Hunting Natural Highs in the Mountains of Japan

In a world that feels increasingly more chaotic by the day, people are searching for ways to enjoy life's natural highs. VICE's Fernando Perez traveled to Japan to learn about Shugendo, an ancient Japanese practice centered around finding peace through nature.
Based on the ascetic practices of En no Gyoja, Shugendo practitioners are known to wander through the forests of Japan for months on end, meditate under freezing cold waterfalls and to stand on the edge of vast cliffs. The entire process is meant to slow things down by becoming a part of nature, and by doing so achieve a higher form of consciousness. From meeting the traditional monks of Sakuramotobou Temple to experiencing life with Kosho, a free monk in Kumano, VICE got a taste of what Shugendo can bring to daily life.
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[@dennischen8887]

When I lived in Tokyo, I hiked up almost every mountain in the Saitama and Chiba area. Japan has one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

[@starrrburst]

I like how Fernando keeps an open mind to their practises. He isn’t skeptical, but just enjoying the experience! Love it!

[@tontonpacute]

one of the few vice presenters that are actually relatable and likeable

[@face-plant4706]

tontonpacute absolutely agreed

[@Fdeubcfhbbjhfd]

agreed

[@tamilalltrendings1896]

Please try this...sit straight...keep your tip of ur tongue on soft palet...inhale your attention through centre of eyes to stomach,and exhale slowly stomach to crown of head with eyes open...for 3 minutes...don't go anywhere u will feel trance little trance..it will benefits for actions and smart talks and deep sleep...similar to vasi yogam secret vechitu ena pana porom enjoy...it emits dmt from your pineal gland and slowly activates kundalini...100%true..just try one time u will feel it..it is capable of fastly heal your whole inner organs...

[@Lucid_Waking]

Agreed. At first I thought.. "Natural High? Shouldn't Hamilton be on this one?" But enjoyed Fernando openness and genuine interest.

[@finchisneat]

"Normally you just focus on getting there, but we were 'there' the whole time" Well put.

[@richieinswansea]

The part after his story of hiking around the hill for a 100 days where he says "I wanted to learn about having fun in nature" is beautiful. You can definitely see all his activities as fun things to do. A way of cathartic expression perhaps though voice, motion and the connection with nature. Pretty awesome way of life I must say.

[@Iceberqe]

It's been a long time since Vice made a good documentary like this

[@buddyollieextreme9590]

Iceberqe Ikr?

[@teukkahiiri7314]

The last monk is my idol.. The first time I've seen a person so alive!

[@keelan3332]

the music they were making at the waterfall sounded badass.

[@themassagemasters]

I love how VICE not only teaches no matter how dangerous or taboo the subject content is, you all always manage to leave me entertained and surprised every time I watch. Thanks👍🏽

[@slippymcgoo2004]

Love this dudes voice for narration

[@Kodoku97]

Kosho seemed like a cool guy. Possibly the best part of the video.

[@jellydopenut2073]

I am from America but I've been visiting family here in Korea. I'll be here for at least 11 months. During my stay, i am living on my uncle's mountain. This is some crazy stuff but I love it.

[@MoonGodd3ss]

What an honor to meet such spirits and truly experience them in their element!

[@Emily_Entropy]

Loved that last monk he was chillin with. Now I want to see them form a James Brown cover band with his primitive instruments and that monk on vocals.

[@davidhyrman144]

Tim Webb ahahahah fuck yea

[@GodIsGoodXavier]

Tim Webb "monk on vocals" lol

[@teresa1273]

Lmfao 😂😂

[@leifa888]

As someone who has dedicated my life to spiritual practice and from learning from different cultures to distill my own truth, I appreciate Vice for the mini doc. Theres quite a few insights that can be gleaned from just the tidbits that you guys showed that deepened my understanding of the Art of Shugendo. Hopefully you guys keep up the good work and cover spiritual practices of other cultures as well.

[@mememachine2357]

This documentary is dope! I'm digging the journalist too.

[@Panddaz]

I love videos like this from Vice, theyre like little mini documentaries that I get wrapped up in and end up watching these until like 3AM

[@pheelmacababe2861]

i bought a singing bowl a few years ago and its always my most cherished meditation sound, bells and chimes hold a special tone in your ears and in your mind

[@uneekelements1591]

I like the method of using subtitles and cutting out the translator. Really makes conversation appear more fluid.

[@Realitee13]

It's all about VIBRATION. if you understand that each of us is a vibration. when you go in to connect with nature, you are merely connectining with your NATURAL VIBRATION. your connection with your true self will remind you of how precious you really are. you are sharing your own vibration to intertwine or connect with TRUE SOURCE and it makes you high. ase

[@sacramentallyill]

What kind of vibrator are you?

