Ikigai meaning: 5 Steps to unlocking your life's joy
How to find your ikigai: 5 steps
Ikigai isn't an elaborate secret or fancy technique that can give meaning and purpose to life. It's not something you can find. At least, according to neuroscientist Ken Mogi. For Mogi, it makes more sense to do away with strict definitions, focusing on the positive impact of ikigai – and finding a way to replicate its effects.
Anything that gives you joy while also fueling you forward can be described as ikigai.
Ken Mogi identifies five principles that can help people feel more grateful as they learn to appreciate the small joys of life.
1. Start small
The first pillar of ikigai is closely tied to the Japanese philosophy of kodawari (こだわり – 'commitment'). You can think of kodawari as the relentless pursuit of perfection in one's work or craft. Many Japanese know perfection is unattainable, but they aim to be efficient and innovative.
Even if they have access to limited resources, Japanese followers of ikigai will put their heart and soul into what they do. Always looking for new ways to improve and progress. They know that greatness doesn't come easy, and they don't mind moving forward one step at a time.
Diligence, patience, and attention to detail allow them to see beauty in the smallest things. Things such as the first sip of coffee in the morning, a child's laughter, and the strong scent of tonkotsu ramen in the streets of Tokyo.
2. Release yourself
According to Mogi, The second pillar of ikigai is accepting yourself as you are.Variation is one of the greatest hallmarks of nature. He believes there's happiness to be found in allowing your true self to flourish and shine through.
He mentions the Japanese proverb junin toiro (十人十色), which translates to 'ten different colors for ten different people.' And lies at the core of ikigai philosophy:
"In pursuing your ikigai, you can be yourself, as much as you like. It is only natural that you should be yourself because each one of us has a slightly different color."
Although otherwise a collectivist culture, the Japanese value variations in personality, sensitivity, and expression.
3. Live in harmony and sustainably
The third pillar is all about harmony and sustainability. You should pursue your own dreams and desires. But you should always take the sustainability of your social – and natural – environment into consideration as well.
You see, ikigai is a kind of motivational force that helps you move forward: it gives you the strength to do the chores when you'd rather sleep. It pushes you forward on your ideal career path (while finding joy in it) when you could stay complacent at your current job. But more importantly, ikigai is about being in harmony with the environment, with the people around you, and with society at large.
For Westerners, the concept of harmony can be a tricky one. We often find ourselves in competitive environments where hierarchies and power structures dominate. It's difficult to see the bigger picture when we're so preoccupied with our individual worries and desires. We don't often see how we fit into that bigger picture, and that can bring us down.
4. Find joy in the small things
Despite what most Westerners believe about ikigai, for most Japanese people, it has nothing to do with their full-time job. Due to demanding and uninspiring work environments, a key ingredient of ikigai is seeking fulfillment outside of work. Japan is a country of hobbyists who've taken the joy of small things to a whole new level.
What if you work in business full-time but have a passion for pottery? You find time to spend in your workshop, even if you only sell one $10 vase by the end of the week. The sense of achievement and satisfaction you feel by landing that sale might be enough to fuel your ikigai for days to come. Or it could just come from the creative process of making it, rather than the commercial aspect.
As an example, Mogi talks about the huge number of people who actively produce and sell their own manga at the komiketto (コミケット – comic market). Sure, it can be lucrative to some extent, but for the vast percentage of people it's a joyful hobby.
5. Be in the here and now
Being present is a frame of mind. You'll be familiar with this concept if you've studied Eastern philosophies before. Remaining focused on the here and now allows you to lead a calmer, more carefree life. Mogi believes this final pillar is all about bringing out our inner child. And taking the time to cherish and appreciate every fleeting moment.
He says that children are always filled with joy because they don't spend too much time thinking about the past or the future. The present moment brings new adventures and sensations that they just need to explore.
Being more childlike can be life-changing. We can continue to learn, play, and be free and creative without worrying too much about our daily routine, financial stability, social roles, or status.