Mindfulness Lessons From the 72 Micro-Seasons of Japan
The life-changing impact of taking a weekly inventory of your life
A wise person once said:
‘’The only constant in life is change’’.
But they wouldn’t be wise if they didn’t also accept the fluid nature of life. Wise people see the beauty in the ever-changing nature of things. Heck, they even find opportunities in it.
That quote was by Heraclitus, by the way. A Greek philosopher who lived from 540 to 580 B.C. Smart guy. But the Japanese took this wisdom to the next level. So let’s examine how this is embedded in their culture — and how it can help us be more present, become more introspective, and feel more grateful.
The 72 Micro-Seasons of Japan
The Japanese are hyper-aware of the changes in nature. They make the distinction between 4 macro-seasons, 24 seasons, and 72 micro-seasons. Yes, you read that right — 72 micro-seasons. That’s a new micro-season every 5 days!
The many seasons of Japan.
Japan is widely known for its cherry blossoms. But they only peak for about a week — or two, if you’re lucky. The cherry blossom season is just one of the 72 micro-seasons. When it arrives, many people will try to get a glimpse of the beautiful, but quickly wittering blossoms. They even coined a collective term for it: hanami.
Each micro-season is an acknowledgment of the constant change in nature. The way I see it, the micro-seasons serve as a reminder to be present and, at the same time, be mindful of the fact that everything in life is fleeting. It helps you cultivate gratitude for what is now and to be on the outlook for what’s coming next.
In Japan, spring isn’t just spring. It’s also the time of:
Nesting Sparrows (March 20 — March 24)
First Cherry Blossoms (March 25 — March 29)
Distant Thunder (March 30 — April 3)
Swallows Returning (April 4 — April 8)
Curious what micro-season we’re in now, according to the Japanese? Check it out here.
The slow journey behind the ‘’quick and drastic’’ life changes
I love the Japanese micro-seasons simply because they reflect the impermanence of life. It’s not just nature that’s prone to change. We aren’t any different. I like to think of human beings as a mosaic, made of countless tiny, colorful pieces that shape who they are. New pieces are added all the time, shaped by the many encounters and experiences of life. Bright tiles from joy. Darker tiles from sadness. They all blend in.
We tend to talk about milestones in our lives in terms of ‘big moments’ that changed everything in an instant. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond the clickbait titles about ‘’drastic’’ and ‘’quick’’ life changes are always the longer and slower journeys.
An entrepreneur doesn’t just quit their job one day to pursue the career of their dreams; the path has been laid out long before. Maybe they grew up with parents who urged them to follow the ‘default path’ (with all the right intentions), while in reality, they’ve already been on the entrepreneurial road all along — elementary school teachers telling them to be more obedient, setting up their own little website from their bedroom as a teenager, devouring business books as a young adult. Tapping into our own micro-seasons helps us to dive deep and be aware of the changes that are happening in our lives.
Take inventory of your own micro-seasons
Staying present and noticing change in the moment is one of the hardest things in this day and age, with so many distractions at a fingertip away (yes, I’m pointing at your smartphone). I think we should all question ourselves what season we’re in. Imagine taking an inventory of your life just once a week. What’s been happening? What’s new? Finding one new thing is easier than you think. Even if you feel like your life is plain boring and predictable. Look for novelty in yourself, people around you, or in nature.
If you start your weekly inventory today, you can create your own 52 micro-seasons within a year.