LOS ANGELES – A scene reminiscent of a wellness retreat unfolded recently in a quiet studio near the Venice boardwalk: roughly 40 individuals, clad in coordinated athletic wear, sipping iced matcha lattes, and carefully arranging their designer accessories before a meditation session led by a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk.
Toryo Ito, vice abbot of Kyoto’s 600-year-vintage Ryosokuin Temple, is bringing traditional Zen practices to a modern audience increasingly seeking mindfulness, including executives from major tech companies like Meta and Salesforce. The session, hosted by mindfulness startup Open and skincare brand Tatcha, offered a glimpse into the growing intersection of ancient spiritual traditions and contemporary corporate wellness trends.
Attendees, many of whom were Tatcha customers invited through social media, initially filled the space with the quiet energy of anticipation, capturing photos of the studio and their carefully curated setups. The contrast between Ito’s stillness and the attendees’ initial restlessness was striking, according to one observer. Ito sat calmly, occasionally glancing around the room with a gentle smile, whereas others checked their phones or adjusted their positions.
The meditation itself focused on cultivating present moment awareness. Ito guided participants through three rounds of silent meditation, beginning with a focus on auditory and olfactory sensations – the chime marking the start of each session, birdsong from a nature soundtrack, and the subtle scent of incense. Subsequent rounds shifted the focus to physical sensations, involving simple movements like raising and lowering arms, and finally, to reflections on self-compassion, prompting participants to associate colors and drinks with feelings of self-love.
“Meditation does not mean thinking about nothing,” Ito explained after the session, emphasizing that it’s about “mindful observation and freeing oneself from automatic thoughts.” He advocates for integrating mindfulness into daily life through small, intentional moments – savoring the aroma of incense or the taste of coffee – as a means to reduce stress, enhance creativity, and foster recent perspectives. He likewise promotes active meditation practices, such as mindful walking, paying attention to the sensation of each step.
Participants reported experiencing a noticeable shift in their mental state following the session. Rather than immediately reaching for their phones, many lingered in quiet reflection, sharing feelings of peace and connection. One attendee, a busy mother, described feeling “at peace.”
Ito’s approach to Zen, described as “Neo-Zen” on his website, aims to unlock potential and enrich life beyond traditional seated meditation. He offers training and advisement to individuals seeking growth and excellence, applying Zen principles to areas like art, fashion, and technology. Vicky Tsai, founder of Tatcha, exemplifies this integration, having transitioned from a career in finance to build a beauty brand rooted in mindfulness after encountering Ito at his temple in Japan in 2016. She appointed him as the company’s “global well-being mentor” in 2021.
The growing popularity of mindfulness practices, as evidenced by the success of meditation apps and corporate wellness programs, reflects a broader societal response to the pressures of modern life. Ito’s work suggests a continuing evolution of Zen, adapting its ancient wisdom to address the challenges of the 21st century.
