IKIGAI: The Japanese secret to happy life
Post by Insha Latief Khan on Sunday, November 13, 2022
The book revolves around IKIGAI, a Japaneseword meaning purpose to live. The international best -seller self-help book written by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, helps you find your ikigai. The book says that it's not difficult to find one’s ikigai and takes you on a journey to find out your own purpose to live and to change your life.
As written in the book, “some people have found their ikigai, while others are still looking, though they carry it within them.”
It talks about various topics that are related to the art of living like blue zones, longevity, logotherapy, flow, yoga, tai chi and resilience. How a person’s habits, lifestyles and choices can make a significant difference from an early age.
The book talks about a small place, Ogimi, Okinawa, an island with the longest-living community in the world and interviews people to gain the understanding about the secret of the longevity of their centenarians and super-centenarians. The people of Okinawa said that our ikigai is the reason we get up in the morning. Each person’s account gives us details about their lifestyle, attitude, diet etc.
Staying active, eating sufficient food and not filling your stomach, surrounding yourself with good people, reconnecting with nature and being grateful etc. are some of the tips one can find often in the book.
Talking about the 80% secret of eating food, the Japanese saying and wisdom advice, ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ meaning fill your belly to 80%. By presenting their food in small plates, Japanese tend to eat less. Their diet is rich in vegetables, tofu, sweet potatoes and fish.
A part of the first chapter of the book talks about Moai: connected for life. It is customary in Okinawa to form close friends with local communities. The Moai has its origin in hard times where people helped each other and organized activities.
Having an active lifestyle, walk atleast 20 minutes, sleep atleast for seven to nine hours every day, reducing stress and anxiety through meditation. The physical activities and mental workout are important. Learning new thing every day, playing games and interacting with people are essential anti- aging strategies.
The book also touches on Wabi-Sabi, a technique that talks about finding beauty in imperfect and incomplete things. To achieve a long happy life, the book is a perfect guide.
