[Secret to change life] Have poison in yourself / Taro Okamoto

This time, I will explain Taro Okamoto’s “Have poison in yourself” here.

Speaking of Taro Okamoto, I think many people know him as a representative painter and artist of Japan.

His most famous work is The Tower of the Sun. It was exhibited at the Osaka Expo in 1970, and everyone has seen it at least once.

Well, this book written by Taro Okamoto has a rather dubious title.

In a nutshell, what kind of book is it? It’s a self-enlightenment book to walk your life without regrets.

It’s a thin and cheap book at about 500 yen, but I think it’s rare to find a book that doesn’t match the price and the content.

As much as I can say, this book has a “value” that is difficult to quantify.

Today, I would like to tell you about its contents and charm.

It is especially recommended for those who:

If even one of these applies to you, I think it’s worth watching.

If you’ve guessed it all, please buy it now as a bible.

However, at first glance, it tends to be perceived as “successful words” to cheer people up.

But that’s not where the real charm and fun of this book lies.

By connecting the person “Taro Okamoto”, his words, and the art work, this 500 yen book transforms into art with an explosive message.

By all means, please pay attention to such places and enjoy it until the end. Let’s go.

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For those who cannot forgive their weakness

~ Below is an excerpt from the book ~

“I am that kind of person!”

“It’s no good.”

First, admit it straight.

Even if you blame yourself, saying, “What are you going to do about being so weak-minded?”, your feelings will never become stronger.

Rather, it’s better not to think, “I’m timid,” and scramble to become stronger.

This does not mean “give up”.

I’m saying to myself, ‘Admit it’ that you’re timid.

Then you will find something that you can be proactive about.

You can find what you want to do unconditionally, what you are passionate about.

If you find it, don’t worry about what other people think or what other people think.

Don’t shrink, live as you are.

This attitude is important even when you can’t find your passion.

If you can’t, think that it’s okay to be a useless person, and live “freely” and “without restrictions”.

If you do that, chances to find something will open up naturally.

You should do it as soon as possible.

yes!

What I’m saying here is that you don’t have to force yourself to change yourself.

Now, if you look for ways to change yourself in various ways, skills, etc., you will find a lot of them.

It comes out to the extent that “Scientifically, it should be done like this” or “It’s already good”.

But what about actually? What has changed?

I’m sure there are things that have changed.

But I think there were a lot of things that didn’t really change.

For example, a person who is originally dark can suddenly become bright like an entertainer, and there are other problems that can no longer be dealt with in ‘Methodology’.

Even if he plays someone who is not his true self, he becomes awkward and painful…and he blames himself for such things again.

First, accept yourself as you are.

I’m saying that there is a dream that you can devote your whole life to and be passionate about on the next stage.

Easy to say, but hard to find.

Mr. Taro Okamoto has this to say to people who have nothing they want to do that can ignite their passion.

“Live unconditionally”

This is an important word that is emphasized many times in this book.

However, it is difficult to understand the meaning of “living unconditionally”.

For example, “I want to learn English, but I don’t have time this year, so let’s start next year.” Let’s go,” or “I want to go to a matchmaking party, but I’ll wait until I lose some weight.”

Well, don’t you put conditions on your way of life like this, like “if △△, let’s do 〇〇”? That’s what you’re saying.

It is not like that…

“If you feel a little bit of passion, do it now!”

“It’s okay to take on challenges and fail. You don’t have to try to find what you want to do. Anyway, if your motivation curve goes up even a little, don’t ignore it. Don’t think about each condition. Jump in. As you keep doing that, you’ll find something burning inside of you.”

That’s what I’m saying

Also, “reading” is strongly recommended in the sense of dialogue with oneself.

Especially if it’s a philosophical book or novel, it’s a relatively serious novel. It’s a book that makes you think about how to live your life.

Read it and think about “whole destiny”.

Then, I think there are some people who say, “What should I do if I find what I want to do, but the passion doesn’t last?”

In response, Taro Okamoto says:

“It doesn’t matter if you’re shaved for three days. Put everything on the line at that moment!”

How about that.

It is said that “continuity is power” and “3 years on a stone”, but the importance of continuation has been emphasized many times in “home education” and “school education”.

That’s not all.

Even in the media, for example, seeing Ichiro’s steady efforts over and over again, people say, ‘We should be like this! ‘, ‘This is the mirror of a successful person’, ‘What a person should be’.

Of course, there’s no denying the continuity itself, its splendor.

