Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection” as Want to Read:
Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection
by
Drawing on Eastern tradition, Naikan ("nye-kahn") is a structured method for intensely meditating on our lives, our interconnections, our missteps. Through Naikan we develop a natural and profound sense of gratitude for blessings bestowed on us by others, blessings that were always there but went unnoticed. This collection of introductory essays, parables, and inspirations
...more
Get A Copy
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Naikan,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Naikan
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection
One of the most interesting translations I ever worked on during my career was about Naikon therapy. I had never heard of it before and was really fascinated to learn about an approach at self-help and therapy that did not focus on one's inner feelings or building esteem but rather was a type of self-reflection not focused on the self. Naikan means inner or self reflection. I learned that the therapy has been especially successful in clinical situations with severe depressions or troubled young
...more
Mostly entertaining in its goofiness and has some good ideas, but... one of the things I'm working on is not being overly self-critical of myself and this book is really not going to help with that goal. Maybe in a few years I'll try this again, but I think I'm at the wrong stage in my life for this right now.
...more
“We notice the obstacles because we have to get around them to proceed. But what if we go through life only noticing obstacles, problems, and difficulties? Shouldn’t we expect our experience to be one of anger, hurt, disappointment, and anxiety? What about the support, care, and kindness we receive each day? Through such awareness, we discover the invisible gifts of life.”
While making goals for the year ahead is important, equally valuable is spending plenty of time looking in the mirror regardi ...more
While making goals for the year ahead is important, equally valuable is spending plenty of time looking in the mirror regardi ...more
Книга для тех, кому хотел бы стать благодарным и лучше видеть поводы для благодарности (попросту -- "удовольствия", вообще приятную сторону жизни). В основе предлагаемого метода ежедневные медитации, которые сосредоточены на трех вопросах:
-- что я получил от других;
-- что я отдал другим;
-- какие сложности и неприятности я принес другим. ...more
-- что я получил от других;
-- что я отдал другим;
-- какие сложности и неприятности я принес другим. ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A drastic shift in perspective desperately needed in our society.
Three questions make up the bulk of Naikan: What have I been given? What have I given? What troubles have I caused?
These questions are used to reflect on people in our lives, starting with our mother. During this reflection, we may discover how much of our lives have been dependent on others working and giving of themselves to make our lives possible.
It's easy for us to notice how others have slighted us by being late, lying to u ...more
Three questions make up the bulk of Naikan: What have I been given? What have I given? What troubles have I caused?
These questions are used to reflect on people in our lives, starting with our mother. During this reflection, we may discover how much of our lives have been dependent on others working and giving of themselves to make our lives possible.
It's easy for us to notice how others have slighted us by being late, lying to u ...more
i came across this book in the course of my research and found it had many simple and profound ideas. i liked many of the exercises designed to cultivate gratitude. i was especially touched by the author's beautiful poem on p47-48. i can't say i agreed with all of their ideas though. i worry that the notion of focusing on the troubles and difficulties that you cause others could cause some people more pain than they're already experiencing. in my experience some people are already well aware of
...more
Very simple way of looking at life, giving thanks for what we have, and recognizing our inpact on the world. I had the pleaseure of spending a week with Gregg Krech and his wife Linda at the Todo institute in Vermont, and it remains to this day one of the best life experiences I have had...Thank you!
Napriek tomu, že Naikan je o sebaspytovaní sa v troch oblastiach, cez tri jednoduché otázky, tak je to celkom milá, komplexná a zaujímavá kniha. Bez ezoteriky, pragmatická. Má návody (very simple), niekoľko osobných príbehov autora ukazujúcich praktickú aplikáciu Naikan techniky, niekoľko metaforických príbehov ilustrujúcich niektoré princípy Naikan.
Ale vlastne v Naikan nejde o techniku, ale o celkový prístup vďačnosti k všetkému, čoho sme prítomní a čoho sme svedkami a čoho sme užívateľmi.
Naik ...more
Ale vlastne v Naikan nejde o techniku, ale o celkový prístup vďačnosti k všetkému, čoho sme prítomní a čoho sme svedkami a čoho sme užívateľmi.
Naik ...more
Wise and practical
Asks us to look at ourselves holistically, not cut off one another. Easier said than done when more often than not, it’s always about us or me first and foremost. But in reality (in actual reality not just the reality our mind can comprehend) I/we are alway both more and less than we realize at the same time. Naikan is an insightful guide on the path of holistic self-awareness that is a revolutionary step toward sustainable peace and fulfillment.
Asks us to look at ourselves holistically, not cut off one another. Easier said than done when more often than not, it’s always about us or me first and foremost. But in reality (in actual reality not just the reality our mind can comprehend) I/we are alway both more and less than we realize at the same time. Naikan is an insightful guide on the path of holistic self-awareness that is a revolutionary step toward sustainable peace and fulfillment.
I had high hopes for this one but came away disappointed. It dives down to such a minuscule level that it stopped being useful. However, I will say that the practice of habitual self reflection is critical for self improvement and this book offers a daily practice for doing just that.
A true life changer! I recommend this book to anyone who would like to explore a different approach than conventional Western psychology. I started a daily Naikan journal, and I find the focus away from oneself to others at the same time humbling and empowering.
Two possibilities exist: either Krech is trolling me with this bullshit about thanking my mitochondria and the concept of heat or he genuinely believes this is sound advice and does this himself.
Both are equally terrifying.
Both are equally terrifying.
Interesting.
At first, I thought that I could give this book a good rating. However, as I read further I realized that I absolutely hated the author, so this rating is purely for that reason. I really like the idea of Naikan, but the author went way too far with it. I think that Krech is way too self centered even though the whole point of Naikan is to think of others. Yes, he points out many times that humans are imperfect and it's difficult to think of others, but at times it's like he doesn't even try. So
...more
I got 50% through it and gave up when the author starting lamenting that he had taken his mitochondria for granted. The fundamental concept of Naikan is a very good and constructive one, but the author's approach is a bit over the top for me. If you are inclined to be hyper-critical of yourself, the concepts get overwhelming and can be debilitating rather than helpful. However, the book did help raise my awareness and I am consciously and gradually trying to change my attitude. I would place thi
...more
It struck me as a fairly inconsistent book, really. The description of the Naikan technique itself was clear and easy to follow, and the explanations of the various exercises were solid. I felt, however, like many of Krech's arguments against psychotherapy were straw-man critiques, and unhelpful, and I wondered about his relationship advice as well. The techniques for self-reflection have value, but I felt like the book rested on assumptions that weren't examined as thoroughly as I would have li
...more
Had a great discussion at the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist book club tonight. We braved snowy conditions to discuss. The practice of Naikan cannot be 'learned' in a monthly bookclub, but it was a nice discussion to introduce everyone to the practice of Naikan or graditude.
...more
my favorite lines so far:
My heart is your heart,
your heart is my heart;
to become mine...is your heart.
Saichi (p.122)
My heart is your heart,
your heart is my heart;
to become mine...is your heart.
Saichi (p.122)
Wonderful book! I loved it!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
News & Interviews
Some people love books. Some people fall in love. And some people love books about falling in love. Every month our team sorts through the new...
30 likes · 7 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us.”
—
5 likes
“Open your eyes and see how many gifts there are to unwrap. Notice the presence of your presents. It’s not your life that is disappointing: it’s your mind.”
—
5 likes
More quotes…
