Discovering Ikigai: A Pathway to a Meaningful Life
In the search for a purposeful life, the Japanese concept of ikigai stands out as a harmonious blend of personal fulfillment and societal contribution. Rooted in centuries of tradition, ikigai offers a much deeper and holistic philosophy that invites individuals to live purposefully, with a sense of direction and satisfaction.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the definition of ikigai, explore the 8 needs of ikigai identified by clinical psychologist Mieko Kamiya, introduce the 5 pillars from Ken Mogi’s book The Little Book of Ikigai, discuss how different people may express their ikigai and highlight the tangible benefits of nurturing a strong ikigai in your life.
Defining Ikigai
Ikigai, pronounced "ee-kee-guy," (生き甲斐) is a Japanese word derived from two characters: “iki” (生き), meaning life, and “gai” (甲斐), meaning worth or benefit. Put simply, ikigai is “that which gives life worth” or “a reason for being.” This concept transcends the realms of passion or career and touches upon every aspect of existence. It’s not just about finding a job you love, but rather, uncovering those aspects of life—small or large—that provide deep satisfaction, joy, and purpose.
In its purest form, ikigai doesn't necessarily have to be grand or world-changing. It can be found in small daily pleasures such as tending a garden, enjoying a morning walk, or taking care of loved ones. Whether on a large scale, such as fulfilling a dream career, or on a smaller, personal level, ikigai speaks to the delicate balance of life’s satisfaction.
Mieko Kamiya’s 8 Needs of Ikigai
Dr. Mieko Kamiya, a pioneering researcher in this field, identified eight core needs that constitute the essence of ikigai in her book On the Meaning of Life. These needs help explain why ikigai is so integral to psychological well-being and personal fulfillment:
Life Satisfaction: The overall sense of contentment with your life, a key factor in sustaining motivation and joy.
Motivation: Feeling driven to wake up and tackle each day with enthusiasm, powered by meaningful pursuits.
Value and Belonging: A sense that your contributions are valued by society or a group, reinforcing your sense of purpose.
Self-Realization: The continual process of self-discovery and development, ensuring that you're aligned with your true self.
Control and Independence: Having autonomy over your decisions and actions, which boosts both confidence and resilience.
Relational Meaning: Nurturing relationships and contributing to others’ lives provides a deep source of fulfillment.
Future Prospects: A sense of hope and optimism about what lies ahead, which fuels perseverance.
Sense of Balance: A recognition of the natural ebbs and flows of life, enabling adaptability and emotional equilibrium.
Together, these needs show how ikigai acts as a comprehensive framework for personal well-being. By addressing these areas, a person creates a foundation of happiness that transcends mere day-to-day satisfaction.
Ken Mogi's 5 Pillars of Ikigai:
In The Little Book of Ikigai, Ken Mogi further simplified the concept by defining five pillars that support a life of ikigai. These pillars are like guiding principles that help a person navigate life’s complexities:
Starting Small: Embrace the little things that bring you joy. It’s in daily rituals, like sipping coffee or enjoying nature, that we find life's most fulfilling moments.
Releasing Yourself: Let go of preconceived notions and societal pressures, and focus on being authentically yourself.
Harmony and Sustainability: Live in balance with others and the environment. Don’t push for success at the cost of others or your well-being.
The Joy of Small Things: Find happiness in simplicity and be present in each moment, no matter how ordinary it seems.
Being in the Here and Now: Focus on the present moment rather than fixating on the past or future. This mindfulness is key to long-term contentment.
Mogi’s pillars serve as gentle reminders that ikigai isn’t an external goal to be chased but an internal compass guiding us toward a more joyful, present, and harmonious life.
Sources, Meaning of Sources & Philosophy:
A great exercise to explore what ikigai means in to you is to identify the multiple sources of ikigai in your life and then reflect on their meaning.
Consider simple pleasures, significant relationships, hobbies, contributions to community, ways you express yourself, activities and events where you have flow.
Ikigai invites reflection on what your philosophy of living is. Are you optimistic, hopeful, do you know what fulfillment & connection mean to you? As you participate in reflection on these things, you identify the abundance in your life, understand yourself and others at a deeper level and create intention and clarity which can support your life satisfaction.
Ikigai is a concept worth exploring as it has many different layers to it. In the Western world we can sometimes compartmentalize concepts and run the risk of losing the essence and connectedness that comes from the whole. Check out over 90 different podcasts from calligraphy, to martial arts, to having a social mission or exploring the philosophy behind ikigai.