However, Taro Okamoto, who is also a first-class artist, does not find his sense of beauty there.

At that moment when he thinks, “Would you like to start?”, he gazes at only that one point, a small light that shines in his dark heart! And put everything on it! That’s what I’m saying.

The common sense that “if you can’t continue, it’s meaningless.”

It’s a word that will release the pain of those who have been blaming themselves for 3 days.

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For those who have “lost confidence” by comparing themselves to others

Now, the next theme is people who have “lost confidence” by comparing themselves to others.

I see! It’s true that I often hear that he’s often like this these days, but what do you think?

Especially when I’m on SNS, I end up comparing myself to someone who shines. And the lack of my ability I’m going to belittle my life level, and as a result, I’m going to lose confidence in myself.

Have you ever experienced something like that?

Regarding this, Mr. Taro Okamoto clearly says,

~ Below is an excerpt from the book ~

Confidence doesn’t matter.

With that kind of thing, even if you act, you won’t be bad.

However, I am determined that I have no choice but to stick to my true self.

That is, “self” is the greatest enemy, and you will continue to fight without mercy.

It doesn’t matter if you’re dumb, you don’t look good, or you don’t have money, that’s who you are. That is absolute.

In the first place, things like self-confidence become a problem because you compare yourself to others.

Do what you believe and what you think is right, and push forward.

I’ve been told I look confident, but I’m just pushing myself away from the vile idea of wanting to be confident.

Push yourself into the worst possible situation.

Your biggest enemy is yourself!

Then kill yourself!

That is the essence of life.

Confidence is a relative value.

It’s ‘evidence’ that people are caught up in the idea of being above or below someone else.

Human beings have to live with an “absolute feeling” that crosses the line between “living” and “death”.

yes!

It has gradually increased in intensity, how do you feel about it?

Humans inevitably want to compare themselves to others.

It’s because we’re programmed to see all things in relative terms.

High salary, tall height, good looks, it can be recognized as such because there are others to compare.

This is not limited to ′′ self-evaluation ′′ but also when you choose things.

This one is more profitable, this one is more profitable. These human behavioral characteristics and emotional movements are now being applied to all kinds of businesses.

Mr. Taro Okamoto is calling out to those of us who live within such common sense and frames, “Get out now!”

I think there are a lot of people who have read many mental books and feel that touching these power words resonates with them rather than thinking about them in their heads.

personally…

“Live with a sense of absoluteness”

I like this word best. Perhaps, if you read this book, you will surely find words that come to your senses.

It’s just that it’s not easy to throw yourself into a tough environment.

Mr. Taro Okamoto has this to say to those who do not have such a strong will and energy.

~ Below is an excerpt from the book ~

There are people who say that painters are able to draw because they have talent, or that they are able to do so much because they have passion.

Don’t get me wrong. On the contrary!

He’s ‘determined’ to do something, so his will and energy erupt.

Without doing anything, there is no will.

“I’m not confident, but let’s do it anyway!” Bet on that moment!

That’s all.

No, that’s all. There is no way to strengthen your will!

Don’t overthink things like that. Really, put your heart and soul into what you want to do right now, and focus on it.

Say it again! It doesn’t matter if it goes well or not.

The result is irrelevant.

I take my destiny. Then the will will surely come out.

What do you think. It’s pretty hot, isn’t it?

Don’t think about difficult and extra things, it’s better to be simpler. Focus on the simple things you want to do.

I’m telling you, don’t play around with yourself

At the same time as the burden of my heart is lifted, my heart is gradually getting hotter with the hot words that the flame dwells.

Perhaps some people have started to feel that they should take a step forward, such as disseminating information, doing a side job, or changing jobs.

However, do you still have this feeling somewhere in your heart?

I don’t have “confidence” in myself, or rather, he is half-hearted in the first place.

Whether it’s singing, talking, or working, they’re all half-baked and probably don’t have anything that can provide value. So I wonder if it makes sense.

I see! Now, let’s listen to Taro Okamoto’s opinion for those who think that everything is half-baked and that they are not worthy.

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For those who think that everything is half-baked and that they are worthless

~ Below is an excerpt from the book ~

He says he really lives.

It is to live on the premise that “I am always ‘inexperienced'” and think that it is okay.

Don’t forget that.

“Ripe” has nothing to do with skill or proficiency.

This is my belief.

“If you’re not good at art, sports, singing, and conversation, it’s better if you’re not good at it.”

If you decide to do better and worse, life may actually become more interesting.

