Ikigai: Discover your life purpose with this Japanese technique

The Japanese concept of ikigai has been adopted by many people who seek to find a purpose in life.

What does Ikigai mean?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that literally means “reason for being” or “reason for living”.

The word ikigai is nothing more than the combination of two Japanese words, iki which translated means life, and guy which means value.

According to Japanese culture, we all have an ikigai, that is, a purpose in life.

That is, an activity that we are good at, that we enjoy doing and that at the same time contributes to the community in general.

To find ikigai, constant self-knowledge and investment in personal growth are necessary, always in search of a happy life.

Therefore, ikigai is not something that happens, it is practiced and developed throughout life, and it is only achieved through introspection and honesty with oneself.

So to make your understanding of the real meaning of ikigai clearer, let's talk about 5 concepts that will help you understand this practice.

5 concepts to understand ikigai

Understanding a life purpose is not an easy task, which is why ikigai encompasses a complex Japanese philosophy, which can be summarized in part through these 5 concepts.

The art of aging forever young

It is not new that we can observe the active lifestyle of elderly oriental people.

And although a balanced diet, quality of life and a subtropical climate can contribute to this, the mental health of the centenarian generation is part of the secret to longevity.

Hence the importance of taking care of mental health, not only for the elderly, but also for the new generations who should adopt the practice of taking care of their minds and bodies.

Call to lucid action

Although it appears to be a peaceful practice, ikigai's philosophy is the struggle for growth in the midst of challenges.

That's why it's important to understand which fights you need to defend and which ones you should avoid.

This way, your energy will be focused on what is truly important and you will avoid daily wear and tear.

A way to improve the world

Ikigai is intended to be something that gives you satisfaction and happiness in an individual way.

However, this concept goes a little further, ikigai must always be related to spirituality through the collective.

Once an individual evolution is reflected in our life as a society, which means that our life is not in vain.

Ikigai self-observation exercise

Ikigai is not something acquired, it is something created and developed, the practice requires self-observation and a sense of fluidity.

Therefore, some questions can help you with this self-observation:

What do I like to do most?
What activities make my moments happier?
When do I lose track of time?

After answering these questions, identify what really makes you feel flowing in life.

Ikigai – Way of living

As we have already mentioned, ikigai is not just about searching for a meaning in life, but rather finding that meaning and aligning it with a lifestyle that is good for you.

So, now that you understand the basic concepts of defining the practice, we will help you understand what your ikigai – life purpose – is.

Discover your purpose – ikigai

The practice of ikigai is directly linked to our mental state, so it is necessary that you evaluate the following aspects:

Passion – what you love to do;
Vocation – something you are skilled at;
Profession – what you get for pay.
Mission – what the world needs;

Then, analyze yourself as follows:

What do I love to do?

At this point you need to think about what motivates you the most, what do you actually do that makes you happy and brings you pleasure? What do you love?

A good tip is: Think about what you would do if you didn't need money.

What can I do well?

At this stage, the idea is for you to understand your vocation in a more practical way.

So now you need to identify what you are good at? What do you know you can do well? What are your strengths?

It's important to have an outside perspective too, so think about the things others value about you.

If necessary, ask family and friends.

What can I get paid to do?

Now, in line with the previous answers, think realistically about where and what you could work on? What do you do that people are willing to pay for?

So try not to get stuck on just one answer, after all we have several skills.

Therefore, try to answer these questions with all of them and see which one fits you best.

What does the world need?

Although the last question is somewhat abstract, that does not diminish its importance: What is your mission on earth?

In other words, what can you achieve that will make a difference in the world? That could add something good to society?

However, do not get attached to the word “abstract” that we put at the beginning of this topic, because when you discover your ikigai you will understand that your meaning in life is not at all abstract.

Exercises to develop ikigai in your routine

Don't pick up your cell phone during the first hour of the day;
Focus on each thing you start doing;
“Fast” from electronic devices one day a week;
Manage your time, use techniques like tomato;
Divide your daily tasks by time, making your day more productive.
Start your day with a ritual you enjoy and end it with a reward;

Conclusion

A question that has always been asked is “what is the meaning of life”, as many people find it difficult to discover its relevance on earth.

However, the ikigai practice comes to show that it is not impossible to discover your life purpose, you just have to practice.

Given that April 29, 2023

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