Examples of Ikigai:
Ikigai, often referred to as the "reason for being," manifests uniquely for each individual. It’s not confined to one singular purpose but can emerge from multiple sources that range from professional fulfillment to personal joys and meaningful relationships. The idea of ikigai embraces a balanced, harmonious life, drawing from different aspects of an individual's daily experiences. Here are examples of how people might experience ikigai in different forms of work, hobbies, and relationships, along with the meanings behind these activities.
1. A Teacher's Ikigai
A teacher may find deep meaning in their profession, particularly in shaping the minds of young students. This core part of their ikigai emerges from the sense of purpose gained by imparting knowledge and guiding students’ development. The satisfaction comes from witnessing their transformation—whether through academic growth, personal confidence, or emotional maturity. But their ikigai isn’t limited to the classroom; it also comes from smaller, personal passions and relationships:
Singing at Karaoke Night: This activity allows the teacher to express joy and creativity in a relaxed setting. It fosters a sense of community as they connect with friends, colleagues, or strangers through music. Karaoke may seem trivial, but it serves as a way to unwind and explore an artistic side that brings balance to their more structured teaching role.
Close Relationship with a Neighbor: Having a neighbor they trust and care for adds a sense of community and belonging, crucial elements in the teacher’s ikigai. This bond offers emotional support, mutual aid, and companionship, reinforcing their connection to the broader world.
Passionate About Cooking French Cuisine: Cooking, particularly a complex style like French cuisine, represents both a creative outlet and a form of self-care. It allows the teacher to focus on an art that can be both meditative and rewarding. Sharing this food with others also brings them joy, reinforcing their connection to loved ones.
Softball League: Participating in a recreational sport such as softball allows the teacher to feel physically active while fostering teamwork and camaraderie. The league becomes a source of joy, friendly competition, and a sense of accomplishment outside their professional role, keeping them engaged in life.
2. A Caregiver’s Ikigai
A caregiver might find profound ikigai in looking after an elderly family member, knowing that their dedication, love, and presence contribute to the well-being of someone they deeply care for. This altruistic purpose is one of the strongest forms of ikigai, but they also find joy and meaning in smaller, more personal pursuits:
Enjoying a Good Cup of Tea: The ritual of making and drinking tea may offer the caregiver moments of tranquility and mindfulness in their otherwise demanding routine. This simple pleasure can serve as a reminder to pause, reflect, and practice self-care amidst their caregiving duties.
Watching a Funny Show: Laughter serves as an important release for the caregiver, balancing the emotional weight of their responsibilities. Humor can act as a coping mechanism, allowing them to unwind and stay resilient in the face of challenges.
Hosting Family Supper and Game Night Every Sunday: Gathering the family for dinner and games is a way of nurturing relationships and fostering a sense of unity. It strengthens bonds and creates positive memories, providing a deeper sense of fulfillment as they see joy reflected in their family’s togetherness.
Participating in Roller Derby: Engaging in a physically challenging sport like roller derby allows the caregiver to connect with a different side of themselves—one focused on strength, endurance, and personal empowerment. The contrast between caregiving and competing in roller derby offers balance, making both aspects of life richer.
3. An Artist’s Ikigai
For an artist, ikigai can revolve around the act of creation and sharing their art with others. Through their work, they bring beauty, introspection, or joy to the world, finding fulfillment in self-expression and audience appreciation. The artist’s other passions contribute to their well-rounded sense of purpose:
Participating in Math Contests: The artist’s love for math competitions highlights their analytical, problem-solving nature. This intellectual pursuit sharpens their cognitive skills, stimulating creativity in their artistic work. It also serves as a fun challenge that complements their more abstract artistic endeavors.
Traveling to Music Festivals: Festivals offer a space for the artist to experience new forms of creative expression. It allows them to stay inspired, connect with other creatives, and immerse themselves in a communal atmosphere centered around shared passion for music and art.
Raising Chickens: The act of raising animals connects the artist to nature and instills a sense of responsibility. The routine of caring for chickens is grounding and gives them a connection to the natural world, balancing the more conceptual, freeform aspects of their artistic work.
Voracious Reading: The artist’s love for reading fuels their creativity, giving them new ideas and perspectives that they can channel into their artwork. Books serve as a constant source of inspiration, helping them grow intellectually and emotionally.
