Tweeting priests and YouTube videos of meditating monks have made Zen Buddhism more accessible than ever. At the same time, our lightning-speed lifestyles not only beg a moment’s pause—they may also ...

Shutoku Mukai, who has spent nearly three decades snarling and shouting in some of Japan’s most influential rock bands, loves to ride his bike around Tokyo. “It’s an electric bike, but not one of the ...

While IQ tests can be a debatable measure of intelligence, there's no doubt that improving focus and concentration can benefit everyone. Intriguingly, Japanese culture offers a treasure trove of ...

At 35, Shutoku Mukai is practically the elder statesman of Japanese indie rock. The guitarist and singer, whose nerdy demeanor suggests an off-duty salaryman rather than a rock star, has been behind ...

Zazen, a form of seated meditation, is a kind of Zen Buddhism training in which practitioners seek to enter a state of selflessness by shutting out worldly desires. This may lead toward enlightenment, ...

Quarantine and self-isolation are taking their toll and the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is causing anxiety even among the best of us. If you're looking to calm your mind ...

By 2040, Japanese temples may face closure due to dwindling religious commitment among the populace. In a bid to attract more ...

'Zazen' translates to 'seated meditation', which is pretty straightforward, but there’s more. In Zen Buddhism, zazen isn’t just a method for relaxation or some short-term fix for stress. It’s seen as ...