Naikan: Finding Purpose and Expressing Gratitude
Objectives
- To develop a deeper understanding of Naikan.
- To identify ways to find meaning and purpose in life.
- To take a structured approach to self introspection and expressing gratitude.
Key Concepts
Naikan
Gratitude
Module overview
The Japanese have a practice known as Naikan. It is a structured method of self-introspection. It literally means, “Looking inward.” However, a metaphorical interpretation of it would mean to consider oneself with the mind’s eye.
For the most part, most students leave high school without figuring out their passion and purpose. People can go for the next several decades of their life without figuring this out. Naikan is a simple, straightforward, uncomplicated way of helping people figure out who they are and where they are headed. It helps us focus on the things that truly matter in life: what makes us different; who we ought to be thankful for and grateful to; what relationships matter; the choices we make; the lifestyle we live; our connection with people and the environment; and our connection with our self.
Details
Skills
Independent learning 
Leadership & Initiative
Creativity & Imagination 
Big Picture Thinking
Cross Curricular programs and links
Ikigai is a Japanese word. It translates loosely as “reason for being”. The Japanese believe everyone has an Ikigai. But finding it requires patience, exploration of the outside world, deep introspection, and a search for...
The Royal Society took as its motto the phrase, Nulius in Verba: “Take nobody's word for it.” Ultimately, science and societies based on the scientific method triumphed because of a desirable focus on evidence and...
Altruism is the unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others. To distinguish it from mere helpfulness, some would go further and say that it is not merely being helpful; it is helpfulness...
Does beauty truly lie in the eye of the beholder? Do the objects of the universe have an inherent beauty that lies beyond the need for human apprehension? To what extent are we genetically predisposed...
We live in an increasingly polarised world. Many on the left have moved to the Regressive end of the spectrum, and not a few on the right have moved to the Fanatic end of it....
