A life in aikido : the biography of founder Morihei Ueshiba

https://archive.org/details/lifeinaikidobiog0000uesh/mode/1up

Onisaburo went on [after spending seven days in a remote cave on Mount Takakuma] to do extensive ascetic training and began to win followers. In particular he studied the technique of Kishin or Kamigakari, meaning ‘divine possession.' …

It is said that in Chinkon Kishin there are three methods (Shinkan, Jikan and Takan) with three hundred sixty-two variations. Briefly, Chinkon Kishin might be described as a rigorous method of mental concentration and unification of body and mind, which seeks to pierce the delusion of physical existence and achieve union with the divine. In its lower forms, as practiced by certain miko, or pythonesses, it is not much more than a form of spirit possession. Authentic practitioners have mastered the three hundred sixty two methods systematically, to such an extent that at any time or in any circumstances they can conduct Chinkon Kishin and place themselves in communication with the spirit world. Such an ability reflects an advanced stage of practice, achieved after many years of difficult ascetic training." (Kisshomaru Ueshiba, op.cit., p. 124.)