CONSTRUCTIVE LIVING BY: David K Reynolds -Discussion Essay

A Examination Discussion
Constructive Living
{Morita & Naikan}
Author: David K. Reynolds, PH.D.
Discussion By: Tunisia I.E. Al-Salahuddin-BSHS/RMT/MS
Doctor Ph.D. Ayurveda-Wellness & Health Degree Program
Natural Health Science Department-Bircham International University
Running Head: A EXAMINATION DISSCUSSION
1
Abstract
Constructive Living which was written by David K. Reynolds PH.D.in 1995 is based on
the theory ofMorita & Naikan which use Psychotherapy techniques to help groom the person
to live a moral correct life to particular stands within society and family. In Doctor Reynolds
text book he exploresthe act of therapy exercise and why it is important to do the CL
exercises. He also usesKoans, Maxims,Poetry, and life stories to give the practitioner and
patient a better understanding. I will elaborate and communicate on aspects ofthe
Constructive Living textbook with key inserts which will create a topic ofdiscussion.
July 9, 2016

A EXAMINATION DISCUSSION 2
Content
A Examination Discussion (Introduction) Pg. 4
The Professional Pg. 4
The Need for Constructive Living within Society Pg. 6
A Examination Discussion (What is CL Really Good for)? Pg. 7
The Psyche (Mind) and Constructive Living Pg. 8
Task Pg. 8
Behavior, Emotions, and Moral Behavior Pg. 9
Myraid & Compendium Theories Pg. 9
Feeling the Spice of Life Pg. 10
Do Not Direct Your Energy to Your Distractions Pg. 10
Doubts, Waiting, and Stages Pg. 11
Live by Good Measurement Pg. 13
The Real Called Reality Pg. 14
Living in the Now for Later Pg. 15
Save Neurotics for the Bash or Ball Pg. 16
Perspective and Freedom Pg. 17
Jiriki and Tariki (Seek Ye Own Self Salvation) Pg. 18
Self-Imagery, Naikan, Results Pg. 20

Contents (continue)
Truth and Missed Truth Pg. 22
Do It and Forget About It Pg. 23
Action Pg. 25
I Love You Pg. 26
Beginnings Pg. 27
Acceptance, Feelings, and Appraised Values Pg. 28
Making Sense, Morita, Psychotherapy Pg. 30
Leveling, Shinky Behavior, CL Action Pg. 31
Observations, Keeping Pace, The Three W’s Pg. 32
Everyday Wonder, Thinking, Simplicity Pg. 33
Examples of Maxims, Poetry, Tales, Koans Pg. 35
Constructive Living (Put To Practice) Pg. 35
Life’s Predicaments Pg. 36
Communicate and Enjoy Life (Time Management) Pg. 36
Conclusion Pg. 38
References Pg. 40

Introduction
Constructive living is a theory that can be applied to your life through self-design or
creating a program that helps the person whom designs it. Within the preface of Constructive
Living David K. Reynolds, PH.D. stated, “Don’t believe a word in this book without verification
from your familiarity with life” (1995). Constructive Living can be designed within a persons
life regardless of the culture but can actually help a person to identify their strengths in a group
setting to be more productive. “Constructive Living developed fundamentally from the thought
of Masatake (or Shoma) Morita (1874-1938) and Ishin Yoshimoto (1916-1988). One of the goals
of Constructive Living is to shake the foundations of clinical psychology and psychiatry in the
West” (Reynolds, 1995). When developing a CL plan you should have confidence within
yourself that you can achieve and complete each task necessary. Sure anxiety may come but as
you future within your plan of development you may feel more confident than before. As I exam
the Constructive Living text book by David K. Reynolds P.H. D. there are some part of his book
that I do agree with and others I do not agree with.
The Professional
For the professional using the CL style for clients can be done but I would also recommend
that they use a Gestalt style of development as well. By doing this it will help the client or patient
put their lives into perspective and order. According to David K Reynolds PH.D., “I recommend
that you try the Constructive Living exercise on yourself before assigning them to your clients.
You will have a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of this method. It’s possible
to use Constructive Living techniques piecemeal in your practice but there is a possibility of

misusing them if you haven’t grasped the lifeway from which they spring” (1995). The
professional can dismiss the entire theory all together or they can use the practical application of
technique and theory in conjunction with other theories which ever best fits the clients. On page
4 of the Constructive Living text book David K Reynolds wrote, “No one. So if you build your
life on uncontrollable feelings, if you center your life on your emotional state you are in for a
roller coaster ride. You are in for frustration and despair, and perhaps expensive therapy bills”
(1995). No one should ever just build or create anything without completely analyzing the pros
and cons of the project within your life even a relationship.
Many people make mistakes based off emotions that are temporary feelings about
anything. When making major decisions the professional should always advise the client/patient
to weigh the pros and cons by creating a list of the good and bad then proceed from there. A
centered life is only temporary to get a person’s life in order or to create a perspective when a
client or patient has took a wayward turn in life. When that happen then a center life may be
needed to help that person get back on the correct track. Putting a client’s life into perspective
calls for self-preservation efforts to create a plan then go from there. Once the professional has
created a plan for the client/patient then you can implement a CL plan that will help them to
become more proactive within their life and society, and have excellent outcomes that are
evident.
The old saying goes seek and ye shall find, for this is evident with confidence within the
CL theory and practical application. Reynolds (1995) stated within the Constructive Living text
book, “The trap here is that it is often easier to complain and explore and excuse than it is to do
what we know needs doing” (p. 5). You must have purpose and find your purpose within life
however some aspects of CL state that Know Thy Self will not work, but I believe that it will

work within your life, but it will not work as well within in a group setting when it comes to
building a team that has to create something. Meaning: too much of self within a group or team
within any organization can cause problems. If you plan on using CL within a team dynamics
then persona should not be brought unless you are the star player and have bigger shoes to fill.
According to Rick Warren the author of Purpose Driven Life, “Humility is not thinking less of
yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others.” (1995).
Understanding that humility goes along way within life and living. Being humble is different
than nice for nice is just that ‘nice’ and humility last forever. I always tell people that I am not
nice but humble and kind which can open many doors within business and real life. Upon
finding your life purpose it is evident that you obtain the correct attributes to help you maneuver
through your journey, so always keep you a pocket full of humble and kind.
The Need for Constructive Living within Society
Many people are not happy with their lives and the outcomes so along with many
practitioners they have added diverse theories and practices like Constructive Living to help
clients, patients, and society mold a better perspective of life and living within society. This is
also true for corporations and businesses that are looking to create a better eco system within
their offices. Reynolds (1995) “many dissatisfied people are looking for a simple, realistic
method of dealing with their problems that provides relatively rapid results. We have had the
resources in the past to try a variety of solutions to our problems” (p. 6). The question is will
many people receive CL within their lives and more than likely the answer is no! CL is not for
everyone based off the fact many people are centered living within society.

