Benefits in Daily Life

Misogi, Shugyō, and Sossen Kyuko (Perform with Confidence / Take the Initiative) are not separate ideas—they are part of a single path. Misogi purifies the mind so that we can train with full commitment. Shugyō is the lifelong process of forging the self through training. Sossen Kyuko is the ability to take action decisively, without hesitation.

Life, like the uke/attacker in Aikido, does not wait. The moment is now. Move forward with confidence. Take the initiative.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we fully present and committed in every moment, or are we holding back?

Table of Contents

• Benefits in Daily Life

• Reflection of the Week:

  • Misogi: Purification, Initiative, and the Spirit o …

  • Sokushin no Gyo: Purification Through Breath

  • Senshin no Gyo: Purification Through Water

  • Every Moment is Life or Death

  • Initiative in Aikido: 率先窮行 (Sossen Kyuko)

  • Misogi as a Daily Practice

    • Practical applications of Misogi in daily life:

Reflection of the Week:

Misogi: Purification, Initiative, and the Spirit of Training

Misogi (禊), at its core, is about purification and presence. While it began as a Shinto practice of ritual purification in waterfalls or ocean waters, its deeper meaning transcends physical cleansing. Misogi represents a way to clear away hesitation and mental noise, allowing us to experience each moment fully and act with complete commitment. It is a means of stripping away distraction, hesitation, and doubt, leaving behind only pure, unshakable presence. In Aikido, as in life, clarity of mind and decisive action are critical. 

Sokushin no Gyo: Purification Through Breath

One way we train Misogi in Shinshin Toitsu Do is Sokushin no Gyo —“Breath-BodyMind Training.” This practice, rooted in the teachings of Yamaoka Tesshu, involves deep, continuous breathing and vocalization, sometimes performed to the point of exhaustion. It is not simply an endurance test; it is a means of forging the spirit, eliminating all unnecessary thoughts, and bringing the practitioner into a state of absolute presence. 

At the Ichikukai Dojo, which was founded by Tesshu’s students to continue his training methods, this practice is taken to extremes, with students enduring multiple full days of severe training, testing the limits of their mental and physical endurance. Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei trained extensively at Ichikukai and for a long time sent his students there. Over time, he came to a profound realization: the extreme physical aspects of the training – hours of shouting until hoarse, sitting in seiza well past the time your legs went numb – were not the essential elements. In fact the “machismo” of enduring pain became an obstacle. What mattered was learning to be fully present in each moment. This insight transformed how we might understand both Misogi and intensive training in general.

The real power of Sokushin no Gyo lies in how it helps us harmonize breath, body, and mind. The physical practices serve as tools for developing unified awareness rather than trials to be endured. 

Senshin no Gyo: Purification Through Water

The other form of Misogi we do in Shinshin Toitsu Do is Senshin no Gyo—“Water Purification Training.” This practice involves dipping oneself in a body of cold water or pouring cold water over oneself, often while also practicing kiai, to cleanse the body and mind. The key is not to simply endure the cold but to cultivate a deep, unwavering presence in the moment. It is about aligning one’s breath, mind, and spirit, allowing external distractions to wash away, leaving only pure focus and calmness.

It teaches that discomfort and external conditions do not dictate our inner state. When facing challenges, do we react with resistance, or do we accept and move through them with calm determination? Just as in Aikido, where we lead the attack rather than resist it, Senshin no Gyo trains us to move with life’s challenges rather than against them. It is a reminder that purification is about refining our awareness and connection to the present.

Every Moment is Life or Death

As a swordsman and Zen practitioner, Yamaoka Tesshu showed that technical skill must be paired with the ability to act without hesitation, moving from a state of complete presence. His teaching that "training is life-or-death" spoke to the quality of awareness required in each moment, not just physical survival.

A key lesson of Misogi is that each moment must be lived fully, as if it were a matter of life and death. This principle, known as Shoji Ichinyo (生死一如), is a cornerstone of Zen, swordsmanship, and Aikido alike. When training, there is no “later.” There is no “next time.” There is only now. This is the mindset a warrior must have in combat—waiting even a fraction of a second is the difference between life and death. 

Ichigo Ichie (一期一会) – "one time, one meeting" – reminds us that each moment is unique. In Aikido, this means approaching every technique and partner as a fresh encounter, engaging fully in each technique, with no half-hearted movements regardless of how many times we've practiced before. Each partner brings their own unique energy and movement patterns, offering new opportunities for learning and refinement. In life, this means treating every conversation, every decision, and every interaction as if it were a singular, irreplaceable event. Holding back or maintaining a safe, uncommitted middle ground is itself a form of defeat.

Initiative in Aikido: 率先窮行 (Sossen Kyuko)

This leads us to the Fifth Principle of Aikido, Sossen Kyuko (率先窮行), usually translated as “Perform with Confidence.” Lately though, I’ve been experimenting with seeing it as “Take the Initiative.” True initiative in Aikido means acting before hesitation arises, responding naturally before the attack is fully formed, moving in harmony with reality before it has solidified. This is the essence of Sen (先)—the ability to move first.

At 1st Kyu, we emphasize the principle that Ki moves first. The physical body follows the movement of Ki. Sometimes, we describe this as moving on the “I of Ima” (今, い of いま), moving on the “N of Now.” It is about total presence, where intent and action are one.

This concept is also closely related to Sen Sen no Sen (先々の先)—“Prior to prior to prior.” True initiative is not just about moving before the opponent; it is about sensing and responding before the attack is even fully conceptualized. It is a level of preemptive awareness, where one is already in motion before the conflict fully materializes.

Yamaoka Tesshu embodied this principle throughout his life. He never waited for conditions to be perfect; he acted decisively, knowing that hesitation was the greatest obstacle to mastery. His swordsmanship, Zen practice, and Misogi training were all expressions of this truth—move first, commit fully, and leave no room for doubt.

Misogi as a Daily Practice

While Sokushin no Gyo, Senshin no Gyo and other Misogi training are valuable, the deeper lesson is that Misogi is a daily practice. It is not simply about breath training or ritual purification—it is a way of living. Each morning, we have the opportunity to wash away yesterday’s burdens and start fresh. Each action is a form of purification if performed with full presence and commitment.

Practical applications of Misogi in daily life:

• In Aikido training – Step into every movement with full intention, without doubt or hesitation.

• In business and leadership – Make decisions with clarity and confidence, without waiting for perfect conditions.

• In personal growth – Let go of hesitation, embrace each challenge fully, and move forward without looking back.

Upcoming Events

May 16 - 18, 2025 EKF Seminar hosted by Minnesota Ki Aikido Save the Date

July 24 - 27, 2025 International Ki Conference taught by Kaicho Shinichi Tohei Sensei
Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina
https://internationalkiconference2025.com/

I look forward to seeing you on the mat (and in daily life) soon!