Ikigai

Introduction

When you think of Japan, you visualize ornate gardens, beautiful displays of woodwork, flower arranging, and calligraphy, there is even an artful method in performing each of these tasks. Each person follows the same concept that gives them satisfaction, joy and purpose - this concept is Ikigai.

This concept or way of living has been a part of the fabric of Japanese culture for centuries, dating back to the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD). In an age where many longed to discover the meaning of life, the Japanese concept of Ikigai emerged as an inspiration.

The term "Ikigai" is derived from "iki," meaning "life" or "alive," and "gai," meaning "value" or "worth." 

Together, they form a concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning. This concept emphasizes the importance of finding hoy or purpose in everyday activities, reflecting the cultural values of harmony, respect, and community.

Ikigai has evolved from a basic health and wellness principle of traditional Japanese medicine to a guiding principle for individuals to navigate life and find a sense of purpose. 

It encourages a lifelong journey of self-discovery and introspection, requiring individuals to continuously reflect on their passions, talents, values, and the need of the world around them. Ikigai is not something that is achieved overnight; it is a lifelong process of self-discovery and reflection.

Its principles can also be applied to all facets of your life; it will evolve over time as your circumstances change.

Everyone will have their own Ikigai, some may not have discovered theirs, but knowing its basic principles, everyone can do it, while gaining peace of mind and happiness.

The Origin of Ikigai

The idea originates in Okinawa, a place in Japan that is known for the longest life expectancy in the world. It hosts the world's oldest populations, and they partly blame the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai.

Historically, the term Ikigai wasn’t confined to its current popular meaning. In older Japanese texts, the word Ikigai simply meant "a reason to live."

It wasn’t particularly profound. Think of it like the feeling you get when you have plans you’re excited about. As centuries passed, it transformed into a philosophy encompassing one's purpose and reason to live.

Understanding Ikigai doesn't need a deep understanding of Japanese culture.

Think of Ikigai as having a compass in the vast sea of life. The compass doesn’t necessarily tell you where the treasure is, but it guides you, ensuring you sail in waters that resonate with your heart.

Ikigai is that compass. It's the blend of what you’re deeply passionate about, what you excel in, what the world needs, and what can sustain you — be it emotionally, mentally, or financially.

And while this concept has roots in Japan, its universality is clear. Everyone, no matter their background, benefits from identifying their own Ikigai.

Ikigai offers insights to career direction, personal growth, or a deeper understanding of life.

Understanding the Word “Ikigai”

Japan has a gift for encapsulating profound emotions and concepts within single terms.

Words like "tsundoku" — the act of acquiring books and letting them pile up unread — or "komorebi" — the sunlight filtering through trees — hold within them layers of meaning that aren't always translatable into English.

In the same vein, Ikigai combines two Japanese words: "iki" and "gai."

"Iki" primarily denotes "life" or "living." It's the heartbeat, the rush of blood in your veins, the inhale and exhale of breath. It signifies the very act of being alive, with all the moments — good or bad — that living entails.

It's about moments of joy and challenges alike, and everything between. When you think about your life, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, that's the essence of "iki."

On the other hand, "gai" stems from the word "kai," which translates to "shell," the kind once used as currency in Japan. In this context, "gai" represents value or worth.

Think of it as a metric, something that measures the significance of what you're doing or the impact of your actions.

Combine "iki" and "gai", and you have a term that translates to "a life worth living." But, as you now know, the meaning of Ikigai goes beyond this simple translation.

It's about the harmony of your passions, skills, societal needs, and what can reward you. It's about navigating life with a purpose and identifying the unique value you bring to the world.

Recognizing your Ikigai is like having a map alongside the compass we discussed earlier. It's one thing to sail in the right direction, but understanding your value and purpose, the "gai" in your life, ensures you have a clear destination in mind.

Ikigai’s – Four Pillars

Embarking on a journey to discover your Ikigai is a bit like assembling a puzzle. Each piece holds significance, and when combined, they provide a complete picture.

The magic of Ikigai is at the crossroads of four fundamental components: Passion, Mission, Vocation, and Profession.

Let's break down these components to understand how they come together to form your unique Ikigai.

