The Japanese Practice of Misogi: How to Challenge Yourself and Transform Your Life

The concept of misogi has its origins in an annual Japanese purification practice for both the body and the mind, rooted in the term "water cleansing." Traditionally, this ritual involves standing beneath a frigid waterfall as icy winter waters cascade over the body. My research led me to a National Geographic article on the traditional misogi practice in Japan, where the writer likened it to a "Control-Alt-Delete" for the body. This practice symbolizes the removal of negative influences and sins and continues to play a significant role in various spiritual and cultural ceremonies in Japan. Misogi serves as a means of connecting with the divine, achieving personal enlightenment, and fostering a deeper understanding of oneself while promoting a harmonious relationship with nature and the world.

During my research, I discovered Jesse Itzler discussing the concept of a Misogi challenge with Joe Rogan. To illustrate the concept, he shared his own experience of completing a 100-mile run. Itzler's perspective mirrors the common Western interpretation of Misogi:

While Itzler's interpretation is not inherently rooted in spirituality, I would argue that taking on a challenge of this kind does have a spiritual dimension. Misogi is all about pushing our individual limits and unlocking hidden potentials we might not recognize in the present. When we conquer the challenge, it serves as a powerful reminder that we possess far more strength than we give ourselves credit for and that the realm of possibilities is wider than we can currently envision.

Dr. Marcus Elliot, a Harvard-trained physician and sports performance expert, strongly encourages the embrace of misogi in Michael Easter's book "The Comfort Crisis." Dr. Elliot states:

I reflected on the past decade and identified my own Misogi moments: nursing school graduation, becoming a parent, starting a business, completing 75 Hard and more. These experiences, though challenging and filled me with fear, left a lasting impact. The years in between without these milestones felt transient, like passing fog.

Contemplating the Misogi practice, I yearn for more life-altering memories and fewer transient moments. I aspire to fill my life with events of profound significance, so that if I am fortunate enough to reach old age, I'll have cherished memories to savor. Furthermore, if my life's journey is cut shorter than I'd prefer, I want to look back knowing that I made the most of it.

Often, we plan for the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, failing to recognize that these years are not guaranteed. Even the coming year is uncertain. If we adopted the perspective that time is precious and brief, our approach to life would be different. We wouldn't squander time, and we wouldn't keep deferring to "tomorrow."

Ready to take on your own Misogi?

Here's How it Works:

The Two Rules of Misogi:

1. Make it Really Hard. You should have a 50/50 chance of success, avoiding easy paths. Embrace it with a sense of adventure, aware that failure is possible. Risk and pushing boundaries are key, building resilience and coping skills, not just checking tasks off. The point is you emerge changed from the experience.
2. Don't Die. This is self-explanatory. Misogi should create fear, but not be reckless. They should challenge and discomfort you, but avoid life-threatening risks. Plan, take precautions, and execute safely, the cost of failure should never cause permanent damage.

Additional Guidelines for Misogi per Dr. Eliott:

1. Uniqueness: Your misogi should be deeply personal and uncommon. This uniqueness focuses on your individual journey rather than competition with others.
2. Low-Key Approach: Keep it personal and avoid excessive publicizing, especially on social media. It's about your internal journey, not seeking external validation.

Bringing it Home:

Consider the past 5-10 years. What standout memories do you associate with specific years? Reflect on moments of growth through discomfort. Now, identify a memorable goal for this year (you still have 64 days left in 2023)—begin learning a language, running 12 hour race, venturing into dating, scaling a mountain, or starting a business. Commit to planning and creating a memorable experience to cherish in the future.