4. A Retiree in Okinawa
Okinawa is home to some of the world’s longest-living people, and a significant factor behind their longevity is their strong sense of ikigai. Many retirees in Okinawa find purpose in everyday activities that keep them engaged with life and their community:
Gardening: For Okinawan retirees, gardening is a way of staying connected to the earth, nurturing life, and providing fresh food for themselves and their families. The daily routine of tending to plants promotes physical health and offers moments of peace and reflection.
Maintaining the Community: By helping neighbors or organizing local events, retirees feel valued and necessary. This sense of responsibility and interconnectedness with their community strengthens their sense of ikigai, fostering mental and emotional well-being.
Mentoring the Younger Generation in Cooking Traditional Dishes: Passing down cultural knowledge is deeply fulfilling for many Okinawans. Teaching younger generations how to cook traditional dishes allows the elderly to contribute to the preservation of their culture, further enriching their ikigai.
5. A Middle-Age Wanderer
For the middle-age wanderer, ikigai might not come from a single, long-term goal but from the freedom to live life spontaneously. Their ikigai comes from a mix of intellectual, physical, and emotional pursuits that bring satisfaction and personal growth:
Writing Articles: Writing provides the wanderer with a way to process their thoughts, share ideas, and leave a mark on the world. It’s both a creative outlet and a means of connecting with readers who resonate with their insights.
Boxing and Cross-Country Skiing: These physical activities offer an intense connection to the body and the natural world. Boxing provides the wanderer with discipline, while cross-country skiing creates moments of solitude and reflection. Together, they balance the wanderer’s love for intellectual pursuits with physical exertion and nature immersion.
Supporting Individual and Collective Changes: The wanderer’s ikigai also stems from helping others navigate change. Whether through coaching, advising, or simply offering encouragement, they derive meaning from knowing they’ve had a positive impact on someone’s growth.
Energized by a Good Chat: Meaningful conversations allow the wanderer to engage deeply with others, exchanging ideas, exploring new perspectives, and fostering mutual understanding. This emotional and intellectual exchange fuels their sense of connection.
These examples illustrate the richness and diversity of ikigai. It isn’t confined to one monumental purpose but is instead a collection of small and significant activities and relationships that give life meaning. Each person's ikigai is multi-layered, evolving over time and contributing to their overall sense of fulfillment.
A Story of Exploring Ikigai:
“I started exploring my ikigai as part of a coaching series. The idea of defining ‘my purpose’ felt really daunting, so I spent time researching how others had defined their ikigai. I found these examples quite helpful, as they helped me to see that really anything can be a foundational aspect of an ikigai.
As part of my coaching series, I was looking to develop strategies to help me manage and maintain all of my many interests, hobbies and goals. In developing my ikigai, I found that I no longer needed to create a ‘strategy’ because my ikigai seamlessly linked all of these important aspects of my life. In discovering my ikigai I’ve found a new sense of peace that has come from understanding how my interests and hobbies are each an inherent part of who I am. This has allowed me to release and relax into allowing natural rhythms and seasons in my interests.
I discovered my ikigai through my many and varied interests and hobbies where I am naturally drawn to be introspective in all activities, to explore the deeper meaning of an activity and how it can create connection.
My ikigai is to explore deeper meaning in all things, and to help others to explore meaning for themselves - ultimately fostering connection, unity and love through understanding of the human experience.
Benefits of Having a Strong Ikigai:
Embracing your ikigai brings tangible benefits to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Studies have shown that having a clear sense of purpose is linked to:
Increased Longevity: Particularly in Japan’s "Blue Zones" like Okinawa, where a strong ikigai is often credited for longer, healthier lives.
Better Mental Health: Those with a sense of ikigai are less likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, or burnout because they have a clear sense of direction and value.
Resilience: Life’s challenges are easier to bear when you have a purpose that motivates you to keep going.
Greater Satisfaction and Happiness: Knowing your ikigai leads to a deeper sense of contentment and enjoyment in life.
Enhanced Relationships: Many find that relationships improve when they live according to their ikigai, as they can give and receive support more freely and meaningfully.
Living with ikigai is about more than just finding passion or doing what you love; it’s about discovering a deeper sense of purpose, one that balances your personal desires with the needs of the world around you. By addressing the 8 needs of ikigai and cultivating the five pillars outlined by Ken Mogi, anyone can start to move towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life. The concept of ikigai invites us in to be ourselves and appreciate our uniqueness. Whether found in grand pursuits or everyday moments, ikigai offers a path toward greater happiness, resilience, and satisfaction.
