Ikigai: The Japanese Way Of Living A Worthy & Happy Life

Life purpose, what do you mean by this? We often fall deep into our thoughts trying to find our life purpose. So what is the key to living a full, fruitful life? There are lots of ways to find out the answer. Today we are taking the most widely popular but still underrated concept ‘IKIGAI’. 

Ikigai  is a Japanese concept that combines the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.” When combined, these terms mean that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose. The concept of Ikigai is similar to the French term “raison d’etre” or “reason for being.”

Interestingly, ikigai is certainly not tied just to financial status. The meaning behind the concept is quite deep yet simple. It’s more about what puts a smile on your face when you wake up in the morning and keeps you motivated. Finding your ikigai can be a long process that requires deep reflection into your wants and needs in all areas of your life. In short, it’s finding the answer to the question: “What should I do with my life?”

IN JAPANESE CULTURE, IKIGAI BREAKS DOWN INTO DIFFERENT AREAS:

What you love (Passion and Mission)

What you are good at (Passion and Profession)

What you can be paid for (Profession and Vocation)

What the world needs (Mission and Vocation)

The Japanese Concept of Ikigai

The concept of ikigai is said to have evolved from the basic health and wellness principles of traditional Japanese medicine. This medical tradition holds that physical well-being is affected by one’s mental and emotional health and sense of purpose in life.

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According to Japanese psychologist Michiko Kumano, ikigai is a state of well-being that arises from devotion to activities one enjoys, which also brings a sense of fulfilment. Further explaining it Michiko characterises ikigai as transitory pleasure and aligns it with eudaimonia, the ancient Greek sense of a life well lived, leading to the highest and most lasting form of happiness. Ikigai also resonates with Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy’s emphasis on pursuing activities that produce enjoyment and a sense of mastery, specifically as a way to alleviate the depressive disorder. It is important to note that ikigai does not typically refer only to one’s purpose and fulfilment in life, without regard to others or society at large.

Although it has had some historical shifts in meaning, ikigai has usually been cited as both a personal purpose and one of benefit to others. In the end, ikigai brings meaning, purpose, and fulfilment to your life, while also contributing to the good of others. Everyone has an ikigai, their particular intersection of passion, talent, and potential to benefit others. It is only a matter of finding it. The journey to ikigai might require time, deep self-reflection, and effort, but it is one we can all make.

 

The Diagram Of Ikigai

 

At the intersection of what you love and what you are good at is your passion.

At the intersection of what you love and what the world needs is your mission.

At the intersection of what the world needs and what you can get paid for is your vocation.

At the intersection of what you are good at and what you can get paid for is your profession.

A “sweet spot” within this ikigai diagram would therefore involve something you are passionate about, that you are also good at, that the world needs now, and for which someone will pay you. For example, if I am passionate about baking, and am also skilled at it, there is a need for it in my world at the time, and I have several job offers in this field, I might say I’ve found my ikigai sweet spot.

Some followers will say that one’s ikigai does not have to involve something the world needs, that you can get paid for, or that is a talent. These followers hold that ikigai is not a “lofty and formidable goal to achieve” (Ikigai Tribe, 2019). 

Instead, they believe that the traditional Japanese concept of ikigai is closer to: “…embracing the joy of little things, being in the here and now, reflecting on past happy memories, and having a frame of mind that one can build a happy and active life.” Pursuing your ikigai is meant to be a challenge and takes commitment, but should also be a boost to your well-being and encourage positive relationships.

 So where to start? Ask yourself questions, just as you would if you were changing careers. Start with the basic questions outlined in the ikigai diagram and then hone in specifically from there. Remember, ikigai isn’t achieved overnight and isn’t meant to add undue stress to your life. What it should do is remind you that there is more than just one area of life that needs to be considered to be a well-rounded individual.

A Simple Advice To Take Home

We as humans always search for our living purpose. While searching for ikigai, one’s reason for being or waking each morning joyfully, is arguably what many people are doing already, whether consciously or not. Even though the conceptions of ikigai can differ, as we have seen, there is general agreement that finding this motivating purpose in life is associated with greater fulfilment and happiness.

There are basic human drives to pursue our passions, develop our talents, help others, and make a living. Simultaneously, it is not always clear where these drives might coalesce in a path that leads to a fulfilling life. This is where reflection and self-study come in.