Ikigai & Komorebi: Finding purpose & beautiful moments
I’ve always been fascinated by Japan and anything Japanese. Yet, I am still to visit the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, as Japan is often called in the West. Pronounced ‘Nihon’ or ‘Nippon’ in Japanese, the name of the country actually means ‘the origin of the sun’. Fairly recently, I’ve come across two Japanese words; since they do not have an equivalent in the English language, I have introduced them both to my vocabulary: komorebi and ikigai.
Komorebi
Komorebi is a noun, which translates to ‘sunlight filtered through the trees’. Such a beautiful and poetic word, isn’t it? Last week, I wrote about some of the activities that I find pleasurable. Walking through a park on my way to work was the first one on my list. Since I came across komorebi, I find that I pay particular attention to this interplay between the sunlight and the leaves, and I always remember there is a name for it.
Ikigai
Another pleasurable activity on that list of mine is going to bookshops and (impulsively) buying books. Last year, on a visit to Waterstones, I came across several books about ikigai. Intrigued by that Japanese concept I’d never previously heard of, and to gain a better understanding, I bought the following two:
- Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
- The Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
So, what is ikigai?
I am going to define, describe and explore this concept, alongside a few other Japanese concepts and values, by following the approach that these two books take. Let’s start with Japanese neuroscientist and author Ken Mogi and the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
The Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life 
The word ikigai consists of “iki” (to live) and “gai” (reason). It can loosely be translated to ‘a reason for being’ (or ‘la raison d’être’, as the French say), a ‘purpose in life’ or even ‘the reason to wake up in the morning’ (akin to a daily purpose). Ken Mogi describes ikigai as a ‘mindset that has the potential to change your life. It is a miracle that can be found at the heart of Japan’s record-breaking longevity, sensory beauty and mindfulness’.
The 5 pillars of ikigai
In the introduction to the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life 
- Starting small,
- Releasing yourself,
- Harmony and sustainability,
- The joy of little things,
- Being in the here and now.
These five pillars, Mogi states, ‘provide the supportive framework – the very foundations – that allows ikigai to flourish’. Throughout the book, he relates these pillars to a number of Japanese values and concepts, which I am briefly going to mention here.
Ikigai and the reason to get up in the morning
Mogi tells us that ikigai is sometimes expressed as ‘the reason for getting up in the morning’. He links this to three of the five pillars: starting small, harmony and sustainability, and the joy of little things.
Of course, we don’t have to be born in Japan to appreciate and embrace this ethos. No matter where we are in the world, if we make a habit of having our favourite things after we get up, dopamine will be released in our brain, reinforcing the actions (getting up) prior to the receipt of our reward (insert your favourite things here).
I have previously written about the importance of having routines and a structure to one’s days, weeks, and life. Routines and structure are important because they provide a sense of security and familiarity, as well as order, direction and meaning. They also help provide a sense of achievement (purpose) as well as enjoyment (pleasure). Both are essential ingredients for a happy and a balanced life. It therefore makes perfect sense to begin the day with a morning routine; this is a great starting point – both literally and metaphorically.
The book My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired does not only focus on the importance of the morning routine but it also explores the routines of 64 of today’s most successful people, including Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, and Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post.
My ikigai
Personally, I start my days with a healthy and nutritious breakfast, whilst listening to BBC Radio 3 (both for the news summary and to enjoy some classical music). On the weekends, I usually spend an extra hour exercising and practising yoga, one of my favorite physical activities. Sadly, I do not have the time to do so on the weekdays, when I have to go to work.
My commute then starts with a short walk to the train station, which always brings a smile to my face. The reason? Those little squirrels crossing my path; they never fail to amuse me and show me the bright side of life. What a great way to start my day! On Friday mornings, the ‘Release Radar’, a personalised Spotify playlist, not only provides the perfect soundtrack to my morning commute, but is also the reason why I’m so looking forward to going to work every Friday. Whilst on the train to work, I tend to read a book, another activity that I enjoy. Also, to help me plan my day better, I have a diary where I jot down 3 things I am most looking forward to. On most days, this list may look like this:
- Going to a cafe for an hour after work to write/work on my blog (with a cup of coffee of course!).
