What is Naka-ima 中今?

What is Naka-ima 中今?

Naka-ima (中今) is not a word that simply means "now." It is a profound concept originating from Japanese Shinto, meaning "the center of the now"—the most precious and vital point where the past and future are condensed.

The spirit of Naka-ima 中今 is to free the mind from regrets about the past and anxieties about the future, and to live with utmost sincerity by focusing one's consciousness on this very moment. It is believed that in this state, a person can express their greatest potential and feel the strongest connection to the universe and other great existences, such as the gods (kami 神).

History and "Naka-ima 中今" in Shinto

Naka-ima 中今 has been treasured as an extremely important concept in Shinto, the spiritual foundation of Japanese culture, particularly in Old Shinto as represented by Ise Grand Shrine. It is said to have been a way of life cherished by successive emperors, especially Emperor Meiji.

In Shinto, time is not seen as flowing linearly from past to future, but rather as a continuous stream of life that inherits the sentiments of past ancestors and connects them to future descendants. Within this continuity, Naka-ima 中今 is the absolute center.

To neglect the "now" is to disrespect the baton of life passed down from one's ancestors, and it also leads to closing off the path to future prosperity (iyasaka 弥栄). The Shinto view of Naka-ima 中今 is that to live this moment to the fullest is the greatest expression of gratitude to the past and the best possible contribution to the future.

The Way of Life of "Living in This Very Moment"

The philosophy of Naka-ima 中今 offers great insight for us today on how to live a spiritually rich and fortunate life.

We often find ourselves dragging along past failures with regret, or becoming anxious by imagining a future that has not yet arrived. However, when our consciousness is in the past or the future, we cannot live in the "now"—the most important reality.

To live Naka-ima 中今 is to escape the labyrinth of our thoughts and engage in what is before us with our entire being. When drinking tea, one deeply savors its aroma and warmth; when working, one is fully immersed in the task. This state of pure concentration is the key that awakens our intuition and creativity, allowing us to discover the happiness and gratitude hidden in daily life.

KICHIYA's Proposed "Good Fortune Actions"

Here are specific actions to incorporate the spirit of Naka-ima 中今 into your daily routine and cultivate a "lucky constitution."

1. Focus on Your Breath for One Minute a Day When you wake up in the morning, during a break from work, or whenever you feel your mind becoming unsettled, pause and for just one minute, focus your awareness on your own breath. By turning your attention to the fundamental rhythm of life—inhaling and exhaling—your mind will naturally return to the "here and now."

2. Perform Daily Actions as a Reverent Ritual Try performing simple daily actions—eating a meal, preparing tea, cleaning a room—with the same care and focused awareness as if they were an important ritual. By simply ceasing to "multitask," you will notice the richness and joy hidden in your everyday life.

3. Practice Gratitude for What is "Now" Turn your eyes not to "what is lacking," but to "what you have now." The comfort of the chair you are sitting in, the color of the sky outside the window, a warm drink. It can be something small. By noticing and feeling gratitude for the "happiness that exists here and now," your heart will be filled, and you will generate the energy to attract even more good fortune.

Naka-ima 中今 is not some special state of being that exists in a faraway place. It is a state of mind that we can reach at any time, simply through our own awareness. To live Naka-ima 中今 is the ultimate "good fortune action"—one that awakens our own inner divinity and allows us to create a life of fulfillment.