The MISOGI Method: THE Way To Achieve Lasting Happiness and Success

by Jody B. Miller

Centuries ago, a Japanese Shintō ritual was taking shape. A ritual that promised to purify the soul, to eliminate impurities, to renew, to be reborn. The problem is, the MISOGI ritual was more of a shock to the system because you had to stand practically naked, under a freezing waterfall in order to get the full effect. I don’t know if this ritual started because the Shintō practice endorsed pain and suffering. I have found no research to that effect. But what I did find was the story behind the story, all of which played a part in the unfolding of my story to landing a TEDx talk and developing the current MISOGI Method. A way to achieve lasting happiness that will help you realize the unlimited possibilities in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2019

Reviews

[Luky LuvBöök · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting through this book was a misogi

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Onlinebookclub.org in exchange for an honest review.

I struggle with self help books in general.

I like that this book lays out the groundwork for a misogi. It gives the definition, a short history, and how it's been modernized. It's a good book for someone who wants to challenge themselves and maybe isn't sure where to start.

There's questions at the end of each chapter that are good for reflection. I like that the book emphasizes knowing what your goal should be before you dive in. There are a lot of suggestions if you want to make changes in your life.

However, the crux of this book is what I struggle with in most self help books. Miller emphasizes that we're responsible for our own happiness. She also suggests things like visiting a chryochamber if you don't want to do cold water. This suggests how out-of-touch Miller is with people who may read this book. It fails to recognize how systems of oppression - such as poverty, institutional racism, and disease can impact people and we can't all just meditate and hit the chryochamber to deal with our feelings. You can't really tell a grieving parent that if they just changed up their routine they'd be happier. I also found Miller's description of 'being in the zone' to sound unhealthy instead of something inspiring or empowering.

The book also plugs Miller's Ted Talk and even includes a screenshot of the video. Links and other resources are at the end of the book.

[Paulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The MISOGI Method by Jody B. Miller
Rating: 4 out of 5★★★★
Review: paulo_pereira
The MISOGI Method, penned by Jody B. Miller, is a transformative self-help book that challenges readers to break through their limitations and embrace personal growth. With a combination of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and inspiring real-life stories, Miller presents a compelling argument for the power of setting audacious goals and pushing oneself to the edge.
One of the book's greatest strengths is Miller's ability to communicate her ideas clearly and concisely. Her writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to connect with her experiences and grasp the principles underlying the MISOGI Method. Whether you are well-versed in self-help literature or new to the genre, Miller's relatable storytelling will captivate your attention right from the start.
The MISOGI Method introduces readers to the concept of a "MISOGI," derived from the Japanese practice of venturing to the edge of one's limits and then surpassing them. Miller emphasizes the significance of stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing challenges as a means to unlock our true potential. Through her own personal stories and interviews with individuals who have embarked on MISOGI journeys, Miller illustrates how these transformative experiences can lead to personal growth, increased resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose.
What sets The MISOGI Method apart from other self-help books is its focus on creating a supportive community. Miller underscores the importance of finding like-minded individuals who can provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability throughout the MISOGI journey. By emphasizing the power of community, Miller highlights the idea that we are not alone in our pursuit of personal growth, and that the support of others can propel us toward our goals.
Furthermore, the book provides practical strategies and exercises to help readers identify their MISOGI, set meaningful goals, and navigate the obstacles that may arise along the way. Miller's guidance is actionable and well-researched, incorporating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and personal development literature. Readers will find a wealth of tools and techniques to apply in their own lives, making the book an invaluable resource for those seeking personal transformation.
While The MISOGI Method is undeniably inspiring and motivational, some readers may find that the book could have delved deeper into the potential risks and challenges associated with pushing oneself beyond perceived limits. While Miller briefly acknowledges the importance of self-care and balance, a more thorough exploration of these topics would have added depth to the overall message of the book.
In conclusion, The MISOGI Method by Jody B. Miller is an engaging and empowering self-help book that encourages readers to embrace discomfort and pursue personal growth. Miller's relatable storytelling, practical guidance, and emphasis on community make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to push beyond their limits and unlock their true potential. While a more comprehensive examination of the challenges would have been beneficial, The MISOGI Method offers a fresh and inspiring perspective on personal transformation. I like the the writing and I rate it 4 out of 5.★★★★

