6 Japanese Concepts That Can Change Your Life

Wabi-sabi is a reminder that nothing is perfect. But, that's okay. We can find beauty in the flawed things. Wabi-sabi can help us appreciate the imperfections of life and accept the ebb and flow of life. 

Gaman is to persevere when faced with hardships. It is to face them with patience, determination, dignity and grace. It is about accepting the challenges of life and facing them with patience and determination. To apply gaman to life, when you are faced with hardships you can say gaman like a mantra to remind you to persevere. 

Shikataganai =  "it cannot be helped" or "let it be"

It is a philosophy and reminder that encourages acceptance of things we cannot control and the importance of moving forward and adapting despite the circumstances. However, this must not be used as an excuse of laziness. It encourages us to find solutions and take action where possible while accepting the limitations of our control.

Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that involves reparing broken pttery with gold or silver lacquer. The idea it that something broken can be made even more beautiful through repair. It represents the beauty of imperfection and acceptance of change. It means to embrace the scars and flaws in life and turn them into something beautiful. 

Shrin-yoku = forest bathing

It is the practice of spending time in nature and immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. It improves cognitive function, creativity, and concentration. It also relieves stress and lowers blood pressure. It is a spiritual practice that connects individuals with nature. In a fast-paced world, Shinrin-yoku provides a much-needed opportunity to slow down and unplug.

I hope you learned something from these 6 Japanese concepts. Furthermore, I hope that you will use them in your life. It may take some discipline but, remember that discipline is doing something difficult now to benefit yourself later.