• Passion is what you love. It's the thing that ignites a fire within you; the activities or hobbies you lose track of time doing. Maybe it's painting, singing, or even a subject you've always been fascinated by. It's what brings colour and excitement to your life.

  
  

• Mission refers to what the world needs and what you can offer to fill that void. It's about identifying the gap or the need and figuring out how your passions or skills align with addressing that. If you've ever felt a calling or a pull towards a particular cause or purpose, that's your mission calling out to you.

  
  

• Vocation is what you're good at. These are your innate talents or skills you've honed over time. It could be your knack for understanding complex theories, your ability to connect with people, or a craft you've mastered. It’s the zone where you feel effortlessly competent.

  
  

• Profession encompasses what you can be paid for. It's the practical aspect of the equation, ensuring that what you do can sustain you, be it financially or in terms of resources and recognition.

  
  

Visualize these components as overlapping circles, much like the sections in a Venn diagram. At the connection of all four circles — where Passion meets Mission, Vocation, and Profession — there lies your Ikigai.

This intersection is the sweet spot, the place where you feel a deep sense of purpose and alignment in what you're doing.

Finding this convergence might not happen overnight, but the journey itself is enlightening.

As you navigate through each component, you not only gain clarity about your purpose but also understand yourself better. And in this self-awareness and alignment, you'll find a life brimming with meaning and fulfilment.

Discovery Your Personal Ikigai

Unravelling your personal Ikigai isn't about looking outward but inward. While external inspirations and stories can provide guidance, the essence of this journey is introspective. Let's look at some questions that will help you find your Ikigai, and thus a meaningful life.

To start, focus on Passion, Ask yourself:

• What activities or subjects make your heart race with excitement?

• When do you feel most alive or invigorated?

• Which tasks make you lose track of time, immersing you so deeply that the world fades away?

  
  

Transitioning to Mission, contemplate:

• What causes or issues tug at your heartstrings?

• Where do you feel the world needs help, and how can your skills or passions address it?

• Have there been moments when you felt a strong urge to contribute or make a change?

When pondering over your Vocation, reflect on:

• What tasks or activities come most naturally to you?

• Have others ever commended you for a particular skill or ability?

• What challenges or tasks do you tackle with ease, while others might struggle?

Lastly, for Profession, check:

• Are there tasks or roles people would willingly compensate you for?

• What skills or services can you offer that are in demand?

• How do your passions align with potential career paths or income sources?

As you answer these questions, remember there's no rush. The journey to discover one's Ikigai is deeply personal, and it may take time. It's okay if the answers aren't immediately clear or if they evolve over time. Life is dynamic, and so are you.

Once you've reflected on these aspects, try visualizing how they combine. This visualization can be mental, or you could even sketch it out, using circles as described earlier. The overlapping sections will offer insights into your unique Ikigai.

Real-Life Examples of Ikigai

Often, abstract concepts like Ikigai become tangible when we observe them in action. By looking at real-life examples, we can see how this philosophy takes shape in diverse ways.

From artists to scientists, philanthropists to entrepreneurs, many have found that sweet spot where their passions, talents, societal contributions, and professional pursuits merge. This gives them a clear reason for living.

Ikigai Principles

Of course, everyone should find their Ikigai. But it’s not always that easy, and you are unlikely to be able to do it in one evening. To find your Ikigai, you have to go to this goal for a long time and methodically, observing 5 basic principles, each of which deserves detailed consideration.

• Principle # 1: Start Small

  It seems that the meaning of this principle is obvious, but this is not entirely true. In European culture, this phrase usually implies that you need to move towards the goal in small steps. But in the Ikigai context, this principle should be interpreted much more extensively. Its essence lies in the fact that our life is multifaceted and consists of a large number of various small matters and events.

  
  

  The Japanese have such a concept as “kodawari” – the value and significance of a small deed or action. Washing dishes, walking or jogging, calling your parents – all these things have a certain value. And the principle “Start small” implies that we evaluate the kodawari of every action we take, even if it is something every day and routine.

  
  

• Principle # 2: Freedom and Serenity

To find your Ikigai, you need to free yourself from everything that deprives us of inner harmony. There are a lot of such factors. These are stereotypes imposed by society, compromises with which we have to live, all kinds of experiences and complexes, dissatisfaction with personal life, career or social status. All this deprives us of inner freedom, fettering our thoughts and emotions.

