Lessons from Misogi: How to Expand Who You Are in an Unprecedented World
Yesterday, while running at the beach, a timelapse occurred while looking at the Atlantic to the strength the waves carried back and forth.
I came across the meaning of Misogi five years ago when I visited Amami in Japan.
Let me introduce you to the concept.
Misogi, meaning ‘water cleansing’, is an ancient Japanese practise involving purifying the mind, body, and spirit through physical and mental challenges.
In samurai tradition, it helps warriors build mental clarity and gain a deeper understanding of themselves by pushing their limits.
It might be a surprise to learn that an ancient ritual practised by Shinto monks in Japan offers compelling insights.
For you and me, a Misogi might set you up for a complex challenge, pushing your mind and body to some extreme.
If I think about it, I’ve been practising Misogi for a few years without knowing that’s what it’s called until I travelled to Japan.
You may have already practised it at some point in your life.
My first misogi experience was a seven-day journey through one of Europe’s last wildernesses, over a 110km trek with no network, comfort, or external support, in the Arctic Circle during the white nights.
I was unfamiliar with arctic environments until then. Despite being a scout in my early teens, I was determining what to bring to this event created by the Fjallraven brand.
I am now discovering the joy of adding once-a-year intrepid experiences to boost resilient skills. This approach encourages us to stretch ourselves and accomplish more than we imagined.
In some way, we expand the concept of who we are and face challenging encounters with more strength, adaptability, and openness to innovation in unprecedented times we live.
I plan to join an entirely silent 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat next year. Still determining the time and place.
I don’t know how it would be the experience which tells me it’s a good Misogi.
You’re supposed to only succeed in some of the Misogis you attempt. They say that if you’re crossing the finish line every time, you need to set the goalpost high enough. So we need to do something more challenging.
Hesitant to begin?
There is no set format for Misogi. Having a goal set and context will determine how to set your framework intentionally.
A 10-mile run may be meaningful for beginners, while experienced athletes may consider climbing the highest mountain in the world as their challenge.
The difficulty level for a Misogi depends on how prepared you are, and it can change over time. So, it all depends on you, which makes Misogi beautiful because you can adjust the goals based on your context.
Dedicate time to your Misogi, but prepare for it every day.
Your actual Misogi should feel ceremonious. Something you only do once or twice a year.
However, you can integrate it into everyday life as you train for it. I build up to my misogis by training, building my running stamina, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone in many small, everyday ways. These could involve putting myself in unfamiliar environments or learning a new skill.
My biggest fear in my Misogi has been what if I don’t finish it. But that’s part of the process. Completing a Misogi is not supposed to be crystal clear, which adds a sense of adventure.
Instigating qualities for our personal growth is vital to effective leadership and is crucial in a challenging, rapidly changing world as we are, much like enduring the frigid waters during a Misogi ritual.
What is your Misogi?
