#112

SPEAKING FLUENCY

w w w . d e e p e n g l i s h . c o m

Here are the questions with answers. Pause the recording and speak out loud. You dont have to be perfect. Just speak quickly and have fun.

Remember, if you want to improve your speaking, you have to speak a lot.

Looking Within

For most of us, our daily lives are busy and complex. We deal with a wide range of people and challenges, not to mention physical and emotional difficulties. Are our lives simple? No theyre not. Theyre busy and complex. Do we deal with a wide range of people and challenges? Yes, we do. What else do we deal with? We deal with physical and emotional difficulties. And when things don't go our way, it is easy for us to get frustrated or upset. Likewise, when things go well, we can too easily succumb to pride or greed, hurting others along the way. What happens when things dont go our way? It is easy for us to get frustrated or upset. And what happens when things go well? It is easy for us to succumb to pride or greed, hurting others along the way. Either way, we suffer when we are not fully aware of what is happening in our minds and bodies. When do we suffer? We suffer when we are not fully aware of what is happening in our minds and bodies. Are you fully aware of what is happening in your mind and body? We end up reacting to situations as they arise, in habitual ways. And often these habitual reactions are not the most skillful or intelligent responses. How do we end up reacting to situations as they arise? We end up reacting in habitual ways. Are these habitual reactions skillful responses? No, they are not skillful responses. Are they intelligent responses? No, theyre not intelligent either. They are carried out in moments of unawareness, or ignorance. As a result, our relationships with others can become problematic, which causes further difficulty and stress. Are these reactions carried out in moments of awareness? No, theyre carried out in moments of unawareness, or ignorance. What can become problematic? Our relationships with others can become problematic. Does this cause happiness to arise? No, it doesnt. It causes further difficulty and stress. One solution to this problem is self-reflection, or introspection. Is self-love a solution to this problem? Absolutely not. Self-love is not at all a solution to this problem. Self-reflection, or introspection, is. Deep English, 2011-2014 | www.deepenglish.com 02

Looking Within #112

There are many ways to reflect on oneself. One very simple and easy to understand method was developed by a Japanese businessman named Yoshimoto Ishin. He called it Naikan, which in Japanese means, "inside looking". Are there many ways to self-reflect? Yes, there are many ways to self-reflect. Did a Japanese doctor develop a simple method of self-reflection? No, actually a Japanese businessman did. His name was Yoshimoto Ishin. What did he call his method of self-reflection? He called it Naikan, which means, inside looking. The practice of Naikan involves the use of three questions, all related to another person or relationship in your life. They are: * What have I received from others? * What have I given to others? * What troubles and difficulties have I caused others? What are the three questions in the practice of Naikan? The three questions are: * What have I received from others? * What have I given to others? * What troubles and difficulties have I caused others?

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Looking Within #112

Notice that the question "What troubles and difficulties have others caused me?" is missing. What question is missing from the Naikan method? The question, "What troubles and difficulties have others caused me?" is missing. Yoshimoto thought that the focus on this question comes naturally to most people, and is the main cause of their misery. Does focus on this missing question come naturally to people? Yes, it does. It comes naturally to most people. Is this question the main cause of peoples happiness? No, not at all. Its actually the main cause of their misery. In this way, the practice of Naikan causes us to use our relationships with others as a mirror in which we can see ourselves clearly. Does the practice of Naikan involve the use of a mirror? Of course not. It causes us to use our relationships with others as a mirror in which we can see ourselves clearly. It allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of others, cultivating gratitude and the awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. What does the practice of Naikan allow us to cultivate? It allows us to cultivate gratitude. What does the practice of Naikan allow us to become aware of? It allows us to become aware of the interconnectedness of all life. It is said that the daily practice of Naikan can lead to greater happiness, awareness, and well-being. Does the daily practice of Naikan lead to greater financial freedom? No, of course not. Then what does the practice of Naikan lead to? It leads to greater happiness, awareness, and well-being. What do you think? In what ways might you use a practice like Naikan to improve your relationships with others and your overall well-being? Photos / Credits: Photo #1 (cover) by Fe Ilya: https://www.flickr.com/photos/renneville/2908748583/ Photo #2 by Scott Robinson: https://www.flickr.com/photos/84617037@N00/2977070452

Deep English, 2011-2014 | www.deepenglish.com 04

Looking Within #112