What is CL Really Good For?
Many Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and Practitioners have patients/clients that suffer from
shinkeishisu or what is called shinky. “In our shinky moments we are overly sensitive,
introspective, ruminating, and worrying. We expect the worst, rear to try something new without
the assurance that we can succeed as it. We prefer clear-cut categories and answers, finding the
gray, ambiguous areas of life disturbing” (Reynolds, 1995. P. 6). Within my own life as an
educator and collegiate student learner is putting things behind something that CL teaches within
the Now of life. Reynolds stated, “We regret the past, dread the future, and as a result we miss
much of the now. People with lots of shinky moments are usually bright, over concerned with
their health, obsessive, self-conscious, and rather self –centered. Some people seem to grow out
of much of their shinkiness by late middle age” (1995, p.6). Never confuse shinkiness with self-
preservation for the two are entirely different. Shinkiness will get on your nerves and bother you,
me, and others within society and corporate life, but self-preservation can help a person put their
purposeful life into perspective. During this time of development within self-preservation it will
be better to arrive alone than with a band of banjees clinging and clanging your opportunities
away. Reynolds (1995) “In our troubled moments we may consider ourselves lonely individuals
struggling uphill against obstacles placed in our paths by those around us” (p. 7). Obstacles can
be moved and Constructive Living can help develop some of the skills needed to move obstacles
out of the way along with other theories and techniques. Just like your body needs to be
nurtured, maintained, and developed properly so does your life in order to flourish and achieve
properly.

The Psyche (Mind) and Constructive Living
The soul, essence, and mind called the psyche can receive CL and the principles of CL
when it has a higher IQ or can understand in-depth the true meaning of Constructive Living.
According to David K. Reynolds within his text book, “As you can see, booth individual-
personal and social moral aspects of human life are covered by Constructive Living. There are
people who cannot understand and apply CL principles because they have a very low IQ,
because they are out of contact with reality due to some mental illness such as schizophrenia or
psychotic depression” (p. 7). Rather they have a low IQ or not Constructive Living is a lesson
that can be taught to anyone who is willing to learn.
Task
Within the Constructive Living text book by David K. Reynolds he gives the reader and
student task that need to be done and complete to see if they work or do not work. These task are
to help the student learner find the correct CL technique that may work within their lives and
society. These task have a lot to do with behavior and control for your behavior can controls a
lot of the outcome in life along with others behavior. Stay focused on the required task in life
can help you to be successful and also show that you can finish a plan within life. Control over
eyes, mind, and behavior and what you see in sight and mine can stop before it becomes a
behavior. Always remember your ‘attitude determines your altitude’. This was an old saying
my Grandmother use to say to us which reminding her Grand’s as she called us to stay humble.
Stay focused, stay humbled, and control your behavior. Within CL taking the initiative and
moving forward with confidence regardless if you have confidence or not because confidence
will soon come.

Behavior, Emotions, and Moral Behavior
Behavior within CL means a lot and how you conduct yourself as a person in society,
family, and business. Having excellent morality meaning moral value shows within your
behavior and emotions. By no means should anyone get feelings mixed up with behavior for
feelings are something that we can keep inside, but emotions and behavior must be controlled by
the person within society and business settings in order to keep our jobs, and make business
deals. Reynolds (1995), “In other words good and bad have no moral meaning in the realm of
feelings. We are not bad people for feeling lazy or angry or hatred or lust or disgust or any other
emotion” (p. 11). Constructive living does hold us accountable for our actions or the act of
doing something by not focusing on our feelings or emotions like having outburst or sexual mis-
conduct. “In other words every act is a moral act. Every action carries moral implications
because behavior lies within our control-no matter what we are feeling. Any kind of statement
such as “I was so angry that I hit him” must be parsed into the amoral feeling for which no
responsibility exists (anger in this case) and the action for which responsibility must be taken
(hitting in this case)” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 11). Constructive Living is a tool and theory that can
be applied into life and learning to help correct a problem, but by no means is a person to be mis-
treated even though they use CL within their lives, and people still have a right to defend their
rights and dignity.
Myraid & Compendium Theories
There always seems to be a Myraid of theories that give us reasoning for this with
hypothesis for that along with Compendium theories that do not really come up with a solution
but only give a guess about a problem. The collection of theories are found but life coaching
using CL can be done with resolution and working the problem within life to find the solution

and the answer to life problems. Within CL we must remember that freedom allows us to work
the problems within our lives. “We can immobilize ourselves by over interpreting, over planning,
over evaluating. Remember, the locus of freedom and control in our lives remains in our
behavior” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 133). Never over do anything that would cause you to lose your
freedom within life. Never put more on your plate within life that causes you to have more
burdens than you need or stress for the loss of self-peace and gained worry can cause freedom to
not be evident.
Feeling the Spice of Life
The spice of life within CL is everything. Reynolds stated, “It is not that I think feelings
are unimportant. Far from it. Feelings provide vital information and spice to our lives. When
we are on top of the world, it is wonderful. When we suffer it is terrible. Constructive living is
not about ignoring or dismissing or devaluing feelings” (1995, p. 13). Having the spice of life is
like the essence within which is all part of your moral character within you. When you have the
emotions of worry and stress you lose a portion of the spice of life until you eliminate the worry,
the headache, and the behavior that caused the spice of life to whiter. When you have the spice of
life within which is like a fire that gives you the gusto or feel that you can do rather than cannot
do.
Do Not Direct Your Energy to Your Distractions
When you are attempting to build a business, empire, or even a family it is evident that
distractions will come and they will go, but the challenge is staying focused, but many have
Mastered the art of staying focused on what they need to do within life. Constructive Living
helps the student learner by reminding them to stay focused on life’s journey. Within life we are

given maps, compasses, watches, and other navigational tools to help us to maneuver. You
should only look back to help others once you have made it to a particular point within your
journey and travel through this thing called life. “While thinking about your visible nose,
however, you may have forgotten about some of the problems that face you in everyday life.
Now that I have reminded you of them, they reappear to haunt you. And perhaps your nose
temporarily dropped from your attention. Ooops, there it is again” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 14).
What David Reynolds K. PH.D. was conveying to the reader is that you must not allow
distractions big or small get you down or keep you from achieving within life.
If a distraction bothers you or even worries you then redirect your energy elsewhere along
with your attention. Reynolds stated within his text book on page 15, “Redirecting your thoughts
toward positive topics may provide you with temporary relief from your suffering, but it won’t
solve the underlying problems of unpaid debts, angry partners, and failing health” (1995). The
solution to those problems are work to pay your bills, seek peace with your partners by any
means, and take care of your failing health through doctors, holistic health, eating right, change
of friends, and environment. Every problem has solution and every person has reason, but stay
focused on your life task, journey, and plans!
Doubts, Waiting, and Stages
Being the pessimistic person when using Constructive Living will not help you to do better
but rather give doubt to all your negative doubtful thoughts and feelings. “When you have doubts
about yourself, we suggest that you doubt your doubts. When you have fears or other undesired
feelings, we suggest that you look for the beautiful source from which they emerge” (Reynolds,
1995, p. 15). Reynolds went on to give examples of how to get rid of doubts through example
quoted, “for example you fear of flying comes from your desire to stay alive, your shyness

