Rituals can open the door to meet a new you

This week Jody Miller teaches me all about the ancient practice of Misogi which has been used for centuries in Japan to help create space for new beginnings.

Misogi is a Japanese purification ritual that prepares the mind, body and spirit for new beginnings.  It’s been practiced for over 1,200 years. 

In her book The Misogi Method: A Way to Achieve Lasting Happiness and Success, Jody Miller tells the story of how it’s believed the ritual of Misogi was started by a man, Izanagi, who had returned from travelling to the underworld to find his wife who had recently died. 

When he found her in the underworld, she was covered in maggots. 

He swiftly ran away and when he emerged, he doused himself in cold water by standing underneath a freezing cold waterfall to rid himself of the pollution and impurities of the underworld.

The purpose of the ritual thereafter became to rid oneself of impurities, negative energy, guilt and other darkness’s and welcome a new positive and life changing path.  The cold-water part is thought to make it easier for the new beginning to transition into the body, mind and soul.

I reckon we don’t give enough importance to these kinds of rituals.  Rituals like MIsogi help us let go of what was and prepare to be open to what could be.  And because it’s done with intention and involves struggle and discomfort, it’s more likely to set us on the right path. 

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