Shogun and Rituals
I have been recently enjoying / unwittingly taken in by the tv show “Shogun” — it’s a multi layered story set in 1600’s Japan. It centres around one British sailor’s experiences after washing up on the shore in Japan, after successfully navigating the Magellan Pass — a trade route previously kept secret by the Portugese. Up to that point, Portugese traders have been spreading religion and profiting / trading successfully in Japan for 50 years.
There are some wonderful twists and turns in the story, thanks in part to the impact of Western greed, influence & technology (guns/cannons) reaching the East. This is further complicated with the likeable Lord Yoshii Toranaga fighting for his life against his peers, in the power vacuum created after the passing of the Taikō (Regent).
What sets it apart from other shows is not just the deep writing with gorgeous backdrops, set pieces and intertwining story lines. It’s also the beautiful capture of Japanese culture at the time, the customs, behaviours and costumes. The Japanese have many customs and expected behaviours which the main protagonist John Blackthorne has to come up against. Helping him is the highborn Marika, who serves as his translator and main love interest.
Through the story we are introduced to many Japanese rituals and customs — from the shocking ending of one’s family line through the act of Seppuku to the gardener tending the sand garden, to the ritualistic pouring of tea.
The Samurai of feudal Japan understood the power of ritual. Every aspect of their lives, from the arrangement of their armor to the rituals performed before battle, was imbued with significance. These rituals served not only practical purposes but also cultivated a mindset of discipline, focus, and honor.
In the midst of modern life’s chaos, I’ve found my morning and evening rituals as safe havens which I can always revert back to, through the best and worst of times.
My morning ritual sets my day up with intention, setting the tone for positivity and grounding me in the present.
- Every morning, I go to the bathroom and end my normal shower with a cold shower. The shock removes the racing thoughts from my mind, brought on by my body’s cortisol level being at its naturally highest point. It also boost my immune system and I am less prone to kneejerk reactions to daily stresses afterwards. When I come out of the shower, I am calmer and more in the moment.
- I then go to the living room and open the blinds. I have a copy of The Daily Stoic on my bookshelf and I read the passage for the day. I like the Stoic advice as even though it was written thousands of years ago, it’s applicable today — the authors also do a good job of explaining the significance of the quote and how it can apply to modern life. If I’m actively reading a book, I’ll read a chapter of that also.
- Following that is a 10 minute Wim Hof YouTube guided breathing session or a QI Gong morning breathwork/movement video.
- Unless there is a storm, I will take the dog for a 20 minute walk and try to get out to a small lake near my house to set my body clock up correctly.
- Next is a decaf tea during which my wife and I will chat for a little while before starting the work day. I don’t need caffeine as the shower has already woken me up; and caffeine can stress the body further when the cortisol level is already high.
This whole routine takes anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours and I wake early to ensure it happens.
The evening ritual is a lot less structured;
- There are timer/dimmers on lights which gradually reduce the lighting closer to bed time, this ritual signals to my body and mind that it’s time to unwind and recharge.
- Usually I fall asleep with the Endel app running — a 1 hour sleep sound session that I find deepens sleep and allows me to fall asleep easier. This fades out / turns off automatically (note: the sound is coming from an iPad — as my phone with all of it’s attention sucking apps stays on a small shelf in the living room when I am at home)
Incorporating rituals into my daily life has been a gradual and transformative journey. Through these simple practices, I’ve cultivated a greater sense of presence, purpose, and wellbeing. If ritual is good enough for the samurai, it’s good enough for me.
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Disclaimer: This article is written for entertainment purposes only and contains the author’s personal life experiences. This is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified Therapist, Business Coach or Legal Professional. Readers are encouraged to do their own research. The author will not be held responsible for any issues arising as a result of implementing anything discussed within their writing.
