Naikan
Naikan is loosely translated as “insight meditation.”
It could also be considered “right” seeing.
We need to understand that we do not see the world from a point of reality; we see it from a perspective.
Our perspective is often one which is oriented towards what has gone wrong in the world, how life is unfair, how other people let us down. This is a “poverty” mentality.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche said:
“It is the dream of being a rich man that creates poverty.”
How true that is. If we didn’t wish to be other than who or how we are; if we didn’t wish the world to be other than what it is; if we didn’t wish for other people to act, or have acted, differently towards us - we would probably be content with where we are right now.
Instead we look out at the world and see it lacking. We hold grievances and feel put upon. We tally up all the wonderful things we have done for others. We collect grievances and hoard resentments against others.
Naikan is a process of shifting your perspective so that you see the world froom another viewpoint.
You are able to clearly see, perhaps for the first time, the interconnectedness of all things - the fact of inter-being, as Thich Naht Hanh woud say. You recognize how your family, friends and community - as well as the world in general - supports you and has always supported you.
Naikan often produces a permanent shift in beliefs and thinking. It can provide an “Aha” moment which can affect not only your attitude and beliefs, but also your behaviors.
Directed Naikan instruction and support is available as stand-alone structures sessions or as an integral part of Coaching
