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Japanese Concepts and Philosophies

Japanese Philosophies 1

  • Haragei emphasizes the importance of listening beyond words, focusing on unspoken cues in communication.
  • Shu-Ha-Ri outlines a three-stage path to mastery in any field, advocating for learning, breaking, and ultimately transcending rules.
  • Kakeibo promotes mindful spending through simple budgeting practices to reduce financial stress.
  • Hanko symbolizes the mark one leaves on the world, encouraging personal impact through work and kindness.
  • Shikata ga nai teaches acceptance of what cannot be changed, promoting a mindset of letting go to reduce anxiety.
  • Gaman is about enduring hardships with patience and dignity, focusing on resilience in the face of adversity.
  • Enso reflects on life’s imperfection and completeness, urging one to live in the present.
  • Chisoku teaches contentment with what one has, suggesting that happiness comes from recognizing enough is enough.
  • Nagomi encourages finding inner peace by harmonizing with life rather than fighting against it.

  • Haragei
    • Listen beyond words
      • Not everything needs to be said out loud. Sometimes, what’s left unsaid matters more.
      • The subtle cues: Body language, tone, intentions, energy, pauses, and even the feeling of a conversation.
      • Haragei teaches us to slow down, observe, and truly listen.
  • Shu-Ha-Ri
    • Learn, break, master
      • Growth happens in three stages:
        • Shu (learn): Follow the rules, practice, absorb. Don’t question, just learn.
        • Ha (break): Start bending the rules, experiment, adapt, question. Make it your own.
        • Ri (master): Transcend the rules. Movements become instinctual. Work becomes effortless.
  • Kakeibo
    • Make mindful spending a habit
      • Kakeibo is Japan’s simple, old-school budgeting method. It involves:
        • A notebook, a pen, and four questions:
          • How much money do I have?
          • How much do I want to save?
          • How much am I spending?
          • How can I improve?
  • Hanko
    • Make your mark on life
  • Shikata ga nai
    • Let go of what you can’t control
      • Some things won’t change no matter how much we wish they would.
      • It’s about accepting what you can’t change.
      • Focus on what you can influence. Letting go reduces anxiety. Practice it by accepting delays, setbacks, and personal loss with quiet strength.
  • Gaman
    • Transcend the seemingly unbearable with strength and dignity
      • You don’t choose what happens, but you choose your response.
      • Suffering is inevitable, but complaining doesn’t help. Strength comes from pushing through with quiet resilience.
  • Enso
    • Reflect on simplicity
  • Chisoku
    • Know when enough is enough.
      • Happiness isn’t in the next big thing or outcome. Chisoku means knowing you have enough.
      • Contentment is the way forward. Appreciate what you have now.
      • Gratitude increases happiness.
  • Nagomi
    • Find inner harmony in all things
      • Nagomi is balance, peace, and acceptance, not perfection or control.
      • Life pulls us in many directions. Nagomi reminds us to slow down, blend with life, and not fight it.
      • Inner peace comes from not resisting reality.