What is the main message of Ikigai?

The main message of Ikigai is finding purpose and joy in everyday life.

Who is the author of Ikigai?

The authors of Ikigai are Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles.

Career & Success

Ikigai Book Summary - Ikigai Book explained in key points

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Ikigai summary

Name: Ikigai
Rating: 4.6 (1299 reviews)
Author: Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles

Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

4.6 (1299 ratings)

20 mins

Brief summary

'Ikigai' by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles explores the Japanese concept of finding one's purpose in life by analyzing the habits and beliefs of the world's longest-living people. Through case studies, the book offers practical insights on how to live a more fulfilling life.

Topics

Buddhism Japan

Table of Contents

Ikigai
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Find out what the Japanese can teach us about living a long and happy life.

A long life, a sense of purpose, deep happiness – what if all three of these fundamental notions came from the same place?

These blinks outline the Japanese concept of ikigai, which encompasses your reason for living, your life goal and your source of longevity. You’ll discover how you can live a long, full and happy life by finding your ikigai and following a few simple health tips.

You’ll also learn

what flow is and why it’s so important;
how karaoke keeps you young; and
why friendships are your most important asset.

A deep purpose in life is the secret to longevity.

Are you interested in living a long, healthy and fulfilling life? Who isn’t?

The secret to doing so just may be found on the island of Okinawa, in southern Japan, home to the highest concentration of centenarians in the world.

And these island dwellers’ secret to longevity may boil down to just one word: ikigai, which roughly translates to your reason for living – or your inner motivation for a specific professional activity.

It can also be described as an intersection between four different elements: what you’re passionate about, where your skills lie, how you can earn a living and what the world needs. Many Japanese believe that everyone has an ikigai, or destiny, that they were born to fulfill.

However, while some people find their ikigai quickly, others must seek it out over time. If you fall into this latter category, it’s important to persist; after all, ikigai will ultimately be what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning.

That’s why Okinawans often attain a high degree of specialization and attention to detail in their daily work. For instance, in an Okinawan paintbrush factory, the authors met a skilled craftswoman who had spent her entire life perfecting the art of attaching individual hairs to a brush. At this stage in her career, she was able to do her job with stunning dexterity and skill.

What’s more, ikigai is also the key to longevity. So, if your ikigai is your job, you should never retire. And if your ikigai is a hobby that brings you meaning and joy, don’t ever give it up.

Okinawans abide by these rules and, as a result, remain active late into their lives. If they’re forced into retirement, they still find ways to remain active, such as by doing gardening or other work in their communities.

The benefits of this commitment are clear. Medical studies conducted on Okinawan centenarians have found extremely low rates of both heart disease and dementia.

In the next blink, you’ll learn how exactly an engaged mind enables a long life.

An active mind and low stress are key to a long life.

Any doctor can tell you that a healthy mind and body are essential to aging with grace; in practice, however, the former is often ignored. Such common neglect of the mind is a shame, as it’s just as important to a long life as your physical health.

In fact, in the same way that a sedentary lifestyle adversely impacts your body and emotions, a lack of mental work weakens your neural connections, which is why it’s important to exercise your brain in different ways. The neuroscientist Shlomo Breznitz even argues that elderly people lose brain flexibility because they get trapped in patterns and routines, refusing to try out new activities.

An intensive Japanese therapy form called Morita therapy helps people overcome stress.

Anxiety, burn-out, stress; these conditions are becoming more and more common in modern life, and few people can escape them. As it turns out, Japan is no exception, and the country’s working culture can actually be quite intense.

That being said, Japan has a tool that other countries lack. It’s called Morita therapy, and it can help you cope with stress.

Immersing yourself in an activity can help keep you young.

Imagine you’re skiing down a beautiful powdery slope. Skiing is your absolute favorite thing in the world, and you’re in a state of complete, blissful, focused engagement. You feel as if you could do this for the rest of your life, you just might want to live forever.

The good news is that engaging in such an activity could, in fact, increase your lifespan.

A few simple recommendations from some old-timers can help you live longer.

You already know some habits to increase your longevity, but in the end, nobody knows how to live a long life better than those who are actually living one. So, let’s take a look at the advice of the Okinawan centenarians.

The first tip these old folks recommend is that you worry as little as possible and make a habit of greeting others, even strangers, with a smile and an open heart. By doing so, they say you’ll maintain plenty of friendships throughout your years and make your grandchildren want to visit you all the time. Such constant stimulation will help keep you young.

The magic Okinawan diet is based on variety and small portions.

The Japanese diet has been in the spotlight for years, ever since Japan made a name for itself as the country with the longest life expectancy. That being said, people live even longer in Okinawa province. To find out why, Makoto Suzuki, a heart specialist from Ryukyus University in Okinawa, did several studies on the Okinawan diet, beginning in the 1970s. Here’s what he found out:

First, the Okinawan diet contains an incredible variety of foods. In fact, locals of this island eat up to 206 different foods on a regular basis, including a number of herbs and spices. For instance, every day, they eat five separate portions of fruits and vegetables. They like to determine that they’re getting enough variety by ensuring their plates contain all the colors of the rainbow.

Antioxidant-rich foods are essential for rejuvenation and a long life.

Superfoods have swept the earth in recent years, changing the way people think about diet as medicine. There are a few Japanese varieties of these foods you won’t want to miss out on.

The first is green tea, a rejuvenating beverage loaded with antioxidants.

Movement, even in simple forms, is a fundamental aspect of a long life.

Have you ever met older people who seemed full of energy despite their age? Well, chances are that they lived that long because they’ve been physically active throughout their lives.

In fact, movement in general is important to living a long and happy life, and it doesn’t have to be too intense either; observing the residents of Okinawa suggests that sports and fitness are much less important than simple, regular movement.

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What is Ikigai about?

Ikigai (2016) is your guide to living a long, happy life through the wisdom of Japanese culture. These blinks delve into every area of Japanese life to uncover their secrets of longevity and to explain why so many Japanese, especially those on one island in particular, live well past 100 years of age.

Ikigai Review

Ikigai (2017) explores the Japanese concept of finding purpose and joy in everyday life. Here's why this book is worth reading:

Combining research and interviews, it offers practical insights into discovering our true passions and leading a fulfilling life.
The book presents a holistic approach to well-being, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, providing a roadmap for living a balanced life.
With its rich cultural references and beautiful stories, it immerses readers in the enchanting world of Japan, making the exploration of ikigai captivating and inspiring.

Best quote from Ikigai

We have to learn how to turn off the autopilot thats steering us in an endless loop.

—Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles

Who should read Ikigai?

Japanese cultural enthusiasts
Those wishing to live to a hundred
Seekers of happiness

About the Author

Hector Garcia Puigcerver is a dual citizen of Japan and Spain, a specialist in Japanese culture and the author of A Geek in Japan.

Francesc Miralles is the best-selling author of Love in Small Letters and Wabi Sabi.

Categories with Ikigai

Career & Success Health & Nutrition Mindfulness & Happiness

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