Today I went for a hike with a friend of mine who is more of a recent Yamabushi. The difference in our tabi (Yamabushi split-toed shoes) was stark. My shoes are covered in mud and scratches, his, while still worn, are still rather white around the edges.

At least they were.

Now that we’ve climbed the mountains, both of us have dirty shoes.

It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is that you do it.