When it comes to Yamabushi training, that’s the big question. For me, it’s also one of the most interesting parts of the training, seeing how other people interpreted our shared experience.

All we can do is offer our own interpretations of the experiences, of which Master Hoshino has written books about, but what’s really important is the participant’s own interpretation, in other words, how they felt. This is why Master Hoshino pushes people to feel first, then reflect on their feelings.

The thing is, you can take other people’s interpretations of training at face value, or you can come and experience it for yourself, and make your own interpretations. I know which I prefer.