Awakening Your Ikigai

Introduction

Awakening Your Ikigai introduces the Japanese concept of ikigai or “life’s purpose,” and explains how uncovering and nurturing ikigai can catalyze a life filled with purpose and meaning.

Consider this intriguing connection: What binds a Michelin-starred sushi chef in their 90s, a tennis virtuoso boasting 23 grand slam titles, and a highly acclaimed horror novelist with a staggering 350 million book sales? Jiro Ono, Serena Williams, Stephen King, and numerous other accomplished individuals share a commonality—they have ignited their ikigai. In essence, ikigai, a Japanese term denoting "life purpose," is believed by many in Japan to hold the key to a life that is not only successful but also deeply gratifying.

Now, reflect on this: What ties you to Jiro Ono, Serena Williams, and Stephen King? The answer lies in the fact that, like them, you possess ikigai. In fact, everyone does. The art lies in transforming your unique spark of ikigai into a radiant flame capable of casting light on meaning and purpose in every facet of your life.

Eager to delve deeper into the world of ikigai and explore how to seamlessly integrate it into your own life? If so, let the journey into self-discovery begin.

Chapter 1: The Radiance of Ikigai in Every Facet of Life

Picture Tokyo, 2014: Barack Obama engages in an intimate dinner with the Japanese prime minister, not amidst the grandeur of the Imperial Palace or a lavish restaurant, but at the humble Sukiyabashi Jiro, a ten-seat sushi bar. The culinary maestro behind this establishment is Jiro Ono, a sushi master approaching the age of 100. Despite the acclaim of three Michelin stars and the honor of hosting global figures like Obama, Ono's driving force is not the accolades but rather his ikigai—the essence that fuels his passion and purpose.

So, what exactly is ikigai? Rooted in the Japanese words "iki" (to live) and "gai" (reason), it encapsulates your life's purpose—the motivation that propels you out of bed each morning. Beyond that, it encompasses the joy and significance found in the tapestry of your life. Ikigai gracefully extends its influence to both mundane daily rituals and monumental life aspirations. Its true beauty lies in thriving within life's small, exquisite moments—a breath of morning air, the warmth of a cup of coffee, a sunbeam's touch, or the act of preparing a meal. Understanding the expansiveness of this spectrum becomes a vital lesson in a world where personal value often intertwines with conventional success.

In a TED talk on longevity, American writer Dan Buettner shed light on ikigai, spotlighting "blue zones" worldwide where longevity prevails. At the forefront is Okinawan Japan, where the secret to a prolonged life lies in simple pursuits aligned with ikigai. A 102-year-old karate master finds it in martial arts, a centenarian fisherman in providing for his family, and a 102-year-old woman in cherishing her great-great-great-granddaughter.

The luminosity of life that ikigai bestows also brings forth natural adoption of healthy and mindful habits. In the Blue Zone study, Okinawans showcased a lifestyle characterized by nourishing eating habits, attentive care for physical and mental well-being, and a commitment to community ties. Research, such as the Ōsaki study from Tohoku University involving over 50,000 participants, underscores the profound impact of ikigai on health. Those with a sense of ikigai were found to experience enhanced physical and mental well-being.

Ikigai, as an intrinsic motivator, transcends external validations, inviting individuals to forge a profound connection with the richness of life. It encourages the pursuit of fulfillment and meaning in the present, acknowledging that perfection is not a prerequisite, and that the journey itself is where the true essence of life unfolds.

Chapter 2: Unveiling Your Ikigai Through Small Beginnings

So, how do you stir the embers of your ikigai? It's surprisingly simple—awaken each day to something that sparks pleasure and fulfillment. No need for complexity; just find a small joy that brightens your morning. It could be standing at your window, basking in the early sun, stretching and relishing the awakening of your body after a night's rest, or indulging in the ritual of preparing and sipping your morning coffee.

This uncomplicated practice not only kickstarts your day on a rewarding note but also sets the stage for your brain to recognize and embrace more moments of pleasure as the day unfolds. Treating yourself to things you love upon waking triggers the release of dopamine, infusing your morning routine with joy and creating a positive mood that can carry you through the day.

Commencing the day mindfully opens the door to purposeful endeavors. Mornings, being the optimal time for productivity and creativity, capitalize on the brain's refreshed state after a night's sleep, ready to absorb new information. Embracing the morning aligns with the natural rhythm of the brain, enhancing its capacity for learning and productivity.

Even aspects of your morning routine that may seem dreary or unavoidable can be transformed by seeking out—or creating—small joys within them. Picture a suburban train station in Japan early in the morning, where crowds navigate their way to city centers for the inevitable commute to work. Venture into their train carriage, and you might witness something intriguing. Some commuters engage in a game of shogi, Japanese chess, turning an otherwise mundane commute into a shared moment of pleasure and connection.

The key takeaway? Everywhere you look, opportunities abound to infuse your day with small joys and kindle the flame of your ikigai.

Chapter 3: Embracing Flow Through Devotion to Kodawari

Closely intertwined with ikigai is the intricate Japanese concept of kodawari, a term challenging to encapsulate in English but often interpreted as "commitment" or "insistence." Yet, these translations barely scratch the surface of its profound meaning. Kodawari embodies a personal standard that individuals wholeheartedly uphold, driven by a pursuit of unparalleled quality or professionalism. It's an attitude that becomes deeply woven into one's life and stands as a foundational element of ikigai.

At its core, kodawari revolves around an unwavering dedication to meticulously tending to even the minutest details, reflecting an individual's pride in their craft. The emphasis lies in starting small, devoid of the need to justify efforts with grandiose schemes.

