Ikigai: What is this concept and what can it teach us?

Contents:

• What is ikigai
• Ikigai principles
• How to find your ikigai

What is ikigai

Ikigai (Japanese: 生き甲斐) is a philosophy aimed at finding the meaning of life and one's purpose. This concept invites people to focus on the simple joys and elements that make life more fulfilling and meaningful. The core idea of ​​ikigai is that everyone has the ability to find their unique place in the world and the meaning of their existence, even when faced with difficulties and challenges. Understanding one's ikigai helps people achieve harmony, satisfaction, and happiness in life.

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The meaning of life is a question that concerns many people. Many people wonder what the meaning of life is and whether it is worth searching for. Some believe that the meaning of life lies in achieving personal goals, while others are interested in spiritual development or helping others. Finding the meaning of life can be an important step in personal growth and self-discovery.

For many people, understanding the meaning of life is connected to their values, beliefs, and experiences. It is important to understand that each person may have their own unique approach to this issue. Some seek meaning in relationships with loved ones, others in a career or hobbies.

Finding the meaning of life can help you find inner peace, increase life satisfaction, and develop a positive outlook on the world around you. You don't necessarily have to look for one specific answer; it is important to ask questions, explore, and discover new things.

Thus, the meaning of life is not only the final goal, but also a process that accompanies us throughout our lives. By discovering different aspects, we can create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

The Principles of Ikigai

Héctor García (Kirai) and Francesc Miralles conducted research among the inhabitants of Okinawa and compiled a list of key factors contributing to longevity and a high quality of life on this island.

• Stay active. A person who gives up what he loves can lose the meaning of life. Therefore, the Okinawans believe that even after retirement, it is important to continue doing what brings you joy and improving your skills.
• Take everything calmly. Haste and stress reduce the quality of life. If you give up the constant rush, you can see life from a new, bright side.
• Don't overeat. Overeating leads to the development of various diseases. Therefore, moderation and a balanced diet are important.
• Surround yourself with friends. Communication with friends and other social connections provide a sense of security and community, which has a positive effect on health. Research also confirms this.
• Improve your physical fitness. The body needs daily physical exercise to maintain health and vitality for a long time. In addition, exercise produces endorphins, the so-called happiness hormones. These substances have a calming and analgesic effect, thereby reducing stress and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Smile. It is not only beautiful, but also good for your health. Smiling also triggers the production of endorphins.
• Spend time in nature. Admiring nature brings not only aesthetic pleasure – it is an excellent exercise for slowing down and distancing yourself from the fast pace of life. This practice helps reboot a stressed brain.
• Be grateful. The practice of gratitude is one of the most popular practices in psychotherapy. It helps reduce anxiety and improve sleep. By writing down gratitude, a person learns to understand their emotions and hear feelings, which leads to the development of mindfulness.
• Live in the present. Do not regret the past and do not be afraid of the future, concentrate on today. The ability to be in the moment shifts the focus of attention to yourself, your sensations and feelings, taking you out of the "autopilot" mode inherent in modern man.
• Follow your ikigai. Following your ikigai makes a person happier. The found meaning will give strength and motivation to move in the chosen direction.

How to find your ikigai

Ken Mogi, author of the book "Ikigai. "The Meaning of Life in Japanese" offers a unique approach to finding one's purpose and meaning in life. In his work, he explores the concept of ikigai, which unites four key aspects: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Mogi emphasizes the importance of finding harmony between these elements to achieve personal happiness and fulfillment. His recommendations will help readers better understand themselves and their aspirations, and set them on the path to a more meaningful life.

• Start small. This principle corresponds to the "baby steps" technique. It involves breaking a large task into a series of smaller tasks. In an interview, Ken Mogi explains: "I suspect that some people set their goals too high from the start. It's all or nothing, and if they can't really win big, they don't feel it's worth trying, but I'm someone who really thinks that you can just do little things, even if you don't achieve anything. Social validation or the usefulness of what you do is a bonus, not the main reward. The main reward is what you define for yourself..."
• Free yourself. To find ikigai, it is important to free yourself from societal stereotypes and attitudes. Finding meaning comes when a person accepts himself.
• Harmony and sustainability. Understanding your ikigai comes through admiring and caring for nature. Resilience is demonstrated by a willingness to accept changes in life and a willingness to listen to the interests and needs of others.
• Enjoy the little things. Pleasant little things, like a cup of coffee or an interesting book, can make a person happier. Ken Mogi encourages paying more attention to what brings joy and is accessible every day.
• Be here and now. Ikigai appears when a person manages to capture a state of flow, when the process itself is of greater value than the result.

British entrepreneur Mark Wynn proposed another method for finding ikigai, based on his life experience. He concluded that ikigai can be found at the intersection of four key components. These elements help people determine their purpose and achieve harmony in life. Understanding ikigai can significantly improve the quality of life, as well as inspire new achievements and self-realization.

• What you love: Understanding your hobbies and passions, what brings you joy and inspiration.
• What you're good at: Abilities, skills, and talents that you can successfully use.
• What you get paid for: Income-generating activities.
• What you can do for the world: Contributing to society, activities that make the world a better place, benefiting others.

To create your diagram, it is useful to use the following practices:

• Remember your childhood. Sometimes the answer can be found in the distant past if you recall what you wanted to be when you grew up, what activities brought you joy and you were ready to do them all day long.
• Ask others. Feedback from loved ones can be useful. They can suggest what striking features and talents distinguish you from others. Colleagues can tell you what skills and qualities they value you for, what they are willing to pay you for.
• Experiment. Different experiences also help find answers. For example, by trying a new hobby you'd never considered before, you might unexpectedly discover it to be your ikigai.

Mark Wynn's idea of ​​ikigai has received widespread recognition, but this is merely his interpretation. There are many other perspectives on what ikigai is. For example, Nicholas Kemp, founder of the Ikigai Tribe community, argues that ikigai can manifest itself in simple things, such as rituals or hobbies, that give life deep meaning. These different approaches highlight the diversity of understandings of ikigai and its significance in human life.