What’s the story? - Tim Bunting

TIM BUNTING

KIWI YAMABUSHI

The eighth station of Mt. Gassan during the middle of summer.

山伏

キウイ

What’s the story?

When you visit a new place, or do a new thing, how much should you know about it in advance? Yamabushi would tell you to go in with absolute zero knowledge, to help you focus on the experience itself. Well, at least that’s the case for Yamabushi training, and it’s something I stand by.

But depending on what you’re doing, a bit of background knowledge can completely change your experience. This is especially so in Japan, where knowledge of places in English can be hard to come by at times. Without context, some places, especially temples or shrines, can appear quite boring in Japan.

So I guess, in the Yamabushi style, you can make your own interpretation of the story, without another person’s interpretation interrupting yours. But on the other hand, no context can bore you to pieces. Which is better?

Tim
September 20, 2020
7:05 pm
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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.