Japan - Pilgrimage of Shikoku 2014 - Part 2 : Asceticism
Hello everyone,
Despite this anxiety-inducing atmosphere that seems to cloud the horizon, time continues to pass at its usual pace. Like a pilgrim on the road, introspection becomes our companion. It helps us redefine our values, live in the present moment, delve deep within ourselves to recognize our wounds… and find ways to heal them.
It also encourages us to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses, to regain confidence, to eat more mindfully, to move our bodies through physical activity, and to reconnect with our passions—what truly drives us.
“Asceticism” on the Pilgrimage of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku
This second phase, “Asceticism”, represents a conscious restriction—a chosen discipline that follows the awareness born in the stage of “Awakening.”
At this point in the pilgrimage, I
begin to listen to my body. I no longer complain about the pain in my
shin. The misfortunes of the past days have faded—they’ve become
memories that now serve to strengthen the mind.
I live in the present moment. I observe without judgment. I receive what the journey offers me, without excess.
Silence settles in and brings peace. Gradually, inner stillness emerges, guiding me toward the next stage: “Illumination.”
My Story
From temple 23 (Yakuōji), I
continue by bicycle, which I bought the day before. I plan my route
close to the dirt paths and stairs used by walking pilgrims.
It’s raining along the southern coast… I face a few setbacks early on, but I survive—laughs. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
As I journey through Kōchi
Prefecture, I find that some temples are spaced 50 to 80 kilometers
apart, while others are grouped near cities.
After Kōchi, I’m greeted by long, golden sandy beaches reminiscent of
the Atlantic coast. Shikoku strikingly resembles Corsica, with its
rugged mountains dropping straight into the sea.
Some temples are perched atop rocky
cliffs overlooking the ocean. The road leads me to breathtaking capes,
such as Cape Ashizurimisaki and temple 38, Kongōfukuji.
Then I head west, along the southwestern coast, toward temple 39, Enkōji—the last temple of the province.
As March unfolds, the cherry blossoms begin to bloom. These are moments of calm, peace, and chosen solitude—hallmarks of the “Asceticism” phase.
You’ll find this second part of the pilgrimage illustrated in images, from temple 24 to temple 39. (Then continue the journey with the following folios…). See you soon for the third stage: “Illumination.”
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