The Ikigai Book: Reasons to Read, Summary and Much more

The Ikigai Way of Life!

Have you ever noticed how life’s deepest wisdom can show up in unexpected places? Take self-help books, for instance. Among them, there’s this fascinating book called “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Hector Garcia and Francesco Miralles that’s been capturing hearts worldwide.

The book explores a beautiful Japanese concept called “Ikigai” – which translates to something truly profound: your reason for being. Think of it as that sweet spot where everything that matters to you comes together – your passions, your needs, your dreams, and that deep sense of satisfaction we’re all searching for.

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What’s really intriguing about this book is how it takes this seemingly complex idea of finding your life’s purpose and breaks it down into something surprisingly accessible. The authors suggest that discovering your Ikigai isn’t some mysterious, out-of-reach goal – it’s actually within everyone’s grasp. They offer a practical path to not just understanding your Ikigai but using it to transform your daily life.

Let us share with you what makes this Ikigai book so special…

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Ikigai Book Summary

The Ikigai book introduces you to various topics related to the art of living, such as the blue zones, longevity, logotherapy, flow, yoga, tai chi, and resilience. It defines what Ikigai is and its rules. The book says that living a long and full life is under your control to an extent. Your habits and life choices can make a significant difference from an early age.

The authors of this book conducted 100 interviews in Ogimi, Okinawa (the world’s longest-living community), to gain an in-depth understanding of the longevity secrets of centenarians and supercentenarians. Each chapter delivers a well-researched account of Okinawans’ lifestyle, attitude, mindset, diet, and routine. The authors argue that your Ikigai keeps your body fighting and living longer. 

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Ikigai Book Reviews

The book ‘Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’ has received outstanding reviews from several readers. Some of the reviews are-

• ‘I read it and it’s bewitched me ever since. I’m spellbound.’ – Chris Evans (Actor)
• ‘Ikigai gently unlocks simple secrets we can all use to live long, meaningful, happy lives. Warm, patient, and kind, this book pulls you gently along your own journey rather than pushing you from behind.’ – Neil Pasricha (Bestselling Author)
• ‘A refreshingly simple recipe for happiness.’ – The Stylist

5 Reasons to Read the Ikigai Book

The Ikigai book can help you gain positivity and enthusiasm. It has the power to change the way you live your life. So, here are some of the major reasons you should read ‘Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’.

Finding Your North Star

One of the first things the Ikigai book asks you to do is find your most immediate purpose for this time. Whether it is buying a house, finding a new job, or even something as small as learning to cook, your big or small goals keep you going. It is essential to acknowledge all your dreams, no matter how insignificant they may seem. When it comes to your physical and mental health, even the smallest of your goals are just as essential as the long-term ones. Once you take a breath to consider your little everyday goals, you will see how your small actions can contribute to the ultimate goal of living a longer and happier life. 

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The Power of Looking Within

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget to experience the moment we are living in properly. The Ikigai book encourages readers to reflect on their enjoyable activities, the moments when they were happy, and the present. We forget to enjoy the present moment in our hurry to earn more money or get the daily chores done. Whether you are worried about the future or anxious about something that happened in the past, never forget to live in the present. Taking the time to figure out where you are in life and how you’ve gotten there can benefit your mental health.

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Unlocking Joy in the Everyday

The Ikigai book tells you that the true secret of happiness lies in simplicity. While many think that busy, luxurious, and social media-imposed lives are needed to stay happy, all you need is a simple life. To lead a happy, peaceful, healthy, and long life, you just require a calm state of mind and a sense of togetherness. If you learn how to seek joy in even the most ordinary daily activities, then you’ll be full of energy and zest, even in old age.

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A Natural Path to Wellness

The Ikigai book says that Okinawans’ lifestyle does not include running daily, counting calories, or taking supplements. They exercise regularly by moving their bodies instead of engaging in intense workout sessions. They try to stay active through activities like community work, gardening, dancing, and eating healthy. It tells you to remain intuitively vibrant without putting too much pressure or restrictions on yourself. Instead of being stressed out about not being able to work out enough, just try to have some fun with your exercise. 

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Rekindling Your Inner Light

The Ikigai book helps you become more positive from within. It motivates you to feel at peace with yourself and your life. It enables you to focus on your peace of mind and will to live. Positivity comes from within once you have your purpose in your sights, a healthy lifestyle, and the correct perspective.

