NATHAN'S BLOG

RETREAT DAY 2: Oshino Hakkai

10/27/2022

Oshino Hakkai is a world-heritage site; a village near Mt Fuji which is known for its several ponds that originate from the melted snow of Mt Fuji.

You can actually collect and drink some of this water and many pilgrims visit this place to do just that!

It was a beautiful place to visit and interesting to learn about the history and culture of this place and its connections of the 8 sacred ponds to the 8 Dragon Kings. I could feel the sacredness of this place as soon as I set foot here and could feel very welcomed by the land and spirits here.

It was here at Oshino Hakkai that we collected our water from the Spring that became the Base Water for the Vibrational Essence that we were teaching our group to make.

Tasting one sip of this water, you could really taste how clear and rejuvenating this water was!

We visited the different ponds and conducted a ritual at one of the quieter ponds to combine the collected Energy (from yesterday’s locations) and charge the sacred Water that we gathered here.

Each person had their own glass jar to charge their water with crystal. It was uncanny and miraculous, that mine and Kumi's jars were stuck together and wouldn't separate, so we made a double essence in the one jar.

In our next post I'll be reflecting on the essence making back at our retreat accomodation.

Stay tuned!

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RETREAT DAY 2: Breath and Ice

10/25/2022

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I’ve been exploring Breathwork for about 10 years now and over the past 1 1/2 years have been more consciously practising cold exposure.

For me, it’s been life-changing for me in the ways that it clears, balances and aligns my body, mind and soul and it has also enhanced my appreciation and desire to connect with water. I also know that it’s been very impactful on my ability to relax and deepen my connection to my Intuition.

The purpose of the Breath and Ice experience during this retreat was to take the group through a deep cleanse and clearing before crafting their Vibrational Essence - in order to create from the power within, we needed them to experience some of it for themselves.

We had to place an order for our ice beforehand as we required 70kgs of ice for this to work. In Australia, Ice is sold in 5kg bags and is pretty cheap and easy to purchase in large amounts, while in Japan, Ice is moderately priced and is usually sold in bags of 550g, 1kg or 2kg.

Usually, there is only a small amount on display at Japanese Supermarket, so it was quite a surprise for someone to ask for all the ice in their store.

Can you imagine the look on the checkout counter?

Using a combination of English and Japanese translations from my Wife, we led the group through some Breathwork exercises to prepare them for the Ice Bath.

The power of our Breath is such an amazing thing because we can breathe at different speeds and rates and hold our breathe for different lengths of time to influence our physiology, psychology and presence.

Each member took to the ice in their own way and were very enthusiastic about the experience. I’m so proud of them for the ways that they handled their time in the ice and I love the way that they all bonded and supported each other outside of the ice afterwards.

My Son played an important role in helping our group members to warm up afterwards too!

After the Breath and Ice, our group was ready for the next part of their Vibrational Essence Making at Oshino Hakkai, which we'll cover in the next post.

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RETREAT DAY 1: Hanoshira Taki

10/24/2022

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We took the group to the nearby Hanoshira Taki (Waterfall) which is where Pilgrims used to visit to purify themselves before climbing Mount Fuji.

I love that our group was so open to walking barefoot to this waterfall to ground themselves and connect with the land as well as experience a kind of initiation into the sacredness of this place.

It was great that my Son was introduced to his friend, Mihana-Chan, who was very adventurous with him and was able to explore, run and splash around here with him at this waterfall.

I took some of our group members to sit under the waterfall to connect with the water.

There is something magical, mystical and magnificent about sitting under a waterfall and feeling the force of the water moving through you! This place felt Other-Worldly!

When I connected with the water here, I saw a vision of an enormous Blue Water-Dragon splashing its tail to send the water downstream and when I emerged from this Waterfall, I felt so clear and cleansed in Body, Mind and Spirit.

If you look carefully and closely at the image below, you can see the faint outline of a dragon's face in the centre of the waterfall itself.

