For those who feel unfulfilled despite working hard: The 'subtraction' habit of Ajikan to calm the mind

Every day, you work hard in your job, at home, and in your relationships. Yet, despite your efforts, you feel unfulfilled.

You complete your tasks, meet expectations, and want to be a source of support and be useful to others.

And yet, in fleeting moments, an indescribable sense of emptiness wells up inside you.

Are you pushing yourself, thinking 'I must work harder,' and finding yourself feeling suffocated before you know it?

I have had the same experience.

Working hard is important, but...

Buddhism does not deny effort. Like the 'Paramita of Diligence' (shojin-haramitsu) in the Six Paramitas, it teaches that diligence—striving toward a good path—is indeed important.

However, the problem is that you lose sight of why you are working so hard.

To be recognized, to avoid being disliked, to fill a sense of insecurity, or to avoid being left behind. If you keep running with these motivations, no matter how much you achieve, you will never find true peace of mind.

This is because the true answer you are seeking, the truth, lies within you.

The real cause of mental fatigue

Many people think that busyness or human relationships are the cause.

Of course, those are contributing factors.

But essentially, being 'disconnected from your own heart' is the root cause of fatigue.

You are actually tired but convince yourself that you 'can still work harder,' or you are actually sad but suppress it, thinking 'I shouldn't be feeling down over something like this.'

When you stop listening to your own voice in this way, your heart gradually wears down.

The 'place to return to' that Ajikan teaches

Ajikan is not a practice for gaining special abilities or transforming yourself. It is, so to speak, a time to face yourself and 'organize your mind.' Modern times demand that we constantly 'add' things. However, what is truly necessary is to shed external evaluations and roles, and return to your original, quiet self through 'subtraction'.

Sit quietly, regulate your breathing, and contemplate the Aji.

In that simple act, we gradually turn our consciousness, which has been directed outward, back toward the inside.

You don't have to achieve anything. You don't have to be recognized by anyone.

Just observe yourself, here and now.

And realize that there is a place you can return to.

That alone will begin to loosen the tension in your heart.

People are restored by 'returning' rather than 'adding'

The modern age is an era of constant addition.

Increasing knowledge, increasing connections, increasing experiences. Of course, those are important too.

However, when you are truly exhausted, what you need may not be to force yourself to add even more, but to let go of the excess and return to your true self.

Conclusion

If you have been feeling unfulfilled despite your hard work, unable to rest your mind, or feeling tired for no reason, please try to stop for just a moment.

Because what you are truly seeking from the bottom of your heart may not be further ahead, but within the stillness that already exists inside you.

Why not return to the 'stillness' that sleeps within you through Ajikan? It is your own personal sanctuary. By stopping for just a moment, tomorrow's scenery should feel much lighter than it does now. It will surely be an experience of finding your own 'place of peace' that remains unshaken, no matter what happens in the outside world.

By taking a breath and having time to face yourself, you will be able to take a new step forward with ease once again.

For those who want to know more about Ajikan (time to return to stillness), I have summarized it in an easy-to-understand way for beginners.

The link to 'What is Ajikan (A Complete Guide for Beginners)' is here.

Alternatively, I am planning to hold an online Ajikan experience session next month.

#HowToCalmTheMind #MeTime #Mindset #HealingTime #OnlineExperienceSession

* This article is a rewritten version of

[Words to Calm the Mind] What is needed is not 'adding', but 'returning'.

Profile

Kokei Amamiya

Shingon Buddhist monk (Acharya) of Mount Koya. Branch Head of the Koyasan Daishi Kyokai Koju Branch. Ajikan meditation instructor (Noke-kokoroe) at the Head Temple Kongobuji. Completed a Master's degree in Esoteric Buddhism at Koyasan University (Master of Esoteric Buddhism). Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kindai University (Bachelor of Laws). In 2024, received the Siddham initiation at Ninna-ji Temple and inherited the Jozen-ryu Siddham tradition. Author of: 'Kukai Sanpo' (Chikuma Shobo, Volumes 6-10, co-authored). Entered the priesthood following personal experiences (surviving the 9/11 attacks, the suicide of a close friend). In his teens, he hovered between life and death after a traffic accident, which sparked his interest in Tantra, Yoga, and meditation. He has since made numerous pilgrimages to Buddhist and Esoteric sacred sites in Tibet, India, and Nepal, dedicating himself to the study and practice of Yoga and meditation. He was bestowed the character for 'Heaven' (Ten) in Tibet and 'Light' (Ko) at Mount Koya. He works under the name 'Kokei Amamiya' to ensure he never forgets his original intention (Bodhicitta).

After the world collapsed

In 2001, in America, my daily life—which I had been chasing success in as a trade merchant—crumbled like a sandcastle on that day. The collapse of the world due to terrorism, the suicide of my best friend, and the parting with my mother. While facing a series of 'deaths,' I confronted the self I had been running away from and set out on pilgrimages to Tibet, India, and Shikoku. This is a record of a soul, documenting how a man who lost everything spent 20 years reclaiming his 'true self' and 'inner peace.' ...≫ Details page

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