Misogi is a Japanese term coming from the Shinto religion. Historically, this involves standing under a freezing waterfall, bathing in a river, or cold water immersion to cleanse the mind and soul. It is designed to test your boundaries, enable resilience and show that we grow through discomfort.
More recently, it has been equated with giving yourself a significant annual challenge with a 50/50 chance of success. Something so hard that you could fail. You work towards your biggest challenge for the year and in turn, all of the other things you may have thought were hard seem easy in comparison.
Having also recently visited Japan, one of the things that struck me was how beautifully they take a little from each religion, so not only Shinto, but Buddism and Christianity. Not everyone is the same and not everything fits for everyone. So for your Misogi, consider what is right for you!
It could be one big activity or goal, or it could be a more consistent and repeatable activity that you find challenging. It could be physical, mental, spiritual, playful, quirky, it could involve writing, singing or silence.
I hadn’t even realised but last year I think my Misogi was changing Pathways to the Intensive model and for this year… you will have to ask me.
Go on “rethink your potential…”
To understand a little more:
You can also check out the socials to see what other people have chosen to give you some ideas.