Do you know the meaning of the word Ikigai? This Japanese word is used to represent a person’s life goal, the purpose of life, a force that motivates the reason to live. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and concept of the word Ikigai and its importance.
Ikigai is not just an art; it is a philosophy, a concept, a secret, a lifestyle. Some apply it to work, culture, and art, while others take it to a spiritual level. Since it is a rather complex subject, we will provide a summary below:
Table of Contents
The meaning of ikigai
The word iki-gai is written with the ideograms [生き甲斐] where [生き] means to live and [甲斐] means effect, value, result, or something worth it. Iki-gai is simply a word that represents a goal in life, something to continue living for.
Although it may seem like just a Japanese word, its meaning is quite strong and should not be used lightly. There are numerous theories related to Ikigai that we will address throughout the article.
There are people who try to unravel the true meaning of life, transforming ikigai into an art that leads people to discover their life purpose. Will you be able to uncover its meaning?
The Origin and History of Ikigai
It is believed that the concept of Ikigai has historical origins and meanings dating back to the Heian period (794 to 1185) or even earlier. The ideogram [甲] comes from shell or carapace, which was something very valuable in the past. The ideogram [斐] literally means beautiful, flowery, or patterned.
Some link this word with other concepts involving values such as passion and skills, in addition to the words yarigai, which means the value of doing, and hatarakigai, which means the value of working. We can see this ideal at work in various parts of Japanese culture, such as punctuality, respect, and peace.
Some claim that the longevity of the Japanese has a strong relationship with the concept of Ikigai. We can reflect on how Japanese culture and community function to understand that having a real goal in life results in the growth of Japan as a country and a pleasant society.
According to Japanese tradition, everyone has an ikigai (or purpose in life), something quite obvious and logical. The big problem is that most people cannot find this purpose or do not live according to it.
Some claim that this concept and philosophy can even provide a long, satisfying, and healthy life. A great example is the inhabitants of Okinawa, who live according to this philosophy, the place with the highest proportion of people reaching 100 years on planet Earth.
“Ikigai is your reason for living; it is what makes you wake up every day.” – Ken Mogi
The Tradition, Philosophy, and Concept of Ikigai
We know that Ikigai is a lifestyle aimed at bringing harmony, longevity, and complete satisfaction in various areas of life. Below we can see a common representation of the Ikigai concept through a mandala that involves something we love, something we are good at, something we can be paid for, and something the world needs.
In each circle, we can see a junction of 4 different themes: Passion, Profession, Vocation, and Mission. The goal is to find the answers to questions such as:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What does the world need from you?
- What can you be paid for?
By finding the answers, you should maintain a balance between these four areas. It seems complicated to understand; I personally struggled to grasp it while researching this topic, but the Japanese themselves consider Ikigai a slow and confusing process.
Ikigai in Psychology and Coaching
For some, Ikigai appears to be something meaningless, difficult to understand, or an exaggeration without purpose. In reality, Ikigai can be compared to other interesting concepts like the kaizen method and other Japanese concepts about work, life, culture, education, and spirit.
In the West, we can compare the understanding of Ikigai with psychology and coaching. For many, it seems inexplicable or illogical, a waste of money, or something ineffective. I myself have been to a psychologist and psychoanalyst several times, and even today I cannot comprehend the value and functioning of those sessions, even admitting the results.
In reality, Ikigai is strongly linked to Coaching; many apply it in their professional lives, not to mention that the skills and competencies of a coaching professional can help people achieve their goals in personal and professional life. I believe all coaches know and study this Japanese concept.
Not to mention that most of our psychological or even physical problems can be resolved and faced with the help of Ikigai. One of the things that leads a person to depression or suicide is the great emptiness or lack of purpose in life. I myself have felt this many times, trying to reflect and find a path.
Can you understand Ikigai?
There are numerous theories related to Ikigai; we cannot define a single or correct concept about the word. Different authors and researchers share various ideas about these concepts involving the purpose of life. The only thing we are sure of are the basic ideas we find in this article.
Authors share that the secret of the population of Okinawa and other Japanese areas lies in light food, adequate rest, and exercise. To some extent, they are correct, but it also requires that a person has joy in life, something that drives them to continue living each day.
