Naikan

Naikan (Japanese: 内観, lit. 'introspection') is a structured method of self-reflection developed by Yoshimoto Ishin (1916–1988) in the 1940s.^[1] The practice is based around asking oneself three questions about a person in one's life:^[2]

What did I receive from this person?
What did I return to this person?
What troubles, worries, unhappiness did I cause this person?

There are many forms of Naikan practice, all focusing on these three questions. The most rigorous form of Naikan is practiced in week-long Naikan retreats, which start by focusing on the three questions on the individual's relationship to their mother. The questions can then later be expanded outwards to other relationships. During the sessions a guide comes and listens to the participant from time to time allowing them to put into words what they have discovered.

A related fourth question, "What troubles and difficulties has this person caused me?", is purposely ignored in Naikan. Naikan presupposes that people are naturally able to see answers to this fourth question, and that too much focus on this question is responsible for unhappiness in day-to-day life.

^ Cite error: The named reference tricycle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Reynolds, David K. (1 January 1989). Flowing Bridges, Quiet Waters: Japanese Psychotherapies, Morita and Naikan. SUNY Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-88706-963-5.

[tricycle-1] Cite error: The named reference tricycle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Reynolds, David K. (1 January 1989). Flowing Bridges, Quiet Waters: Japanese Psychotherapies, Morita and Naikan. SUNY Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-88706-963-5.

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