Fusing Scientific Practices and Intuitive Approaches

Foresight and Futures Studies are rooted in scientific frameworks, but in practical applications, intuition plays a crucial supportive role in generating futuristic outcomes.

So, how can we enhance intuitive creativity?

Some might say, “It’s a talent,” or “You need to accumulate practical experiences.” While these perspectives hold truth, I strongly believe that intuitive creativity can be cultivated through training.

ZEN practice is not a religious pursuit but an inner journey to discover oneself.

Today, meditation has become a globally popular activity. As you may know, many leading tech companies such as Alphabet (Google), Salesforce, and X (formerly Twitter) have meditation rooms in their offices.

Certainly, meditation is a core activity in ZEN practices. However, there are many other exercises within ZEN that can significantly enhance your creativity.

Highlighting Future Dialogue and Fusing with the Planet

In my program, I emphasise three key activities:

1. Meditation to eliminate distractions
2. Writing visions for preferable futures in personal life, societies, communities, and the planet
3. Engaging in dialogue, ideally in a forest or other natural settings where participants can feel authentic nature to be connected with the planet

The goal of these activities is to fuse individual futures and redesign ideal worlds. As mentioned on the mission page, I have defined “Connecting Futures” as my personal mission as an oriental futurist. I firmly believe that the futures envisioned by individuals should be organically connected with others. Dialogue in authentic natural environments can offer a unique experience, fostering connections among participants and with the planet. Through these transformative experiences, their values and perspectives on life can change profoundly.

My ZEN Experience

Below is a summary of my ZEN experiences:

• Completed a one-month program in “ZEN Management” offered by Dr. Hiroshi Komoriya, a renowned management consultant in Japan and author of the book “ZEN Management,” in 2021.
• Appointed as a counsel at IZCC, a non-profit organization founded by Akiba Gengo, the General Director of the Soto Zen Administrative Office for North America, in 2021.
• Organized regular zazen (meditation) events run by IZCC online from 2021 to the present.
• Attended the ZEN practice bootcamp (Jukai-e) at LA Zenshuji, the original Soto Zen temple in the US, and received certification in 2022.