Hello Aikiweb members, hi Matthew-san….
Re: Misogi Shuho… Misogi Shuho is the Shinto practice of purifying oneself by washing away impurity/obscuring energies in a river, waterfall or sea. As Human beings we are the wakemitama or Children of the Divine Nature and as such we strive for the best life for ourselves, our families and our Chikyu Mura (World Village). The Shinto Shrine is an enriched environment for human beings to meet with and consider Divine Nature. Misogi is a profound spiritual technology meant to bring human beings into direct unmediated communion with Nature.
ORIGIN OF MISOGI
The first archetypical Misogi was done by Izanagi-no-Okami following his visit to the Yomi (world of death). His purpose was to “wash away defilement”, “cleanse his body from pollutants” and to “ perform the purification of his august person”. Prior to entering the Tachibana River to cleanse completely Izanagi-no-Mikoto rid himself of all his possessions…..as he was being pursued by elements of impurity from the Underworld he first through his tsue (staff)….from that staff SARUTAHIKO-NO-OU-KAMI was born.
This is why SARUTAHIKONOOUKAMI is also known as DOUSOUJIN, Kami of the Way, Path and Kami to protect the Path. FUNADO-NO-OU-KAMI, Kami to protect crossroads, KUNADO-NO-SAHE-NO-KAMI , Kami to Protect , ward off misfortune….Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami has many other names as well.
Then Izanagi-no-O-Kami threw away all his Jewelry and clothing into the river as they were also contaminated by impurities. These articles became the twelve Kami who protect the directions in which people live, travel, work and conduct business…..
Then after finding the spot in the river not to swift and not to slow Izanagi-no-O-Kami entered the river to purify himself….many Kami were created from this act, many Kami of wrongdoing as well as Kami to rectify wrongdoing originated during this first Misogi. Then when Izanagi-no-Ou-Kami washed his face AMATERASU-OMIKAMI (Heaven Shining Great August Deity, Sun Kami ) was born from his left eye. From his right eye was created TSUKIYOMI-NO-MIKOTO (Augustness Moon Night Posessor, Moon Kami) and from his nose appeared SUSA-NO-MIKOTO (Brave Swift Impetuous Male Deity, Kami of Stars).
AmaterasuOmikami is responsible for the Sun, the source of our life power, Tsukiyominomikoto is responsible for night and quietness and growth and Susanomikoto is responsible for rhythmic movement of earth as Kami of Stars. These Kami, born through the first Misogi are responsible for the three heavenly light sources..sun, moon and stars.
Before the first Misogi, Izanaginomikoto rid himself of possessions and attachments.. to purify from attachment is the 1st element of Misogi.
Self reflection is the 2nd element.
In order to do Misogi, Izanaginomikoto chose the part of the stream that was not to swift and not to sluggish…the “Middle Way” is the 3rd aspect of purification.
The 4th element is to check constantly and correct thoroughly.
The 5th element is inner willingness and sincere effort.
The 6th element is completeness……………
For the Aikido Practitioner:
The nature of Aiki Training is centripetalizing, subtractive and re-invigorating.
Centripetalizing (yangizing) as the nature of the practice is centering and reintegrating around one own hara in the current moment -- this physiological process is the same as that of Misogi Shuho.
Subtractive as in the process of self correction--- we remove/purify obscuring thoughts, movement patterns and all the various impediments that keep us apart from the Aiki moment or the flow of Great Nature.
Reinvigorating as when we have removed what is not Aiki we can then receive Aiki…after Harae (purification) comes Kiyome (invigorate).
Kaiso stated: “The Heart of Aikido is Misogi. Through the technique of Misogi you continually forge the spirit of Love and Protection towards all things while protecting the logical sequence of multitudes of Kami---thus you can accomplish your mission”.
MISOGI-NO-OHARAI:
TAKAMA-NO-HARA NI KAMUZUMARIMASU*
*when recited in a group this line is read only by the leader of the ritual
KAMUROGI KAMUROMI NO MIKOTO MOCHITE
SUME MI OYA KAMU IZANAGI NO MIKOTO
TSUKUSHI NO HIMUKA NO TACHIBANA NO ODO NO AHAGIHARA NI
MISOGI HARAE TAMAISHI TOKI NI ARE MASERU
HARAEDO NO O KAMITACHI
MOROMORO NO MAGAGOTO TSUMI KEGARE O
HARAI TAMAE KIYOME TAMAE TO
MOSU KOTO NO YOSHI O
AMATSU KAMI KUNITSU KAMI
YAOYOROZU NO KAMITACHI TOMO NI
KIKOSHIMESE TO
KASHIKOMI KASHIKOMI MOMAOSU
Translation of MISOGI-NO-O-HARAI:
Upon the will of the Great Spirit, by which the Universe is initiated in the cosmic force of creation by the Kamis (Divine Spirit) of birth and growth, and through which the solar system is united in the force of harmony by the Kamis of Yin and Yang, the Kamis of purification came to exist from the impurities which Izanagi-no-Mikoto (Divine creator of the solar system) cleansed from his body in the divine river of heaven.
We will be able to recognize (see) the Kami (truth), only after we purify ourselves of all negativity, impurities, faults and restore ourselves to what we are meant to be (natural brightness).
If you would like to participate in the Misogi Shuho at Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America please contact the Shrine staff
Thank you
Rev. Koichi Barrish
Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America
http://www.tsubakishrine.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tsubakiko/