The Shikoku Pilgrimage we began in March 2020 was the seed of Honne Elixirs for Body, Mind and Soul, and inspired the blog itself.
Buddha guiding Ohenro and marking the trail to Shosan-ji, Temple 12 on Shikoku Island, Japan.
The journey
Honne began the day I hiked to Shosan-ji, temple 11 of 88 and the second highest temple on the pilgrimage known as nansho, ‘difficult place’.
Where I hiked steep rocky terrain for eight hours in the rain with my mom, it was equally humbling and gratifying. I look back on this experience often, because it reminds me how powerful my body and mind is. That trying new things isn’t always comfortable. In this experience, that I considered challenging, something more incredible than I could have imagined was at the top of the mountain.
When I think I’m under prepared for what’s showing up outside of me, that feels scary and exciting, I remind myself to trust my joy, inspiration, and curiosity that brought me to where I am. How do you really know if you are under prepared until you try?
Hiking in the rain and up the steep mountain side to Shosan-ji.
I arrived at the long and winding road to the entrance of Shosan-ji an hour before closing. Beginning the temple rituals by bowing in gratitude and awe at the temple gate. To walking up the steps to the temple grounds where I cleansed my hands and mouth at the water well. Then, signaling my arrival at the bell tower; a reverberation of sound as deep as the ocean. Awakening me to the moment. Enthusiasm flooded my being; a consistent and powerful reminder to stay present to my life.
The trail down from Shosan-ji among cherry trees and blossoms.
As the sunsets and each day ends, I walked down to the next town I was staying for the night.
The hosts of the guesthouse, lime and kiwi farmers in a small rural mountain town, who are known for housing Ohenro and WWOOFers.
In Japan, it’s customary to remove ones shoes before entering a home or dwelling. Remembering it vividly, like it was yesterday, were the house slippers at this specific guesthouse. After hiking all day, they were a gift of joy, and the most comfortable slippers I have worn to this day! These slippers brought me down a rabbit hole to try and find them to buy. Then, to not actually finding them, and instead to learning about Honne!
Honne reminds me daily to continue living an authentic life in all its forms! This shows up for me here in this blog as the recipes I formulate from travel experiences with friends and family, to the meals and experiences I curate as private chef.