[Koyna Dalmia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misogi is a Japanese Shinto ritual to purify the soul. In this ritual, people stand under a cold waterfall, wearing almost nothing. This way the Japanese try to rejuvenate. Today, however, misogi means something very different. It means trying something completely new, which has more than a 50% chance of failure. It is more than a ritual. It is a process. A misogi changes one’s outlook of problems and helps one grow. But most importantly, by attaining misogi people get to know themselves better.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author has explained the concept using powerful examples. So even though the concept of misogi was new for me, I did not have a hard time understanding it. What I like the most about the book, is the format in which it is written. Every chapter has a clear goal, which brings us closer to our misogi. The goal involves some personal reflection. The writing space provided at the end of every chapter is handy and pushed me to start on my journey to attain a misogi. If the readers follow the author’s steps thoroughly, they will find themselves completing their first misogi by the time they reach the end of the book.
After I finished reading “The Misogi Method”, I wasn’t completely contended. There are a few places where I feel the author leaves the readers wanting more. For example, she wrote about an incident where she came across a perfect-looking model. But then after a few days, she found a flaw in her too. What was the flaw? Well, she refused to mention the flaw. This left me, as an audience, curious and dissatisfied. The content is focused and very informative - but do not expect any entertainment value from this book..
I will rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. The content is rich and hands-on, but once again the book is not a leisure read. “The Misogi Method” by Jody B. Miller, can best be described as a guide to achieving one’s first misogi.
The book is exceptionally edited. I found no grammatical errors, which made my reading smooth. It is also a clean read and does not contain any sexual content. I will recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a self-help book. It will benefit them greatly and give them the start they are looking for.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Misogi Method is an easy book to like. Misogi, a word from Japanese, is a Shinto purification ceremony performed to cleanse both your body and mind before worship. Jody B. Miller explains that a modern-day Misogi can be your ultimate challenge, which tests what you think is possible in your life or the realm of your challenge. The important part is not completing this challenge but seeing how far you can stretch your abilities or confidence within your chosen area. As readers, a book about the possibilities of achieving something you have always desired always gives us hope and excitement. Miller lays out very nicely, step-by-step, the approach needed to figure out your Misogi, start planning, and finish your attempt at your misogi. It's an excellent book as a journal as it gives the readers areas to make notes, and she always outlines at the end of the chapter what it just discussed. At the end of the book, Miller includes several interviews from her podcast and her TEDx Talk transcript. These took away from the book for me. One, they felt like self-promotion. Throughout the book, Miller is not shy to state her past achievements, and while readers can appreciate advice from people who have done many impressive things, it starts to feel presumptuous towards the end. Two, what I liked about Misogi is that you can choose your misogi to push your boundaries of what is possible for you. However, by including the interviews from her podcast of people who have done very obvious impressive feats (an Olympic qualifier, a CEO, etc.), it has the potential to make less confident people, most likely many of her readers, say to themselves, "See, it's those types of people who this challenge will work for." I realize she wanted to show what you can achieve if you push yourself and dream big; however, without an example of a less-obvious achiever, it feels more out of reach.

I reviewed this book for OnlineBookClub.org. I have given it 3.5 stars. I liked the book's layout, the premise, and the step-by-step approach. I think this aspect makes it very accessible for many people.

I took some stars away because of the previously written criticisms, and the book also had a lot of typos.

[Faith Ukaegbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that changes your perspective on life after reading. The MISOGI Method by Jody B. Miller talks about a ritual that cleanses the body and soul. Its essence is to purify the body to welcome a pure new spirit. She starts by explaining the difference between a ritual and a habit, which most readers, including myself, misunderstand. She did not just make these up, as she had already done her research before putting this out there; this ritual was first mentioned by the Japanese Shinto tribe in the 8th century and was called Herae. Its purpose is to purify oneself of sins, bad luck, guilt, internal pollution, or disease. Unlike most rituals we are familiar with, this process was not easy as it required the individual to stand under a freezing waterfall at the peak of the winter, wearing almost nothing. She explained how MISOGI can be implemented in modern times and encouraged readers to take up any challenge of their choice, as this leads to growth and self-improvement.

