Experience the profound within the ordinary.

Experience the profound within the ordinary.

Experience the profound within the ordinary.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

Experience the profound within the ordinary.

Experience the profound within the ordinary.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

Experience the profound within the ordinary.

This season, we're embracing the journey of cultivating inner balance. Our travels take us to Japan, where we capture the vibrant urban energy of Tokyo and fall in love with its streets.
 

We delve into the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Through their stories, we discover that true balance comes from within, cultivated through daily practices that foster equanimity—a state of even-mindedness and inner calm. This inner peace isn't limited to tranquil, remote locations; it's a state of being that can be maintained anywhere, even amid external chaos.

Japan Diaries; Cultivating Equanimity

Discover the lives of individuals who live in harmony with themselves and the world around them.

I. Toryo Ito

Discover how Zen Buddhist monks achieve inner peace, maintain mental clarity and calm amidst the flow of thoughts through Zanzen meditation.

I. Mindfulness: From moment to moment.

Zazen meditation

We visited Ryōsoku-in Temple in Kyoto Ryosokuin was founded in 1357, and it is one of the small temples in the pagoda of Kenninji, the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, in Kyoto. Here where locals and tourists can learn and practice Zazen meditation. Zazen is a practice in Zen Buddhism that involves sitting in a specific posture, focusing on the breath, and observing thoughts without attachment. It aims to cultivate mindfulness, inner peace, and clarity by bringing the practitioner fully into the present moment.

During our visit we were guided by Toryo Ito, who is a Zen Buddhist monk residing at Ryosokuin. He believes that the important aspect of zazen is that it ultimately restores one's sensitivity to the reality that human beings are an integral part of nature. Living in a town often leads to a detachment from the natural world, focusing instead on the individual self. However, he believes it's crucial, no matter where we are, to gradually reconnect with our surroundings. This reconnection should extend not just to the immediate environment but also to the wider community and all the living beings around us.

II. Masako Nakagami

Learn about how Masako Nakagami finds equanimity in the patient shaping of clay, turning each piece into a reflection of mindfulness and acceptance.

III. Jerome Floerke

Meet Jerome Floerke, who embraces sustainable living through permaculture, finding bliss in nature and fostering inner calm.

I. Mindfulness: From moment to moment.

Zazen meditation

We visited Ryōsoku-in Temple in Kyoto Ryosokuin was founded in 1357, and it is one of the small temples in the pagoda of Kenninji, the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, in Kyoto. Here where locals and tourists can learn and practice Zazen meditation. Zazen is a practice in Zen Buddhism that involves sitting in a specific posture, focusing on the breath, and observing thoughts without attachment. It aims to cultivate mindfulness, inner peace, and clarity by bringing the practitioner fully into the present moment.

During our visit we were guided by Toryo Ito, who is a Zen Buddhist monk residing at Ryosokuin. He believes that the important aspect of zazen is that it ultimately restores one's sensitivity to the reality that human beings are an integral part of nature.

Living in a town often leads to a detachment from the natural world, focusing instead on the individual self. However, he believes it's crucial, no matter where we are, to gradually reconnect with our surroundings. This reconnection should extend not just to the immediate environment but also to the wider community and all the living beings around us.