V. Completa. El lenguaje que une a la humanidad. Yokoi Kenji, trabajador social y conferenciante

Aprendemos Juntos 2030・2 minutes read

Yokoi Kenji Diaz, a social worker and Japanese language teacher, delves into cultural differences, the concepts of "shimei" and "ikigai," and the importance of human connection and resilience, highlighting universal values and the significance of emotional well-being. He emphasizes the impact of therapy, nature, and animals on mental health, along with the transformative power of grace in changing lives.

Insights

Yokoi Kenji Diaz, a bilingual social worker, delves into cultural differences, highlighting Japanese discipline and Latin American adaptability to chaos.
The concepts of "shimei" (life purpose) and "ikigai" (personal fulfillment) are central to Yokoi Kenji's teachings, emphasizing human connection and the drive to serve others.
The significance of therapy, emotional well-being, and the universal language of humanity in fostering understanding, resilience, and forgiveness are key themes in Yokoi Kenji's narratives.

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What is the concept of "ikigai"?
Purpose and fulfillment in life.

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Summary

00:00

Yokoi Kenji: Bridging Cultures, Finding Purpose

Yokoi Kenji Diaz is the son of a traditional Japanese father and Colombian mother, growing up bilingual.
He has been married for 23 years and has two children, Kenji David and Keigo Daniel.
Yokoi Kenji is a social worker who analyzes behavioral patterns in society, focusing on positive and negative aspects of different cultures.
Despite not being a motivational speaker, Yokoi Kenji's quotes and videos sometimes go viral without his knowledge.
Yokoi Kenji teaches Japanese language techniques, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the learning process.
He discusses the cultural differences between Japanese discipline and Latin American ability to thrive in chaos.
Japanese culture values a sense of tribe, where adults can scold any child for misbehavior.
Yokoi Kenji explains the concepts of "shimei" as life purpose and "ikigai" as personal fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of human connection.
Shimei is about serving others, while ikigai is an internal drive that remains even in challenging circumstances.
Yokoi Kenji highlights the significance of human beings in the world, despite their flaws, as they contribute to solutions and beauty.

15:07

Ikigai: Life's Purpose Beyond Japanese Culture

Ikigai is a concept that translates to "sense of life" and is not exclusive to Japanese culture.
Ikigai is akin to umami, a taste that the Japanese named but did not invent.
The speaker's Colombian grandfather was a merchant who sold items with a unique approach.
The grandfather's approach to selling created stress for the grandmother but was successful.
The grandfather, bedridden with cancer, continued selling items as his ikigai.
People driven by ikigai are compelled to continue their pursuits, not for money but for fulfillment.
Removing a person's ikigai, like cooking or making coffee, can have detrimental effects on their well-being.
The speaker shares a story of a girl who learned to embrace sadness rather than escape it.
The speaker recounts his childhood experience of being bullied in Japan but finding solace in a special needs classroom.
The speaker reflects on the importance of education and how modern methods have positively impacted his children's knowledge and self-awareness.

30:16

"Spanish Books in Japan: A Teacher's Impact"

In Japan, the speaker faced a lack of Spanish reading materials, leading them to read Stephen King and Isabel Allende books from home.
To access Spanish books, the speaker had to travel to a Spanish bookstore in Tokyo, order books, and wait three months for delivery.
The scarcity of Spanish books in Japan led the speaker to savor reading slowly to prolong the experience.
The speaker reflects on the impact of limited choices in their education, contrasting it with the overwhelming options faced by current generations.
The speaker highlights the challenges faced by individuals when presented with numerous choices, leading to decision paralysis.
A teacher in Japan, Saito Satoshi, had a profound impact on the speaker's life by teaching English in a unique and enthusiastic manner.
Saito Satoshi's dedication to teaching stemmed from a promise to his wife, who encouraged him to continue teaching even in her absence.
The speaker's encounter with Saito Satoshi led to a realization of the teacher's heroism and a deep respect for his commitment to teaching.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of resilience, sharing personal experiences of seeking therapy to address behavioral patterns and emotional struggles.
Therapy is viewed as a crucial tool for personal development and a sign of cognitive advancement in societies that normalize discussions around mental health.

45:46

"Embracing Imperfections: Healing Through Forgiveness and Gold"

The speaker was introduced to Dalí's art and became fascinated by his drawings of elephants with thin, long legs, seeing it as a representation of chaos in the brain.
A relative mentioned living in Figueres, where many Japanese visit to see a painter with a mustache, leading to a trip to meet Dalí.
The concept of kintsugi is explained, where broken items are reglued with gold to highlight the cracks, symbolizing resilience and not hiding imperfections.
Therapy is discussed as a way to deepen wounds, reflect, and seek understanding, ultimately leading to forgiveness and healing.
The story of Mary living with imaginary husbands is shared to illustrate the importance of forgiveness in freeing oneself from past hurts.
The idea of applying gold to one's story through service, love, and grace is highlighted as a way to help others and give purpose to one's experiences.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of universal values in bridging cultural differences and fostering understanding between people.
The universal language of humanity is described as transcending linguistic barriers and promoting empathy and connection.
The significance of emotional well-being is discussed, with therapy, nature, and emotional support animals being highlighted as essential practices for maintaining good mental health.
The speaker shares personal experiences with therapy and the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature and animals for emotional support.

01:01:32

Inmates' Cats Improve Behavior in Prison

In a prison, inmates were allowed to own cats for good behavior, leading to improved behavior as they strived to provide for their pets with toys, better food, and beds.
The presence of cats in the prison positively impacted the behavior of conflicted individuals, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment towards animals.
The narrator expresses concern about humanity's direction, highlighting the significance of society's behavior towards animals as a measure of development.
The narrator shares personal experiences of being recognized in Spanish-speaking countries, feeling dehumanized by the attention, leading to a retreat to Japan where anonymity is restored.
The narrator discusses their innate optimism, attributing it to their personality rather than learned techniques, acknowledging the balancing effect of their more realistic wife.
A childhood experience of being abandoned at an airport due to a misunderstanding is shared, revealing the impact of the event on the narrator's perception of betrayal and abandonment.
The narrator describes adult tantrums as a form of therapy, emphasizing the importance of self-care through activities like eating, going to the cinema, and karaoke alone.
The narrator reflects on generational differences in earning respect, highlighting the importance of unconditional love and respect for children.
Overcoming shame is presented as a key to fostering creativity, with a personal anecdote of publicly embracing embarrassment to combat fear and shame.
Success is defined as the ability to be vulnerable and authentic in front of others, with the narrator sharing personal growth in relationships by gradually revealing their true self.

01:17:50

"Authenticity and Grace: Keys to Success"

Success is not about pretending or faking it; it's about starting from where you are, being authentic, and working with what you have.
Emphasizes the importance of authenticity and starting from the bottom, acknowledging one's reality, including failures, mistakes, and personal growth.
Consistency is crucial on the path to success, focusing on genuine experiences and not just appearances.
The most important lesson in life is grace, the act of giving to those who don't deserve it, which can profoundly impact and change individuals.
Grace is exemplified through a story of a priest showing kindness to a thief, leading to a transformation in the thief's behavior and life trajectory.

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