7 Japanese philosophies you can follow in 2023

Japan is a country that has always intrigued me. Their simple lifestyles, philosophy, and way of living have been a constant reminder that there is more to life than a hustle. And why? Because of a straightforward reason, Japanese people are known to integrate ancient philosophies into their daily practices. Imbibing a piece of philosophy in their day-to-day life to eliminate stress and invoke peace has been their constant. These philosophies can help clear your mind and show you the best path to improve your life. 

In this post, let’s look at some Japanese philosophies that can change your life. 

7 Japanese philosophies you can follow in 2023

Japanese philosophies teach us to be gentler, kinder, and more mindful of ourselves and others. For a culture that values treating others with respect so highly, these philosophies are so important.

Let’s look at seven unique Japanese philosophies that can provide guidance, wisdom, and truth.

Ikigai

“My ikigai is to live, or aspire to live, in a beautiful world.”

 Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your ‘reason for being. “Iki’ in Japanese means’ life,’ and ‘gai’ describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed daily.

Ikigai is all about shifting our mindset. It is about the acceptance that, as human beings, it is alright to not always be on top and be happy with things, no matter how small they may be in life. Sometimes you need to take a step back and accept all that is happening in your life is for your good. 

Five pillars make up the foundation of Ikigai, and they are:

• starting small
• releasing yourself
• harmony and sustainability
• the joy of little things, and 
• being in the here and now

Want to know more about how Ikigai can be an inherent part of your life? Buy the Ikigai book here.

Buddhism

“Give, even if you only have a little.”

Buddhism is the most ancient of Japanese philosophies, with about 400 million followers worldwide. The main principles of this belief system are karma, rebirth, and impermanence. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not worship any deity. And as a follower of Buddhism (and other religions, too), it brings immense peace and gratitude in one’s life. I practice the Nichiren Daishonin sect of Buddhism, where we chant the Lotus Sutra. 

The concept of ‘nothingness.’

“Those who are enlightened never stop forging themselves.”

In some Eastern philosophies, the concept of “nothingness” is characterized by an egoless state of being in which one fully realizes one’s small part in the cosmos. 

The Japanese see the concept of nothingness as a very positive thing, relating it to being awakened or enlightened. It takes time and perseverance to get this right. When you sit down to meditate, your mind may wander to zillion thoughts that include a to-do list or replaying an event in your mind. And yet you progress slowly.

Drunken life, dreamy death

“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.”

This Japanese philosophy is all about moving and making things happen. Interestingly, it is about realizing how unwise it is to dream your life away. While it is good to dream, it is equally essential to make dreams into reality. Taking tangible steps to make your dreams is what the philosophy is all about. 

Zazen (sitting meditation)

Zazen is a way to connect with nature; with regular practice, you will usher a sense of calm into your life. Zazen can be mapped to the concept of nothingness, as it involves meditating regularly so that it helps to clear your mind and focus better.

How to do Zazen? To practice the Zazen, you must sit in a clean room and in a comfortable position. Give some support to your back when you start. Sit in an upright position and let your mind focus on breathing. With regular practice, your mind will be focused. 

When you listen to somebody, listen to them fully.

“When people talk, listen completely.”

Do you recall the last time you heard and not listened to someone? It happens to all of us. Our mind is so wrapped up in thoughts that we barely give our 100% attention when someone is speaking, yet we expect undivided attention from others. 

Following this philosophy helps eliminate preconceived notions if any refrains you from being subjective. By removing the judgemental cloak, you translate this philosophy into happier relationships. 

Itadakimasu

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”

The Japanese people have massive respect for food, and it’s common to hear people say ‘itadakimasu’ before eating a meal. When translated, the phrase means ‘I humbly receive.’ 

Itadakimasu is the Buddhist concept of gratitude to thank everyone who gave them a meal and made the meal possible. 

Follow these Japanese philosophies and make them a part of your life. Calmness and gratitude will follow.