The first thing I liked when I started to read was how explanatory the author was with the terms and the introduction. She knew that most readers like me might have never heard about the MISOGI method before we picked up this book, so she introduced it simply and friendly. I also appreciate the takeaway points at the end of every chapter, summarizing everything taught in the chapter. The book is self-explanatory and easy to understand, which is a plus. She also listed a step-by-step process for everyone willing to start a MISOGI for the first time; she did this by dividing the book into five parts.

I did not dislike anything about this book, as I learned a lot from it. The book was well edited, but it could have been better, as I spotted many errors while reading it. That being said, there was nothing else to downgrade this exceptional work.

For the reasons I mentioned above, I rate this book four out of five stars. I removed a star due to the many errors I spotted while reading the book, which impacted my reading experience. I recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth and self-discovery.

[Felicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the theory behind this book. Misogi is an ancient Japanese Shinto ritual meant to purify the six elements of a human being, all five senses, and the mind. It involves standing under an extremely cold waterfall and repeating a traditional chant. A modern-day misogi should be a calling that you feel to do something big, high risk, and challenging for you. It could be climbing a mountain, reading 500 books in a year, or running 5 miles underwater. It must have a 50% or greater chance of failure, not kill you, and not harm anyone else.
Throughout the book, there are writing prompts meant to help you evaluate your life and decide on a misogi to take part in. The prompts are insightful and I found that they helped me get some ideas for my misogi.
This book is also in need of some serious editing help. Sentence fragments, misplaced words, and grammar mistakes made the reading experience unpleasant for the most part. The content of the book also stopped about halfway through the book itself. The second half of the book was podcast transcripts and a copy of Jody’s TEDx talk. None of it seemed very relevant to the rest of the book.
The other part that made this tough to read was the cross-promotional material. The author made an effort to reference her own work whenever possible, as well as dropping celebrity names and giving examples of how important and influential she considers herself to be. This was super off-putting for me and didn’t seem relevant to the book itself.
Overall, I like the idea behind this book but found the writing prompts to be the most useful part.

[Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy of this ebook for review.]

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book defines the MISOGI method as stepping outside one’s comfort zone to live as well as possible. The book delves into the traditions and kinds of MISOGIs as well as taking the steps to find one’s MISOGI. By the end of the book, the book advises how to make the ritual last for the reader. The method is not a prescription or a practice made official by a psychologist or scientist, but as a developed theory that was discovered through research into the value of play and the ancient ritual, MISOGI - which is a Japanese “ritual of purification by washing the entire body in very cold water”.

The MISOGI method doesn’t have to be a physical achievement like the Japanese method of pouring cold water over one’s body for purification. Achievements can include reading more books or leaving a marriage. The point of MISOGI is to do something that is so far outside the comfort zone that it will be a challenge that seems unreachable but will ultimately be rewarding. The best example used to describe the approach is Fight or Flight. Tackling the MISOGI method is understanding the dangers and acknowledging the sense of fear until the change is embraced.

The book delves a lot into the history of rituals and traditions, providing examples and case studies to make points. This information is not necessarily relevant when explaining what the MISOGI method is and what the ultimate benefits are. The book is therefore repetitive and complex. The structure is also complex: The MISOGI Method makes points using bullet points, underlines what are important takeaways, and features prose form to demonstrate conversations related to the method.

The book is extremely repetitive and can provide a lot of the information in a shorter and briefer manner. Nonetheless, the method is well explained and there are plenty of case studies for readers to relate to. The MISOGI method is ideal for those who want to get out of their comfort zone but don’t know how to go about making changes to their routine.


I received a free review copy. Thank you to OnlineBookClub and author.