Nature shows us some amazing things!

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RETREAT DAY 1: Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

10/23/2022

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We picked up the hire car and all the members of our group and headed to our first destination, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine.

This shrine was surrounded by so much forest and I love that there were so many trees here. Japan has something very special with the presence of trees at each Shrine.

Even when there is no Wind to be felt, you can feel the life and energy of the trees in the air as you pass by.

I love that everyone was able to take their shoes off and soak their feet in the waterway by the entrance as a cleansing before going into this place. The water was cold and welcoming!

This Shrine features two Cedar Trees that are over a thousand years old, which gives a bit of insight into how long Mount Fuji has been venerated by the local people and pilgrims alike.

Back in the Edo Period, pilgrims could begin their trek to the top of Mount Fuji from a small gate at the back of this Shrine.

After exploring this Shrine and praying here, we conducted our opening ritual for the retreat group to welcome them into the shared space together.

This particular location of the Shrine grounds was like our initiation space for our group members.

During our opening meditation, I perceived a Golden Dragon emerging from the summit of Mt Fuji which I took as a sign of radiant blessings, growth and rejuvenation from this retreat and the Vibrational Essence that would come out of this.

The adventure continues in the next post!

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Oshino Hakkai Retreat DAY 1 Ryugu Doketsu

10/21/2022

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Prior to meeting everyone on the first day of retreat, Miyuki, Kumi and I went to Ryugu Doketsu (Dragon's Cave).

The moment that I arrived here, I knew that I needed to take my shoes off and connect with the rocky ground here. Not only was this very grounding and noticeable on my feet, but I could perceive this as the actual body of the Dragon that dwelled here.

Following the trail of Earth, Rock and Soil, at the entrance of the cave, we did a prayer and through an opening meditation, I received a vision of a Grand-Earth Dragon, looking very aged and full of wisdom. I could see that the Dragon’s body was illuminated along the trail and felt long and bumpy, with the Heart and Soul of the Dragon residing within the cave itself.

Going deeper into the cave, the presence of the Dragon’s energy could be so easily felt. The soil felt ice cold and soothing, yet there was a strong feeling of comfort and nourishment and like we were in another world.

From the moment I connected with this place, I knew that the Dragon energy through the retreat would be significant and strong.

The Journey Continues!
Stay tuned for the next destination on our magical journey!

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Oshino Hakkai Retreat Reflections (INTRODUCTION)

10/20/2022

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After booking my flights to return to Japan in mid-September to mid-October, I told my Sister Miyuki.

I suggested that we meet up with the possibility of making an essence together at a sacred place in mainland Japan. Miyuki and I discussed the possibility of travelling somewhere near Mount Fuji, which then eventually developed into facilitating a retreat together around Oshino Hakkai.

This was really exciting for me as it was the first retreat that I would be facilitating and I was doing it with my family team!

One week before our retreat began, I was on the train passing through the Nigata region. I was looking out of the train window and could see the ocean. Suddenly, I could hear the sound of Dolphins and the next day, I visited the Nigata Aquarium where I watched a Dolphin show and my Son bought a Dolphin plush toy.

The Dolphin signs kept coming and often reminded me of play and joy, which I could associate with our upcoming retreat. I shared this with Miyuki, who had also been seeing a lot of Dolphins in the lead up to our retreat.

Also on the day that retreat began, our designated meeting place had a Dolphin wind chime.

The Dolphin had become the official totem animal of our time together.

STAY TUNED FOR DAY 1 RETREAT REFLECTIONS!

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RETREAT DAY 2: Oshino Hakkai

RETREAT DAY 2: Breath and Ice

RETREAT DAY 1: Hanoshira Taki

RETREAT DAY 1: Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

Oshino Hakkai Retreat DAY 1 Ryugu Doketsu

Oshino Hakkai Retreat Reflections (INTRODUCTION)

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