To understand this principle, you need to look at the child and try to understand how he perceives life and the world around him. He is not yet constrained by stereotypes, is not ready to compromise, does not suffer from meaningless experiences. Even if right now he feels bad because he hurt his knee or cut his finger, he still remains a carefree and free child.

• Principle # 3: Harmony and Sustainability

Each person has his own idea of ​​the ideal life for him, but at the same time everyone will agree that harmony is necessary in it. It is possible to be truly happy and satisfied only when harmony is present in all spheres of life. If it is not there, you need to figure out what is causing the interference. And if this is a job, then your Ikigai is most likely located somewhere in a different area.

• Principle # 4: Daily Joys

Many people, in pursuit of success and personal effectiveness, often give up various pleasant little things that fill our lives. The Ikigai philosophy implies attention to these little things. Look for joy in everything you encounter during the day.

Try, for example, while walking, not to be lost in thought, but to admire nature or even cityscapes. Rejoice at a flying bird, a beautiful flower, or a witty joke on a billboard. In fact, little joys can be found in most everyday activities. And this will allow you to fill your life with pleasant emotions, with a minimum of effort.

• Principle # 5: Living in the Here and Now

This principle highlights another difference between European and Asian cultures. A typical representative of European culture tends to think a lot about the past and the present. He constantly reflects, and sometimes even torments himself with meaningless rumination, regretting the missed opportunities and coming up with many more favorable options for the development of events.

In addition, many of us have a stereotyped belief that happiness will come sometime later, and now we need to endure “hardships and hardships.” Ikigai teaches that the only time in which all our thoughts and emotions should be devoted is the present. This does not obviate the need to work for the future well-being. But you need to live for today.

It is not so difficult to understand what Ikigai is, but, alas, not everyone succeeds in finding it. The reason is that it is a very individual concept. The key elements and principles of Ikigai are the same for everyone, and yet everyone follows their own unique path to it, and you cannot simply copy someone’s success here. It can take years to find your ikigai. But do not be discouraged if your search has not yet been crowned with success. Statistics say that many successful people find their life’s work at a fairly late age.

Ten Rules of Ikigai

These ten rules can be interpreted as lifestyle habits that have enabled the senior residents of Ogami in Okinawa to live long and enjoy their Ikigai.

Your lifestyle will be very different to the centenarians of Ogami. You probably work, live in a city, have many responsibilities, financial stress, relationship problems and many things on your mind and so on. It may be hard for you to adopt all 10 rules, but some are very easy to implement.

Keep in mind these aren’t rules that you must follow in order to achieve Ikigai, but suggestions or habits you could adopt to improve your health and well-being so you can discover and live your Ikigai.

A question you can ask yourself is,” What rules can I easily implement that will help me with my day-to-day life?”

1. Stay Active; Don’t Retire

“Those who give up the things they love doing and do well lose their purpose in life. That’s why it’s so important to keep doing things of value, making progress, bringing beauty or utility to others, helping out, and shaping the world around you, even after your “official” professional activity has ended.”

2. Take it Slow

“Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to the quality of life. As the old saying goes, “Walk slowly and you’ll go far.” When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.”

If you are in a hurry, it incites that you are not in control and under stress. By taking things slow it means you are more mindful of your decisions, in control and more often than not doing the things you want to do.

3. Don’t fill your Stomach

“Less is more when it comes to eating for long life, too. According to the 80 percent rule, in order to stay healthier longer, we should eat a little less than our hunger demands instead of stuffing ourselves.”

腹八分目に医者いらず – Hara hachi bun me ni isha irazu.

This Japanese proverb translates to ‘Eating to only 80% full keeps the doctors away’.

Hara hachi bun me is a 2500-year old Japanese Confucian that means ‘stomach eight parts full’. You mostly hear Japanese just say ‘hara hachi bu” towards the end or on completion of eating a meal to indicate they feel almost full.

Think of hara hachi bun me as mantra that represents a form of wisdom-based calorie restriction that the Japanese have practiced for hundreds of years. You could say ‘Hara hachi bun me’ before or towards the end of your meal to remind you not to overeat.

