2025.04.03

Visiting shrines / A journey to purify the mind and body and deepen the connection with the gods

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The journey away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, in search of moments to cleanse the body and mind and feel the divine energy is special for many people. Shrines scattered throughout Japan are perfect places for that purpose. Each shrine has a long history and a unique culture that is deeply rooted in the climate of the region.

A moment to communicate with the gods through worship will be an important time to free yourself from the busyness of daily life and face yourself. It's not just sightseeing, it's a special trip where you can heal your mind and make new discoveries. In this article, we will delve deeper into the charm of such a trip to visit shrines and tell you about its mystery and excitement. Why don't you reset your mind and body and gain new vitality by visiting the shrine?

Now it's time for this mysterious journey to begin.

Article Contents

Let's go meet God
- The multifaceted significance and effects of visiting shrines

Let's go meet God

Shrines are more than just historical buildings and tourist attractions. It is a sacred place where Japan people have worshipped the gods and offered thanks and prayers since ancient times. Visiting a shrine is an important act to purify our minds and bodies, deepen our connection with the gods, and bring vitality and peace to our daily lives.

The multifaceted significance and effects of visiting shrines

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Visiting a shrine has a wide range of meanings and effects that go beyond just "worship".

Fellowship with the gods: Shrines are sacred places where the gods dwell. Through worship, we can pay our respects to the gods and express our gratitude. This act is the first step towards developing an invisible bond between the gods and building a more intimate relationship.
Spiritual Purification Our lives are exposed to various stresses and negative energies without even realizing it. These effects can accumulate in our "spiritual body" as "kegare" or "aka". A shrine is a place full of purifying energy, and through worship you can wash away these spiritual defilements and cleanse your mind and body.
Spiritual purification is an important factor in improving our luck. When the "injuries" and "reds" are removed, the flow of energy becomes smoother, and good luck comes around. Visiting a shrine can be a powerful way to rejuvenate our own energies and steer our destiny in a better direction.
The shrine is a place full of natural energy. The greenery of the trees, the clear water, the clear air, and the sunshine. These blessings of nature energize us and heal our minds and bodies. Through worship, you can feel these energies with your five senses and turn them into your own vitality.
Purification of sin stains We may unintentionally acquire various "sins" and "impurities" in our daily lives. The shrine is filled with divine energy, and it is believed that by visiting the shrine, these sins and defilements will naturally disappear and the soul will regain its original radiance.

Energy charging using the five senses at the shrine

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When you step into a shrine, consciously sharpen your senses and feel the energy that fills it.

Breathe deeply and breathe in clean air into your body. In particular, it is more effective to be aware that when you inhale, you also inhale the energy around you.
Walk slowly and step firmly on the ground. Feel the energy of the earth from the soles of your feet and imagine taking it into your body.
Feel the wind on your skin and feel the energy of the wind on your skin. Every time the breeze blows, feel as if your body and mind are being cleansed.
Soak up the sun's rays. Sunlight is a great source of energy that brings us vitality and purification. Let's also enjoy the contrast between light and shadow, such as the sunlight filtering through the trees and the shadows of the torii gate.
Listen to the silence of the shrine. Listen to the sounds of nature, such as birds singing, the sound of the wind, and the rustling of trees, and create a space where you can relax from the depths of your heart.

Find a shrine that is related to you

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Each shrine has a different atmosphere and energy. Not all shrines feel the same. Shrines that make you feel "I feel good there" or "I like the atmosphere of this shrine" are shrines that have a relationship with you.

Trust your intuition. Even when you visit a shrine for the first time, you may feel something special. That may be a sign of a shrine that is related to you.
Try to visit again and again: It is not always possible to understand everything about the shrine after visiting it once. Visit several times to feel the energy of the shrine.
Listen to the voice of your heart・ You may hear the voice of your heart during or after your visit. It may be a message from God. Let's open our hearts and listen to God's guidance.
A shrine that loves you will speak to your heart. Listen to their voices and find a shrine that resonates deep in your heart.
The benefits of shrines・ Each shrine in each region enshrines a different deity. Each god brings us different benefits. By visiting various shrines, you will be able to reap more abundant benefits.

The significance of giving a congratulatory prayer before visiting the temple

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Giving a blessing at home before visiting a shrine is an important preparation for deepening the connection with the gods and making a more effective visit.

Deepening your relationship with God ・ Congratulatory words are words of gratitude and prayer to the gods. By chanting blessings, you can deepen your relationship with God and make it easier for you to receive His blessings.
The act of calming and chanting congratulatory words calms the mind and leads to a relaxed state. This will make your visit to the shrine deeper and more fulfilling.
Clarify the intention of worship ・ Chanting congratulatory words can also help clarify the intention of worship. By being aware of what you are worshipping for, you can face God with a more sincere feeling.
Boosting positive energy: Congratulatory words have the effect of boosting positive energy. By visiting the temple with a positive mindset, you will receive more good energy.
Make use of exorcisms. Exorcism is a word used to cleanse us of our sins and defilements. By chanting an exorcism before visiting the shrine, you can cleanse your mind and body and visit the shrine in a better state.

The feeling of being called to a shrine

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The feeling of wanting to go to a shrine is not a coincidence. It could be a sign that God is calling you.

Follow your intuition: If you intuitively feel that you want to go to this shrine, follow that feeling.
If you want to go to a shrine for some reason, don't miss the timing.
Chance encounters, Let's also cherish chance encounters, such as shrines that you found casually or shrines that were introduced to you by people you met by chance.
God's guidance: Your interest in shrines may be a sign that God is guiding you. Let's follow God's guidance and worship.
Act obediently: If you feel that you want to go to a shrine, acting obediently and according to that feeling is the key to obtaining better benefits.

History of the Monthly Festival and Shrine

In the past, Japan held a monthly festival on the day of the new moon as "Tsukitachi" to pray for a good harvest of the month. They also held a monthly festival on the day of the full moon to give thanks. They visited the shrine on the 1st and 15th of every month to express their gratitude to the gods.

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In the past, a monthly festival was held every month at Ise Jingu Shrine, but now it is held on the 15th of June and December. In particular, the monthly festival in June, along with the Shinto Festival in October and the monthly festival in December, is called the "Sansetsu Festival" and is one of the most venerable festivals in Jingu. This festival will be held at the outer shrine at 10 p.m. on the night of the 15th, and at 2 o'clock in the morning on the 16th. This ritual has been going on for more than 2,000 years, and people give thanks to the gods and pray for a bountiful harvest, national prosperity, national happiness, and world peace.

Ancient Faith and Prayer

Since ancient times, Japan has believed that "eight million gods" dwell in all things. This belief is at the root of the Japan spirituality, which respects nature and respects life. Since ancient times, we have prayed and cherished our connection with the gods. Praying is the act of reaching out to God and expressing gratitude.

Summary

Visiting a shrine is a precious opportunity for us to deepen our connection with the gods, purify our minds and bodies, and enhance our luck. A shrine is a sacred place full of natural energy, and through worship, we can gain vitality and regain peace of mind.

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