comes from your desire to be liked by others, your tendency to recheck that light switches and
water are turned off comes from your desire to protect your home environment and avoid
wasting money, and so forth” (1995, p. 16). No doubt within your life is an actual verb or action
that must be down it is also a condition within your mental psyche that will help your move
forward within development of life and you.
What are you feeling and how do you deal with the feelings. First thing first is to
acknowledge the feeling that you are feeling, but do not act on the feelings. You want to
acknowledge that you are man and woman and that you have feelings then go from there. The
first stage of development is acknowledgement of self and that you have a problem that needs
repair within your life. All problems within anyone’s life are not necessarily drugs and alcohol.
Problems could be family, friends, work, emotions, or any other small to large personal problem
that may keep you distracted or in doubt. “Remember, all of these temporary methods for
dealing with suffering are nothing more than first-aid bandages. The only long-term solution to
un-necessary misery is to stop being feeling-centered, and the only proper response to any
feeling is to feel it” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 16). Always remember to wait before you act on any of
your feelings and emotions. Within business this is necessary to keep you from losing your job
or blowing an excellent business venture. Think before you act on any emotion or even a
command that involves emotions. Another thing is never relive past emotions or thoughts that
kept you from moving forward within life. “It isn’t necessary to let feelings run our lives. It is
important to feel them and acknowledge them. Furthermore it is possible to use our behaviors to
give us some influence over what we feel” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 18). Do not allow feelings to run
your life but behavior runs your life and from what Reynolds has wrote within in his text book
allow behavior with moral character to run your life. Reynolds (1995) stated, “Building a life

around feelings is quicksand country. The more stable foundation recommended by
Constructive Living is purposeful, behavior-centered, realistic living” (p. 19). Always do an
evaluation of the pros and cons as well as the consequences of your all actions and the end
results of the behavior.
Live by Good Measurement
Constructive Living teaches us to fix the problem then we can fix our attitude for greater
heights within life. Reynolds quoted within his text book about myth as such, “This myth may
also be called the myth of modern exorcism. There is no essential difference between believing
this myth and believing that we have evil spirits lurking within us that must be exorcised by
some knowledgeable professional” (1995, p. 20). Have a clear understanding that getting in
touch with your emotions and feelings does not mean you are possessed even if you are, but
rather getting a grip on your behavior and learning to ‘Think’ before you act unless you really
meant to go through the act of a certain behavior for whatever reason.
Always remember sensible living within life and measure the good things in life and be
appreciative of every opportunity to do well. Constructive Living is a theory that works to
prevent withering so always set goals, do not ponder for pondering causes procrastination.
Acting on reality in the ‘Now’ for later to build the future. “Accept reality” means you must
acknowledge the actual circumstances in which you live. Don’t dwell on how things might be or
might have been; don’t focus on what not to be” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 21). The saying of do not
cry about it but doing something about your situation and circumstances means a lot within CL.
The old saying of, ‘you made your bed hard so lie in it’ is not true and evident within CL, but, ‘if
you made your bed hard get up and fix it’ something my Grandmother use to always tell her

Grand’s. Be serious about working in the ‘Now’ and remember that your purpose keeps you on a
clear and direct path, but if the path is detrimental then take another turn on your map.
When using measurement within your life set goals of being happy and worry free.
Remember to set objectives, focus, put your plans in action, and be sensible. You may have a
vague goal of losing weight this year or becoming a more likable person. More useful goals will
lead you to specific, controllable actions-exercising forty-five minutes each day, riding a bike for
one hour each” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 22). Remember that failure is not an option that there is
always a different road that you can take. At first you do not succeed at something try again or
try something different or just take a different route. Cleaning up the mess within your life
should be enforced to help with development and moving forward. If there is a mess in your life
then you must clean the mess by any means necessary. “Messy rooms deserve to be cleaned”
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 23). Taught behavior can help eliminate misery always reflect on something
good.
The Real Called Reality
What I have learned is reality is interesting rather than the make believe world of Alice in
Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz which I do not live in. Some worlds are just created for
learning purposes, but reality helps you to really put practical application and book knowledge to
use. Paying attention to reality is needed to achieve and to stay focused on all plans and task
within life. “Reality is waiting to flood you with stimuli, both pleasant and unpleasant. Give it a
chance and something will grab your attention” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 25). What you want to grab
your attention is a new job, better life ventures, good health, the recognition of body mind and
soul. Living in the real of reality does not take away from your talents, skills, and abilities to do
nor does it take away from your value, measurement, and power to do. Always be interested in

reality. In reality stay focused and watch for waves and trains to a better way, but always
remember that the surface is where the truth lies, and where you gain your portion in life. For
me Subwaying through life to dead end stops is not my journey or part of my mapping system so
like myself and others living above ground in reality is the norm. Subway stations and train
hopping is what one would call a learning lesson to help within reality. This route is not for
everyone because many of us respire differently, and I like to see and smell the color purple in
all its beauty and glory. When you live in reality you will find truth and when there is truth there
is healing and the properties that create the healing rather it be in dimension or real form a person
can heal when they face reality.
Reality is your surroundings rather it be love or not, if you change your surroundings you
can change your reality for a better way of living and life. It’s like a picture you can start with
Ether and paint a beautiful portrait, but the reality is you can always cover the picture with white
paint and repaint the picture. That is the truth about reality. “Ether and Awareness seem
identical, but they are not the same. Ether is material space and carries tamasic attributes, but
Awareness is timeless and alive” (Vasant, 2002). In reality you can create your world and what
you want in your world. I always say the phrase, “I have no enemies” which means a lot and by
saying this I paint it on my canvas within life.
Living in the Now for Later
Being a Q integer type person I have always been able to understand the living in the now
and being a seeker of everything within my life and finding what I am needing and looking for.
Reynolds (1995) “When you give yourself fully to a project, your self-doubts and shyness and
anger are gone for the moment. Your life is a string of moments, of Nows. The process of living
is momentary” (p. 28). Constructive Living teaches you to stay focused on life’s plans.

Meditated but you must be a doer after meditation. Making life plans for living and life is a must
for the God mind plans and does. If you want to live on the edge within life that is find, but never
jump. If you are one to play games in life or with your life then some aspects of CL are for you
and others are not. I know within my life some forms of CL are not for me, because I do not
play games with my life or even enter into the game of life. I do believe the game has already
been won and the winners have been chosen. The game of chance is taken by many and
according to Reynolds (1995) “To win life’s game with regularity, we must focus on doing well
now what needs doing. This moment’s victory is possible. In CL we say, “Run to the edge of
the cliff and stop on a dime” (p. 29). Even doing this within CL can be detrimental and fatal
within success of the game players’ life and cause a fail.
Save Neurotics for the Bash or Ball
Neurotics are often far-fetched and live out in a hyped up state of un-reality. “Some
people live much of their lives in unreality. We call them neurotics, through more accurately
they are ordinary people with many neurotic moments” (Reynolds, 2002, p. 30). In life focus
your attention on the better qualities and aspects of living. Through learning you gain
personality when you become an individual through learning. Learning shapes and creates
personality what is real and what is a concept or gimmick. Personality involves many things like
attitude and attributes. Understand if you are a holistic minded person and using Ayurveda you
want to take the Ether approach within Constructive Living where attributes are not present at all
because you have a clean slate or blank canvas. One of the things I have learned within
Constructive Living is not to give a free ride in life to anyone for that would cause hindrances
within my own life. Achieving will get you what you want and allows you to stand in a way that
you can move mountains because you earned your way. This is the teaching that I have learned

