This episode is brought to you by Jack Daniels.
Jack Daniels and music are made for each other.
They share a rhythm in the craft of making something timeless, while being a part of legendary nights, from backyard jams to sold-out arenas.
There's a song in every toast.
Please drink responsibly.
Responsibility.org.
Jack Daniels and Old No.
7 are registered trademarks.
Tennessee Whiskey, 40% alcohol by volume.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Doug.
Here we have the Lemu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.
Fascinating.
It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
Uh, Lemu, is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
Cut the camera.
They see us.
Only pay for what you need at libertymutual.com.
Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.
Savings vary.
Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts.
What is the Asuji method of housecleaning?
Thanks for asking.
In Japan, cleanliness is cultural and synonymous with well-being.
That's down in no small part to the influence of Shintoism, the country's oldest religion.
While the number of believers has been steadily decreasing for some time, Shinto philosophy and culture are still widely practiced.
Cleanliness is seen not just as a physical state, but also a spiritual one, as it's closely tied to the respect and reverence shown to Shinto gods.
Following this line of thinking, many Japanese people engaged in an annual Buddhist cleaning ritual called Asuji, aimed at purifying and organising their interiors before entering a new period.
In recent years, the concept has gained popularity and influence outside of Japan too.
What does a suji mean?
The word is composed of two prefixes, u, which means big or great, and suji, which means clean.
So a suji translates as big cleaning or major clean-up.
The tradition dates back to the Heian period between the years of 794 and 1185.
It began with an annual ritual to clean soot and dust from temples and religious shrines.
After extending to imperial palaces, Asuji made its way into Japanese households as an annual deep clean, traditionally taking place on December 28th, before the new year.
But it can be performed at any time.
As it's a ritual, there are certain preparations and a set of steps which are religiously followed.
A Suji is highly structured and must be carried out according to specific principles to be effective.
It's said that one must follow the process all the way to the end or it loses its spiritual virtues.
First, start early and create an action plan by determining how many days you'll need to complete the cleaning.
Also note that all household members must be involved.
It's a collective activity and everyone should be available at the same time.
Electronic devices and phones should be set aside as it's better to disconnect completely.
Before you start, don't forget to gather your cleaning tools, products, bags and boxes for sorting.
Finally, a suji must follow a precise order.
Clean from top to bottom and from inside out.
In other words, start with the ceiling, followed by the walls and then finally the floor.
What comes next?
You should clean your entire interior thoroughly, including both living and working spaces.
Then declutter your cabinets, closets and other containers by taking everything out and making selections.
You should bid farewell to anything that's broken, damaged or unnecessary, to avoid negative energy and accumulation.
Another surprising aspect is that during a suji, you should pay off debts.
That might be a nuisance to your well-being.
At the end, you discard or donate items you no longer need.
Thanks to this beneficial ritual before the new school year, New Year's Day or any significant new stage in your life, you'll feel liberated and at peace in a renewed environment.
There you have it.
Now you know what a Suji is.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines.
Listen along and you will really know for sure.
