Mt Kurama, Japan
I have been busy traveling and not able to post as often as before. I just have to tell you about my latest adventure. Traveling took me to Japan. I experienced from a local’s view. I stayed in a small fishing village called Taiza. It is right on the coast of the Sea of Japan and at night you heard the waves hitting on the rocks. The sunrises are spectacular. The weather was a perfect 72 degrees with sunshine. Memories of this trip are Japanese drink a lot of saki. And they love their raw foods. Luckily for me, they have 7/11 stores in every town, even the little towns and I was able to find chicken nuggets.
The highlight of my trip was Mt. Kurama. I developed an interest the study of Reiki. More, reiki was sent to me. A friend of mine, who is a retired NASA researcher, who now is earning his degree in transpersonal studies, to add to his bachelors in Foreign Service introduce it to me. He had traveled extensively to Japan during his career with NASA and at dinner, we were discussing beliefs and faith and the subject of reiki came up.
What is reiki ? The word reiki means light and energy. In a nutshell, it is the energy of the cosmos and the energy of ourselves. It is healing practice that is passed down from one master to another. I became interested.
Now why would I want to go to Mt Kumara ? The master of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui , climbed Mt. Kurama and found a spot to meditate for 21 days. He went to find spiritual guidance and enlightenment. He was disappointed as he felt nothing life altering . On the 21st day, he decides he would leave the mountain and while going down the mountain, he stumped his toe. As he was checking the wound and touching it, it started to heal. He felt energy through his hands. He did not understand and was in disbelief, but yet, he saw the healing.
Please follow this link to know more about Dr. Mikao Usui . It is an extraordinary story . The history of reiki along with the healing properties and even how it is used today is astounding.
So with my love of reiki and being in Japan, I was set to climb to the site where Master Usui sat for 21 days. The mountain is 1918 ft . The trek to the top was winding and shrines dotted the way all the way to the top. It took me three hours to reach the shrine of Master Usui. The roots of the majestic cedars are still there and the cedars are gorgeous. The wind blowing through them gives you feel of other worldliness. It is peaceful. Very peaceful. I meditated and gave prayers and the symbols of reiki to receive the energy of the universe.
The experience is another post in its self and maybe one day , I will share it. However this post is about the trek up the mountain. You know while climbing it is sacred. You sense the light and you sense the presence of the masters and monks before you, that have traveled this path for guidance. Once climbing it and coming back down, I am sure you will be changed. You will feel the vastness of our world and the power, ki , of the universe
