IKIGAI: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose In Life (Book Review) by Ken Mogi
Have you ever heard of the term ikigai? I assumed that you have heard about it, maybe if you heard the word ‘ikigai’ you will automatically remember the ikigai Venn diagram as you can see below, won’t you?
Okay, before I start I would like to tell you a story first. As usual, I often read random articles. Last night, I found an article about ikigai and suddenly I remembered a book that I have read 2 or 3 years ago. Today, when I’m going to write a book review I just found out that the ikigai Venn diagram is not a concept of ikigai the Japanese have. There is a misunderstanding about the ikigai concept. If you want to read more about it you can go to https://ikigaitribe.com/ikigai/ikigai-misunderstood/ or the ikigai worksheets from ikigaitribe.com
Well, I’m not going to talk about that anymore. I would like to make a book review and give you a summary of the book written by Ken Mogi. I’m reading Filosofi Teras by Henry Manampiring now and sometimes I think there is a similarity between Ikigai and Filosofi Teras.
What is Ikigai?
Based on Ken Mogi’s book ikigai is a Japanese word for describing the pleasures and meaning of life. The word consists of ‘iki’ that means ‘to live’ and ‘gai’ which means ‘reason’. To put it simply, sometimes it is expressed as ‘the reason for getting up in the morning’ and gives meaning to our life.
In the Japanese language, ikigai is used in various contexts and it can apply to our daily life. One thing that should be remembered is it’s true that having ikigai can result in success, but success isn’t a requisite condition for having ikigai. We can have ikigai without necessarily being successful in our professional life.
Everyone has an ikigai but we just have to find it. Through his book, Ken Mogi has 5 pillars of ikigai:
1. Starting small
As we know, Japan consistently gives high-quality goods and services. The Japanese always go through each step until they reach their best. They always dedicate their time and effort. The culture of creating the best is very strong and valued in Japan. They called it Kodawari. Kodawari is often rendered as ‘commitment’ or ‘insistence’. Kodawari is a personal standard to which the individual adheres steadfastly. Kodawari is personal and it’s a manifestation of pride in what someone does.
2. Releasing yourself
Releasing yourself is very much related to the fifth pillar, being in the here and now. Releasing yourself is linked to the discovery of sensory pleasures, flow, and creativity. For example, when people are so into an activity that nothing else seems to matter anymore, they will be concerned with “They don’t work to earn for their living. At least, that isn’t their priority. They work because working itself gives them immense pleasure. Wages are bonus”.
3. Harmony and sustainability
In Japanese culture, also, ikigai has much to do with being in harmony with the environment, with people around, and with the society at large, without which sustainability is impossible. Ken Mogi said that it’s perhaps the most important and uniquely developed ethos of the Japanese mindset.
4. The joy of little things
We all know that strict devotion to the work ethic demanded by an organization doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness, to keep a balance between work and life. The Japanese have their agenda when it comes to pastimes. Japan is a country of hobbyists, engaged in pursuits unrelated to their day jobs. Enjoying hobbies in a big way is in a sense an exaggerated case of the joy of small things.
5. Being in the here and now
Ken Mogi described the fifth pillar as a child who knows the value of being in the present. A child hasn’t a definite idea of the past or the future. His or her happiness resides in the present. So, being in the here and now keeps you focus on what you’re doing right now to develop your best.
What are the other ikigai values?
For me, there are several other values that we can take from the concept of ikigai.
1. Acceptance
Yes, if you want to be happy you have to accept yourself as you are first. As Japanese do, they always focus on the appreciation of diversity. They believe that every single person is unique and exclusive.
2. Happiness
Convince yourself that your happiness isn’t determined by others. Your happiness is completely under your control. Other people’s recognition is indeed a good thing, but it isn’t something necessary to be happy.
Overall, I recommend this book to you who want to know more about how do you find your purpose in life. Once you read this book, you will never want to stop.
