Ikigai

    Human beings' ultimate goal is to live. Isn't it? Whatever we do, from exercise, employment, accumulating income to eating well, etc, our ultimate goal is to live a long and happy life. There are numerous theories, methodologies, and literature on the subject. But are they really true? Is that even possible? Yes, it is possible for anyone to accomplish it. That is demonstrated in the book Ikigai. It reveals the secret of a long and happy life in Japan. The book is all about the way of life in Okinawa, a Japanese island where the world's oldest generation lives.

    Everyone, according to the Japanese, has an ikigai. Some people have discovered their ikigai, while others are still on the lookout, despite the fact that they have it within themselves. Our ikigai is buried deep within each of us, and finding it takes a lot of time and patience. According to Okinawans, our ikigai is the reason we get up in the morning. So, what exactly does ikigai imply? It's about figuring out what we want to do with our life. Our lives are more satisfying, happy, and meaningful when we have a clearly defined ikigai. When we live in Japan, one thing we'll notice is how active people are even after they retire. Many Japanese people, in fact, never truly retire; they continue to do what they enjoy as long as their health permits.

    Diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life, and creating strong social relationships, such as having a large network of friends and good family relations, are the keys to their longevity. When we hear the words, "exercise" and "diet", it’s not so vigorous. They don’t do severe exercise, but they do move every day, taking walks and working in their vegetable gardens. Have you heard the saying “Hara Hachi bu”? It's something like “Fill your belly to 80 percent.” Ancient wisdom advises against eating until we are full. This is why Okinawans stop eating when they feel their stomachs reach 80 percent of their capacity, rather than overeating and wearing down their bodies with long digestive processes that accelerate cellular oxidation. The Okinawan diet is rich in tofu, sweet potatoes, fish (three times per week), and vegetables.

    This book also discusses how to locate our passion, fill our emptiness, and turn work and downtime into growth opportunities, among other topics. Different therapies, such as logotherapy and Morita therapy, are also discussed in detail in this book, along with several case studies. It's more vital to go with the flow in the proper direction. Flow is a mysterious concept. It's like a muscle: the more we exercise it, the more fluid we become and the closer we get to our ikigai. We can use the following strategies: 

1) Choosing a challenging task (but not too difficult)

2) Having a specific, measurable goal

3) Keeping one's attention on a single task at a time

    The author interviewed several Okinawan supercentenarians and compiled their stories in this book. He also describes the religious beliefs and traditions that are observed there. The social environment and delicacies of Okinawa are vividly shown, transporting us to the island. In Japan, one of the most popular exercises is radio taiso. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete the exercise. They primarily concentrate on dynamic stretching and joint mobility. You may look up this low-intensity energetic exercise on the internet and do it at home.

    This book is full of optimism, and you can sense the spirit throughout. I would like to bring this review to a close by providing the following song by an Okinawan woman who is above 100 years old.

“To keep healthy and have a long life,

eat just a little of everything with relish,

Go to bed early, get up early; and then go out for a walk.

We live each day with serenity and we enjoy the journey.

To keep healthy and have a long life,

we get on well with all of our friends.

Spring, summer, fall, winter,

we happily enjoy all the seasons.

The secret is to not get distracted by how old the fingers are;

from the fingers to the head and back once again.

If you keep moving with your fingers working, 100 years will come to you.”

 

Happy Reading!