It doesn’t matter if a person is a professional, famous, or rich. On the contrary, many people who think they will achieve fame and money, which can apparently fulfill dreams, end up feeling empty and without purpose, not reaching the true happiness that may be trapped and hidden within us.
Tips to Achieve Ikigai
By doing some research, I gathered some points based on some books and authors that will be at the end of the article, which explain some tips and ideas that can help us achieve a goal in life or ikigai. I will share some below:
You need to break out of the routine, from autopilot or the countless repetitive days. Stop and ask yourself if this is really what you want to do every day. And don’t be fooled into thinking there are no alternatives or exits. Try to take at least the first step towards your dreams and never give up!
We should not compare ourselves with others or desire the same happiness that “supposedly” others have. We need to focus on ourselves and we do not need to compete with others; we should run at our own pace.
Just loving to do something is not enough to determine that we will succeed and be skilled at it. We must accept our limitations and focus on our abilities instead of trying to develop impossible skills, but never stop trying!
Passion is strongly linked to profession. Some believe it is impossible to work with something we love, or think it won’t be profitable. Imagine if I had listened to the people around me and got a normal job instead of creating this site about things I love? I would probably be unemployed now…
It is not just a job; it is your life! Those who understand and strive to transform work into something beyond a way to make a profit tend to have more motivation, satisfaction, and results. Our work needs to bring satisfaction to us and to others involved. Not just work, but anything we do in life.
Ikigai is something personal that only you can understand. So dedicate yourself to exploring your mind.
Have you found your meaning and purpose in life?
While writing this article, I realized that more than 100,000 Brazilians search for Ikigai every month, probably looking for some purpose in life or trying to realize their dreams. I have no experience with Ikigai, nor did I even know of its existence, but I believe its ideals are truly important in everyone’s life.
We live in a world where most people do not follow their own path; they just follow trends and live in a herd effect. They do not have their own opinions, live stressed, with hatred, and complaining. And even satisfying selfish pleasures, they cannot find happiness, value, and purpose in life.
Throughout my life, I have thought differently from most people; even though I am easily influenced, I do not let that affect my actions and thoughts. I never stopped liking something because others hate it, nor did I start liking something because everyone else does. We should all have our own way of thinking and acting, respecting others’ ways.
It was by shutting my ears to generalized comments and ideas about how we should live that I managed to achieve my goals and still strive to reach new goals that arise. The struggle is daily, and you should not waste time with negative people or those who do not help you achieve your purpose.
The world needs positive results; our actions affect the people around us, resulting in the disaster that our country and the world in general are facing. If you apply at least some of the ideas of Ikigai, you will be able to find the true meaning in life, as well as realize your dreams and goals.
Have you ever tried to find your purpose in life? Have you tried to apply the ideas described in the article? Have you thought about researching this subject more deeply by reading various books about Ikigai? We want you to share this ideal with the world and comment on what you think about iki-gai.
Ikigai to Fill Out
What do you think about filling out an Ikigai chart yourself? As we have seen earlier, it is easy; just follow the chart below, which is in high-quality PNG for you to download, color, and fill out as you wish.
Remember to use all the ideas expressed in this article to correctly fill out your Ikigai. If you have any doubts or difficulties in discovering your purpose, we invite you to explore the concept of Ikigai more deeply with books and courses.
Mobile App – Ikigai App
Why fill out an Ikigai chart if you can download an app for that? Yes, there are several Ikigai apps for Android and iOS; just search for Ikigai in the Play Store or App Store. See what some of these apps can do.
It is not just about some apps where you fill out an option in each circle; you can add various alternatives, organize schedules, calendars, and tasks. Some apps can even tell you what your Ikigai is.
Some even manage your money, routine, and activities. You might also want to consider apps to organize your lifestyle; organization is the first step to finding your Ikigai.
Ikigai Mindset Program by Marcelo Pimenta
This program is transformative for those seeking balance between work and personal life. The goal is to find your purpose through Ikigai; you will have the support you need to make the changes you need in your life.
Such changes aim to make you happier, healthier, have a prosperous life with the amount of money you want, and have a long and fulfilling life. This course brings together over 25 years of knowledge from Professor Marcelo Pimenta.
