Publish at October 17 2023 Updated October 17 2023
Spring never doubts the arrival of summer
Taking the time for slowness, reducing the speed of interactions to savor every moment of the encounter and make it an intense moment - this is the art of ishigo ishie. "Ishigo ishie" is a Japanese expression that can be interpreted as "stone in stone" in French. The Japanese expression ichigo ichie (一期一会) is also translated as "a unique encounter in life", or "a moment, a unique experience".
It's a celebration of life that posits that what we're experiencing now will never happen again in the same way, so it's about taking care of it. According to Garcia and Miralles (2019), this "philosophy" was theorized by a 16th-century tea master. The origins of ichigo ichie lie in Zen Buddhism. To live with ichigo ichie is to become aware of the fleetingness of things, to know how to seize those unique moments that can irradiate the rest of our lives, and to fully savor the present moment that is offered to us,
The expression is often used to express the idea of building something gradually and meticulously, adding one element on top of another. This notion reflects the importance of patience, attention to detail and perseverance in Japanese culture. For Bouchez (2014) chanoyu, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, is a basis for education in presence. Ethnographic sources and cultural analyses have highlighted the incorporation of this notion in various aspects of Japanese life, it goes beyond the tea ceremony, notably in traditional architecture or handicrafts. It connects with the flow of life. The use of ishigo ishie in these contexts reflects respect for the process of construction and development, as well as the importance of harmony and balance in living things.
Applying ishigo ishie in collective intelligence facilitation situations may involve a methodical, collaborative and caring approach to problem-solving and decision-making. By encouraging patient, attentive engagement from every member of the group, we hope to achieve more sustainable, balanced results. It may also foster a culture of mutual respect and active listening within the group, which is essential for effective and ethical decision-making.
The Ishigo Ishie philosophy of life, with its emphasis on harmony with nature and simplicity, could have a positive impact on training and facilitation practices by encouraging more human-centered, holistic and sustainable approaches. It could inspire teaching methods that encourage connection with the environment and deep reflection, while simplifying processes to make them more accessible and understandable. It could also encourage collaborative and empathetic approaches, contributing to more meaningful learning and creation.
This philosophy pushes for the integration of outdoor activities, such as hikes or meditation sessions in nature, to encourage learners to connect with their surroundings and cultivate a sense of harmony with nature. She also commits to simplifying training content by eliminating excessive information and focusing on the essentials. Use natural metaphors to explain complex concepts, making the material more accessible and memorable.
She suggests taking a holistic approach to learning, recognizing the interconnectedness between different subjects. Encourage participants to consider how concepts covered in training apply to their daily lives and environment. Developing mindfulness involves integrating moments of reflection and meditation into training sessions, enabling participants to slow down, step back and think deeply about the information presented.
Ishigo ishie involves fostering a collaborative learning environment where participants share their experiences, ideas and perspectives, creating an enriching and diverse learning dynamic, as well as integrating discussions on sustainability, environmental preservation and social responsibility into training sessions, encouraging participants to adopt practices that respect nature and society.
This awareness-raising is organized through hands-on nature-related activities, such as gardening or craft workshops, to enable learners to experience the concepts addressed in concrete terms. It's also a way of integrating the understanding and celebration of natural cycles, such as the seasons, into training courses, reinforcing the link between participants and the natural rhythm of the world.
Of course, relaxation, breathing and stress management techniques based on principles of Ishigo Ishie philosophy can also be integrated to promote participants' well-being. Last but not least, engaging in sustained attention to relationships means recognizing and respecting the different ways in which individuals learn, by adapting teaching and facilitation methods to the needs and preferences of each learner.
In short, making every training moment the best training of one's life is a project to be shared between trainer and learner.
Sources
Wikipedia Ishigo ishie https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichi-go_ichi-e
RTL. Ichigo ichie. What is this philosophy of life that promises you the most good? https://www.rtl.fr/actu/debats-societe/ichigo-ichie-quelle-est-cette-philosophie-de-vie-qui-vous-promet-plus-de-bien-etre-7797198275
Docteur fitness.ichigo ishie, an inspiring Japanese philosophy of life https://www.docteur-fitness.com/ichigo-ichie-philosophie-de-vie-japonaise-inspirante
García, H., & Miralles, F. (2019, February). Make every moment the best of your life. Solar.
Berque, J. (1992). L'écosymbole du tatami. L'Homme et la société, 104(2), 7-14.
Bouchez, P. (2014). The chanoyu, traditional Japanese tea ceremony, as an example of education in presence. Voix Plurielles, 11(1), 31-39.
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