Brett McKay here and welcome to another edition of the Art of Manliness

Podcast. The focus on gratitude is typical this time of year, but more often than not the cognitive or behavioral

nods we give gratitude around Thanksgiving can feel a little limp, rote, and unedifying. If you feel like this American holiday has been lacking in meaning,

maybe what you need is to infuse it with a Japanese practice.

The Nikon method of self-reflection grew out of Buddhist spirituality

and has been recognized by

psychologist as a way to develop greater self-awareness, gratitude, empathy, and

direction. Nikon involves asking yourself three questions. What have I

received from others? What have I given to others? What troubles and

difficulties have I caused others? Greg Creech, who is the executive director of the

Toto Institute, which promotes principles of psychology based on Eastern traditions, has created a

Thanksgiving specific version of Nikon that helps practitioners dig further into its first

question.

Today in the show, we talk about the way Nikon differs from mainstream gratitude practices

and is based less on feeling and more on seeing the world objectively.

Greg shares six prompts that can help you recognize the reality of how you're being

supporting the world, cultivate the art of noticing,

and embrace life's grace.

After the show's over, check out our show notes back to the show. Well, thank you, Brett,

and

And, all right, Greg Creech,

welcome back to the show.

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