Uketamo

I’ve always been a little obsessed with Japan and the philosophies that stem from this country.

The philosophies they practice can almost always be applied to our everyday lives no matter where we come from.

There’s a little mountain region in northern Japan called the Dewa Sanzan that’s been used as a training ground for the Yamabushi – monks who train in the austerities in the mountains – for over 1,000 years.

Although the Dewa Sanzan comprises of only three mountains, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono, a powerful philosophy has developed there over the centuries.

The philosophy Uketamo (oo-keh-ta-moh), means “I humbly accept with an open heart” and it’s a Japanese Wabi Sabi Philosophy we should all live by. 

The core of their ideology is the essence of acceptance to the core.

Uketamo works like this: Your master, called a Sendatsu, tells the Yamabushi to climb Mt. Haguro. The only response allowed? 

Uketamo. 

Your master tells you to get under the waterfall for meditation. Your response? 

Uketamo. 

This can be applied to everything you encounter in life.

You lose your job? 

Uketamo.

Someone dent your car? 

Uketamo.

Someone very close to you pass away? 

You take the time to grieve, all the while thinking how can you Uketamo (hint, give it time, meanwhile focus on keeping your house in order).

Ultimately, Uketamo means acceptance at its core... with everything.

Realize that the sooner you can accept the things that life throws at you, the lighter you will feel.

Something bad happen to you? Good.

The life lessons and skills you'll learn from it are much more valuable than being comfortable and lazy.

Adversity and tough times are inevitable.

They will happen to you one way or another, multiple times over.

The only way to overcome these challenges is to accept them.

Pivot, jump, adjust, and keep moving forward.

Ultimately, this is where my mantra “Keep Pluggin” came from.

Sh*t happens. But it’s how we react to it that determines our fate.

Never stop pluggin’ along. You’ll arrive at your destiny eventually.

Be well and Uketamo.

Until Next Time, C.