Ikigai means “A reason to jump out of bed every morning” or “Finding the purpose of your life”. Once you discover your Ikigai, pursuing it and nurturing it every day will bring meaning to your life. It is unique for everyone. Ikigai is much more than a passion or profession. If one has a sense of purpose in life, the concept of retirement does not matter.
Buddha CEO Foundation
Ikigai is in fact a concept originating from the Japanese island of Okinawa, home of the largest population of centenarians in the world. On average, men live until 84 and women until 90. There is also a high concentration of people who are 100 or more.
It is Ikigai that shapes their lives. Iki meaning “to live” and gai meaning “reason.” Therefore, your Ikigai is your reason to live. Each individual’s ikigai is personal to them and specific to their lives, values, and beliefs.
To discover you Ikigai, you must first find what you’re most passionate about. Then, you find the medium through which you can express that passion. The Ikigai is a way to describe the the ‘why” behind one’s life.
The cultures guide us a path, that society has created for us. We live by someone else’s standards and forget our desires. Hence, we rarely find our purpose and passions in life.
To find this reason or purpose, ask yourself these four questions:
What do I love? What am I good at? What does the world need from me? What makes me happy the most?
Ponder on this. Again, ponder on this. There is no hurry, until you get the answer. IT WILL COME.
Side by side follow the right path, which is must for any pursuit. There are some universally known good habits. These are basic requirements, for elevation of one’s growth also, mentally and as well as physically. These are:
Take it Slow
Okinawa is known for its slow-paced life. People here are passionate about everything they do; however insignificant it might seem. They have an ikigai, but they don’t always take it too seriously. They celebrate all the time, even the little joys in life.
A slower-paced life means making time to enjoy your mornings instead of rushing to work in a frenzy. It means taking time to enjoy whatever you’re doing and at the same time, to appreciate the outdoors.
Don’t Fill Your Stomach.
The mortality rate from cardiovascular disease in Okinawa is the lowest in Japan. The Okinawan diet certainly has a lot to do with this. The “Okinawa diet” includes at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, of at least seven types. Typical items include tofu, miso, bitter melon, seaweed, soy sprouts, peppers, and green tea. They rarely eat sugar and, if they do, it’s cane sugar. This cultural practice of calorie restriction and mindful eating supports Okinawans having the highest percentage of centenarians in the world.
Balancing the Life.
This is very important, in every one’s life. A constant and regular vigil and awareness, which can become your second nature, aspire for that and work consciously for that. Which will keep weighing, what is ideal and what is practical, what is excessive and what is necessity and what is positive and what is negative and what is to retain and what to discard.
Bring Meditation in your daily Routine.
This urge and practice alone can change your Life altogether. Many say, they are doing, but need to take guidance from Spiritual Guru. Its effect is electrifying, the entire attitude, the behavior, and the approach to the Life will change. You will work tirelessly, unwavering and persistently, and most important with joy.