Marcelo Pimenta has created training for ESPM, Sebrae, Caixa University, and even UNESCO. His goal is to provide direct monthly support live and in groups. If you are interested in learning more about this program, just click the button below:
Reason to Live by Luis Fernando Tepasse
You know those days that seem to last a week? You get home exhausted, unable to react, immersed in sadness, anguish, and fear. You live on autopilot, not knowing where your energy to achieve your dreams and goals has gone.
It is necessary to act, but how? I will help you find the tools to turn things around. In the RAZÃO DE VIVER combo, you will have access to all the courses in the series and amazing bonuses created by Fernando Tepasse.
The goal of Luis Fernando Tepasse is to help you look within yourself and reinvent yourself, acquiring emotional immunity, raising your self-esteem, understanding the secrets that surround relationships, and uncovering your Ikigai life purpose.
Ikigai: The Five Steps to Find Your Life Purpose and Be Happier – Ken Mogi
One of the most popular books about Ikigai written by Ken Mogi. The author is a Japanese neuroscientist, born in 1962, graduated from the University of Tokyo, a speaker, and one of the best-selling authors in Tokyo.
Mogi has published several books on different subjects, from art to philosophy and history. His book Ikigai shows five steps to achieve your life purpose and be happier.
According to the author, Ikigai can make you live longer, have better health, be less stressed, and most importantly, help you have a goal and reason to live. In addition to Ken Mogi’s book, we will recommend other books with the same concept.
Japanese Books on Ikigai
Besides the classic Ikigai book by Ken Mori, we have another Brazilian version written by Héctor García. Another popular book is The Power of Purpose – How to Live with More Meaning and Enhance Results through the Ikigai Method written by Kiko Kislansky and Eduardo Almeida, which can be downloaded for free through Kindle Unlimited.
Okinawa and Ikigai
The inhabitants of Okinawa, Japan, are the longest-lived in the world, averaging 87 years of age. It is also the place with the highest number of people over 110 years old. Is Ikigai behind this?
The Japanese in Okinawa have their own habits, such as Hara Hachibu, the custom of leaving the table without being fully satisfied, with 80% of the stomach full. It is believed that this practice has good results for the health of the Japanese.
They also tend to eat many vegetables, both in quantity and variety. They drink a lot of sanpincha tea, which mixes green tea and jasmine, a lot of shikuwasa tangerine juice, and eat bitter foods like goya.
They also engage in a lot of physical activity, not too intense, just leading an active life. They participate in clubs called moais, practice meditation, and keep their minds quite resilient and carefree.
They can only achieve such results because of Ikigai, which requires dedication and effort from each Japanese to keep life always occupied with some activity and purpose. It is not just about adopting a diet or physical training, but rather a lifestyle.
By studying Ikigai, you will see that dietary habits, known exercises, and other activities are closely related to Ikigai. Without these practices, you simply will not be able to achieve the satisfactory life purpose you are looking for.
Quick Questions and Answers about Ikigai
In addition to the entire article I wrote, am I capable of briefly answering some common questions about Ikigai? Let’s now look at the main questions and answers asked about this life purpose of the Japanese.
How to find your Ikigai? What is my ikigai?
How to find your Ikigai? To find your Ikigai, you need to look within yourself and reflect on what you love, what values you carry with you, and what activity you do with such pleasure that you don’t even notice the time passing.
Ikigai is a Japanese word that means “reason for being.” In other words, Ikigai is what makes you get out of bed every day. To find your ikigai, you should start with something simple, until you reach the big goals.
How to elaborate your ikigai?
To succeed in creating Ikigai, you need to follow some points that will help you find your life purpose. To elaborate your reason for living, try not only to answer the questions below but also to do what is asked:
- Why do you want to find your purpose?
- Have you made a list of what you like to do?
- Have you asked yourself what you are good at?
- What is most important to you?
- Are you making use of all your gifts?
- Have you stepped out of your Comfort Zone?
Udemy Courses on Life Purpose
To conclude the article, let’s leave some Udemy courses that talk a bit about life purpose or Ikigai:
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