5 lesser-known Japanese concepts that have changed my life the most

4. Ma: the space between presence and absence.

Thomas Oppong

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Photo by Kumiko Shimizu on Unsplash

I’ve been applying Japanese wisdom for years. Besides popular concepts like ikigai (reason for being), wabi-sabi (beauty in the imperfect) and kaizen(continuing improvement), other lesser-known time-tested methods have changed how I live.

I use them to find mental clarity, inner peace, balance and purpose. These Japanese practices are easy to adopt. Use these techniques to transform your life, find inner peace, readjust your life perspectives. They’ve helped me rediscover mental clarity, purpose and balance.

I hope you find them useful.

1. Omoiyari

Selfless compassion

Life is busy. All we do is focus on ourselves. Omoiyari challenges that. It asks us to be mindful of others’ needs and present for others’ judgment. That means we have to be more empathic and compassionate, think of others, and understand their feelings.

Listen without interrupting.

Omoiyari is a way of life. Try to see from another’s perspective. Notice the people around you. Observe their expressions. Listen to what they have to say. Pay attention to their actions. When we act with compassion, we feel…

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Thomas Oppong
Thomas Oppong

Written by Thomas Oppong

Making the wisdom of great thinkers instantly accessible. As seen on Forbes, Inc. and Business Insider. For my popular essays, go here: https://thomasoppong.com

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