Returning to a place of struggle as a more grown version of myself | Nezu Shrine #61

"Why did I meet this person?"
There must be some meaning behind connections that make you think that.

A journey of realization and introspection that began with meeting a single appraiser.

Over six parts, I will write about what I saw through shrine visits, synchronicities, and facing myself.

The third installment of the journey visiting the 'favorite shrines' of our readers.

The place I visited this time is 'Nezu Shrine,' also known as a famous spot for azaleas.

It was recommended by Harunezumi-san!
Thank you very much✨

Actually, this was also the place I visited in 2023, when I was at my lowest, clinging to it in search of salvation.

I wonder what people feel when they return to a place they visited during a time of struggle, as a slightly more grown version of themselves.

This time, I had the opportunity to visit with an Ubusuna (birthplace) appraiser.

Through the shrine etiquette they taught me and the conversations we had on the grounds, it became a time to rethink not only 'how to face shrines' but also 'how to face myself.'

Today, I am sharing a record of that day.

🌿 Adjusting my 'posture' as taught by a professional

For the past few years, I have had a mysterious string of connections with people who love shrines and fortune tellers.

And this time, it was meeting an Ubusuna appraiser.

"I've been given this connection at the necessary timing once again."

That is how I felt😊

An Ubusuna shrine is a shrine that enshrines the 'Ubusunagami' (birthplace deity) who protects the land where you were born.

It is said to be a presence that watches over you throughout your entire life.

An Ubusuna shrine isn't something you can easily decide by just saying 'it's this one because it's near where I was born,' and it seems it is sometimes determined through specialized appraisal.

If you are interested, consulting with a professional might be one way to go.

While walking, I suddenly became curious and asked.

"Why did you speak to me on the day we first met?"

The answer that came back was,

"It just came out of my mouth before I realized it."

The person herself was a little surprised, saying, "I'm not usually the type to invite people out myself" 😅

Perhaps connections are things that just naturally unfold like this.

At the main hall, before we prayed, the appraiser whispered a Shinto prayer.

I waited quietly with my hands pressed together beside her, and after the prayer finished, we did it together:

Two bows, two claps, one bow.

And finally, I opened my eyes and quietly faced the deity.

Being able to carefully confirm each gesture and be taught the correct etiquette was,

a reassuring feeling, like gradually tidying up the "uncertainty" within myself.

"This is okay."

A small sense of confidence was born from that.

And what I realized was that adjusting my "posture" isn't just for facing the deity.

It is also for facing the people I will meet from now on, and for preparing my own resolve.

To the version of myself who could think that way,

"You've grown a little, haven't you?"

I wanted to say that to myself 🌿

What we talked about in the shrine grounds was,

"How can we be of service to society?"

That is what it means.

"I want to increase the number of people who live by their own core."

Even though the paths we have walked are different, what we are aiming for overlaps in some way.

And within me, there is an encounter with an elderly woman that I have never been able to forget.

Events that I didn't understand at the time finally connected into a single line on this day.

Past experiences, including the painful ones, will eventually become a source of strength for someone.

The reason I have come to believe this is because of the time I spent at this Nezu Shrine.

Next time, I will look back on that encounter with the "mysterious elderly woman."

It is a story where the current me goes to meet the me of that day.

Is there a place you visited many times when you were going through a hard time?

Or is there a place you would like to visit again as your "current self"?

If you'd like, please let me know in the comments.

👇For those reading for the first time.
Start here.

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#NezuShrine #UbusunaShrine #OwnCore #Introspection #SelfDialogue #ShrineVisiting #Essay #AdultLearning