[@ikaroshalloumi1902]

Every country have their contact with nature culture. Find the one closest to you and connect. It’s easier than it seems and brings you so much happiness and fulfillment. Thank you for sharing this document.

[@jimbrady735]

I looked up his name on google and realized I have two signed baseball cards of him when he was with the Rays. He looks so different without the beard and with dreads. Awesome to see he is doing neat stuff and a great baseball career!

[@jimbrady735]

*after

[@raheelsheikh7703]

Yup, I went to school with him, Fernando Peres; he's definitely enjoying life after baseball :)

[@user-qs2le2cs2r]

Please make "Natural highs" a whole series!

[@DarylSolis]

I live in Japan and had never heard of Shugendo. But I love hiking here so I will start to slow things down, Shugendo style. I like it!

[@alexterria4331]

That sounds like a breathtaking experience

[@SebastianTinajero]

God I’m so jealous this guy had this opportunity! Their Temples are so beautiful

[@sassysasquatch1374]

japanese culture is honestly so beautiful

[@junjungatbos3548]

Sassy Sasquatch gotta love their annual dolphin slaughter😉

[@donaxtrunculus5023]

Jun Jun Gatbos IF controlled nothing wrong with it.

[@illdrumatik391]

Donax Trunculus Yeah it's totally cool they're on the verge of the endangered species list.

[@buushin337]

I'd say that this is actually out of the box. Japanese culture is very strict and harch sometimes. This is more "nature" to the "roots" kind of practice.

[@curtisbaker4325]

Yeah their war culture is great too

[@Adomanic]

"So natural and traditional.... now let's drop some mad synth beats."

[@Dullbedsitblogger]

wow the free monk was so charismatic. I think he could teach everyone something with out the feeling like they were l;earning!

[@martyt9441]

"I want sake We go back"hahaha he is number1

[@Crimulous]

best reporter and best documentary ive seen from Vice

[@Zosaell]

This really made me relaxed.

[@BipolarGemini]

I literally live for vice. They always come thru with all the good vids. Seems like the perfect job to have tbh.

[@roseyr.7037]

Thought they were gonna talk about drugs at first but this is better

[@wahmanwahman386]

Rosey R. Same gurl.

[@Audimartini]

aggreed

[@hornetgaming2888]

Thank you for covering this experience! Love vice.

[@JOE324WILD]

By KNOWING peace, is by knowing yourSELF. By when you do know that, you then know that the self was always connected and you were always with the self and self was always with you.

[@229lonk3]

6:17( No disrespect) that mantra is BANGIN. Make u bobb your head.

[@bmeier0689]

This is amazing! I wish the video was longer tho, truly an awesome experience it seems.

[@mapdasilva1012]

One of the best Vice docummentaries

[@LockeTheChief]

Loved watching this documentary. It seems so peaceful there. Maybe I'll seek it out one day.

[@thedudeishere13]

I haven't seen this guy do videos before. I like him a lot! Just involved in learning about something and showing it as he goes.

[@raheelsheikh7703]

Great video, learned a lot and now I'm excited to visit Japan...love the host and his narration skills.

[@goldjustgold5942]

The best thing I've seen on KZbin. Thank you.

[@camgood2437]

It's this playful spirit and sense of vitality through nature that attracted me to Zen Buddhism, which I've practiced for over eleven years now. I think it has helped me to experience life more fully, without holding myself back so much. And it's taught me to not be so serious and take things as they come.. and have fun! Lol..

[@manuelweihrauch9790]

Wonderful documentary! Thank you!

[@FountainBeee]

Thank you for sharing content on the topic.

[@Brokenslipper]

Such an awesome journey! Thank you for sharing!!

[@QueyBan]

i really enjoyed this

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching ^_^

[@dylanod.4189]

Velin Christine that some Einstein shit

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

iHAVEbeenCHALLENGED Let the Mountain become Natural & Balance ^ω^

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

Dick Hammerson Clear your mind and become nothingness ˚ω˚

[@TheOatTea]

Spot the high watching

[@gabrielwolffang1312]

Dick Hammerson thank you for entertain me with your shits. I appreciate imperfection once in a while to understand how behind and undeveloped we are as a species. Your existence delivered just that

[@lydiahalliday6532]

Loved the host. He was so into it and willing to just go with the flow

[@Poonkaans]

Awesome. As always a fantastic insight into something I have never heard of before!

[@dhammadasa2563]

Absolutely beautiful, Thank you

[@RarityLifestyle]

This is next level. Thank you for this.

[@queentron17]

this seems so amazing.

[@lokinpsychg]

Love this video man.

[@More_Row]

This was really nice.

[@chrisWTG]

beautiful, i love japan!!!

