Bamboo Forest – Japan

Japan has always held a special place in my heart. There is a familiarity, perhaps even a comfort for me that holds no explanation pertaining to my lineage or cultural upbringing. My only connection to its shores were through the martial arts training I received during my teenage years. I was a voracious reader of anything non fiction. My ties into karate peaked my interest in exploring a multitude of styles which eventually lead me to seek to understand more information around Japan’s traditions, beliefs and environment.

My third trip to Japan occurred in Dec 2013 and held great personal significance to me. There was an enormous amount of change occurring, some of it could be attributed to my own stimulus and the other aspects as I now understand it were associated to destiny, fate or perhaps a little of both.  It was here exploring the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto – Japan, that I recognised I had a very important decision to make.

The picture below was taken by me as a reminder of my choices and why I chose to make the one I did. My exposure to certain experiences across the months leading up to my trip to Japan rendered me blind to the reality of the situation. I stared at the stalks of bamboo and visualised myself trying to navigate through the forest blindfolded. If I relied on a singular sense such as sound or touch I would amplify the difficulty of navigating through safely and most certainly increase my risk of failure.

I knew to enter into such a domain blindfolded meant I would need to surrender my mind to the acceptance that I would not be present to all the answers. If I wanted to be true to myself than my only path was to be driven by the rhythm of my hearts tune and guided by my souls light. I had to trust my instincts when my eyes, ears and mind were being betrayed by the illusion of truth.

At times when I find myself on the crossroads of sadness, frustration or doubt, it is this place that I visualise myself present to.

Address: Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Blessings – Truth Devour