- Exercise (walking, swimming, yoga, or weight-lifting at the gym).
- Watching a film at home, or better at the cinema.
So, these are my reasons for getting up in the morning (my ikigai). What are yours?
Ikigai and kodawari
In the 3rd chapter of the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
He acknowledges that kodawari is a concept difficult to translate. Other authors have defined it as ‘the uncompromising and relentless pursuit of perfection’ or ‘a sincere, unwavering focus on what you’re doing, with a goal of making it perfect, while simultaneously knowing that perfection is impossible and that the work itself is most crucial’. According to Mogi, kodawari is closely related to the first of the five pillars of ikigai: starting small. In his description of kodawari, he talks about starting small, and executing each step to perfection.
I do not quite agree with the need for perfection. Instead, I am of the opinion that good enough is in (at least) some contexts better than perfect. In the context of parenting, for example, Donald Winnicott, an English paediatrician and psychoanalyst, was the first to use the phrase ‘good enough parent’. He recognised that it was unrealistic to demand perfection of parents, and was interested in finding out what made them ‘good enough’. Indeed, modern-day psychologists agree that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect parent’.
I’ve read somewhere that “it can be hard, in our culture, to force yourself to settle for ‘good enough’. But when it comes to happiness and satisfaction, ‘good enough’ isn’t just good—it’s perfect”.
Ikigai and mindfulness
In the 4th chapter of the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
In her now famous book, Sei Shōnagon pays attention to the here and now (one of the five pillars of ikigai) and the small things she encounters in life. Her approach is reminiscent of mindfulness. Derived from Buddhist traditions, mindfulness is a psychological process of bringing our attention to experiences occurring in the present moment. In order to practise mindfulness, it is important to attend to the present moment; in other words we need to be present in the here and now. Mindfulness, however, is also connected to another pillar of ikigai: releasing oneself. According to Mogi, “an adherence to the self is considered to stand in the way of achieving mindfulness”.
I have previously discussed the importance of mindfulness for our wellbeing. I believe it is such an important skill to develop; mindfulness should not only be considered in the context of therapy, but in a much wider context: that of wellbeing.
Ikigai and ichigo ichie
Another Japanese concept that Mogi writes about is that of ichigo ichie; it literally means “one time, one encounter”). Ichigo ichie is central to the Japanese philosophy of life, and closely associated to the traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It is related to all five pillars of ikigai, but mostly to being in the here and now. This concept is about appreciating the ephemeral character of any encounter (not only with people, but also with things or events). It is about treasuring our meetings with other people, as well as cherishing moments of pleasure in our lives. Ichigo ichie is also about deriving pleasure and happiness from the process, not from the end-product. This is where flow and creativity fit in with ichigo ichie. So, Mogi advises, “make music, even when nobody is listening; draw a picture, when nobody is watching; write a short story that noone will read”.
Ikigai and sustainability
I’ve already mentioned that one of the five pillars of ikigai is harmony and sustainability; this is one of Japan’s most unique values. According to it, we cannot pursue our individual goals and desires, unless we are in balance and harmony with our environment. On an individual level, ikigai gives us a reason to get up in the morning. In a wider context, however, ikigai is also about being in harmony with our environment, including the people around us, and the society in general.
Keep Calm and Carry On: Ikigai and purpose
Mogi advises us to find our ikigai in the little things, to start small, to be in the here and now, and most importantly, not to blame the environment for a lack of ikigai. He argues that it is up to us to find our own ikigai, our own purpose in life. I have previously written about the importance of finding both pleasure and purpose in our lives, and incorporating these to our every day routine. It therefore comes as little surprise that I find the concept of ikigai so appealing and interesting.
What came as a surprise, however, was Mogi’s interpretation of the famous phrase “Keep Calm and Carry On”. Introduced by the British government during the Second World War, this phrase has recently risen in popularity worldwide. Mogi argues that it embodies the ethos of ikigai.
