Acknowledge support from others to foster genuine appreciation.
Uncover the give-and-take balance in relationships for humbling insights.
Explore the impact of actions for increased self-awareness and growth.
Deep dives
Reflecting on the Power of Self-Reflection
Self-reflection, akin to a mirror showing reality, involves asking three life-changing questions. 'What have I received from?' delves into acknowledging support and care from others, fostering genuine appreciation. Conversely, 'What have I given to?' uncovers the give-and-take balance in relationships, offering humbling insights about receiving more than giving. 'What troubles and difficulties did I cause?' explores the impact of one's actions, leading to increased self-awareness and potential for growth.
Unpacking the Japanese Art of Nicon
Nicon, a reflection method from Japan, focuses on revealing reality objectively through structured self-examination. Developed in the 1930s, it aims to increase self-awareness by posing three incisive questions. Nicon's foundation lies in introspective analysis to comprehend how actions resonate with others, providing a reflective mirror for deeper personal insights.
Implementing Nicon for Personal Growth
Utilizing Nicon for daily self-reflection can offer profound insights into one's interactions and behaviors. By dedicating time to ponder on what has been received, given, and caused in terms of troubles and difficulties, individuals can gain clarity on their impact on others and cultivate a more empathetic and mindful approach to life.
Applying Nicon for Year-End Reflection
As the year concludes, adapting Nicon for a special ritual of reflecting on the past and setting intentions for the new year can enhance self-awareness and emotional growth. Engaging in a dedicated reflection session before transitioning into goal setting for the upcoming year can guide individuals towards a more purposeful and meaningful life.
Enhancing Relationships Through Self-Reflection
By integrating Nicon's reflective practice into daily routines or allocating specific times for introspection, individuals can nurture compassion and understanding in their relationships. Embracing the humbling nature of self-reflection, especially when assessing hardships caused to others, can foster growth, resilience, and deeper connections.
Editor's Note: This is a re-broadcast. It was originally published in December 2020.
As one year ends and another begins, it's natural to reflect on both the past and the future -- who we were, who we are, and who we want to become.
My guest today offers three questions that can help make that self-reflection truly fruitful, insightful, and possibly even life-changing. His name is Gregg Krech, he's executive director of the ToDo Institute, which promotes principles of psychology based on Eastern traditions, and the author of Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection. Gregg and I begin our conversation with what Naikan is, and how this structured method of self-reflection can hold up a mirror to your life, helping you gain greater self-awareness, and see reality, and the way people perceive you, more clearly. Gregg then walks us through Naikan's three rich, incisive questions and how to use them to help you discover how you really show up and operate in the world. We end our conversation with how to incorporate these reflections into your daily routine, and even make it a special ritual with which to ring in the new year.