Gosei (meditation)


Gosei are subjects for daily meditation at Japan's Naval Academy.

Five Reflections

These reflections were originally devised by Vice Admiral Hajime Matsushita, who was the Chief of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, and used from 1932 to its abolishment in 1945. Every evening cadets are expected to meditate on these inter-related questions.
  1. Hast thou not gone against sincerity
  2. Hast thou not felt ashamed of thy words and deeds
  3. Hast thou not lacked vigor
  4. Hast thou exerted all possible efforts
  5. Hast thou not become slothful
The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, from its establishment in 1954, encourages the use of the Gosei as a self-reflective exercise during the course of daily living.
The crux of this contemplative practice has been translated into English and has been discussed at the United States Naval Academy.