Mindfulness Mondays 30: Hara Hachi Bu
December 21, 2009 by dr. lam
Reading a fantastic book by Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen, on how to present more cleanly and magnificently in front of an audience, one expression has sort of stuck in my brain. The expression is Japanese, hara hachi bu, which means eat to 80% full, as Reynolds an American expatriot who resides in Osaka, Japan admonishes.
This rule holds true for not only our appetite but for our presentation style as well as for many things in life. We tend to be gluttons where our satiety buttons cannot even register our fullness because we are still gorging ourselves. You hear presenters drone on for too long, and the audience snores. You stuff yourself until you want to vomit. You think if a little is good, then give me a ton more.
This week during the holiday season and hopefully beyond, as we approach life, remember the simple Japanese admonition of hara hachi bu.
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7 Responses to “Mindfulness Mondays 30: Hara Hachi Bu”
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I agree 100%. I tried to think of anything this might not pertain to and can only think of one area. (love)
Brilliant.
Thanks!
nice point nord! totally agree!
Great blog, Dr. Lam!! Wow, Nord, you really gave this some thought! Great point!
Great concept to remember over the holidays and for the new year!! =)
thanks heather and nord!
Well, thank you Dr. Lam and Heather. Mind you I said I AGREE. I have my work cut out for me, heeding this wisdom.
GN
Me too, Nord!!
GN, blog buddies!!
thanks. nice new gravatars guys!