly understand it, and I now think that being able to climb a mountain is a reliable litmus test for keeping active. I’m glad I became a Yamabushi because of this, as it means I’m basically forced to climb the mountain each year, besides the …

Misty mountain hop Read More »