[Mb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is named after a Japanese ritual that is difficult to perform but is supposed to cleanse the person who dares to go through with it. The author found herself in a difficult position both on the personal and health fronts. She made some drastic changes in her life, that were difficult in the moment but kicked off a phase of personal growth that is still continuing.

In the book, she encourages readers to take responsibility for their lives. She suggests taking up some tough challenges that will bring about maximal growth. She has tips on selecting the challenges that are most meaningful to us, how to stick to them, and how to continue to grow once the challenge has been completed. The transcript of the author's TED talk and transcripts of some interviews from her podcast are also included in the book.

The book has some useful concepts for improving one's life. However, it places too much emphasis on the role of an individual in their success. Overly positive thinking sometimes disregards the struggles that people may face due to their country of birth, their gender, their race, and several other factors that are out of their control. The concepts introduced in the book should be interpreted keeping that harsh truth in mind.

[Tomy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes a good impression at the beginning. When it talks about Japanese culture and the lineage of the term misogi from Shinto, From his previous book about drift and shift, I can see that he has a high level of concern regarding storytelling.

As the writing progresses, he talks about how the term misogi has evolved into a way of surpassing personal limits by creating challenging but non-life-threatening situations. It can be in the form of physical activities such as extreme sports, or it can be in the form of doing more than usual and seemingly impossible tasks.
This book is easy to read and has an amazing, flawless, and perfect editing.

Unfortunately, readers need to struggle to read this book because, in the middle, there are parts that become quite boring when he tries to transcribe his writings. The reason I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 is that although it has a good concept as a self-help book, it takes effort to read this book to completion.

For future reference, as a suggestion, please provide video transcripts as links instead of forcing them into the book. Thank you.

[Whitney America · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Misogi Method" by Jody B. Miller is a transformative guide exploring the ancient Japanese practice of Misogi, adapted for modern life. Miller skillfully intertwines tradition and contemporary challenges, urging readers to step out of their comfort zones for personal growth. The book navigates the ritual's history, iterating its relevance in today's context. Through introspection and discomfort, readers are inspired to confront their boundaries, leading to self-discovery and empowerment. Miller's insightful exploration of self-acceptance, coupled with practical strategies, makes this book a valuable resource for meaningful living. The narrative, inspires readers to dream big, setting the stage for personal transformation. Despite minor grammar issues, the book offers a refreshing perspective, earning it a commendable 4 out of 5 stars. "The Misogi Method" serves as a beacon of renewed energy, guiding readers toward purposeful living and self-improvement.

[Moushmi Radhanpara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I read the book, I had no idea about the misogi method or the rituals from Japan. But as I delved deeper into this, I got a gist of what exactly this is. It did sound interesting at first but I do like the much evolved method now. Standing under cold water? I am not sure, I could really do that.
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But yes, I do quite like the idea of changing or rather improving yourself by challenging ones abilities, by setting standards and trying to make the impossible, rather possible.
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The book is in one word, inspiring. But like most motivational books, it is just that. It gives you a push to reach beyond your means, the rest is on you. Too much optimism isn't my think but it does give you a boost every once in a while.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book the author proposes a modernized version of the traditional japanese ritual 'Misogi'. Is an interesting idea to explore and I think it could help people who are after a big challenge or for those who want a change in their lives.
I do not agree with some ideas of the author, like saying that you're responsible for your own happiness and that happiness leads to success (I would say that is a lot more complex than that). But maybe this is an issue with all self-help books. Also, the book has many typos and mistakes.
Read my full review here: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...

[Centfie Valrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MISOGI Mehod is an interesting book if you read it with an open mind. I learnt new concepts herein especially about different cultures given the idea behind MISOGI is based on Japanese tradition. However, unfit for the conservative Christian (or other conservative monotheists) because of the other deities it promotes.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t waste your time with this book. The book is about twice as long as needed and the chapters are minuscule and comprised mainly with questions and blank lines. This is more of a workbook, but the application is limited at best.

[Ana-Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely the worst book I have read in years: the writing is bad and the ideas lack originality. My detailed review can be read here