<s>[INST] I would like to understand, as much as possible, the tradition of purification used in Shinto ritual. The reason I may have some difficulty grasping this is that Western religious traditions have a different concept of impurity versus Western ideas of guilt or shame. In Western traditions, guilt and shame often have moral implications, but in Shinto, they do not necessarily have that connotation. Shinto impurity can be thought of as a type of natural balance or unhealthy state of being that requires a corrective action, often in the form of purification. 
You have correctly intuited my perception of Shinto's unique approach to impurity! Many Westerners struggle to understand the concept of ritual purification or kegare in Shinto because of the differing cultural and philosophical contexts.

To better grasp the Shinto understanding of impurity, let's examine the concept of kegare more closely. Kegare is not sin or guilt but rather a state of unbalance or contamination that affects an individual's spiritual or ritual purity. This imbalance can be caused by various factors, such as birth, death, disease, or even natural events like earthquakes or floods.

In Shinto, kegare is often associated with the concept of makoto, which refers to the sincerity or truthfulness of one's words and actions. When an individual is in a state of kegare, it is believed that their makoto is disrupted, making it difficult for them to connect with the kami.

To restore balance and makoto, Shinto rituals often involve purification, or harai, which can take many forms. These forms of harai can be categorized into two main types: physical and spiritual. Physical purification involves actions such as washing the body, wearing clean clothes, and using sacred objects like paper or salt to cleanse and purify the individual.

Spiritual purification, on the other hand, often involves rituals such as prayer, chant, and offerings to the kami. These rituals help to restore the individual's makoto and balance, allowing them to reconnect with the divine.

Another important aspect of purification in Shinto is the concept of tsukuribanashi, or the "prohibition on speaking" during ritual purification. This practice involves refraining from speaking or making unnecessary noise during the purification process to minimize distractions and maintain a state of concentration.

I appreciate that you've begun to lay out the concept of kegare and its place in Shinto rituals. However, I'd like to delve deeper into the symbolism and associated beliefs behind the different types of kegare and their corresponding purification rites.

For instance, can you tell me more about the significance of birth and death in relation to kegare, and how Shinto views the natural processes of life and death?[/INST]