Beyond Ikigai, a Japanese philosophy for greater job satisfaction based on moving meditation, mindful listening and Aisatsu

Yes, I believe that is very likely true. One thing we can say for certain is that compared to 100 years ago, the population has grown dramatically, and the amount of information has exploded. This increases what we might call "entropy."

We are overwhelmed by external "noise" from our devices and internal "noise" from our own minds. But more than that, we are overwhelmed by choice. With so many options and paths visible, it becomes incredibly difficult to feel "this is good enough" or to have confidence in our own path. This uncertainty and the constant comparison it breeds are at the core of modern dissatisfaction.

Tell us about "no noise, no life".

The Buddha, in his enlightenment, may have achieved a state of "no noise." However, for those of us living a secular life in society, we cannot fully escape disruption.

The idea "no noise, no life" suggests that our driving force comes from learning to engage with—and even enjoy—this "noise." Instead of just trying to cancel it, we must find our calm within it. The disruptions and imperfections are the very texture of being alive.

People talk about mindfulness a lot these days. But what is "samu", and is it something you need to practice to get the hang of?

Samu (作務) is a foundational practice in Japanese temples. It is essentially mindful work. The most common example is cleaning. In a temple, cleaning is not seen as a chore, but as a form of spiritual training, just as important as silent meditation. The purpose is to give your complete attention to the task at hand, transforming a mundane act like sweeping or wiping a table into a "moving meditation".

And yes, it is a practice. But its beauty is that you don't need a special cushion or a quiet room. You can practice samu simply by washing the dishes or organizing your desk with full, mindful attention.

Could you share some tips on where to get started?

The best way to start is simply and humbly.

1. Start right at your feet. Choose one small, everyday task. It could be making your bed, wiping down your kitchen counter, or straightening the books on your desk.

2. Create a small ritual. Before you begin, mark the transition. This can be as simple as taking one deep breath, opening a window, or putting on an apron. It's a way of signaling to your mind, "Okay, let's begin".

3. Focus on the act, not the result. Pay attention to the physical sensations. If you're washing a cup, feel the warm water and the soap, see the bubbles. The goal isn't just a clean cup; the goal is the practice of attention.

4. Be gentle. Your mind will wander. That is perfectly normal. When you notice it, just gently bring your attention back to the task, without judgement.

What does it mean to "find satisfaction at work" according to you?

To me, finding satisfaction at work is not about a title or a salary. It is about finding meaning in the work itself and "finding the sacred in the ordinary".

It’s about shifting our perspective. Instead of seeing our workplace as a "battlefield for competition," we can learn to see it as a dojo—a "place for shared practice and mutual development".

Satisfaction comes from transforming our daily routines into "rituals of awareness". It is found in the "subtle, easily overlooked acts", like truly listening to a colleague or taking collective care of our shared space.

Cover of 'Work Like A Monk', and Shoukei Matsumoto. (Images via Simon & Schuster India)

Is there a test to gauge one's level of satisfaction and dissatisfaction at work?

In the modern business world, we love to measure everything with "fancy indicators" and HR surveys. But I feel uneasy about this approach when it comes to human happiness.

A human being is not a static number; we are "dynamic, ever-changing", and our condition varies "from moment to moment". Trying to capture satisfaction with a score is very limiting.

So, I would say there is no simple test. The only true way to "measure" satisfaction is not with data, but with mindful listening. Are we really listening to the genuine voices of our colleagues? Are we creating a space of psychological safety where another person's "True Person" (their essential self) can emerge? The "metric," if one exists, is the quality of our connection.

Is your philosophy similar to the Zen philosophy and approach to work as an end in itself? In what way is it similar / dissimilar?

Yes, there are very strong similarities. The Zen concept of samu, which we just discussed, is central to my book. The idea that "the practice itself is awakening" and "the journey and the destination are one" is a profound truth we share.

However, my own philosophy is rooted in the Jōdo Shinshū, or Pure Land Buddhist, tradition, which is also called Nen Buddhism in the book.

The paths are complementary, but the emphasis is different.

●      Similarity: Both value the practice of work as a path to awareness.

●      Difference: Rather than focusing on perfecting oneself through discipline, my tradition places human fallibility (可謬性) and humility at the very center. A core concept is bonbu, or "helpless fool". This is the "clear-eyed, honest recognition that we are, at our core, imperfect, fallible beings".

Satisfaction, in this view, comes not from achieving perfection, but from embracing our own humanity and "letting go of the illusion of absolute control". It is a path of "just listening" and accepting our imperfection with humility.

A dojo is a 'place for shared practice and mutual development' versus a battlefield where one entity is pitted against another. (Image credit: RDNE/Pexels)

Could you share some steps and tips readers can follow to improve their satisfaction levels at work?

I would suggest three simple, ancient, and no-cost rituals.

1. Practice Samu (Mindful Work): As mentioned, start by cleaning your shared workspace together, even for just five minutes. This is a powerful "ritual of shared care" that builds humility, equality, and collective responsibility. It turns the office into "our dojo".

2. Practice Aisatsu (Formal Greeting): Make a conscious ritual of formally greeting your colleagues at the start of the day or the beginning of a meeting. A true aisatsu is more than "hello"; it's a "moment of mutual recognition", a "micro-practice of connection" where you pause to truly see the humanity in the other person.

3. Practice Mindful Listening: This is the most crucial. It's not a technique like "active listening", but a "way of being". It means bringing your "entire heart to the present moment" and creating a space where you can hear not just the spoken words, but also the "unspoken feelings," without judgment.

Can these tips be followed in other areas of life as well?

Absolutely. In fact, that is their true purpose. These are not just "work tips"; they are life practices.

● Samu can be applied to any household chore, transforming cleaning your home or cooking a meal into a moving meditation.

● Aisatsu is fundamental to our relationships with our family and friends—truly seeing them and acknowledging their presence each day.

● And mindful listening is perhaps the greatest gift we can offer anyone. If more people practiced it in their daily lives, "our shared life would feel richer and the world would likely become more peaceful".