*As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I was intrigued about this book that was being talked about everywhere I went. So I went ahead and bought of a copy of the book and read it. I think the reason Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life has become so popular is because it reminds us of the very basics of life that we all seem to have forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life. Also the simple practicality of the book and the very doable activities given have in my opinion appealed to readers.
I kept nodding my head to every thing the authors had to say. So for those who need to revisit the book or for those who haven’t read the book yet and are curios, here’s a summary of the book.
What is the meaning of Ikigai?
The Japanese believe that everyone has an Ikigai : a purpose or reason for life, that makes it worthwhile. In Japanese it is written as 生き甲斐. In Japanese 生き means life and 甲斐 means being worthwhile.
The Ikigai Diagram
How to practice ikigai?
Our intuition and curiosity are powerful internal compasses that help us to connect with our ikigai.
The 4 keys to living a long life (longevity)
Diet
- Follow Hara Hachi Bu or the 80% rule – eat only until 80%full.
- Alternatively follow 5:2 fasting diet every week. 5 days eat what you like, 2 days eat fewer than 500 caloreis.
- Daily average calorie consumption not to exceed 1800 to 1900 calories
- Drink green tea it is an antioxidant and has en even wider range of benefits
- Stop eating sugar
- Eat the rainbow : a diet featuring red peppers, carrots, spinach, cauliflower, egpplants.
- Eat a wide variety.
Exercise
Mind
- An active mind is as important as a youthful body
- New connections in the brain revitalize it. Anti-aging strategies for the mind.
- Dealing with new situations
- Learning something new everyday
- Playing games
- Interacting with new people
- Reduce stress. Worry is like a rocking chair – it keeps you busy moving but takes you nowhere.
- Practice mindfulness through meditation.
Body
- Practice exercise in moderation.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle
- Walk to work or cycle to work.
- Stop using the elevator or escalator. Use the stairs.
- Participate in leisure or social activities
- Replace junk food with fruits so you consume more nutrients
- Sleep well – seven to nine hours every day.
- Play with kids or pets it stimulates the mind
- Introspect your daily routine. Avoid harmful habits.
- Stay active and in shape through daily gentle exercise
- The right amount of sleep and rest is vital
- Practice either Yoga or radio Taiso or Tai chi or Qi Gong. Details with pictures available in book.
Ikigai : Finding a purpose in life
- Without a reason to live a person feels empty, frustrated, anxious.
- He sites Viktor Frankl’s study from his most popular book Man’s search for meaning.
- “Flow : the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.”
- Go with the flow. Immerse in the experience. Be in the present. Experience the joy.
- How to achieve flow in 7 steps
- Knowing what to do
- Knowing how to do it
- Knowing how well you are doing it
- Knowing where to go
- Perceiving significant challenges
- Perceiving significant skills
- Being free from distractions
- Aim for high concentration
- Avoid multitasking – it reduces focus.
- Microflow: Enjoy mundane tasks, practice meditation
- The more you train on your flow the closer it will take you to your Ikigai.
Forming strong social relations
- Smile and have a good time
- Celebrate each day
- Chat each day with people you love (in person not on social media)
- Stay busy with tasks that allow you to relax
How to face life’s challenges using ikigai?
- Resilience a feature of people with a clearly defined Ikigai – the ability to persevere in spite of hardships or setbacks and an outlook to stay focused on what matters or is important.
- Wabi-sabi - The acceptance of certain things that are beyond our control – like time and the changeable imperfect nature of the world.
- Practice Antifragility – be resilient and then get better. Gain from disorder.
- Create more options – Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.
- Bet conservatively but also take small risks
- Get rid of negative and toxic things that make you fragile.
Are there rules for Ikigai?
The 10 rules of Ikigai
- Stay active; don’t retire.
- Take it slow – leave urgency behind
- Don’t fill your stomach – Hara Hachi Bu
- Surround yourself with good friends – laughter and friends are the best medicine you can get
- Get in shape for your next birthday – don’t stagnate, your body needs it maintenance.
- Smile – a cheerful outlook is relaxing and befriending.
- Reconnect with nature
- Give thanks – to your ancestors, to nature to your friends and family.
- Live in the moment – forget the past and don’t fear the future.
- Follow your ikigai – follow your passion if you’ve discovered or go on a mission to discover it.
Remember: The most important thing in life is to stay busy doing what you love amongst people who love you.
Have a long, Happy and purposeful reading life!
Further Reading :
Books Like Ikigai you may like
This post contains affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.