Yoga and Japanese Philosophies

FOUR FUNDAMENTAL JAPANESE TEACHINGS AND HOW THEY CORRELATE WITH ELEMENTS OF YOGA  

These days, the word “mindfulness” often seems like a catchword overused in wellness talks in ways that feel like vague encouragements rather than a concise, deliberate practice. 

The following fundamental Japanese teachings, (in brief), and their correlation to yoga philosophy explores how the concept of mindfulness not only is a disciplined attention to the present moment on a cushion but a deliberate practice grounded into our daily activities. Mindfulness then becomes a lived experience that can  foster a productive and meaningful life. 

Philosophy 1 is kaizen (ky-zen)  

This is a practice of aiming for a 1% improvement every single day. It is actually a personal development system over time. It does not require massive changes or overnight transformations but when you do the math it transforms to being 37 times better in one year. Think about it as a personal practice in your daily life; smiling at a stranger as you pass them on the street for example or pausing briefly, deciding not to send that unkind text. 

Becoming just 1% better means committing to a marginal consistent daily improvement in your yoga practice. For example, for me improving my standing balance is a daily physical practice I am committing to.  Minimal improvements in breath control (pranayama) and mental focus (meditation) over time can lead to profound long term growth.   

Philosophy 2- Ikigai ( ee-kee-guy)

This refers to your reason for waking up every morning. It is not about your reason for your job, or a particular task but rather your reason for staying alive. It is believed that people with a strong Ikigai have a lower risk of heart disease, and have less depression and anxiety. Do you enjoy the birds chirping in the morning or enjoy the fragrance or a new bloom of summer flowers, freshly mowed grass? 

The idea of Ikigai directly relates to setting an intention or sankalpa. A sankalpa which has been previously described in my writings is a Sanskrit term, meaning setting an intention of your heartfelt desire. It is not an ego driven resolution. It is a belief that you already possess intrinsic wholeness. Your sankalpa directs your consciousness towards your highest truth and your life’s true purpose. A sankalpa is made in the present tense. It is a chosen intention that is set when you are in a clear state of mind. It is like planting a seed that will blossom into your heart felt desire as you practice. “It is a call to awakening”~ Joseph Campbell 

Setting a sankalpa also mitigates depression and builds ikigai by rewiring the brain to replace negative patterns with empowering purpose driven actions.  It is a mindful daily practice that builds resilience. It is your own bright  star to guide your daily life. 

Philosophy 3- Oubaitori ( oh-bai-toh-ree)

This simply means stop comparing yourself to others. It comes from 4 Japanese fruit trees — apricot, peach, plum, and cherry — each blooms at its own time without envying others.

 

Oubaitori as well as yoga teaches us  that your path is uniquely yours (“compare and despair”.) A mindful yoga practice involves connecting to your true nature as you practice compassionate self awareness. 

 “The human pattern is never cast twice . We are uncommonly and marvelously intricate”~ Alice Childress 

“ There is only one of you in all of time , this expression is unique, and it you block it, it never exists through any other medium and will be lost.”~Martha Graham 

Philosophy 4-Wabi-Sabi ( wah-bee sah-bee)

This means finding  peace in imperfection.  It means nothing is ever finished. Nothing is ever perfect. Nothing lasts forever. And there’s nothing to fix or fight. 

We should not chase a perfect life because it does not exist . Wabi-Sabi says the imperfect life is the real one. Love it anyway.

The philosophy also relates to yoga and the eastern philosophies of impermanence and non-attachment but this is beyond the scope of my paper today.

In yoga practice, wabi-sabi  relates to letting go of the perfect pose, perfect practice, or perfect teaching. It encourages us to embrace our own bodies abilities and accept how it changes over time. There is no perfect alignment and there is no room for judgement in your practice. 

Your yoga practice becomes authentic when you accept your imperfections and your limitations on any given day realizing that tomorrow there may be a 1% improvement.