The Way of Nagomi: The Japanese Philosophy of Finding Balance and Peace in Everything You Do

by Ken Mogi

Overview

Find balance and peace in every moment

Life is ephemeral and ever-changing; in Japan, it’s called ukiyo—“floating world.” How can we adapt to its fluctuations without being overcome? The answer is nagomi: a philosophy of balance—and the secret to a harmonious life. Neuroscientist Ken Mogi shares wisdom from Japanese history and culture to explain how nagomi can help you:

• have happy relationships with loved ones who disagree
• engage with the natural world without diminishing its beauty
• strive for improvement while accepting imperfection
• strike a balance to achieve calm.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a perfect bite of sushi—fresh fish, white rice, a hint of wasabi, maybe with a sip of sake—then you’ve already tasted what nagomi can achieve. Combining philosophy and advice, this book brings that balance into your health, work, relationships, and sense of self with nagomido—The Way of Nagomi!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615198696
Publisher:	The Experiment, LLC
Publication date:	01/03/2023
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	629,329
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ken Mogi is a neuroscientist, writer, and broadcaster based in Tokyo. He has published more than thirty papers on cognitive science and neuroscience, and over one hundred books in Japan covering popular science, essay, criticism, and self-help. His books have sold close to one million copies. He is the author of Awakening Your Ikigai and The Way of Nagomi.

Table of Contents

Contents

Chapter 1. Nagomi for beginners
Chapter 2. Nagomi of food
Chapter 3. Nagomi of self
Chapter 4. Nagomi of relationships
Chapter 5. Nagomi of health
Chapter 6. Nagomi of life-long learning
Chapter 7. Nagomi of creativity
Chapter 8. Nagomi of life
Chapter 9. Nagomi of society
Chapter 10. Nagomi of everybody
 

Editorial Reviews

10/31/2022

In this insightful manual, neuroscientist Mogi (Awakening Your Ikigai) encourages readers to embrace the Japanese concept of nagomi, or a “state of human consciousness characterized by a sense of ease, emotional balance, well-being, and calmness.” He provides recommendations on how to achieve this state and explains that self-esteem plays a crucial role because it’s needed to weather life’s difficulties, though he cautions readers against becoming too self-confident at risk of losing one’s humility. Mogi also warns against judging oneself in relation to others and urges readers to accept the limits of one’s circumstances and abilities, holding up karaoke as an example of how to have a good time without worrying about one’s skills. To achieve “nagomi of society,” Mogi posits that one must consider everyone involved when making decisions, illustrating how to do so with the example of Japanese businessman Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the “Father of Japan’s capitalism,” who insisted on achieving harmony between “ethics and profits.” There are some dubious generalizations (“Whenever something new springs up in the Japanese cultural scene, it happens in a relaxed way”), but the emphasis on harmony and balance over self-improvement makes for a fresh complement to conventional self-help fare. Wisdom abounds in this sage outing. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"Neuroscientist and author Ken Mogi shares ways to practice nagomi, a Japanese concept of balance."

Spirituality & Health

"Praise for Awakening Your Ikigai

"Awakening Your Ikigai is really quite a delightful look at sometimes mystifying Japanese traditions."

The New York Times Book Review

"A must-read."

Books for Better Living

"When Ikigai is practiced and present in life, it holds the potential to dissipate stress, ease anxiety, and help you find the purpose to ‘wake up to joy’ every day. Who wouldn’t want that?"

MyDomaine

"Tapping into that sunrise magic is as simple as creating habits that reflect your ‘ikigai.’"

Well + Good

"Ikigai is an additional item you can add to your self-care toolbox."

Bustle

Insightful. . . . The emphasis on harmony and balance over self-improvement makes for a fresh complement to conventional self-help fare. Wisdom abounds in this sage outing.”—Publishers Weekly

“Neuroscientist and author Ken Mogi shares ways to practice nagomi, a Japanese concept of balance.”—Spirituality & Health

Praise for Awakening Your Ikigai
 
“Awakening Your Ikigai is really quite a delightful look at sometimes mystifying Japanese traditions.”—The New York Times Book Review
 
“Tapping into that sunrise magic is as simple as creating habits that reflect your ‘ikigai.’”—Well + Good
 
“Ikigai is an additional item you can add to your self-care toolbox.”—Bustle

“When Ikigai is practiced and present in life, it holds the potential to dissipate stress, ease anxiety, and help you find the purpose to ‘wake up to joy’ every day. Who wouldn’t want that?”—MyDomaine

“A must-read.”—Books for Better Living

From the Publisher