The Way of Nagomi by Ken Mogi Summary
Overview of The Way of Nagomi
Discover "The Way of Nagomi," neuroscientist Ken Mogi's exploration of Japanese harmony that follows his bestselling ikigai work. While receiving mixed reviews, this thoughtful philosophy offers a counterintuitive truth: life's balance can't be found in simple how-to formulas, but in embracing its inherent complexity.
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Key takeaways
The Art of Balance in an Unbalanced World
In our increasingly chaotic world, an ancient Japanese concept offers a refreshing alternative to the extremes that dominate modern life. Nagomi-the art of finding balance, comfort, and calm in heart and mind-has quietly shaped Japanese culture for centuries while remaining largely unknown in the West. Unlike typical self-help philosophies promising quick fixes or shortcuts to happiness, nagomi offers something more valuable: a framework for navigating life's complexities with grace and resilience. The word roughly translates to "balance, comfort, and calm of heart and mind," and shares the same Chinese character as "wa," meaning harmony. This concept runs so deep in Japanese culture that it appeared in Japan's first constitution in 604 CE, which stated: "Harmony is to be valued, and contrariness avoided." What makes nagomi particularly beautiful is how it helps us accept imperfect situations while living more stress-free, resilient lives-not by eliminating difficulties but by establishing harmony with them. Finding life satisfaction requires achieving nagomi through self-acceptance, regardless of circumstances. Rather than seeking a "silver bullet" solution to life's problems, nagomi embraces the "magic carpet" approach-combining various elements like relationships, work, and lifestyle to achieve happiness. This combination creates better harmony with yourself and your environment-not fleeing difficulties but embracing "stay-and-nagomi" opportunities where you find balance within challenging situations.
Harmony Through Food and Wellbeing
Embracing Your Authentic Self
The Harmony of Human Connection
The Creative Balance
Embracing Life's Seasons
Finding Your Own Nagomi
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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