[@SuperDungeonBoy]

Thanks 4 the video : )

[@LewisStVictor]

this was a real nice! enjoyed it a lot.

[@airsoftbeast11]

Great episode

[@thelovelylindseydrew]

This is so appealing

[@hanakob4563]

this was very interesting i loved it !

[@GlobalJargen]

this is what i subscribed for! awesome

[@ortem000]

Such a lovely experience.

[@martinw7340]

what a powerful insight into the hidden world of japan. i am very interested by their culture, and i greatly appreciate the difference between them and the western world. thank you vice for another insightful video

[@dblstndrd526]

wonderful video!

[@blakedies]

Really liked Fernando, should be in more vids.

[@stephaniefitzsimon1021]

I immediately have a significant fondness for Kosho Tateishi.

[@noelconrad4194]

so there is practice like this in this world, super

[@shannonluster5083]

This was excellent

[@benefitizsexy]

Amazing video! I love japan!

[@Shuriken009]

Finally some good vice journalists lately!

[@kevc0218]

not what i expected when i clicked but this documentary was great. i would love to hang out with tateishi

[@markpla584]

beautiful!

[@villainofvirginia7747]

Love this guy

[@MMABreakdowns]

I'm glad he had this experience and was able to share it with us. With that said, chasing a high or searching for a certain experience is a bit counter intuitive to these types of spiritual teachings and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having these experiences or getting this natural high. This journey and these experiences are very important, but the chase for that high the expectation for a certain experience can be detrimental at times. Say you have an experience, but it's not exactly what you were looking for, you might get disappointed and look for something else before you were able to go deeper into the practice. Or say you do have this euphoric experience and you keep trying to chase that high again and again. Eventually, you won't be able to achieve that same high after awhile and become disappointed. And from that you may become a bit clouded and it could halt your spiritual progress. Again, there is nothing wrong with having these experiences or finding joy in these practices, but this chase and these expectations can have a negative impact as the goal for a lot of these teaching is to satiate that want for that high or grand experience by letting it go. None of this is necessarily directed towards him, it's just something for you, the reader of this comment, to keep in mind as you continue to search and learn more.

[@tommysoliz3064]

Awesome video

[@dusterix]

There are similarities on Shugendo and original finnish beliefs. In Finland, many belief in the healing power of forests, as there are no mountains. When you go to a forest and just be in there, you get a deep sense of relaxation. "Sielu lepää" means that your soul is resting. I found this video to be very interesting and thought provoking.

[@nooa8955]

Dusterix totta

[@blubb7711]

Yey finally something good on vice.

[@sethfrazier27]

Would love to try this practice

[@mattandree1371]

I went to Japan about 10yrs ago to study, I see people on KZbin going to China To practice Tai Chi It's nice video in Japan I would like a journey like this on day Hmm Shugendo never heard of it Is it like Shinto Buddah bless great job VICE

[@erichewes3288]

Kosho seems like an absolute joy :)

[@SuperMarioBallotelli]

That’s dope, this guy Fernando Perez, had three home runs in the Majors!! Props to him

[@yotofee]

1:34 Praising the sun before it was cool

[@HiAdrian]

Good.

[@hakosuka2]

No matter how advanced technology gets, I doubt we will ever be able to explain this energy that connects all of us with the world.

[@TheRJH1]

Amazing

[@aspiniou]

Life should be about appreciating the nature, attempting to understand oneself and the universe, not slaving ourselves away. Really wish I could recreate the experiences from this video.

[@twocents760]

loved the james brown bit at the end. good doco. Can relate to Fernando and his down to earth americanness.

[@vnm_8945]

I need this.

[@safermonk]

very interesting and cool video thanks for everyone who help made it.

[@yeyo9404]

Oh man that was soooooooo cooooooooooool that was spiritually enlightening

[@attheendofthedaymotorsport754]

Good one vice 👍

[@dustybrabbit1]

Love it ...

[@davidrishtakov1]

Very enjoyable

[@massimolisoni4990]

I came here just to hear the pronunciation of the word Shugendo and I ended up watching the whole thing. I am reading a book by an italian guy who experimented this and who do I find here? The Tosho guy I read about in the book!!! He is so crazy.

[@SLACKLINEDUDE]

I think meditating under a cold water fall is one of the most badass things you can do in a life.

[@josephruiz4163]

Refreshing af .

[@wearealljustclowns]

I have been performing shugendo without even knowing it for the last 6 years..literally with the intent to get back my true essence of being of this Earth..so much stuff taking us away from being part of our beautiful world and universe

[@BlueRaspberry99s]

i miss Hamilton

[@clark523]

aaron they have season 2 of Hamilton's pharmacopoeia but it's not on KZbin

[@SpaceCamelWonder]

He still makes videos. Just not on vice.