We all need a little pepping-up from time-to-time. We certainly need around us people who would listen to us and help us reflect positively, and when people don’t really help we turn to books – our best friends, aren’t they ? Honestly, I turned to this little book to get a little motivated , to get a little fresher perspective and also , look how famous this IKIGAI is – everyone’s reading it – YOU SHOULD TOO !
Firstly, because the name of the book is absolutely what each of us secretly want – A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE , isn’t it ? Secondly , it’s just so simply and beautifully put that it’ll leave you wondering oh – is it that easy to lead a life that’s positively enriching ?
WHAT IS IKIGAI?
I’m sure if you haven’t read the book , you’d want to know what is it about. Ikigai is a Japanese concept of being happy by being busy, by having a direction or purpose in life. The Focus on Ikigai plays an important role in health and longevity. It’s said that the grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
Check out a very clear diagram given in the book –
Each of us has a different IKIGAI. When we spend our days feeling connected to what is meaningful to us , with our IKIGAI , we live more fully.
Never Stop Learning “You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then—to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting.” —T. H. White, The Once and Future King
WHAT THE BOOK IS ALL ABOUT ?
The average life expectancy ratio as quoted by the UNITED NATIONS WORLD is 72.9 years. But, here’s a fun and an eye opening fact – a lot of Japanese tend to live beyond the age of 100! Wow and How ! Yes, that’s exactly what has been shared in the book by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles the co-authors of this book, reviewed beautifully here. By introducing Ikigai and a lot of concepts the Japanese follow the authors made it very clear that living beyond the average ratio is not that difficult (may be).
While I loved the concept, what I loved the most are these beautiful Japanese words which if inculcated in life , can turn around our lifestyle 360 degrees. I
10 BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE WORDS/PHRASES THAT THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW
1. MABUI (Pronounced as Maa-bui)
Mabui means the spirit , soul. According to the Japanese, every person has an essence, a defining characteristic that’s unique to the individual or mabui. It is our spirit of our life force. It is immortal and makes us who we are.
2. WABI-SABI (Pronounced as Wa-bee – Saa-Bee)
I’m very sure a lot of you might have heard of this word , perhaps something related to the food industry. Wabi-Sabi actually is a Japanese concept that shows us the beauty of the fleeting, changeable, and imperfect nature of the world and things around us. Wabi-sabi teaches us to appreciate and accept imperfection. Most of us do miss out on the most beautiful things in search of perfection, don’t we? (I know you’re thinking about that one person *wink*)
3. MOAI (Pronounced as Mo-Aai)
Moai is about being connected for life. It’s like little groups we join , groups with common interests and groups which look out for each other. It is surely a step beyond our Social Media groups . Sometimes isn’t it important to meet the people in real over a cup of coffee or tea and talk about things ? I’m very sure COVID-19 pandemic might have made all of us realize the importance of being real, being there for people.
4. YUIMAARU (Pronounced as Yu-aai-maa-ro-aai)
The concept is basically about collaborations and connections without any rewards or expectations. It’s all about teamwork and assistance selflessly. A concept which every business , society and individual need to incorporate.
5.RADIO-TAISO (Pronounced as Radio- Tai-So)
It’s a concept that Japanese people designed for a light-hearted exercise every morning on the tunes of Radio that involved body movement, which we call warm up today. It’s meant to make you ready and active for the day. You don’t really need to go to the gym or join some classes, the tunes of radio sans the uncountable ads can do wonders too!
6. ICHI-GO-ICHIE (Pronounced as Itch-e-go-Itchi-ae)
When literally translated this word means Ichi (One) -Go (Time)- Ichi (One)-E (meeting /encounter). It is about cherishing moments because these moments that pass by us will happen just once in our entire lifetime and moreover cannot be recreated to the fullest. Don’t let them pass away just like that. Pay attention to what comes and what goes.
7. HARA HACHI BU (Pronounced as Ha-ra-ha-chi-boo)
It shuns the idea of Over-Eating which most of usually do when it comes to our favourite foods. This Japanese concept tells us to eat till your stomach is 80% full and then stop. Eating till you are a little less than full allows you to maintain your calorie count. Easier trick for everyone trying to diet and lose weight !
8. MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO (Pronounced as mens –sah-nah in –kohr-poh-re –sah-noh)
It literally means a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Isn’t it just so true ?
9. NANA KAROBI YA OKI (Pronounced as Na-na-ka-ro-bee-yaao-ki)
This Japanese proverb is motivational enough for today’s time. It means Fall Seven Times but get up eight. Just don’t give up. It makes the concept of resilience and perseverance very clear.
10. OM MANI PADME HUM (Pronounced as Om-Ma-ni-Pad-me-hoom)
I suppose each of us have heard of this Mantra . By reciting this mantra , it is said that you can transform your impure body and mind into the pure exalted mind and body by purifying greed, hatred, passion desire and bias, like that of Buddha. The word by word meaning of the Mantra is intense and even more beautiful. Here’s a link of a fabulous Mantra meditation that you’d like to indulge in:
The complete book revolves around these 10 Concepts. IKIGAI, is a beautiful book with just around 125 pages , that I’d surely ask you read and grasp these concepts in depth. While I’ve tried to help you out with a probable pronunciation , I’d recommend you to check with professionals.
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