4. Surround Yourself with Good Friends / Family (Positive People)

   “Friends are the best medicine, there for confiding worries over a good chat, sharing stories that brighten your day, getting advice, having fun, dreaming . . . in other words, living.”

   
   

若い人たちはよく、「生き甲斐がない」といます。しかしそれは当たり前です。孤立した人には生き甲斐がない。生き甲斐とは人間関係です。– 石川達三

Young people often say, “My life has no Ikigai”. This is obvious. People who isolate themselves can’t have Ikigai – meaning or purpose. Ikigai is only found in interpersonal relationships - Ishikawa Tatsuzō

The above quote highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships. Without relationships and friendships, we can’t experience connection, intimacy or love, nor can we share our joys, hopes, struggles, and fears.

When we consider that we now spend more of our time alone looking at screens than we do spending time with our friends, this rule acts as a reminder of the importance of friendship and all its benefits. Instead of looking through a social media feed, call an old friend and make a date to catch up.

5. Maintaining Health (Exercise)

“Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesn’t stagnate. The body you move through in life needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy.”

6. Smile

   "A cheerful attitude is not only relaxing – it also helps make friends. It’s good to recognize the things that aren’t so great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities.”

7. Reconnect with Nature

   Though most people live in cities these days, human beings are made to be part of the natural world. We should return to it often to recharge our batteries.

   
   

“Are you familiar with the Japanese word shinrin-yoku. It translates to ‘forest bathing’ and means connecting with nature using the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. It is a mindfulness practice to help you reconnect with nature so that you can rejuvenate the body and give the mind a moment of peace.”

8. Give Thanks - Show Gratitude

“To your ancestors, to nature, which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment every day giving thanks, and you’ll watch your stockpile of happiness grow.”

9. Live in the Moment

“Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering.”

From the moment we wake up to the time we fall asleep we are constantly running an internal dialogue with ourselves. Our mind jumps from one worry to another, and we forgot to be aware, present, mindful and alive in each moment.

Eckhart Tolle summed it up best in his book, The Power of Now, when he wrote:

“The present moment is all you ever have. There is never a time when your life is not ‘this moment.’ Is this not a fact?” – Eckhart Tolle

10. Follow Your Ikigai

“There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. If you don’t know what your Ikigai is yet, as Viktor Frankl says, your mission is to discover it.”

Your ikigai doesn’t have to be one unique talent that drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. This contradicts the Japanese perspective of ikigai. Japanese author, Ken Mogi describes ikigai as a spectrum, and that you can have several Ikigai, anything from enjoying your morning coffee to working towards a life-defining goal.

As Ken Mogi wrote in his book, The Little Book of Ikigai:

‘Ikigai does not come from a single value system. It is not written in the orders of God. It comes from the rich spectrum of a spectrum of small things, none of which serves a grandiose purpose in life.’

I think we could change the last rule to ‘Develop a Sense of Purpose’.

Purpose is a central element to ikigai and something we can develop and feel when we do things with care and work towards contributing to those around us. We don't have to be the best version of our self, just our honest authentic self in all of life's moments.

Other Concepts That Support Ikigai

• Shikita Ga Nai

  Let go of what you cannot change… recognize that there are some things are just out of our control, and that’s okay. Let go and focus on what you can change.

  
  

• Wabi-Sabi

  Find peace in imperfection… recognize that nothing in life is perfect, including yourself and others. Instead of striving for flawlessness, find joy in the imperfections that make life unique.

  
  

• Gaman

  Preserve your dignity during tough times… show emotional maturity and self-control even when faced with challenges. Remember to be patient, resilient and understanding.

  
  

• Oubaitori

• Don’t compare yourself to others… everyone has a different timeline and unique path. It’s important to focus on your own progression, rather than trying to measure yourself against others.

  
  

• Kaizen

  Always seek to improve in all areas of your life… Even small changes can add up and make a big impact over time.

  
  

• Shu - Ha - Ri

  “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher will disappear”. – Tao Te Ching

• It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are three stages to acquiring knowledge:

  • Shu – Learn the basics by following the teaching of one master. Imitating the work of great masters also falls in this stage.

  • Ha – Start experimenting, learn from master's and integrate the learning into the practice.

  • Ri – This stage focuses on innovation and the ability to apply your learning to a variety of situations.