Ikigai

The idea of Ikigai first appeared to me a couple of years ago when Matt Gray mentioned it.

After some in-depth research, it was like WOW!!

However, life or should I say sickness got hold of me, and I let Ikigai go, just concentrating on getting well.

It wasn’t until I was lying in the hospital with lots of time on my hands, I started reflecting on my life, trying to understand what some of the missing links were.

I have a great partner, three beautiful children, relevantly financially secure, a fulfilling spiritual path, and, of course, two cats who love me. 

Still, something was missing. 

After picking up the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, I rediscovered Ikigai, a reconnection.

Realizing Ikigai was the missing link to my purpose filled life. 

So I recontinued the Ikigai journey, I studied and became a certified Ikigai Coach.

Modern Ikigai: Purpose Filled Life

The connection I needed was to bring the community into my journey; it just made so much sense.

So Ikigai became my Ikigai.

The Real Meaning of Ikigai?

The Ikigai concept is rooted in Japanese culture, and the meaning comes from the combination of two words “Iki” and “Gai”

Iiki, meaning “life”,  “alive” of “living”

Gai, meaning “the value of”, “benefit” “value” or “worth”.

Some refer to it as Life’s Purpose or Reason for Being.

It’s a process similar to the works of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, however, Ikigai goes one step further, making it truly unique.

History of the Ikigai Concept

The Ikigai concept evolved in the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan and over the centuries the Ikigai concept has incorporated the influence of Buddhism, Shinto and Japanese culture. 

The transition from ancient Ikigai to Modern Ikigai was aided by the works of Mieko Kamiya and  Hector Garcia and Francese Miralles.

In 1966 Japanese psychiatrist Mieko Kamiya released the first known in-depth look af the Ikigai concept   titled On the Meaning of Life (ikigai ni tsuite in Japanese)

Sometime later Hector Garcia and Francese Miralles wrote Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, which has become the handbook of the Ikigai concept.

Hector Garcia and Francese Miralles leaned in on a diagram based on Marc Winn’s Venn diagram of Ikigai. These Venn diagrams really help to visualize what the Ikigai concept is and have been used extensively in Ikigai’s articles. 

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Basically, the Marc Winn’s diagram has moved the Ikigai concept into “Modern Ikigai” leaving some of the Ikigai purists divided on its real value to the Ikigai concept.

Personally, the Ikigai concept is a very deep subject worthy of drilling down into to obtain a thorough understanding of Ikigai. 

Ikiigai: Purpose Filled Life allows us to take a look at the Modern Ikigai.  

Okinawa

Okinawa is a Japanese island that is part of the Ryukyu Islands, some 1995 km south of Japan. 

Okinawa is known for having the highest number of people living past 100 years old; it is one of the 5 Blue Zones. The other four are;

• Sardinia, Italy
• Loma Linda, California 
• The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Ikaria, Greece

The 5 Blue Zones make up a group of cities that have healthy and long-living lives. 

Ten Rules of Ikigai

Stay active; don’t retire. 

Finally, your ikigai. Knowing your passion and aligning it with your values and beliefs will remove the friction in your life and can lead to more happiness and a peaceful mind.

Did you know in Japanese there isn’t a word that translates into retirement? Maybe because most don’t.

Many of the Blue Zone population work into their 80s and 90s or don’t retire at all

Take it slow.

The modern world makes it feel normal to be rushing and to be in a hurry. We know this can cause us stress and anxiety.

We are encouraged to slow down and take our time and see the meaning in things we are doing, even if it is hard work or something difficult.  

Don’t fill your stomach.

In Japan there is a saying often used before and after eating your meal that is “Hara Hachi Bu.” This thoroughly translates to “fill your belly to 80%”

Okinawans have used this principle in their daily lives, believing that they will stop eating when they feel their stomachs are 80 percent full. This will prevent overeating and wearing down of their bodies. 

Surround yourself with good friends. 

 Centenarians in Okinawa enjoy spending time together with family and friends at community centers in their village and often compete in friendly sports games.

Get in shape for your next birthday.

We have seen, over the past couple of decades, particularly in Western society, that we have become sedentary, and we know this contributes enormously to diseases such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

The Okinawans exercise on a daily basis, usually in the form of Taiso. Tasio is made up of gentle exercises lasting up to 5 minutes.    

Smile. 

Did you know it takes fewer facial muscles to smile than to frown?

also , smiling makes us feel happy, it is hard to feel angry or sad when you are smiling. 

Reconnect with nature.

As part of getting into shape, you could consider going for a walk even if you live in the city. 

It connects you with your surroundings, your community, and it improves your memory. 

Give thanks. 

Start a journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day. It will remind you of the best things in your life and maybe shed light on the things you need to do more of.

Live in the moment. 

The past is the past, and there is nothing you can do to change it.

We live one moment to another moment; that is all we have, so try to live it so it is worth remembering.  

Follow your Ikigai

Finally, your ikigai. Knowing your passion and aligning it with your values and beliefs will remove the friction in your life and can lead to more happiness and a peaceful mind.