Naikan

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Naikan, meaning “introspection” in Japanese, is a simple method of self-reflection. It comes from Shin Buddhism and was first described by the thinker Kiyozawa Manshi. He helped develop a modern form of inner discipline called naikan-shugi, which links personal insight with how we act in life.

In the 1940s, Rev. Yoshimoto Ishin, a Shin Buddhist priest, turned Naikan into a gentler form of the old ascetic practice. He created a practical program based on three guiding questions:
- What have I received from others?
- What have I given in return?
- What troubles or burdens have I caused?

Naikan was first used with young people who had committed crimes, and it later spread to the general public. Today, there are about 30 Naikan centers in Japan. It is used in mental health care, prisoner rehabilitation, and spiritual care, and it has also spread to Europe, with centers in Austria and Germany.

How it works
- Time: People set aside regular time for quiet self-reflection.
- Space: A calm, private space helps limit outside distractions.
- Structure: Focus on the three questions to examine how we relate to others and to the world.

There are two main forms:
- Intensive Naikan: A week-long retreat with long periods of solitary reflection and brief interviews with a therapist.
- Daily Naikan: Regular morning and evening reflections to help shape everyday thoughts and behavior.

A fourth question—“What troubles has this person caused me?”—is usually not asked in Naikan, because focusing on it can cause unhappiness. The practice emphasizes gratitude and understanding, not blame.

While Naikan often looks at family relationships, it can be applied to any important people in life. It is used in schools, hospitals, prisons, and religious communities, and is also part of end-of-life care.