Japanese concepts for inner clarity and focus

I came across some great Japanese principles that – if they become an inner attitude and part of our mindset – provide a great chance to live a more happy and fulfilled life, and to develop ourselves into a more mature version of ourselves.

Ikigai

Discover your purpose in life! Determine the reason you get up joyfully each morning. Your purpose should be something that aligns with your passion, strengths and that covers a need of the world around you. This way your life gets meaning.

Shikita ga nai

Let go of what you cannot change. Recognize and accept, that there are things outside your own control. That’s ok. Focus on those areas in your sphere of influence.

Wabi-sabi

Find peace in imperfection. Nothing is perfect in life, including yourself and others. Find joy in imperfections. From an art perspective, a great way of applying this principle is the technique of Kintsugi (repairing e.g. broken porcelain with joy love and dedication, and enjoying the beauty of imperfection).

Gaman

Preserve your dignity during tough times. Show emotional self control and maturity even when facing tough challenges. Practice your balance and resilience e.g. by daily meditation. 

Oubaitori

Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is unique and has an individual timeline and path. Focus on your own way and progress. 

Kaizen

Always seek to improve in all areas of your life, related to relationships, your own profession, and towards yourself as a person. Small changes over time add up to something great in the end. 

Shu-ha-ri

Describes a way to master a profession: „When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is really ready, the teacher will disappear.“

The three stages are:

Shu: Learn and practice the basics.

Ha: Learn from masters, start experimenting new ways

Ri: Apply your learnings to a variety of situations, innovate and develop your own unique way and style; become a master yourself