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Putting your house in order
One important lesson I learned while being a Sendatsu Joshu (Master’s assistant) during Yamabushi training is that putting your house in order is a prerequisite for helping people. Part of that in regards to being a Yamabushi is being able to get ready to move in a short amount of time.
For beginners, there’s a lot to remember during Yamabushi training before you leave for the mountains. You have to remember how to wear the Shiroshozoku (white garments) properly, including the order you need to put things on. Get that wrong, and you may have to start over, a process of undoing which is by no means fast.
You also need to remember what to bring. Mountains are perilous places and they take proper preparation. As an assistant, it’s your job to make sure everyone is prepared, most importantly yourself.
Putting your house in order first has two main advantages; you can lead by example as others are able to copy you, which is the best thing you can do for them, and you can act swiftly if someone does need a little help, without the worry of whether you’re ready or not.
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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