But, how do I personally keep calm and carry on? One of my secrets is that I plan every single day of my life to include a number of purposeful and pleasurable activities. For example, on a typical day I go to work (purposeful activity); in the evening, I go to a cafe for an hour to write/work on my blog, and I also exercise (both pleasurable and purposeful activities).
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: Ikigai and resilience
A few years ago, inspired by a Friedrich Nietzsche quotation, Kelly Clarkson sang about robustness and resilience:
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
In the 8th chapter of the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
So where can we find resilience and the energy to carry on?
There are a number of sources and inspirations for resilience. These include personal relationships (family and friends), education, employment, financial security, even social norms and ethics. Mogi advises us to identify these sources and make use of them.
Ikigai and datsusara
In the 9th chapter of the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
He also writes about another Japanese concept: datsusara. This is the phenomenon in which salaried workers decide to leave their job to launch their own business and pursue their passions. In other words, to follow their ikigai. For example, one may decide to open a bar or a restaurant, become a farmer or an artist. In all these examples, former employees start earning their living while doing something they feel passionate about, something they find interesting and fulfilling.
Mogi links datsusara to one of the five pillars of ikigai: the joy of small things. He states that “the ethos that we can have ikigai outside the context of your job resonates well with that of datsusara”.
As much as I like the concept of datsusara, I don’t believe we have to go as far as quitting our job. I have previously written about the importance of finding activities that give us a sense not only of purpose, but also of pleasure. For some of us, work gives a sense of purpose and maybe of pleasure as well; however, for others it doesn’t. Pleasurable activities (i.e. hobbies) provide enjoyment and pleasure, essential ingredients for a happy and healthy life.
I have also written about some of the activities that bring me pleasure. These are all activities that make me happy and boost my mood; they are activities that give me a buzz, bring a smile to my face and make my day, activities that I enjoy.
Ikigai and acceptance
In the final chapter of the Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life
Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
Another book that has been instrumental not in shaping my views, but consolidating them, is Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
Like Mogi, the authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles take the reader through a number of related concepts and values, including ichigo ichie and flow, as well as resilience and mindfulness. They also discuss wabi-sabi, another Japanese concept about accepting the fleeting and imperfect nature of the world and life.
However, the main difference between the two books lies on the emphasis that Garcia and Miralles place on longevity.
Ikigai and longevity
According to the World Health Organization, Japan is the country with the world’s highest life expectancy; the Japanese’s life expectancy reached 83.7 years in 2015 (with men at 80.5 years and women at 86.8 years).
In Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life Garcia and Miralles pay particular attention to Okinawa; this Japanese island is often claimed to be the place where people live longer than anywhere else on planet Earth. As the title suggests, they try to uncover the Okinawans’ secret to a longevity, whilst exploring the concept of ikigai. Their approach reminds me of my own; I believe there are 10 key areas of daily life, where small changes can maximize one’s wellbeing and contribute to a happier and healthier life. These areas include nutrition, physical activity and exercise, mindfulness, and finding purpose. You can read more about my recommendations on how to make changes in these areas here and here.
The authors pay particular attention to the Okinawa diet and exercises that are popular amongst the Japanese. Drawing from Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones, Garcia and Miralles write that finding a purpose in life (an ikigai) is among the keys to longevity (along with diet, exercise and forming strong social ties). Even if we are to take this with a pinch of salt, I think there’s a valuable message here: finding purpose in life can contribute to one’s wellbeing.
Further reading
In the TED talk titled “How to live to be 100+”, American writer Dan Buettner talks about three of the world’s Blue Zones (Okinawa being amongst them) where people live much longer than the average. He shares the nine common diet and lifestyle habits, discussing ikigai specifically as an ethos for good health and longevity.
To read about hygge and lagom, and why Scandinavians are amongst the happiest people in the world, check out my post ‘Hygge, Lagom & Lykke: 10 books about Scandi happiness’.
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Sayōnara!
Alex
(the Traveling Psychiatrist)