through the years within family and a collegiate setting. Within life you have a plan that was
given to you at the time of creation within your mother’s womb that no other could understand
which is the plan of the All in All, Purusha and Prakruti Energy. In the time of your life you
must beware of the higher self of whom you are and how you can be a very important person
within your family, your business development, and self. Being aware that you have a higher
calling and purpose will keep you focused and aware of what you are supposed to do. “Time is a
product of our perception, but there is no concept of time is Pure Awareness. It is pure
existence, which is beyond time and space. Pure Awareness has no attributes, but all attributes
belong to it” (Vasant, 2002, p. 227). Remember when constructing your life that you are not
bound by attributes and attitudes, but you can add to the canvas of what you want within your
life and personality through creation of self-identity. Make life a success! “Depending on where
the story ends, it is a failure or a success” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 29). Remember the game has
already been won and there is no competition at all, so you must live your higher self and learn
how to develop and create within your canvas of life.
Ether is your life beginning and in society even the late bloomers can recreate or redesign
a better portrait of self. Your canvas that you have should be a lovely painting and creation
within society, so remember never to scribble on the Mona Lisa of your life. One of my favorite
sayings is, “Let Go of My Ego” for my ego was divinely created for me to live and succeed for
the benefit of self, family, business, and community relations. An Ego is not always bad, but
often needed to succeed with confidence within any and everything a person does in society.
Perspective and Freedom
Do not be skeptical or iffy but claim success by taking the innovative and becoming a doer
in life. Reynolds (1995) “ One of the features of Constructive Living that appeals to me is the

solid principle that students get to decide for themselves what needs to be done” (p. 33).
Remember even though you may work within society always be a life learner and a student as
well so you can always use your map and create a plan. With freedom responsibility and
dominion to do; build, create, and seek. Choose your own path on your map in life, but use your
own map. From reading David K. Reynolds Constructive Living text book this is clearly
understandable that when you become a student learner you have some sort of insight and a map
which give you direction based off taking the imitative to learn. David K. Reynolds always tells
us to reflect but never ponder. Reflect on pass situations where we may have gone wrong to
ensure we do not make the mistakes in the future.
Constructive Living is a realistic way of living within society and have clear
understanding that all have desires and wants within society and out of society, but live
realistically. Acting is a good thing, but act in the real of whom you are as a person in society.
What are you and whom are you really? The questions people need to ask themselves when
doing a CL exercise is; what have I learned? Have I done benevolence? Have I done
charity/zakat? Have I atoned for my wrongs? Never be sorry but always atone and apologize
when you are wrong and keep moving forward. “Developed by a devout Shins Hu Buddhist
layman, Ishin Yoshimoro, Naikan provides the basis for Cl’s reciprocity, or moral aspect.
Naikan looks beneath Buddhism, beneath Japanese culture, to our fundamental human nature’
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 35). Many view themselves as givers in the world as well as takers.
Jiriki and Tariki (Seek Ye Own Self Salvation)
Put in the effort for knowledge and enlightenment! “Within the Christian tradition there is
a distinction made between being saved by works and being saved by grace” (Reyonlds, 1995, p.
36). Even though I am not a Christian and at one point I believed that I was, but came to find out

that I was a believer not a person practicing, but understood the holistic properties of the Bible,
Holy Koran, Veda, and other religious text. I also found out that seeking my own self salvation
and non-others help form me into a better person. This understanding also gave me a clearer
understanding that within the world religion caused a divide and could stop business deals
without reason and also friendships. Not being shifty like wheat but having the Jiriki and Tariki
Enlightenment could help me to move mountain and open doors within business, life, and
healing. The salvation and power through the teachings of others can work for anyone. You can
gain knowledge from a Muslim just like you could a Christian now that is powerful. Own:
“to acknowledge as one's own; recognize as having full claim, authority, power, dominion, etc”
(Dictionary.com, 2016). When you seek ye ‘own’ self-salvation it is no one else’s. It is not your
mothers it is not your fathers, but it is yours through know thy self and self-development. The
grace that is given is through the knowledge and wisdom of others and by me seeking the Jiriki
and Tariki power through teachers and self-seeking.
Your enlighten may come through your PIE your person in environment which can be
called Tariki a condition or by wisdom and knowledge of another i.e. A teacher, family member,
preacher, Iman, Rabbi, counselor, or community worker. Then you can also gain self-power
which is Jiriki by becoming a doer or what I would call a Bee in society. This is one of the most
upright ways of gaining power and also creditability of whom you are as a person. Jiriki is
salvation and power but it is earned power and salvation. When developing yourself and your
ego it is always good to have those whom project obliging Tariki your way to help develop you
inner self woman/man. This also helps with the Jiriki aspect of power and salvation when you
are doing. Having good understanding that what you do affects others in life in a good or bad

way. How do you affect others by your actions and power? This question should always be
present when doing or in the process of an act!
As a life coach, counselor, or psychologist you must always remember to help people put
their lives into perspective. Teaching the clients not to live in the Sigmund Freud or (sigmoid)
bowels of Vienna which at one point in time was considered to be a horrific place and time in
life that gave no outcome in life. When the client has a crisis remember to always help put the
client’s life into a truthful perspective that gives them a better outlook on life. Never give your
clients labels that will not allow them to find a way out of a situation of detriment. As a
professional you may be their only hope. Long drawn out therapy with no outcome is useless and
un-rewarding. “One of the reasons why traditional Western psychotherapy sessions can go on
and on for years is that much of the talk is about talk, words, concepts. Labeling people using
static concepts, even diagnostic categories, will mask the reality of change that characterizes any
human” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 33). Having the client feel as though they must be depended on the
counselor or therapist is another form of addiction indeed and the therapy is considered therapy
that does not work. “Such an attitude is splendid for those who make a living trying to fix
feelings. It is rather inconvenient for the fellow who is now dependent on seeking out a therapist
whenever he feels fearful. It makes little difference whether we are talking here of behavior
therapy or psychoanalysis or tranquilizers or alcohol. The mistaken belief that feelings must be
fixed prior to action inevitably leads to being hooked into some sort of dependency relationship”
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 33). Therapy should be rewarding for the Therapist and the client alike.
Self-Imagery, Naikan, Results
Live to owe no debt within your life, soul and system within life. This is done by carbon
foot print and the energy called omissions which are deeds. Always change your self-image to

prevent fear which can paralyze your life. “We fear looking at reality. We are wary of what a
realistic self-image might present us. I have good news. A realistic evaluation of yourself will
produce a whole range of feelings, from gratitude and joy to guilt and repentance. You can
count on some relief from no longer having to lie to yourself and others to maintain an inflated,
artificial image” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 40). This is living in the truth and surface. Once you face
the problem you can begin to live, heal, thrive, conquer, and develop yourself. It is like math
solving the problem you will obtain your ah haw moment. Every person has a right to find the
solution to their problems to be able to work, create, heal, and flourish, but it is up to that person
to live a Constructive Living form of life. Even within CL being able to adapt within society and
life is a must. If you know a group of Bees are creating within society it is up to you as a person,
worker and developer within society to adapt to the flow of energy and ever changing times and
tides. Knowing the seasons is a must even if you do not live in the seasons!
Within the theory of Naikan the person and student will judge themselves according to
their own standard. The Naikan theory can be used with the Gestalt theory for building and
creating within your life. “Naikan fits nicely within American values because it validates the
student’s own value system. There is no authority who tells the student how to define something
received, something returned, and a trouble caused someone else. The students judge themselves
according to their own standards” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 42). Always be concrete about your
standards from learning and living and apply them into your life. As a person and student
seeking should always be part of the plan. As I say and believe it will be times that you must put
on turban and become a seeker or life, learning, and living. I do truly believe that when you seek
you will find what it is you are looking for. Know your season and time and in that season and
time which behavior is appropriate. “The ties between reflection and action is Constructive