Conversely, only people who are good at singing, playing sports, and talking are people who are determined by the molds and standards of the world and are accustomed to them.

That’s why, the more skillful a guy is, the more he or she thinks about the standard first.

But ignore those standards!

I’m not good at it, but if I realize that I’m not good at it and make a decision, I’ll be able to sing more freely, and even in sports, I’ll be able to move freely without worrying about pretending.

“If you’re not good at it, it’s fine!”

This is what I have been saying for a long time.

For example, even if a “picture” or “song” has a good reputation, it won’t move you at all.

Even so, he shouldn’t admit that he’s not good at it.

Instead, ‘freely’ and ‘brightly’ push out the unique clumsiness of the person.

If you do that, he will turn your clumsiness into your charm.

yes!

What do you think.

It’s a refreshing power word barrage that will change the air of your heart.

Taro Okamoto emphasized the importance of living unconditionally, and I think he is right here.

“I’m not good at it, so I’ll do it when I get a little better.” “Let’s do it after practicing a little more.”

Certainly, it will.

But when I decided to do it. At that moment, a small light flashes in your heart…

And hang everything! That’s what it means.

Gradually, I started to feel the urge to try new things.

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For those who feel lonely

The next topic is about loneliness.

The feeling of loneliness that always accompanies challengers. Let’s hear what Taro Okamoto has to say about this.

~The following is an excerpt from the contents of the book~

For those who say, “I’m lonely,” he’s more intense, why don’t you push yourself away?

He doesn’t want to be liked by people, and if he decides that it’s okay to isolate himself from people and sticks to himself, he can become a person who is truly appreciated by everyone.

His biggest enemy is himself.

He’s the enemy, he sees obstacles and fights them.

In other words, he cares too much about himself and worries a lot.

Don’t take it so seriously!

Then, from now on, make up your mind that you don’t have to be liked, and throw yourself away.

It’s okay to be useless! You should think so.

Your worst enemy is yourself.

I will destroy myself! With that in mind, I’m going to challenge it with that kind of intensity.

Otherwise, you cannot destroy your old self and become a new self.

Even if people think that they are looking at themselves objectively, in reality everyone is cute and cares too much about themselves.

I’m going to look at myself like that again from the outside.

what! You are as small as a pea in this world.

It’s silly that it’s conceited and looks down on itself and hates it!

Like that, I want you to push forward and see the current state vividly.

If you’re a bean, that’s fine. A small existence covers the world.

yes!

What do you think.

It made me realize how small and insignificant the things I had taken great care of were.

Mr. Taro Okamoto repeats over and over again in this book, Don’t take care of yourself too much! Is called.

No one likes being nervous, getting paid less, doing something different from everyone else, being lonely. I want to run away

But if you take care of yourself too much like a closed girl, you won’t be able to destroy your current self, and you won’t be able to become a new self.

If so, I have no choice but to push myself further and fight. That’s what they say.

However, to avoid misunderstandings, take extraordinary actions that are far from your daily routine! I don’t mean to say that, but believe in the feeling that arises moment by moment, and face your “fate”! That’s why.

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For those who have lost sight of what “happiness” is

Now, I would like to move on to the last theme.

People who don’t really know what “happiness” is.

All of a sudden, it turned into a deep conversation, but what is happiness?

You may have thought about this seriously at least once.

I think that everyone probably lives with the thought “I want to be happy!”

However, according to Taro Okamoto, he hates words like “happiness” and “happiness.”

Only dull people are happy! That’s what you say.

Hey, can you understand this feeling?

Think about why you feel that way.

I believe that this is a feeling that comes from asking yourself the question, “What is happiness?”

As for what it means, take a good look behind the word “happiness”.

“Are there any parts that convince yourself that this is ‘happiness’?”

“Isn’t there a part of you that isn’t really happy?”

“Isn’t he just smiling like nothing happened by deceiving him without looking straight at it?”

“I have a house, a family, a salary, so am I happy?

That’s what I’m saying.

Mr. Taro Okamoto looks into the back of the word “happiness” and then makes us readers thoroughly think about “what is happiness?”

Then, what do you think Taro Okamoto should pursue instead of happiness?

As a reader, this is where I am concerned. Happiness cannot be described in words, it is the joy that springs up from the depths of our hearts.

In the dictionary, it means to be very happy, but it is actually a Buddhist term.

Especially in Pure Land Buddhism, it is said to be used to express the joy when one’s birth is decided.

On top of that, Mr. Taro Okamoto said, “Death”, “Danger”, “Suffering”, when confronted with them, humans burn up.

