Ichigyo Zammai: 1 of the Best Japanese Techniques for Concentration

Due to the abundance of gadgets and conveniences, there should have been an increase in the comforts of life, but the opposite is happening. One task after another and lots of interruptions between tasks. It’s like life is messed up. But now there is no need to worry as its solution is found in a Japanese Technique for Concentration, Ichigyo-Zammai. Which teaches how to focus on one thing at a time and practice full concentration in your life.

Ichigyo Zammai’s principle is most needed in today’s busy and disruptive world. Information is raining on us every moment, a lot of work is standing in front of us, we have many expectations, and we have many dreams of our own. The hardest thing in all of this is to stick to one.

Table of Contents

What is Ichigyo Zammai?

This theory is ancient, but twentieth-century Zen master Shuniryu Suzuki simplified it and presented it in a simple form. It means full concentration on one task or you can say the practice of full Concentration.

Ichigyo Zammai is the Japanese technique for concentration. This is easier to hear but harder to do. Just tell me, how many times have you looked around while reading this article?

Are you just studying or is there something else going on in your mind like anything related to your office or home?

As we know from our experiences, the biggest problem in today’s world is to be able to stick to one task completely. Even though we seem to be working, the work gets completed, but is there really only work during that time?

You will laugh but many people are busy on their mobiles even while doing to the toilet, some have an office project going on in their minds. We are walking in the garden, but the mind is wandering somewhere else.

While working on the computer, many tabs go on opening and the original work is left behind. This happens to everyone. While doing kitchen work, something else keeps buzzing in the mind and while studying, one remembers cricket match shots or football match goals.

Because of all this, you are left incomplete, it takes more time, and even the work of interest starts getting boring. The pressure starts building up and life starts getting more chaotic than before.

Do one thing at a time Zen

Ichigo Zammai’s theory doesn’t say anything complicated. It says that if you are drinking tea now, then only drink tea, don’t even think about anything. The formula for the Japanese Technique for Concentration.

If you are eating food then just eat food. Tell me how long it has been for you to eat and drink like this. Just focus and do one thing at a time.

The warmth of the tea on the fingers holding the cup, the steam emanating from it, the pungent aroma of tea entering the nostrils on inhalation, and then the pleasure of slowly sipping it. How long has it been since you realized all this?

What is Zen?

Zen is not something you get excited about. Some people start practicing Zen without thinking for any particular reason, and they simply make themselves more engaged. If your training gives you a boost, that’s ridiculous.

That’s what makes me think you try to do zazen once every week, which will get you busy enough. Try not to get too curious about Zen. When children are ready for Zen, they often drop any pretense of tutoring and go to the mountains or woods to sit. That kind of interest is not true interest. Just keep going in your calm, traditional practice, and your personality will develop… because when your training is calm and normal, regular day-to-day existence is the only light.

How to focus on one thing at a time zen

Imagine if you can immerse yourself in such a thing as drinking tea, then how much joy will be absorbed in other activities, and how much satisfaction will be absorbed.

There is only one way to get this happiness – one thing at a time. Our spoiled lifestyle has made this simple thing very difficult. It seems impossible to even sit for 2 minutes without thinking about anything. If you are not sure, then try it and see.

Why Ichigyo Zammai Principle is Important?

Multitasking seems like a great way to do a lot at once. But research has shown that our brains are not as good at handling many tasks as we think. In fact, some researchers suggest that multitasking can actually reduce productivity by up to 40%. So, multitasking is a myth.

It may seem like you are doing several things at the same time, but what you are really doing is shifting your concentration from one thing to another.

Switching from one task to another makes it difficult to remove distractions and can create mental blocks that can slow you down. In reality, multitasking is a productivity killer and will take you to the negative side of this Japanese Technique for Concentration.

So, when you do one thing at a time, your focus does not shift from one task to another. You complete that particular task efficiently. Your productivity rate increased more than you think in multitasking. That’s why Ichigyo-Zammai Principle is Important.

How to Develop Concentration?

Now the question comes of how to develop concentration and stick to the single task you are planning to do at a time. So to develop concentration you have to start wisely.