Living are intimate” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 43). Now CL teaches that things are borrowed. I
believe that there is some truth to that, but I also believe that many things within life are given
and earned. Everything is not borrowed something’s are given through family, at birth,
achieving, and through learning. For me on loan from reality is taking a vacation, going to the
movies, socializing, or a nice piece of cake. The mere things that make us feel like we are in an
energetic paradise do not always have to be temporarily, but permanent as we progress in life
and do our due diligence. Every aspect of you is given to you by your parents, society, and the
Purusha and Prakruti energy including your time and your clock of destiny which is given to you
in the womb of your mother. That borrowed time belongs to the person whom it is put into at the
time of creation within the womb. Many of the results come from the knowledge that we obtain
and gather within learning and life which in a collegiate setting is called lifelong learning.
Truth and Missed Truth
Service is a position that is not necessarily for all, but the truth of the matter is the stage
hand is just as important as the performer because the show cannot go on without the prompts.
“There are many kinds of unrecognized service in our world. The person who buys the
vegetables and the person who cuts them up for the chef who gets credit for the meal and the
person who picks up the dry cleaning for the person who receives the compliment about being
well dressed are examples” (Reynolds, 1995, p44). The missed truth is that the service of the
server or the role of the server is not as important. Like parents whom work we should be
thankful and show thanks with gratitude, respect, honor, love, and cherishing. I am one of those
people whom was always grateful for my mother working when I was young and being a mother
regardless of the hardships. Being one of the oldest middle children within the family I always
felt that when I worked and earned my living that remembering my mother when I get paid along

with my children whom I am also grateful for was necessary. This is called gratitude and also
reassuring her that she is loved and I did not forget her service and duty as my mother. Reynolds
(1995) “The reflective aspect of Constructive Living reminds us of that surrounding, supporting
service. The recognition must take the form of attention to detailed, specific services and not the
form of some abstracted, generalized noticing of “all the wonderful things others do for me.”
Abstracting and generalizing take the heart out of this recognition” (p. 45). Even the service of a
man or woman rather they be parents or friends can take on the temporarily position of God in
form when they do something of service for you. This is done without asking for anything in
return. It does not give them power over you, but gives them the position of a temporarily power
because you used their services. It’s like going to a 5 star hotel and when you get there the
maître d greets you. Now understand that this person is in a power position to say yay or nay to
you being a guess or even accommodating you. The person is taking on a god like position or
power position which is still of service to you, so as the receiver you should be humble and
grateful to the benefactor of the accommodations. Always apologies for wrongs because this is
part of being mature and acknowledging that you are learning and growing, but never be sorry in
you conduct and appearance. Love does include apologies from time to time and remember
gratitude.
Do It and Forget About It
When you forget about it the reward is greater. I do not mean forget about detrimental
harm or hurt in such a way that you put yourself in a harmful way. Marvels or miracles they
will come when you act without intentions of recognition. You carbon foot print keeps track of
all your doings in life and society. The reward comes in the form of balance, measurement, and
power. When you do a favor for someone make sure you meant to do that without keeping note

or asking for a favor in return, unless you two agree upon that. Being forced to do for someone
is not a favor that will bring upon gratitude. Reynolds (1995) “Everything changes with time,
including people. My mother today isn’t the same woman who gave me birth and cared for me
as a child. Nevertheless she stands for or represents that woman of the past. So my debt
remains” (p. 46). There is no debt to no one else; not her friends, not her siblings, not even the
Reynolds the authors of CL. The debt to our parents is not to give them our lives but to
acknowledge our appreciation to them through gratitude and honoring, and no other way. Doing
things for your mother like say thanks, I love you, and taking her out to eat can put a
understanding in her that you love her, you have gratitude, and you care. CL teaches to have
gratitude.
Be grateful and have gratitude regarding all people of service within society to keep the
energy correct to ensure these good things keep coming and working properly. “Maikan develops
the ability to take others’ points of view: not only others peoples’ perspectives, but also the sun’s
or a pet’s or the earth’s point of view. We become more objective through Naikan.
{YOSHIHIKO MIKI}” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 47). Your attitude determines your altitude!
Remember not to use feelings when apologizing because it is part of CL, so just do and keep on
being productive. Do it and forget about it by knowing right from wrong in lifelong learning!
“If doing Constructive Living reflection causes you to feel guilty, just wait a while—all feelings
pass with time. If doing Constructive Living reflection causes you to feel grateful, just wait a
while—all feelings pass with time. The effects of your actions, however, ma last longer”
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 47). Meaning the after affects of your actions will give you a better feeling
of joy, happiness, and gratitude (the act). It is like completing a needed project and getting an

A+ on the paper. The final outcome gives a longer grateful and joyous feeling within which are
feelings you can recount and relive.
Action
When using CL you do not need to use any form of religion by choice. For this is a theory
that teaches behavior and development of self with in life and society. They do not require any
Buddhist religious thought or any other religious thought. You choose to use religion with CL that
is your choice. “The principles of jiriki (self-power, or salvation through works) and tariki
(another’s power, or salvation through grace) were at the philosophical base, jiriki and tariki
become one. This convergence is true in two senses. If tariki is like riding a taxi and jiriki is like
driving your own car, in both cases a car is involved” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 51). For me I use both
forms or tariki and jiriki within life and lifelong learning. The Morita and Naikan theory can be
used for school, work, and entrepreneurship. Being a realist is a theory, practice, and a learned
behavior that was taught to me by Grandmother Mary (Avington) Pearson. I do believe that she
used some form of Constructive Living within her life because she was such in order and had
moral character and value. From this point of view emphasizing reality’s waves, there is no good
or bad, just reality flowing and presenting itself to us—or more accurately, becoming us”
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 52). Even today I am thoughtful for the service that my Grandmother taught
me as a child. When being a realist do not get out of touch with reality and always be practical.
“Yoshmimoto recommended accepting the world in more colorful hues” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 54).
Life does not have to be gray, but it can be colorful and have a lot of meaning. Just because you
use the CL approach to living does not mean you have to live a meteorically life. Reality is life is
fun and full of excitement and this is the way it has been for me and always will be. No even
though Morita and Yoshimoto believe that no self is best in group setting, know thy self is best

