ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

East Asian philosophy

Do you know what philosophy means? It's the study of ideas about life, the world, and how to live in it. East Asian philosophy is the study of ideas and beliefs from countries like Japan, China, and Korea.

In East Asian philosophy, people think about the world in a different way than people in other parts of the world. They believe that everything is connected and that everything has a balance. This balance is called yin and yang.

Yin and Yang are two opposing forces that create balance. For example, if it's day outside, it's yang, and if it's night, it's yin. Yin and Yang are not good or bad, they are just different. East Asian philosophy teaches that everything has yin and yang, even emotions like happiness and sadness.

In East Asian philosophy, people also believe in the idea of harmony. Harmony means that everything is balanced and working together. For example, people in East Asian countries often work toward having good relationships with others and working in a peaceful way.

One other big idea in East Asian philosophy is the idea of mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts and surroundings in the present moment. This means paying attention to things like your breathing, your thoughts, and your environment.

East Asian philosophy sees the world as a complex and connected place, where everything is balanced and peaceful. That's different from what you may hear in other parts of the world, but it's an important way of thinking that has helped people for centuries.