Whenever I talk to people about philosophies and principles I become fascinated.
There are endless sources of wisdom out there and lately, many Japanese views are at the top of my interest. Having read a bit about them, and as you can probably guess, there is a lot of material to cover.
It would take more than a lifetime to know all that is there to know about Japanese philosophies. However, a few have stood out to me:
- Ikigai – finding your purpose
- Kaizen – continuous improvement
- Hara hachi – eat until your are 80% full
- Shoshin – approach every task with the curiosity and enthusiasm of a beginner
- Wabi-sabi – embracing imperfection
In this article, we explore only these five influential Japanese philosophies that anyone could benefit from. Each one can help you look at at least one part of your life, and give you different tools to approach different obstacles in your world. Let’s take a look!
5 Japanese Philosophies That You Need to Know
1. Ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the two words “iki,” meaning life or alive and “gai,” meaning worth. It is often translated as, “a reason for being” or, “a reason to wake up in the morning.” It is also similar to the French term, “raison d’etre” or “reason for being.”
It basically means, ‘find or discover your purpose’. Once you are aware of your purpose, it becomes easier to wake up every morning and chase that purpose.
Ikigai represents the intersection of four fundamental elements in one’s life, which can lead to a sense of fulfilment and purpose.
These elements are:
What you love (your passion): This is something that you genuinely love and brings you joy.
What you are good at (your vocation): These are your skills, abilities, and talents that you have developed over time.
What the world needs (your mission): This refers to the things you can do that contribute to the well-being of others or the world.
What you can be paid for (your profession): This involves finding a way to make a living through activities that align with your passion and skills, and contribute to a greater purpose.
Finding where these four intersect might not always be easy, but once you get it, it is the sweet spot. It’s the area that’s rewarding to you and the world around you, yet allows you to live a comfortable life or at least earn a living.
What is Ikigai? The Secret to Finding Your Life’s Purpose From Within→
2. Kaizen
Kaizen is a Japanese term that translates to, “continuous improvement” or, “change for the better.”
This philosophy suggests focusing on small improvements rather than focusing on the overall achievement. The primary idea behind kaizen is to continuously seek ways to improve processes, products, or services incrementally – all while understanding that success is not one big thing but many small successes.
Oftentimes, some of us fail to celebrate the small wins because we think they aren’t worth recognizing.
We forget that the massive wins we think we should celebrate are a product of many small wins. Focusing on the small achievements helps us set achievable goals and realize that every day, we are moving closer towards the goal.
And every step of the way should be celebrated.
3. Hara Hachi
This is drawn from the phrase, “hara hachi bu” which roughly translates to, “eat until you are 80% full” or, “stop eating when you are 80% full.” The idea behind hara hachi is to encourage mindful eating and to avoid overeating.
By stopping short of full satiety, individuals may consume fewer calories, which can contribute to better health and longevity. This concept aligns with the broader philosophy of moderation and balance in both diet and lifestyle.
Mindful Eating: How to Use Mindfulness to Improve Your Relationship with Food→
4. Shoshin
Shoshin refers to humility and eagerness to learn.
The principle suggests approaching every task with the curiosity and enthusiasm of a beginner. Looking back, when I started school I was extremely excited and eager to learn. By the time I walked out of my final high school exam, I was tired and had almost no will to be in school.
Maintaining the enthusiasm we had when we started can be a great motivator that helps us to keep going. When losing enthusiasm, it might be worth stopping for a minute and looking back to remember why you started.
This can revive the spark and enthusiasm we had at the beginning and help us stay motivated.
7 Ways to Foster Your Shoshin (Beginner’s Mind) & Get Better at the Things You Love→
5. Wabi-Sabi
This philosophy suggests embracing imperfection.
It’s not uncommon to do the opposite – refuse to accept imperfection. We think everything should be perfect. When it turns out not to be, we become discouraged and think it’s not worth pursuing a particular goal.
The sooner we accept that imperfections are part of life, it becomes easier for us to recognize and embrace them, rather than treat them as a sign of failure.
Imperfections are part of every journey, and they should be used to learn and improve ourselves.
Remember Thomas Edison’s words: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Final Thoughts
Most of us are influenced and guided by principles that are rooted in things like religion, culture and spirituality. Ancient Japanese philosophies have found a way to remain part of our society today and that is evidence of how effective and relatable they are.
These five are just a few of the many that can change your life for the better.
Our purpose is constantly changing and evolving, and there is nothing wrong with adjusting the trajectory of our lives as we see fit. Obviously, it won’t be easy. But over time, we get it right, and life becomes more fulfilling, thereby making it easier for us to be driven and motivated.
In anything you do, remember to celebrate the seemingly small wins and keep the drive you had when you started!
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Dec 13, 2023 and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Photo by Content Pixie