when venturing out on your own or within family life. Business settings the corporation usually
will train the staff/faculty the way they want. This form of grooming is usually done when an
organization has policies and procedures that need to be followed. Know Thy Self is good within
a college learning setting, teaching setting, or individual project.
The therapist has no action over the patient for it is up to the therapist to teach the
client/patient, but it is up to the patient to receive what has been taught. According to Reynolds
whom wrote “The student evaluate themselves according to their own standards. Both systems
require and support the clients ‘abilities, judgments, and values” (1995, p. 55). Standard setting
must be done by the patient/client and the therapist. What are the standards of the therapist and
what are the standards of the patient. There is never a guarantee for success but try and try again
until something breaks and opens to the door of success. This is when mapping is beneficial to
the client/patients life for the benefit of him/herself for success.
I Love You
One of the biggest acts that can be performed is saying I love you in an un-tainted way
which shows gratitude. In society you have many people that believe that saying I love you is
wrong, and in actuality the thought that love hurts or saying I love your is wrong and that
thinking is wrong within its self. Morita’s advice to his patients, as recorded in the fifth volume
of his collected works, was often quite Naikan-like. He advised one young man, whom
complained that his parents didn’t love him, to go and apologize to them for doing so much to
make himself unlovable” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 55). This is true however some parents are mean
to their children and do not love them, but having clear understand that parents cannot punish
their parents to some extent and they have to leave it up to the law or power to be. I would never
advise an abused child to apologize to mean abusive parents that mis-treated him or her. CL uses

diverse methods and theories based on facts, observations, and conditions. “If you see it as an
Oriental version of behavior therapy or cognitive behavior modification or Catholic confession
or Gestalt therapy or logo therapy or rational –emotive therapy or some such method, you are
mistaken. It has scattered parallels with all these method, but it draws from the wisdom of
centuries of observation of the human condition” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 56). CL uses a diverse
array of theories and therapy techniques that from age old centuries ago. Constructive Living
does not teach to suppress feelings or emotions. The fake it until you make it only goes so far
with CL and the problems should always be address. Feelings and emotions are natural just do
not act or make important decisions based on behavior alone always analyst and observe self
before you act or act out. According to Dr. Vasant Lad the text book author of Ayurveda
Fundamental Principles stated, “To maintain such a state is pure love. When you are in the state
of love, it is joy and bliss, which is your true nature. The molecules of bliss start flowing into
your body. All disease is wiped out. You can achieve radical transformation of your brain cells
simply by watching the movement of your mind at every moment” (2002, P. 204). Love is vital
for living and you learn through love. It is also an emotion that can be shown or controlled by
the person. Remember to say I love you!
Beginnings
Beginning something new is exciting and rewarding within life. “Beginnings imply
endings. For something to begin, something else must end. When two people become a married
couple, their new life together implies the ending of their lives as unmarried individuals”
(Reynolds, 1995, 74). Just as when you start a new job or join a phenomenal business venture
this is all part of a new beginning. The ending or closing of one door does not mean the end, but
the beginning of something exciting and new. The ending of one era and the beginning of

another is all part of stages in life that many go through. Learning to adapt is the hard part, but
for me adapting to my environment as a learned woman never seemed hard at all.
Acceptance, Feelings, and Appraised Values
As you develop and grow as a person, student, and within society; acceptance of self is
required to fix any needed issues you may have. If there is a problem in your life you accept the
fact that it is your problem then you do the needed repair, and maintenance in the now for the
betterment of the future. One thing I have never been able to understand is how people accept or
own their crazy or say that they are crazy. I would figure this is because I am not crazy, do not
feel crazy, nor live crazy. I was able to have a clear understanding that this condition of crazy is
a behavior that many have, and to fix it the patient must own it in the now for a better future.
Things I always say to self are; I accept me, and I accept myself along with my Ego that I do not
lego block at all.
CL teaches to change only what needs to be changed for if it is not broke then do not mend
or fix it. “The CL strategy is to accept what is and go about changing what needs changing
anyway” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 77). Within CL the mind state is do not cry about it get up and do
something about it through acceptance and repair. With the Constructive Living text book
Reynolds stated, “Western psychotherapy is aimed at convincing people actually to mislabel
their feelings so that their labels conform to the therapists’ the oretical expectations and
convenience” (1995, p. 79). A person cannot relieve their childhood to some degree, so it is
always best to be wise in your feelings.
Timing is everything in CL. When discussing your feelings or wanting to even punish a
child wait until you are calm. There are many forms of communication like gestures and the

better we communicate the less gestures we use. When communicating our feelings we must
think first before we act. “Now I know that common sense is earned by many experiences and
many failures. Feelings come and go. As we grow older, we learn that feelings may be
cherished, but they are not worth building our lives upon. You don’t build a house on a
foundation of steam” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 82). You don’t build a house or steam and puffed up
because something can de-juice you or burst your bubble rather you build on knowledge,
wisdom, and education. Juice is good but too much juice without confidence and knowledge
will cause failure to evident.
Be aware of your surroundings and know your audience. CL embraces life and living the
whole life of being whole not in part for Constructive Living people think for themselves. CL
people also understand that the feeling of wondering does not last forever. “CL position on
missed assignments is the same as that of any other situation—what needs to be done now? We
can respond to the mistake with the emotion-laden reaction “Oh no! Failed again!” or we can
respond with attention to the nature of the new situation presented by our mistake and what
needs to be done about it. In general we work to replace the domination of a feeling response
with a reasonable action response” (Reynolds, 1995, pg. 84). It is truly ok to have feelings when
living a CL life just remember to acknowledge your feelings and keep them controlled. It is ok to
cry but always know your audience when in public or business based on how the reciprocity may
be. When practicing CL within your life or studies always remember to do an appraisal of the
things that you value within your life. What is truly important to you! Reynolds (1995) Cultures
that focus on happiness as a prime value must inevitably face drug problems (including alcohol
problems and prescription-medication problems, of course). Chemicals are the only way to
maintain feelings of euphoria for any extended period of time” (P. 87). Now this is where I

believe that there is some wrong to within CL. Not everyone has addictive personality, but does
indulge in some aspect of using drugs or alcohol. For me I have never been the one to have an
addictive personality and never will, but I have used alcohol and smoked marijuana back you my
younger years. I do believe that the Ego or Ig seeks happiness and this comes in many forms not
just addiction for addiction is not fun, but really a form of bondage and dependency.
Making Sense, Morita, Psychotherapy
Reality is easier when it makes sense, so when practicing CL within your life try to make
sense and implement things into your life plan that makes sense to you, and never mind what
others think or say as long as you can make sense of what you are doing. “Constructive Living
reflection provides an experiential method of discovering a purpose for our existence”
(Reynolds, 1995, p. 91). Remember to always leave an ever lasting impression even though
memories fade away. Leaving a lasting impression that does not fade away means you did just
that make a great impression that is valued. On an interview or within a business meeting always
present yourself in a way that is impressionable. Imprinting impressionable memories or
thoughts will always give you good friends, opportunity, and open doors within society.
How people interrupt you means a lot within your life and others. Setting benchmarks
within our life will determine our group and our future endeavors within CL. Benchmarks are
points to help us move forward and develop our skills. “Morita was a physician, but he was
concerned with teaching a view of life to his patients” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 94). Morita went
beyond tradition and beyond normalcy. Many Psychotherapy therapist and Doctors such as;
Jung, Rogers, Freud, and Adler used similar but different approaches of dealing with the Ig, Ego,
and Super Ego. Psychotherapist believe in communication in every form, but it was the Pianist
Scott Joplin whom taught the importance of communication through music and how to grasp and