To witness the essence of kodawari in Japanese culture, one need only step into Sembikiya, a renowned Tokyo shop showcasing the products of Japanese fruit producers who have devoted their lives to crafting "perfect" fruit. Among their offerings, the muskmelon stands out—a delicacy grown to achieve a delicate gradient of sweet and sour flavors. Sembikiya's high-priced muskmelons are deemed the ultimate expression of respect when presented as gifts.

The realm of Japanese ramen noodles provides another compelling example of kodawari. Japan has elevated this Chinese import into a near-perfect culinary art, boasting countless variations based on soup flavor, noodle preparation, and ingredient selection. Discussions on ramen preferences among Japanese enthusiasts can become fervent and seemingly endless. In the comedic film "Tampopo," director Juzo Itami humorously pays tribute to the extreme dedication to perfecting ramen, vividly illustrating the depth of kodawari.

Kodawari embodies an unrelenting pursuit of excellence that refuses to settle for "good enough." Remarkably, when you approach your tasks with a kodawari mindset, external praise or criticism becomes inconsequential to your own perception. Kodawari stands impervious to external influences, cultivating an entirely internal state. Renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes this state as "flow"—a complete immersion in an activity where external rewards or recognition take a backseat. Achieving a state of flow often leads to peak creativity, innovation, and performance. In this state, intrinsic joy is found in the work itself, where the process becomes the ultimate reward.

Chapter 4: Ikigai: Beyond the Dichotomy of Triumph and Defeat

Enter the realm of film animation, and the name Hayao Miyazaki resonates worldwide. As the founder of Studio Ghibli and the creative genius behind iconic films like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, Miyazaki embodies ikigai. His meticulous attention to the smallest details in each film and his relentless pursuit of creativity persist, even after announcing retirement multiple times.

Yet, Miyazaki is not the sole bearer of ikigai at Studio Ghibli. Every animator in the studio is infused with it. Despite the demanding, sometimes repetitive nature, and comparatively modest pay of animation work in Japan, aspiring animators eagerly join renowned studios like Ghibli. Their motivation transcends financial gain; it's rooted in a profound devotion to their craft.

Choosing to follow your ikigai sets your life on a trajectory toward meaning and fulfillment. Success may follow, but it's not a prerequisite for ikigai to flourish. Take, for instance, the world of ballet. While principal dancers bask in the spotlight, there exists the corps de ballet, a group of equally dedicated performers crucial to the success of a show. Manuel Legris, former artistic director of the Vienna State Ballet, asserts that it's ikigai that propels these dancers forward. Their purpose and fulfillment transcend external factors like roles or recognition. Despite not being household names, their ikigai fuels a sense of fulfillment and energy in their work.

Ikigai isn't an exclusive club for winners or top performers; it's accessible to everyone, regardless of position or status. It emphasizes discovering fulfillment in the mundane aspects of life and being fully present in the moment. It adapts seamlessly to diverse environments, allowing individuals to derive joy and contentment beyond the rigid dichotomy of winning and losing. Ikigai, in essence, invites individuals to embrace the beauty of their journey, regardless of where they stand in the external measures of success.

Chapter 5: Chasing Ikigai: The Path of Joyful Pursuits

Enter the realm of Haruki Murakami, a literary giant whose novels have captivated millions worldwide. Renowned for his disciplined writing routine, starting at 4:00 a.m., Murakami is not just a prolific novelist but also a devoted jazz aficionado who once ran a famous jazz bar. His story embodies the idea that your ikigai might intertwine with your professional success or manifest in activities outside of work that bring you immense joy—a fusion of the personal and the professional, just like Murakami's love for jazz.

In Japan, the concept of datsusara sheds light on a phenomenon where salaried workers, typically entrenched in office jobs, choose to break free from the monotony of corporate life in pursuit of their passions. "Datsu" means "to exit," and "sara" abbreviates "salaryman," capturing the desire to liberate oneself from the conventional office-bound existence.

What's remarkable is the parallel between datsusara and the essence of ikigai, emphasizing that fulfillment and one's reason for living can be found beyond the confines of a job. Even in the demanding world of sumo wrestling, athletes engage in hobbies like karaoke or fishing, underscoring the importance of balance and preparation for life beyond their athletic careers.

Despite Japan's strong work ethic, society recognizes the significance of hobbies and passions unrelated to one's profession. Pursuing these hobbies reflects the joy derived from finding satisfaction in small things and the profound sense of accomplishment in creating something from start to finish.

Scientific research challenges conventional beliefs about the sources of happiness. Accumulating wealth or achieving societal milestones does not guarantee happiness. The “focusing illusion” leads people to mistakenly believe certain factors are essential for happiness. The key, research suggests, lies in self-acceptance. By discarding the notion that specific external conditions are prerequisites for happiness and embracing individuality, people can find contentment.

Just as the Japanese saying "junin toiro" suggests, meaning "ten people, ten colors," highlights the unique variations in personality, sensitivity, and values among individuals, pursuing your ikigai allows you to be authentic and true to yourself.

To discover purpose and happiness, follow what brings you joy. Whether it's relishing the notes of a jazz record every night or daring to open your own jazz bar, carving out space for your true passions in life can lead you to uncover your ikigai.

Summary

Recognizing and cultivating your ikigai involves embracing the small pleasures that bring meaning and pleasure to your life. Pay attention to the details, find intrinsic motivation in your work, and pursue the things that genuinely bring you joy. It's in these simple yet profound elements that you'll discover and nurture your unique ikigai, unlocking a path to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

About the author

Ken Mogi's diverse expertise, spanning psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and art, reflects a keen intellectual curiosity. His role as a scientist and senior researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories adds a unique dimension, showcasing a blend of scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary exploration. With over 50 books to his name, including "The Way of Nagomi," it's clear that Mogi is not only a prolific writer but also a scholar with a wide-ranging intellectual footprint