How can we quiet our minds in a chaotic world?
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Tosei Shinabe about how Zen meditation offers a path to deep contemplation and inner stillness amidst the noise of modern life.
Podcast Highlights
Tosei’s background. Tosei shares insights into his past.
Being a free-spirited teen. Tosei shares stories from his rebellious youth.
Earning a law degree. Tosei shares his insights from completing a law degree.
Expanding worldview through travel. Tosei shares how visiting different countries shaped his perspective on life.
Exploring traditional Japanese Crafts. Tosei reflects on his learning and involvement in the craft tradition.
Undergoing training at Ryosokunin Temple. Tosei talks about Ryosokunin Temple, where he trained to become a monk.
Becoming a Zen monk. Tosei shares how he became a Zen monk.
Understanding Zazen. Tosei explains what Zazen is.
Kekkai-seki. Tosei explains the stones he creates as a Dharma tool.
Zen and ikigai. Tosei discusses the connection between Zen and Ikigai.
Tosei Shinabe
Tosei Shinabe is a Zen Buddhist monk and meditation instructor based in Kyoto, Japan. His journey to monastic life was unconventional, encompassing a law degree, global travels, and a career in the promotion of traditional Kyoto craftsmanship. These experiences deepened his appreciation for the humility and spiritual resonance inherent in Japanese artisanship, ultimately guiding him toward Zen practice.
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Tosei’s background
Tosei, who goes by ‘Sei,’ is a Zen monk based in Kyoto. Although he no longer attends the temple daily, he remains connected and actively teaches Zazen (seated meditation) throughout Japan. He became a monk at the age of 32. Before monastic life, he worked as a producer of traditional Japanese crafts and previously held a position in advertising at a local newspaper. Born into a regular, non-temple family, his path to becoming a monk was nontraditional.
Being a free-spirited teen
Tosei experienced a rebellious youth in Osaka, frequently challenging authority and questioning societal norms. He felt misunderstood by adults and believed deeply that humans are part of nature—an idea he found others didn’t share. Though not intentionally a ‘bad boy,’ he stayed out late and sought freedom, resisting the life path others tried to impose on him, which caused frustration and anger.
Earning a law degree
Despite his rebellious spirit, Tosei earned a law degree but never practiced law. He reflects on the limitations of the legal system, noting that laws are often created in response to events and shaped by societal opinion—which is, in turn, heavily influenced by the media. This influence can make the distinction between right and wrong vague. While laws are intended to protect freedom, they can also restrict it, even leading to imprisonment or capital punishment. Tosei questions the commonly accepted view of law, suggesting it doesn't always serve true justice or personal freedom.
Expanding worldview through travel
Through his travels, Tosei discovered that despite differences in nationality, race, religion, and beliefs, people across the world share a capacity for compassion and empathy (omoiyari). He realized that while common sense and moral values vary between cultures and individuals, kindness and the willingness to help others transcend those differences.
Exploring traditional Japanese crafts
Tosei studied and engaged with a wide variety of traditional Japanese crafts, including tea caddies (Ochatsuzu), Nishijin (kimono and obi weaving) ), paper lanterns (chochin) paper lanterns, lacquerware (urushi), pottery (yakimono), bamboo crafts (take kogei), metal engraving (chokin), and cooking utensils (kanaami). Although he didn’t create the crafts himself, he spent three to four years producing and promoting them—collaborating with artisans, organising exhibitions, and helping to connect craftspeople with wider audiences.
Undergoing training at Ryosokunin Temple
Tosei began his monk training at Kenninji Temple, where he spent three years in a sōdō (training hall), disconnected from the outside world. His daily routine included at least five hours of seated meditation and around ten hours of tasks like cleaning, farming, and cooking. After this intensive training, he spent five years at Ryosokuin Temple, which is one of the 14 sub-temples of Kenninji. There, he continued temple duties and taught Zen meditation.Becoming a Zen monk
Tosei didn’t initially plan to become a monk; while organising a ceramics exhibition at Ryosokunin Temple, the resident monk unexpectedly encouraged him to consider becoming a Zen monk. Though unsure why, Tosei began to reflect deeply on the idea. He realized that his work promoting traditional crafts wasn’t just about selling objects—it was about sharing the spirit and philosophy behind them, which closely aligns with Zen values. Inspired by this connection, Tosei decided to become a Zen monk, seeking time to reflect on life, humanity, and the world.
Understanding Zazen
Tosei currently guides others in the practice of Zazen (seated meditation), a physical practice of observation—of oneself, others, and the world—to explore fundamental questions about life and existence. Rather than avoiding these questions, Zazen invites practitioners to hold them in their minds, contemplate deeply, and continue until clarity is reached. The process creates space for new questions to emerge. Although we don’t choose the circumstances of our birth, Zazen offers a moment to reflect on how we want to live
Kekkai-seki
Tosei creates kekkai-seki, or boundary stones, as a Dharma tool. Traditionally placed in Zen or tea house gardens, these stones serve two purposes: to mark a boundary that should not be crossed and to signal a spot for mindful observation. While Tosei has experience working in traditional Japanese gardens, his current focus is more symbolic—inviting people to place these stones not just in gardens, but also within their thoughts, as a prompt for reflection and awareness.
Zen and ikigai
Zen is a way of thinking—a philosophy that shapes how one views people, life, and the world. Tosei explains that Zazen is the technique used to internalise and embody this Zen philosophy. He believes that Zen and ikigai are connected, describing ikigai as something each person creates through their experiences and choices. It is a personal pursuit that must be explored and fulfilled in order to live a full and meaningful life.
“Ikigai is something you create or make for yourself through life experiences and decisions, and it's also something you must explore and satisfy for your life to move forward.” - Tosei Shinabe
In Conclusion
Nowadays, our minds are often clouded by the constant stream of thoughts about everything happening around us. These distractions can lead to unwanted emotions that impact our personal lives and relationships. Fortunately, there are techniques—like Zen meditation—that can help us regulate these feelings. Taking time to pause and reflect can bring clarity and renewed motivation to move forward.