grab the attention and the mind of the audience. He taught that you can change a person’s life
through music and total outcome. You could assume that Scott Joplin was a teacher to therapist
such as Freud. The music that he created was called ‘Rag Time’ which was a condition of the
mind which manifested in the real ‘state and mind’ called a condition. Sigmoid Freud whom
knew rag time in its natural form within the country of Vienna of which he came from
understood some aspects of “Rag Time” but had to understand this within the sense of music and
culture. Rag Time was a down time within society and while society was building back up.
The Great Depression and the Great Push! Freud had to make sense of reality and he had
to make sense of why some people cannot push through and go into a deplorable state which was
depicted in his Ann O. “Bertha Pappenheim, alias Anna O., the famous patient who inspired the
psychoanalytic talking cure while in treatment with Dr. Breuer” (Freud, 2002). Some of Morita
thoughts where premature dismissal since CL instructors do not call themselves Psychotherapist,
but try to teach clients how to live properly. They also teach clients/patients to give themselves a
break, change your life and change your perspective. Reynolds wrote within his writing believed
that money somehow played a vital role within life, “Have no fear that I am out to dissuade
people from undergoing therapy, I merely question the wisdom of putting one’s mind in the
hands of one who takes one’s money” (1995, p. 108). The Morita thought is giving money away
to someone long term i.e. preacher, politician, psychologist, or any other therapist with no real
results should not be done, but rather therapy with realistic superb end results is the plan.
Leveling, Shinky Behavior, CL Action
Leveling is sort of changing the mind state of the client by wanting them to take on an
ordinary identity even if they had a superego, but at the same time they acknowledge that people
do have diverse persona and attributes within. The Shinky Behavior or Shink Shock is to bring

the person out of the pessimistic self-conscious mind state and behavior that they are in. The
worry mind of the Shinky people must change in order to live a balanced life. “We shinky
people worry a lot about our physical condition. Even when we feel quite well, we worry that
some hidden malady is lurking beneath the surface ready to spring forth full blown” (Reynolds,
1995, p. 113). Action is a verb and when putting things into action it requires movement, “We
can’t control the ocean, but if we want to view it directly, we have to move our bodies to the
coast” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 119). Action requires moving even if it is for a little while. Within
CL action is required to put your life skills in action and all actions should have plans.
According to Morita effort is good fortune.
When you put in effort in anything i.e. living, working, developing, learning, teaching,
studying, cultivating, planning, etc etc you have good fortune and good fortune will follow you.
I also cultivated and implement some form of Morita thinking and CL within my life even if I do
not believe in shrinking my ego. I do believe that I have good fortune because I act meaning I do
by being a doer and seeker! This is a taught learning from my Mother and Grandmother!
“Effort is good fortune,” wrote Morita. “Zazen [sitting meditation] is
enlightenment,” wrote Dogen, the Soto Zen master. “The Way is in training,”
wrote Musashi”
(David K. Reynolds, 1995, p. 121)
Observations, Keeping Pace, The Three W’s
Morita within his practice believed in living with the patients in a therapy style setting
which helped the patient to understand ordinary living and that even though he was the therapist

he was also human or just a mere man. This type of therapy is evident within group homes the
only difference is many therapist do not live with their patients. This style of living teaches
patients how to live and conduct themselves with others, but does not isolate them to believe that
they cannot change or they are isolated within their behavior. Morita lived with his clients
showing his moods and behavior to demonstrate that he was just as human as they were. Morita
teaches that the therapist must become the teacher. I have always stated that teachers within
public schools are teachers and very much parents at the same time.
They wear many hats from therapist, teacher, and parents and this is a blessing and a gift at
the same time. Many teachers use the Morita style of therapy within their class rooms without
even acknowledging that they do so. Teaching is the forefront and foundation of Constructive
Living. “Some comedians are truth tellers. Their routine causes us to think “That’s right,” ‘Me
too,” “I never thought of it that way, but it’s so.” Learn from many teachers” (Reynolds, 1995, p.
122). Laughter can teach us many things and what many comedians bring to the stage is reality
within a comedic setting.
Everyday Wonder, Thinking, Simplicity
Every day we should wonder in an educational way where we learn and grow from our
learnings. Thinking is always wondering and wondering is sometimes good because we come up
with the answer to our problems. Within our wondering we should not struggle but seek help
from those who may have the answer or who may have been through the same situation and life
problems. Within CL it is ok to seek help from those who can and have worked the problem
within life and can give you answers. Reynolds (1995) “Our everyday existence is filled with
wonders enough for a lifetime of exploration and marvel. Following are just a few of the

wonders that come to mind” (p. 128). Thinking and the cognitive mind is essential within
development as a person.
What we think about can shape our existence. I am a true believe that thinking of myself
first along with my children is needed to make sure I complete task within life. Rather it be at
work, home, or in society when we think of what needs to be done within life we can do and stay
focus on our task. Our life task are part of us! When our boss at work gives us a task it becomes
ours, meaning we must complete it and when we think of our task we think of self. Constructive
Living embraces ‘Thinking” when using CL think think think! Our cognitive minds are always
ready to learn, grasp a concept, and learn if we allow it to. When we do something within a CL
life style it become repetitive and simplicity exist.
Understanding that within CL self-centered thinking in a paranoid and schizophrenic
manor is not needed. Many people within society do not know that mental illness like paranoid
people and schizophrenia is a form of self-centered thinking that causes problems in the lives of
those around you. As a mother I was one whom did not understand how and why people could
not put some form of their illness on the back burner to focus on their children and family. From
what I learned is that many people whom had mental illness like paranoia and schizophrenia did
not know they were being self-centered and did not think of others around them. You often see
this behavior in people with multiple personalities. What must be understood is communication
is needed to prevent mental illness. When a parent has children they need to communicate with
their children this prevents self-centered behavior. “Language itself organizes and simplifies.
Even with the same title, no two books are ever exactly the same, yet we categorize them
verbally as “two book.” Zen thought and experience reduces the vast range of experience to a

single Whole” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 133). The key word is whole and being made whole and
viable within life and society!
Examples of Maxims, Poetry, Tales, Koans
Within Constructive Living Maxims are those little insight saying that help us understand
a bit and also make us think. “Constructive Living Maxims Maxims from the Author You’re not
as old as you feel. You’re only as old as you are! Another birthday! How kind of reality to keep
bringing them to us! You don’t check your watch when you’re laughing. You find out most
about the path by traveling on it. CL is thanks doing. Illness makes the heart go ponder. CL—
Just the way it is” (Reynolds, 1995, 122). Constructive Living can also bring out the talents
within a person or influence them to use their Buddhi or mind in a creative way for your Buddhi
(Buddy) also referred to your MI (Master Intelligence). Your Buddhi is one of your best friend
which is not a person but a power source. Many CL students can reflect by using and writing
poetry. Tales and Koans are other ways to bring out the creative side of a person along with
developing insightful reflections that make us think to become doers. In Reynolds (1995)
writings from page 111 to 124 you be able to read an array of poems, tales, and koans that are
judicious and allow the reader to reflect with understanding that helps within life skills and
development.
Constructive Living (Put To Practice)
Putting CL to practice involves the exercises that are given within the book. Applying the
exercises that are written with David K Reynolds (1995) book and using the Morita and Naikan
psychotherapy practices in the way that is fitting to your life and life situations. Rather they be
business, family, or social life. “Other assignments and exercises can be found in Constructive

