山伏
キウイ
Nature is the medicine
Nature is the medicine. Besides my daily dose of caffeine, I don’t take any other substances, not even alcohol, which is essentially a criminal offense according to some people. I get all I need from nature.
Which isn’t to say you shouldn’t do what you enjoy, I’m not one to point fingers. What I want to say is that nature is how I like to rewind and refresh, and it certainly does a good job at that.
My wife says that often when I come off the mountains my demeanor changes and it’s like I am a different person. I also feel it myself. I don’t get as worked up as I can at times, and it helps to keep me calm.
The problem is when you can’t get out, and feelings and emotions bottle up and it gets overwhelming. At those times, you really need to make getting out into nature a real priority.
There is one important difference as well though. Since becoming a Yamabushi I have better understood the importance of showing appreciation to nature through prayer. That’s all. Just acknowledging nature’s existence and your existence, and how they intertwine, that in itself is enough.
If you ever feel worked up, feel unlike yourself, or feel that you need to unwind, a dose of nature might be just what the doctor ordered.
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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