The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter. Let’s take a look at the general ideas:
Human beings evolved in conditions that were physically demanding, uncertain, and often uncomfortable. Modern society has removed much of that discomfort, but in doing so it has also removed many of the experiences that made us healthy, capable, and fulfilled.
The human body and mind still possess ancient programming that expects challenge. When challenge disappears, something important is lost.
Many of the things we avoid (cold, hunger, strenuous exercise, uncertainty, failure) are exactly the experiences that help humans grow stronger. A certain amount of voluntary hardship acts almost like medicine for the modern body and mind. Time outdoors improves mood, cognition, stress levels, and overall well-being. Yet many people spend little time in nature.
Furthermore, boredom is not the enemy. It’s often the gateway to reflection, creativity, and deeper thought. Constant stimulation prevents the mind from wandering and processing life.
Similarly, loneliness quiet certainly is harmful, but solitude can be profoundly valuable. Being alone without distraction allows people to encounter themselves honestly and develop a stronger sense of identity.
The Japanese-inspired concept of Misogi is a good example of these ideas.
Misogi is a Japanese Shinto purification ritual, modernized into an annual, intensely challenging, and transformative event designed to push personal boundaries, build resilience, and enhance mental/spiritual strength.
The core principle is setting a daunting goal (a 50/50 chance of success) that requires extensive preparation, such as a massive physical or mental feat, rather than a mere accomplishment.
While traditional Misogi is a spiritual practice, modern interpretations often focus on secular “resilience challenges” popularized in wellness, similar to concepts found in studies of human endurance.
What is the Purpose of Misogi?
- Transformation: To change how you live your life for the year following the event.
- Resilience & Growth: To learn about your capabilities and expand them by stepping far outside your comfort zone.
- Perspective: To foster humility, courage, and a sense of “Type 2 fun” that resets your mental state.
How is Misogi Performed?
- Select a Hard Goal: Choose a daunting challenge with a 50/50 chance of failure, not just something you’re confident in completing.
- Prepare Heavily: Dedicate months to training or preparing, ensuring it impacts your daily life.
- Execute the Task: Perform the task, which is usually a single, major event rather than a long-term race series.
- No Applause: The goal is personal growth, often without external recognition or a medal.
What are the Types of Misogi?
- Traditional: Standing under a freezing waterfall, bathing in a river, or spiritual purification.
- Modern Physical: Epic physical tasks such as long-distance, unsupported hiking, climbing, or cycling in harsh environments.
- Modern Mental/Mental: Taking on a massive, terrifying professional or personal challenge that forces you to face fears.
In older cultural practices, it was something that a person took on my choice for spiritual and personal growth. And even in the modern interpretation, it serves a similar purpose.
But we’re coming to a time, or are already in a time, when this is going to be forced upon us by circumstance. As living in this new world becomes increasingly difficult for so many people, we will be faced with incredible new challenges. And it is up to us whether we face those challenges with a spirit agency or spirit of defeat.
It’s your choice (much of the time, anyway).
How will you choose to face these challenges that, almost certainly, are coming your way?
Therefore: Discomfort Is Often Good For Us (if one is able)
- Walk more.
- Carry heavy things.
- Spend time outside.
- Fast occasionally.
- Disconnect from technology.
- Accept boredom.
- Pursue difficult goals.
- Do things that make you slightly uncomfortable.
Maybe a bit of Misogi can be a good thing. I figure we’re about to all experience a forced Misogi anyway.
Join us in making the world a better place. You’ll be glad that you did. Cheers, friends.
(For more on the subject: here’s another great look at the idea by Leslyn Kantner)
