How to Practice Ukeirera, the Japanese Art of Acceptance Through Mindfulness
Accepting that something has happened (or is happening) can be relatively easy, but accepting it is another matter entirely. For example, most people may (probably) agree that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, but not everyone accepts this to the point of taking all recommended public health measures. Either way, most of us will probably need a little help when it comes to adoption, and the Japanese concept of “ukeireru” can help. Here’s what you need to know.
What is ukeireru ?
In an article for mindbodygreen, Dr. Scott Haas, a clinical psychologist, writes about the Japanese concept of ukeireru. Although there are many Japanese words for accepting with different nuances, Haas says that his favorite word for ukeireru, courtesy of Yumi Obinata, a translator from Tokyo : it’s inside. yourself, accepting reality. “
How to practice ukeiruru
Haas notes that ukeireru can be used in situations other than mother-child interactions. Here’s what you need to understand in practice:
Ukeireru means much more than self-acceptance. It means accepting our relationships in our families, at school, at work, and in our communities. It means accepting others. It means embracing reality and creating contexts that broaden the narrow, limiting and debilitating perspective of the self.
The plan is to accept yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, and your community.
The idea here is that once you start to truly accept others, you will better understand their point of view, which is especially useful when it differs from yours. There is also an element of self-awareness, Haas says, noting that “if you are not aware of yourself and lack a state of calm self-awareness, you cannot change anything, especially the conditions. which primarily created or contributed to the occurrence of stress ”.