Living books, such as Playing Ball on Running Water (pp. 105–116), Even in Summer the Ice
Doesn’t Melt (pp. 151–158), Pools of Lodging for the Moon (pp. 103–106), A Thousand Waves
(pp. 125–127), Thirsty, Swimming in the Lake (pp. 107–111), Rainbow Rising from a Stream
(pp. 131–138), and Plunging through the Clouds (pp. 25–26). Magazine Assignments The
following assignments were included in the article about CL in Claudia magazine in Brazil”
(Hawaii UP, 1995). The examples, stories, and exercises are created to give you a clear and
succinct understanding of how you can implement practices within your life that you are
comfortable with. Never do anything that you are not comfortable with for you will be the un-
happy person.
Life’s Predicaments
Within CL failing at something is ok just as long as you do not give up. Remember that
you have fortunate when you put in the effort will cause success because the first one into
success does not always become successful no matter what you see or think. Morita said that
maturity isn't succeeding all the time; maturity is continuing to try even when we are failing. pp.
161-162. Yoshimoto theory involved doing the work and actually becoming a doer in life.
People don't change by preaching. -Yoshimoto p. 180. Putting the work in reverts back to the
saying by Morita of having good fortune when you put in the work or taking the imitative in life.
Communicate and Enjoy Life (Time Management)
Life is about enjoyment and living! I always make it clear that I am going to enjoy my life
no matter what. People must have a clear understanding that enjoyment comes through
communication rather it be verbally, song, physically (no detrimental), or in written form
communication which is another key that is viable for living and living well. Life can be long or

it could be short however in your time you must manage your own life and live productively. So
“Morita’s therapy was about controlling one’s own behavior, not about figuring everything out
psychologically. Attempting to understand the mind with the mind is rather like trying to pull
oneself up by one’s own bootstraps. It is important to understand what is controllable and what is
not controllable in life. At a training session one young man remarked to me, “Because I couldn’t
control my anger I blew up.” Wrong! At the time he wasn’t clear on what is controllable and
what is not. His anger was uncontrollable. Such is the case for everyone. Blowing up is behavior.
Behavior can and should be monitored and controlled. We are responsible for what we do
precisely because behavior is controllable. Anger alone didn’t cause the young man to blow up;
it was 14 Under New Management 75 laziness and poor habits and his relinquishment of
managing his behavior” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 74-75). What we do makes a difference and living
in a ‘shinky’ way can cause use to mis-manage our time by living in a self-centered way that
keeps us from focusing on our plans in life and prevents us from being productive.
Yes self-preservation is key and vital, but this involves being a productive person within
our time of doing by show casing our edifice and creating good habits that show evidence of our
capabilities. Make sure when doing the exercises that David K. Reynolds gives you exam your
own life first before anyone else’s. Make sure you have a plan and with every give step and task
ensure that you’re doing what is called of you to do within your life plan which is given to you
on high. Rather it be school, work, marriage, social responsibility, cultivation, or building an
empire make sure you always exam your life and this includes whom you bring with you on your
journey.
“Throwaway Tissues, Road Kill, and Resources—Self-focus in America
In the grim interpersonal sense, backups are people we keep in reserve to
use when times get rough. They may be parents, children, lovers, friends,

or anyone else on whom we can impose. We are likely to contact them when
we need something from them. Tissues are people whom we have used and
thrown away. They may be people from whom we borrowed money, people
who hired us or taught us and are no longer useful. We forget about them and
the contributions they made to our lives so that we can avoid thoughts of
indebtedness or repayment. Road kill are people who got in our way as we
moved toward success. They may be families, supervisors, spouses, lovers,
siblings, friends, classmates, or others. We push them aside as soon as we see
that they would interfere with our achieving our goals. The common feature of
these categories is the selfishness on which the interactions are based. They
maybe families, supervisors, spouses, lovers, siblings, friends, classmates, or
others. We push them aside as soon as we see that they would interfere with our
achieving our goals. The common feature of these categories is the selfishness
on which the interactions are based” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 78).
This thinking may seem abrupt, rude, and outlandish but all means it is truthful. Never
burn bridges that you may need to cross again, never do friends wrong that are good to you,
never abandon family that you know will be there for you and always be careful whom you call a
tissue and toss away. Your life is considered to be your ‘Magnum Opus’ which is also called
your life work, and you want to do well within life. When the pioneers moved their wagons west
they knew exactly whom to bring along on their journey and what to discard. Be wise in you
friendships and understand that happiness does not just involve you, but all those around you. Be
careful whom you discard!
Conclusion
As David K. Reynolds elaborated within his text book Constructive Living he used the
Naikan and Morita psychotherapy theories that gave more insight into the world of living a
constructive life. “The fundamental ideas for Constructive Living (CL) can be traced to the
psychological foundations of ancient Buddhism, Sufism, the Judeo-Christian tradition, and
related pursuits” (Reynolds, 1995, p. 262). The exercises that where given by David K.
Reynolds can be used within diverse stages within life how you choose. Rather you use all or a
few it is up to the therapist, client, and patients discretion. David K Reynolds PH.D. gave clear

depiction of what Morita and Naikan theories elaborated on and how the
Practitioner/Psychologist should use the entire theory, or practice in whole or part. The therapist
could use the CL theory with other theories to create an overall plan for the client to ensure a
successful outcome. Constructive Living can be achievable and successful if the individual takes
the initiative and puts in the effort. What CL gives you the patient, therapist, and reader is a
moral understanding that you must seek out what works best for you. Constructive Living theory
does have some parts that I would not use within an entrepreneur setting of business, but rather
in a group setting or even a family setting. Would I recommend CL to clients? Yes, but only
parts that pertain to that client’s life. I would never advise a practitioner or therapist to impose
treatment of any kind that does not relate to the client’s state of being or what you would call
life. Creating false dilemma can bring upon more problems than needed. Using the Gestalt
theory of building up with the Constructive Living Theory would be an optimum plan

Reference
Anna O Case by Freud. (2002). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from
http://www.freudfile.org/psychoanalysis/annao_case.html
Reynolds, D. K., PH.D. (1995). Constructive Living (Chapter 20 Constructive Living
Assignments). Hawaii, HI: Haiwaii University Press.
Reynolds, D. K. (1995). Constructive living. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Reynolds, D. K., PH.D. (1995). PROJECT MUSE-University Press. Hawaii, HI: Hawaii Press.
Reynolds, D. K. (2016). Project MUSE - Water, Snow, Water. Retrieved July 18, 2016, from
http://muse.jhu.edu/chapter/965736
David K. Reynolds is the founder of Constructive Living and the director of the Constructive
Living Center in Caos Bay, Oregon. He is the only Westerner to have been awarded the
Kora Prize and the Morita Prize by the Japanese Morita Therapy Association. He has a
fear of flying and flies frequently to lectures and workshops all over the world, doing
what needs to be done.
Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda 1st Edition. (2002.).
Retrieved July 12, 2016, from https://www.amazon.com/Textbook-Ayurveda-Vol-
Fundamental-Principles/dp/1883725070
Warren, R. (2002). PURPOSE Driven Life. Retrieved July 9, 2016, from
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/The-Purpose-Driven-
Life.pdf

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