Give importance to every activity.

Drinking tea, bathing, and sleeping is equally important as other activities. Overthinking while doing any activity will ruin the importance of that activity

Take care of one task at a time.

In the beginning, you have to be alert, the mind will reach somewhere else according to the habit. It would have to be pulled back over and over again.

Complete the one task.

Whatever work you do, complete it first. Like if you have to wake up, fix your bed, and keep the blanket folded. This means that you have completed your sleeping work.

Stay away from distracting things.

If the internet is not needed while working on the computer, then keep it off. Keep the mobile phone away during work or if there is no harm, then turn it off.

Try your best to feel the joy of small activities.

If you have gone out for a walk, do not worry about the difficulties of life, or the problems of the country. Instead, look at the wind, trees, plants, flowers, butterflies, etc. Notice the way you walk and breathe.

This is the way of living, which should be visible in every day to day activities. It is the ability to focus without distraction and offers immediately actionable steps. In the beginning, you have to keep reminding yourself, then you will get accustomed to the process.

Then you will realize that there is nothing more beautiful and pleasant than life, no matter who you are, wherever you are.

You don’t need to be a Zen Buddhist to work on doing each thing in turn. You can, nonetheless, delicately remind yourself to return to the current second so you are giving what you are doing or who you are with your undivided focus. Regardless of whether you basically should be more useful doing just something single and at once is one of the most mind-blowing ways of achieving more significantly quicker.

Summary

Ichigyo Zammai: Japanese Technique for Concentration teaches how to focus on one thing at a time and practice full concentration in your life.

It means full concentration on one task or you can say the practice of full Concentration.

Even though we seem to be working, the work gets completed, but is there really only work during that time? While working on the computer, many tabs go on opening and the original work is left behind.

While doing kitchen work, something else keeps buzzing in the mind and while studying, one remembers cricket match shots or football match goals.

Because of all this, you are left incomplete, it takes more time, and even the work of interest starts getting boring.

Japanese Technique for Concentration says that if you are drinking tea now, then only drink tea, and don’t even think about anything.

In reality, multitasking is a productivity killer and will take you to the negative side of this Japanese Technique for Concentration.

So, according to Ichigyo-Zammai: Japanese Technique for Concentration when you do one thing at a time, your focus does not shift from one task to another.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Ichigyo Zammai?

A: Ichigyo Zammai is a Japanese Technique for Concentration that emphasizes the practice of full concentration on one task at a time. It encourages individuals to focus on the present moment and avoid distractions.

Q: How does Ichigyo Zammai help in today’s busy world?

A: Ichigyo Zammai is particularly beneficial in the modern world where multitasking has become prevalent. This technique promotes the completion of one task at a time, enhancing efficiency and reducing the negative impact of multitasking on productivity.

Q: Why is multitasking considered a myth according to Ichigyo Zammai?

A: Multitasking is considered a myth because research suggests that the human brain is not as effective at handling multiple tasks simultaneously as commonly believed. Ichigyo Zammai emphasizes that shifting focus from one task to another can reduce productivity by up to 40%.

Q: How can one develop concentration using Ichigyo Zammai?

A: Developing concentration with Ichigyo Zammai involves giving importance to every activity, taking care of one task at a time, completing tasks before moving on, staying away from distracting elements, and finding joy in small activities.

Q: What is the significance of Zen in Ichigyo Zammai?

A: Zen, in the context of Ichigyo Zammai, is the practice of being fully engaged in the present moment without unnecessary excitement. It complements the Japanese Technique for Concentration by encouraging a calm and traditional approach to daily activities, fostering a focused and attentive mindset.

Love,

Saurabh Goel

Saurabh Goel

Saurabh Goel is the Founder and CEO of the Training and Counselling Company Brain Soul & You’. He is an NLP Wellness Coach, Life Coach, Brain analyst, and Trainer for Education, Corporate, and Entrepreneurship. For more than 5 years, he delivered presentations on entrepreneurship, mind programming, and motivation. He did his B.tech in IT and later choose to be a successful psychologist.