Shinto and Life

Life suggests soul, breath, spirit --- élan vital—— shall we also consider the Japanese word: “KI” as spirit, essence and Inochi, a Japanese word implying “Life force”…

Shinto, is the natural spirituality originating from the spontaneous reverence for Divine Nature in deep prehistory. Shinto is the genius of Japan and the heart essence of Japanese Culture. Since ancient times rituals to harmonize with the KI / the life/ anima of Divine Nature have been conducted each day without fail at Shinto Shrines ……Shinto can be said to be the spirituality of life - the “Culture of Life”. Shinto Kami are the deification of the cosmic generative vitality/ the anima at the source of all beings—both animate and inanimate. Shinto ritual practices are aimed and rejuvenating, purifying and harmonizing with KI / anima.

Inochi/ life force/ anima is present in all beings—this is including animals, plants and rocks—— such thinking forms the roots of Shinto and so forms the basic of Japanese Culture.

Jung, a preeminent figure in Western understanding of mind felt that it was though ritual that the modern rationalistic mind could come into contact with the rich primordial depths of the sub-conscious mind——the realm of intuitive understanding —the realm of Shinto. Basic in our modern human lives is the deep longing, the deep calling for the richness of connection to our primal intuitive sub-conscious experience…..Shinto eloquently answers that primal calling.