Mindfulness of the kindness of others: The contemplative practice of Naikan in cultural context.
Transcultural Psychiatry August 1, 2015 Chikako Ozawa-de Silva
The Japanese practice of Naikan, which involves recollecting the kindness of others for 1 week, 15 hours per day, significantly improves positive mental health, perceived connection with others, and perceived meaning in life, with benefits lasting up to 6 months later. This relational form of mindfulness practice may undercut factors contributing to depression and suicide, particularly for individuals in interdependent cultural contexts like Japan. Naikan's use in Europe and North America raises questions about culturally specific versus universal aspects of mindfulness practices and how to tailor interventions for community mental health problems.