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Insightful Ikigai Book Quotes

The Ikigai book is full of inspirational and insightful quotes. Some of the best ones you can find include-

1. “Our Ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.”
2. “There is no future, no past. There is only the present.”
3. “The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
4. “The keys to longevity are diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life (an Ikigai), and forming strong social ties.”
5. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
6. “According to scientists who have studied the five Blue Zones, the keys to longevity are diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life (an ikigai), and forming strong social ties — that is, having a broad circle of friends and good family relations.”
7. “Presented with new information, the brain creates new connections and is revitalized. This is why it is so important to expose yourself to change, even if stepping outside your comfort zone means feeling a bit of anxiety.”
8. “Dealing with new situations, learning something new every day, playing games, and interacting with other people seem to be essential anti-aging strategies for the mind. Furthermore, a more positive outlook in this regard will yield greater mental benefits.”
9. “The central premise of this stress-reduction method [mindfulness] is focusing on the self: noticing our responses, even if they are conditioned by habit, in order to be fully conscious of them. In this way, we connect with the here and now and limit thoughts that tend to spiral out of control.”
10. “Concentrating on one thing at a time may be the single most important factor in achieving flow.”

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Conclusion of Ikigai Book

Life has a funny way of showing us that we’re all on different paths yet searching for the same thing – that spark that makes us feel truly alive. Your ikigai is like your personal fingerprint – uniquely yours. Sure, in today’s world of endless notifications and the constant chase for the next big achievement, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters.

But here’s the beautiful thing – finding your ikigai doesn’t need to be this grand, overwhelming quest. Sometimes, it’s as simple as following that little voice inside that says, “Hey, this feels right.” Maybe it’s in the way your eyes light up when you’re lost in a hobby or in those tiny moments that just feel meaningful, even if they don’t make sense to anyone else.

And you know what? There’s no need to stress about getting it perfectly right. Life isn’t about finding the perfect formula – it’s about filling your days with things that make your heart smile and surrounding yourself with people who get you. Sometimes, the meaning we’re searching for is already right there, in the simple joy of doing what we love.

In short, these are the ten rules of Ikigai:

1. Stay active, don’t retire.
2. Take it slow.
3. Don’t fill your stomach.
4. Surround yourself with good friends.
5. Get in shape for your next birthday.
6. Smile
7. Reconnect with nature.
8. Give thanks.
9. Live in the moment.
10. Follow your ikigai.

Key Takeaways

• Ikigai Significance: The blog emphasizes the concept of Ikigai, which means “a reason to live,” and its role in finding one’s purpose for a longer and happier life.
• Mindfulness and Enjoying the Present: The book encourages introspection and savoring the present moment, urging readers to find happiness in simple everyday activities.
• Simplicity for Happiness: True happiness, as per the Ikigai book, is found in a simple life and a calm state of mind, rather than in a busy or luxurious lifestyle.
• Holistic Health Approach: The book promotes a holistic approach to health, inspired by the lifestyle of Okinawans, which includes intuitive physical activity, a balanced diet, and a stress-free attitude towards exercise.

The Ikigai book is an excellent guide to leading a happy, long, and peaceful life. It helps you gain a deeper perspective in life and figure out your greater purpose. It contains the secret of health and longevity. So, if you are looking for something new to read, this book can turn out to be an excellent choice. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. For more self-help book recommendations, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

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FAQs

Ques 1: What are the rules of Ikigai?

Answer 1: There are 10 rules of Ikigai-

1. Stay active and don’t retire
2. Don’t fill your stomach
3. Take it slow
4. Surround yourself with good friends
5. Smile more
6. Get in shape for your next birthday
7. Reconnect with nature
8. Live in the moment
9. Give thanks
10. Follow your Ikigai

Ques 2: Does the book contain any quotes directly from Okinawa’s centenarians and supercentenarians?

Answer 2: Here are some of the quotes by Okinawa’s centenarians and supercentenarians-

• “Eat and sleep, and you’ll live a long time. You have to learn to relax.” – Misao Okawa (Age- 117)
• “Your mind and your body. You keep both busy, you’ll be here a long time.” – Walter Breuning (Age- 114)
• “Everything’s fine.” – Jeanne Calment (Age- 122)

Ques 3: What is Morita therapy?

Answer 3: The Ikigai book also covers a little about Morita therapy. The usual forms of therapy focus on modifying or controlling your emotions. It is based on the idea that what we think affects how we feel and act. On the other hand, Morita therapy teaches you to accept your emotions instead of trying to control them, and your feelings will automatically change according to your actions.

Ques 4: How many pages are there in the Ikigai book?

Answer 4: It’s a mildly long book with 208 pages. 

Ques 5: How many Ikigai books are there?

Answer 5: There are 7 Ikigai books to date:

1. The Little Book of Ikigai: The Secret to a Long and Happy Life
2. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
3. Ikigai for Leaders and Organizations
4. Ikigai: The Japanese Art of a Meaningful Life
5. How to Ikigai: Lessons for Finding Happiness and Living Your Life’s Purpose
6. My Little Ikigai Journal: A Journey into the Japanese Secret to Living a Long, Happy, Purpose-Filled Life
7. The Ikigai Journey: A Practical Guide to Finding Happiness and Purpose the Japanese Way

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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