Once you’re on the path, and there’s no control, what to do?

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

When a crisis or some unexpected tragedy strikes, if it's happened before, it doesn't hurt as much. Or, more accurately, there isn't as much compounding as you'd maybe expect. You can in a way prepare yourself mentally for these catastrophes by simulating a catastrophe mentally, or by challenging yourself to overcome, well, challenges. I think this is one of the huge benefits of Yamabushi training. It is entirely unpredictable, even the master doesn't know where exactly the path will take them until they're actually on it, and once you're on the path, there's no control. Best to surrender and go with it rather than trying to go against the tide. This, in essence, is Uketamo. Unfortunately, there are some things you can only learn from experience, but you can take solace in the fact that once you have these experiences, the next time something similar comes along, you'll be better prepared. This is also Uketamo.

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Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

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