Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life ( Review chapter 1 - 3 )

 

Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

  This is one book that I have always wanted to read. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hands on the paperback edition but I sure did utilize the technology and  have ordered  the online version of it. This book was originally published in April 2016 and the authors are Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. 

  Why choose this book u may ask?? Is it because of its popularity or my genuine interest with this type of genre.

  Well the answer is both. I have always loved self help books as it helps in introspecting our actions and make ourselves better versions of our present selves. Not just that it offers a new perspective which never comes across our mind. Self-improvement books do offer solutions to various problems that dwell within us.  But what is it that made this book popular?

I have asked the same question and the only solution to that is to read through it….

When we ask these questions to ourselves –

What is the meaning of my life? Is the point just to live longer, or should I seek a higher purpose? Why do some people know what they want and have a passion for life, while others languish in confusion?

                            

    The word “ikigai” comes into being. It is a Japanese concept which means “the happiness of being busy”. Our ikigai shapes the way we live our lives. Now as we got a small glimpse about what this mysterious word means let’s move on to the review of these chapters

Review – Chapter 1 to 3

Chap 1 (The art of staying young while growing old)

Chap 2 (Little things that add up to a long and happy life)

Chap 3 (How to live longer and better by finding your purpose)

  

  In this chapter the author emphasizes the importance of this book , so as to understand our purpose in life. “Whatever you do don’t retire” – a big heading signifying the importance of having a purpose in life in the Japanese culture where the idea of retirement doesn’t exist.

  Blue zones – areas of the world where people tend to live the longest. The five regions analysed in this book are –

• ·      Okinawa, Japan
• ·      Sardinia, Italy
• ·      Loma Linda, California
• ·      The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica.
• ·      Ikaria, Greece

   Some main points that are highlighted here regarding longevity of lives are diet, exercising, maintain good relations with fellow beings, that is having a broad circle of friends and  good family relations. Ancient wisdom advices against eating full and hence comes the 80 percent secret. It emphasises on not overeating and to stop eating when we start to feel full. This way the digestion process would be smoother and we would feel more energetic.  

  The island of Okinawa which is nicknamed – ‘The Village Of Longevity’ through this book shows us how it is a home to large number of centenarians.

  

  "Why don't you commit suicide?", asks Viktor Frankl. a query he asks anyone seeking treatment from him. He assists them in finding their mission. Being the creator of logotherapy, he stresses the significance of this spiritual theme for people.

   

  The first 3 chapter offers us a detailed envisioning into finding our “ikigai” . Every person is unique and has a varied set of preferences, therefore their Ikagai fluctuates. For some it maybe cooking, dancing, drawing, writing etc. But the goal is to find it and practise it.