That is what makes life worth living, and what I feel at that time is not happiness. It’s “delight”.

That’s what I’m saying.

Let’s paraphrase it a little more clearly.

You can’t stay in a safe and comfortable world where you can’t get hurt.

What lies there is a false world borrowed from the word “happiness.”

Take a good look inside your own heart.

And listen carefully to the voice of your heart.

Are you really satisfied with the end of your life?

In that case, don’t be deceived by the word “happiness” and jump out into the outside world.

The next level… and the world of the next level, we keep challenging ourselves.

Of course, the further you go, the harder it gets. I’m sure it will hurt more than now, and it will be more painful than now.

At worst, you can say that you are close to death.

However, if I don’t go to that side, I won’t be able to taste the “joy” that makes me feel glad to have been born in this world.

That’s why.

By the way, there is a work by Taro Okamoto called “Kanjo no Kane” at a certain temple in Nagoya city.

I’ll put a picture up above, but it’s ridiculously thorny.

I thought it was just a decoration, but it seems that every year on New Year’s Eve, the bell is rung on New Year’s Eve. Surprise, isn’t it?

Well, after listening to the story so far, maybe…

“Taro Okamoto’s mentality is just too amazing to keep up with.”

“Rather, I’m pulling a little.”

I think there are some people who say.

My mind feels like a mountain climber who has conquered every mountain in the world, so maybe it’s a little difficult for ordinary people to understand? You can also say.

However, if you put into yourself the thoughts of people who have shaken off the meter and the thoughts of people who have exceeded their limits, you will be able to see your own “happy life” objectively, and the definition will be the best. I personally think it will make it easier.

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Taro Okamoto style! Recommendations for the society in which we live

This book is centered around self-enlightenment content, but if you read on, you will find that he also presents his own unique views on the society in which we live.

In particular, the capitalist way of thinking that pursues only profit, and the scientism and utilitarianism that tries to handle everything have been strongly criticized.

“Humans are more irrational beings, beings that can never be divided, but I don’t want a society that tries to systematically divide everything.”

“The most painful thing that humans have to grasp after being born is the ‘sense of life’!”

“It’s about meeting fate in the flesh and rejoicing.”

That’s what they say.

When I saw this word, I thought nothing but “Ah, it’s kind of like Mr. Taro Okamoto.”

However, after re-reading it several times, I felt a sense of incongruity.

Taro Okamoto’s representative work, “Tower of the Sun,” was shown at the Expo.

The theme of the Expo was “Progress and Harmony for Mankind”.

A work that truly embodies it.

It is known as a symbolic work.

In fact, it is introduced on the official site of the Tower of the Sun as an expression of “human dignity,” “infinite progress,” and “development.”

In other words, the way of thinking that Taro Okamoto talks about in this book is the opposite of the theme of his representative work, Tower of the Sun.

Sure enough, when I looked into it, I found that the reason why “Tower of the Sun” expresses the progress and development of mankind is actually an ostensible reason that matches the theme of the Expo, a political reason, and a true message behind it. I found out that is hidden.

We can’t just push through capitalism and pursue only ‘riches’ and ‘conveniences’!

Beyond progress and harmony, there is no “joy” that humans should really seek.

The time will come when mankind must reconsider its course from the ground up.

That’s how Taro Okamoto felt with his whole body.

so what did he do?

Oh my God! It was the exact opposite of the theme of the Expo, “Progress and Harmony.”

He stabbed a piece of art with the motif of “Jomon pottery”, the oldest art in Japan, right in the middle of the Expo venue.

The Tower of the Sun is therefore also called the Jomon Monster.

People with common sense will surely say, “Mr. Okamoto, what an insane thing you are doing at a world-class festival!”

You might say so.

However, Taro Okamoto says many times in this book, “Live unconditionally! ] was said.

The idea that “if you do that, you’ll probably get angry” is surely zero.

Rather, at the World Expo, where the world is paying attention, I made up my mind and sounded the alarm bell, “Japanese people, wake up!”

The words in this book, the works he created, and the way he lived… All of them are the strong ideas of Taro Okamoto, an artist who is not bound by common sense.

Based on that, if you pick up this book, I think it will be many times more interesting and beneficial than starting to read straight away.

Well, the World Expo will be held in Osaka in 2025, but what kind of world will it be?

I sincerely hope that the “bell of joy” will resound in your bright future.

yes! …So it’s more than ‘hold poison in yourself’.

I would appreciate it if you could help me with your life.