Constructive Living
Encyclopedia
Constructive Living, founded in the 1980s by Dr David K. Reynolds
, is a unique synthesis of the ideas and practices of Shoma Morita embodied in Morita Therapy
and Naikan Practice
as evolved by Ishin Yoshimoto.
Constructive Living is a registered trademark.
and Naikan Practice
in a manner more suitable for and accessible to Western, English speaking individuals.
In a series of books, audio tapes, public appearances, workshops and certification programs, Dr Reynolds has defined and clarified his ideas over more than 25 years as well as training certified "teachers" to help others learn the practical applications of Constructive Living.
to help an individual live more effectively. Constructive Living is not a psychological "school". A famous Constructive Living maxim
is "Accept your emotions as they are and do what needs to be done." Its practice consists of doing assignments or exercises to experience the reality of the philosophy.
Constructive Living emphasizes 1) knowing one's purpose, 2) accepting one's feelings (and all of reality), and 3) doing what you need to do in your life.
David K. Reynolds
David Kent Reynolds, PhD is a writer and the founder of Constructive Living.He was retained by the World Health Organization to teach Constructive Living to professional health workers in China. Dr. Reynolds studied naikan with Yoshimoto Ishin in Japan.Reynolds, an American, currently divides his...
, is a unique synthesis of the ideas and practices of Shoma Morita embodied in Morita Therapy
Morita therapy
Morita Therapy is a purpose-centered, response oriented therapy from Japan, created in the 1930s by Dr. Shoma Morita.-Background:Dr Shoma Morita was a psychiatrist and department chair at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo...
and Naikan Practice
Naikan
Naikan is a structured method of self-reflection developed by Yoshimoto Ishin a business man and devout Jodo Shinshu Buddhist who, as a young man, had engaged in an ascetic 'contrition' practice involving sensory deprivation through dwelling in a dark cave without food, water or sleep...
as evolved by Ishin Yoshimoto.
Constructive Living is a registered trademark.
Origins of Constructive Living
Dr Reynolds combined practices of both Morita TherapyMorita therapy
Morita Therapy is a purpose-centered, response oriented therapy from Japan, created in the 1930s by Dr. Shoma Morita.-Background:Dr Shoma Morita was a psychiatrist and department chair at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo...
and Naikan Practice
Naikan
Naikan is a structured method of self-reflection developed by Yoshimoto Ishin a business man and devout Jodo Shinshu Buddhist who, as a young man, had engaged in an ascetic 'contrition' practice involving sensory deprivation through dwelling in a dark cave without food, water or sleep...
in a manner more suitable for and accessible to Western, English speaking individuals.
In a series of books, audio tapes, public appearances, workshops and certification programs, Dr Reynolds has defined and clarified his ideas over more than 25 years as well as training certified "teachers" to help others learn the practical applications of Constructive Living.
Definitions of Constructive Living
Constructive Living is a philosophy of lifePhilosophy of life
There are at least two senses in which the term philosophy is used, a formal and an informal sense. In the formal sense philosophy is an academic study of the fields metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, logic, and social philosophy...
to help an individual live more effectively. Constructive Living is not a psychological "school". A famous Constructive Living maxim
Maxim (philosophy)
A maxim is a ground rule or subjective principle of action; in that sense, a maxim is a thought that can motivate individuals.- Deontological ethics :...
is "Accept your emotions as they are and do what needs to be done." Its practice consists of doing assignments or exercises to experience the reality of the philosophy.
Constructive Living emphasizes 1) knowing one's purpose, 2) accepting one's feelings (and all of reality), and 3) doing what you need to do in your life.