Slow Down at a Traditional Japanese Spa with a John O'Donohue Blessing

With their clientele quarantined, traditional Japanese public baths, called sento, started uploading videos of their baths so their clients can enjoy relaxing online sento in their own home. It is yet another clever adaptation to the physical constraints Covid imposed. We’ve found this steamy plein air bath to be particularly soothing (We can almost feel the warmth of the water and cool air…)

It somehow helps us to calm and slow to the pace we need to be.

Shiosai Spa in Hokkaido

Just as we were thinking that, Ellen Silverman threw this blessing from John O’Donohue over our transom.

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.