The Little Book of Ikigai - Ken Mogi
Live a Happy and Long Life the Japanese Way
The Five Pillars or Ikigai:
Starting small
Releasing yourself
Harmony and sustainability
The joy of little things
Being in the here and now
1. What is Ikigai?
[bq] "Ikigai is a Japanese word for describing the pleasures and meaning of life. The word literally consists of 'iki' (to live) and 'gai' (reason)."
You don't have to be successful in any common use of the word to have ikigai.
Ikigai is found in the small things.
By forgetting about ikigai and instead measuring ourselves by material successes and promotions, we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure.
[bq] "Ikigai gives your life a purpose, while giving you the grit to carry on."
Ikigai has been found to be linked to longevity and better health outcomes.
Your ikigai is very personal and unique.
[NFW: Just like a rest ethic is very personal and unique.]
Good questions to start with:
What are your most sentimental values?
What are the small things give you pleasure?
2. Your reason to get up in the morning
Describes Japan's appreciation of the early morning and the morning sun.
Encourages readers to use small things to look forward to in the morning to start your day with ikigai.
3. Kodawari and the benefits of thinking small
[bq] "Kodawari [literally 'commitment' or 'insistence'] is a personal standard, to which the individual adheres in a steadfast manner."
Gives the example of a proud ramen chef who expects not only perfection from himself and his team, but also an appreciation for the dish from his customers.
Japan seems to be unique in how many people have this kodawari spirit. And it shows in the quality of Japan's products and services.
Outlines the pursuit of Japanese pottery artists to recreate a long lost type of tea bowl (yohen tenmoku, a.k.a. starry bowl) and dedicate their entire life to this dream.
4. The sensory beauty of ikigai
Japanese craftsmanship is very special, and the attention to detail and pursuit of perfection requires a keen sensory awareness.
Sensory pleasure is a great tool to being in the here and now.
5. Flow and creativity
[bq] "If you can achieve the psychological state of flow [...] you will get the most out of ikigai."
[bq] "Being in the flow is almost all about treasuring being in the here and now."
Uniquely, many Japanese actually see work as something positive and derive a lot of their flow from it.
The effort itself, rather than the outcomes or rewards it produces, should be our primary source of joy and happiness.
6. Ikigai and sustainability
[bq] "It is the Japanese spirit to prusue something in a subdued but sustained manner, rather than, in flamboyant fashion, seek short-lived satisfaction of momentary needs."
Ikigai needs to be sustainable. It is literally something we pursue from the beginning to the end of our life.
[bq] "Imagine you're in a tranquil forest. And take a deep breath. And then consider what it would take to sustain that forest."
7. Finding your purpose in life
Describes the strict and well regulated world of sumo wrestlers and the strong ikigai many of them experience.
[bq] "Having ikigai contributes to making the very best of circumstances, which might otherwise be difficult."
8. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Themes of ikigai are also very common in manga. Shonen Jump's three core values are friendship, struggle and victory, so Japanese kids grow up with these idea from a very young age.
9. Ikigai and happiness
[bq] "Datsusara is a phenomenon in which a salaried worker, usually employed in office work, decides to leave the safe but unexciting life as company employee to pursue their passions."
[bq] "Because employees in modern Japanese companies are often not fulfilled by the work they do, Japan is a country of hobbyists, engaged in pursuits unrelated to their day job."
[bq] "In a nutshell, in order to be happy, you need to accept yourself."
10. Accept yourself for who you are
Many Japanese shy away from expressing their individuality too strongly externally, but make up for it with internal or private expression.