Book Summary: Ikigai

English speakers might call it ‘mojo’, the French: ‘raison d’être’.The Japanese call it Ikigai. Whatever you call it, we’re all looking for it — a purpose for life. Today, we’re breaking down key insights from ‘Ikigai - The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’.

What pulls you out of bed in the morning? Is it just a biological sensation, or a drive? A pull to go out and do something? If you think it’s the latter, then you’re closer to finding your Ikigai. Your Ikigai is at the intersection of what you give to the world and what you receive. It’s a voice which says, “You know what, I’m not going to let the world direct me, I’ll discover what I want to do with it”. It’s about using the brush of your soul on the canvas of the world.

The authors of the book study the threads of longevity and mindfulness that have been weaved into Japanese culture and break them down. The one common trait that emerges among all centenarians is — you guessed it — Ikigai. Your reason for being.

One feature of Ikigai is the lack of the concept of ‘retirement’. That’s because your purpose isn’t a ‘job’ or a ‘profession’. It is the fuel that keeps your engine running. A brilliant example of this is the legendary Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli’s beloved maestro — Miyazaki lives to draw. So much so, that even after officially retiring as a national icon in Japan, he turned up to the office and just started putting pen to paper.

Drawing and storytelling are his Ikigai.

How to find Ikigai?

Ikigai might manifest differently and at different times in everyone. The authors draw similarities between logotherapy and finding your purpose. If you’re also searching for your Ikigai, here are some steps that can help:

Don’t ‘create’ the meaning of your life — discover it! Put yourself in different situations and let yourself gravitate towards something. Take care not to get too attached too easily however, that may derail you

Try to be as light-hearted as possible. See the humour in every situation to break out of negative cycles. Always remember that you have a choice. Be aware of your emotions and choose what you want to be in life. What all centenarians will tell you is that you cannot have a healthy body without a healthy mind. The mind is a part of the body too — a very important one at that. It can age you without showing.

Practice mindfulness like your life depends on it (because it does).

Here’s a helpful exercise: every day after waking up, give your mind a little ‘workout’. Play board games or make lists. Do something that challenges you and provides mental stimulation.

Stress can kill

Stress is something that helped our ancestors survive the wild — but it is gradually killing us. It causes degenerative effects over time and is known to cause insomnia, anxiety, and even depression.
Escaping stress is no easy feat, but this exercise can help. Think about this: What’s the worst that could happen? Keep imagining the tail-end of that question and you’ll realise that the scenario is probably not proportional to the energy you’re expending on it!

Enter the ‘flow’

The flow is where there is no past and no future — just the present. It’s when you’re so ‘into’ your creativity that you forget to care about the consequences. Believe it or not, people have been studying this since time immemorial!

The Takumi Flow

Toyota motors are world leaders in terms of quality. Their secret? The artisans who painstakingly handcraft every fitting. In a visit to their facilities, the authors noticed how the work seemed like a dance. No movement was wasted. These highly specialised employees invest their soul into crafting a product. Their craft is their flow and their life!

The human mind loves order and craves rituals. Even our body does, in the form of muscle memory. Practising and repeating even the most trivial of activities (like clipping your nails) can change your life for the better.

Towards a better life

We are most likely to feel empty when we stop enjoying things. How do you escape that? Have fun with everything. Even a mundane elevator ride can be an exercise in wonder for a curious mind anchored in the present moment. Try to connect with the universe in a way which is beyond yourself

Meditation is said to be the quickest vacation ever. No hassles, no big expenses. Just a willingness to take hold of your life. Meditation helps us achieve ‘flow’ that much quicker. It hones it to produce productivity almost at the press of a button.

Most centenarians from Japan will tell you two secrets which science corroborates. No rocket science here, you’ve probably heard of these — Diet and Exercise. Here are how Japanese elders practise them:

Trying a variety of foods, following a grain-based diet, cutting down sugar, and having lots of servings of fruits and vegetables is key to their longevity. Another practice is the ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ or ‘the 80% rule’.

Basically, eat only 80% of your capacity.

Simple and small movements with regulated breathing can make all the difference! Look into the different practices of Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong to support your quest in anti-ageing and longevity. By following these simple exercises to achieve better physical shape and mindfulness, you become more capable of tuning out the noise of the world. In this state, the quest for finding Ikigai becomes much easier.

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