10 Books like Ikigai, about living a simple life
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Ikigai, is a Japanese term meaning having a purpose in life, or finding what makes life worthwhile. Ikigai, the book by Japanese author Hector Garcia is a wonderfully short and simple non-fiction read that will help you find a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in your life and work. Its shares some invaluable lessons the author learnt studying centenarians and their everyday habits.
The book revitalized me with some essential information and also served as a reminder to some habits that I knew I needed to follow to live a fulfilling life. That elevated interest in Japanese lifestyle put me on a search to read more Books like Ikigai.
Each of these books offers unique lessons to change an aspect of your life that will have long lasting and satisfying results.
Best Japanese Non Fiction Books Like Ikigai
1. Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno
Live life the Zen Style. Zen is based on teachings that are essentially about how humans can live in the world.
Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest of a centuries old Zen Buddhist temple in Japan shares 100 life lessons in these pages, that are very simple and achievable that will help you make subtle shifts in your habits and perspectives to live simply.
He shares ways to energize your present self, ways to inspire confidence and courage to living, ways to alleviate confusion and worry and ways to make every day the best day.
Keep this book by your side, and whenever anxiety and worries rear their head, turn to these pages.
Life-changing Books similar to Ikigai
2. Kaizen: The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits, One Small Step at a Time by Sarah Harvey
THE MAGIC OF KAIZEN - the Japanese method of taking small steps to accomplish huge goals.
If you’re looking to gear yourself up with truly useful tips and sage advice on how to introspect on your current behavior to help you understand why you abandon certain habits or lose motivation in the middle. Or to keep track of the progress you’re making and to remind yourself to practice self-compassion, pick this book.
Or even if you’re looking to get to know the Eastern philosophy and the Japanese culture better, this book was meant for that. The author shares her first hand experiences of how she switched sides and has hence become a promoter of these Japanese methods.
Change your life by taking small steps because life deserves to be constantly improved, the first step – get this book.
Books similar to Ikigai
3. The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way
Ichigo Ichie in Japanese literally means – once-in-a-lifetime.
In the book the authors, who also wrote Ikigai, share a unique and transformative experience exploring how to make each and every moment the best one of our lives.
Because every moment in life happens only once and if we let it pass without acknowledging it we fear losing it forever. Another Zen Buddhist offering from the Japanese masters who initiated this paraccrs during tea ceremonies.
Learn to apply these centuries-old concepts to modern times and learn a new kind of mindfulness.
Each one of us holds a key that opens a door to attention, harmony, and a love of life. And that key is ichigo ichie.
Books Like Ikigai
4. Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton
Wabi-Sabi is another Japanese concept that is related to aesthetics and teaches us to see beauty in ugliness or imperfection. It teaches us to appreciate simple things in life and accept the changing nature of all things around us.
When we live in tandem with nature, respecting it and flowing rhythmically to it is when we live the best of our lives.
Our current lives come burdened with the fast pace and a deep stress associated with keeping up the pace. We are overworked, and overwhelmed and in spite of the hard work we put in we are as discontent as we could ever be. So how is it that the Japanese live with grace and calm amidst all this chaos? Find these principles enlisted in this book after thorough research and study.
More Books to read like Ikigai
5. The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking
‘Hygge’ – it’s not important how you pronounce it begins the author. Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things he emphasizes. The word ‘hygge’ originates from a Norwegian word meaning ‘well-being’.
Danish people are believed to be the happiest people in the world. So what can be best other than learning to be happy from a Dan?
Get answers to question like – how do you create Hygge? How are Hygge and happiness linked? And what is this Hygge exactly? From Meik Wiking through this book. Learn the A to Z of Hygge and instill its beauty in your home and life and see miracles happening.
Best books like Ikigai
7. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
The world moves at a fast pace, but that doesn't mean we must too.
This well-timed guidebook to mindfulness is written by Haemin Sunim, a Buddhist monk who was born in Korea but educated in the United States. In it he offers advice on everything from handling failures/stumbling blocks to dealing with relaxation and relationships, through this meaningful book coalescing his teachings with peaceful and soothing full-color illustrations.
Haemin Sunim's humble messages, that started writing when he replied to requests for advice on social media, speak openly about the anxieties that have become part of modern life. They remind us of the power and pleasure that come from slowing down.
Massively popular in Korea, Haemin Sunim is a Zen meditation teacher whose wisdom goes beyond religions and borders and rings true with people of all ages.
8. Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness by Vex King
A wonderfully written book full of motivating quotes and proven wisdom on using positivity to create a life you love.
Find answers to questions like - How can you learn to truthfully love yourself? How can you change negative emotions into positive ones? Is it even possible to find ever-lasting happiness?
In this book, Instagram guru Vex King answers all of these questions and more. Vex conquered adversity from his growing-up years, to emerge a source of hope and inspiration for the youth, and now pulls from his personal experience and his intuitive wisdom to inspire you to be better and happier.
With this book, Vex will demonstrate to you that when you change how you think, feel, speak and act, you bring change into the world.
Similar books to Ikigai
9. The Key to Happiness: How to Find Purpose by Unlocking the Secrets of the World's Happiest People Meik Wiking
Meik Wiking appreciates happiness better than anyone. In his role as Founder and CEO of the world's only Happiness Research Institute, he has journeyed the earth interviewing the world's happiest people to establish the key elements of happiness.
In The Key to Happiness, Meik explains the secret treasures which can improve your happiness, and categorizes them into the six building blocks of happiness; togetherness, money, health, kindness, trust and freedom. For each happiness block he suggests doable tips: for togetherness he encourages setting up a mini-library in your apartment building or starting a tool-sharing program in your street; for kindness he suggests leaving a surprise gift on a stranger's doorstep, helping a tourist find their way or telling someone who means a lot to you that they do.
This book is the perfect guide on how to survive and traverse the modern world with a smile on your face.
10. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
The book 'How to stop worrying & start living' offers many ways to overcome worry and live a content and beautiful life.
The book explores fundamental facts that we must know about worry and the secret formula for getting out of worry-some encounters.
The book offers fundamental techniques to analyzing worry, step by step, in order to cope with them.
A very intriguing feature of the book is the 'How to eliminate 50% of your business worries' section.
The book presents 7 ways to develop a mental attitude that will draw peace and happiness for you. Also it offers, the golden rule for conquering worry, and for keeping your energy & spirits high.
The book writes about some True Stories that will help the readers in overcoming worry to guide you to success in life.
A must read book for everyone.
Happy Reading!
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