Thank goodness my university doesn't offer summer classes for graduate students, because I would most likely enroll if given the chance. Instead, I get something I probably need even more: a proper school break before the academic calendar resets in August.
April and May were academically intense, even though I intentionally reduced my load to six credits last semester (compared to the nine I took previously). One of the highlights was experiencing my instructor's neuropsychological assessment clinic firsthand—a rare opportunity that brought many of the concepts we had been studying to life.
The reward I promised myself after finals was a trip to Japan with my partner. This wasn't just another vacation. It was my first real holiday in a long time—I usually travel for work or training—and my first international trip with my partner.
What made the journey even more meaningful was the intention behind it.
When we were first getting to know each other, before we had even started dating, I mentioned that I was studying Bushidō, the Way of the Samurai. Without hesitation, he said, "We should walk the Samurai Trail in Japan."
He was referring to the Nakasendō, the historic route that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. It was traveled by merchants, pilgrims, government officials, and many samurai, earning it the nickname "the Samurai Trail."
Less than two years later, there we were, flying to Japan and beginning an unforgettable journey through the Japanese Alps. We hiked through mountains where bears still roam, boarded the wrong trains more than once, met wonderful people, soaked in hot springs, and enjoyed some of the most memorable meals of our lives.
Yet what stayed with me most wasn't any single destination—it was the feeling of peace.
The trails were pristine. There was no litter anywhere. Even in crowded train cars, people respected one another by keeping conversations quiet and using earphones instead of playing audio aloud. As someone who is particularly sensitive to noise, that level of consideration brought an unexpected calm to my nervous system. I hadn't realized how much mental space constant noise occupies until I experienced its absence.
I'm already dreaming about our next trip to Japan.
This time, I hope to visit Tsushima Island in Kyushu, where my sensei, Zen Takai, has been teaching Bushidō to students from around the world. It feels like a natural continuation of the path that began with a simple conversation almost two years ago—and a reminder that sometimes the journeys we casually imagine together become the ones that change us the most.
How could we already be in March!
January is often a blur because of post holiday daze plus my birthday season’s electric energy and of course, Omfest 2026 wellness festival here in Baguio. It was a beautiful first event here with visitors from all over including Poland and New Zealand.
I am not sure what happened to February to be honest, but here we are half way through my semester in grad school. I am grateful that classes are not offered over the summer so I can take a break from the intense reading requirements of my doctorate program.
As of today I am working on a new project that will be revealed by next month in Baguio City. I’ve been talking about having monthly in-person gatherings for the longest time, and maybe this could just be it. I learned the importance and value of community building while living in Cebu and it’s something that has occupied an important place in my life ever since.
The Medicine Mountain Lodge seems the natural evolution of the Gassho Center, as I anchor my roots in the Cordilleran mountains, where I was born. The Enzo circle is… about coming full circle.
Looking forward to sharing this with you all.
Kazane
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
This testimonial was shared with me by a student following our Shamanic Reiki class together.
I am offering it here in full, unchanged as a reflection of the sacred spaces that can open when healing work is approached with sincerity, trust, and care.
I receive these words with humility and gratitude.
___
December 29, 2025
Testimonial
Windy, my gentle shaman.
To me, Windy Kazane is the epitome of a gentle shaman who embodies the radiant power of a soul embracing polarities. This unique blend of strength and softness is a gift so distinct that its light invites others to navigate the unknown with courage.
She weaves together her life experiences, training from her sensei and teachers, attunements received, deep kinship with nature, and a scholarly background into a unified field that lands deeply in her heart. From this sacred, internal space—where her own sweet surrender is lovingly held—her gifts flow into the world with palpable authenticity and grace.
To those she guides, her powerful strength is felt in the gentleness of her voice and the wisdom of her words. Windy moves hearts through a fearless vulnerability that mirrors the Divine within the human tapestry. This encourages her students to acknowledge their own vulnerability without judgment, opening them to profound healing.
The space she creates is one of care, respect, and trust. Infused with Reiki and blessed from all directions, it becomes holy ground where one can tread the unknown and uncover blessings hidden from the realm of the familiar. In every role—whether leading a shamanic journey, listening with profound depth, or witnessing her students’ practice—Windy’s unshakable presence remains a steady beacon of light. She is felt as Kazane, the wind embodying both the stillness and the swiftness of the samurai sword. From this calm, expansive power comes the key to unleashing the breath of freedom within every student’s unique life context and lifetimes.
As her student in Shamanic Reiki, I hold Windy with awe, thanksgiving, and love. Beyond her profound wisdom, she possesses a heart so generous that she imparts all she can, often giving far beyond her initial offering. I am truly blessed to be her student.
Thank you, Windy, my Shamanic Reiki teacher.
M.R.
