Dear friend,
Today, I invite you to dive into the captivating world of Ken Mogi's book "The Little Book of Ikigai".
Consider this book as a precious key, opening the secret doors to the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, a delicate balance between "living" and "reason" that gives significant depth to our existence...
I don't know if you know this, but I've been lucky enough to have spent a short time in Japan, and I've always been fascinated by their culture, as has my family.
Let's get going then, first things first, speaking of the author I was interested in his just incredible biography. Ken Mogi, is a neuroscientist, writer and researcher, who shares timeless wisdom and speaks to all those who aspire to a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life... like us right?
So, I'd say it's not just a guide to this book, but a kind of compass for us to find our Ikigai! I'd describe it as a single core where passion, vocation, profession, mission and personal calling converge in an interlocking symphony...
If you're up for it, let's explore together the five magic circles that Mogi reveals to us. You'll find the diagram below. But before I do, I really wanted to share with you the meaning of the word Ikigaï = iki (living) + gai (reason) I insist, but so fascinating when you're like me, sensitive to the pleasures and meanings of life. It's what gets us up in the morning every day, and for my part, I really want to contribute in my own small way so that you too can live your best life!
This is the Ikigai diagram :
Well, it's time to unveil the 5 steps, which are just my interpretation, so I'll leave it up to you to read it and make up your own mind...
I'll put in :
1. From my early beginnings in Japan, and even in my daily life, I was privileged to feel a deep connection with the Creator energy that intuitively guided my steps. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with the book, so let me explain. Simply put, every action in Japan is experienced as a celebration of pride and excellence, a practice called "Kodawari". There's no exact translation, but from my interpretation, it's a determination to be proud of what you do. In other words, "Kodawari" represents a state of mind in which one constantly strives to give one's best, to pursue continuous improvement and to find satisfaction in the quest for perfection, even if it always remains out of reach, for we are imperfect beings, and fortunately so! Only Our Creator is perfect.
2. Liberate yourself, that's a big word! If only everyone could, if only for a moment, become aware of who they are, but anyway, that was a parenthesis. To come back, I'd say a sensory escape. You know, in the quest for Ikigai, Japan offers us an essential teaching, which I hope will make sense to you. To free oneself is to immerse oneself in sensory beauty and creativity that becomes fluid. It's a call to transcend our famous ego, to reach that Nirvana, that state of flow where personal satisfaction takes precedence, creativity is at its peak, all this towards a fulfilling existence.
3. harmony and sustainability, this part will be short to encourage you to discover this book... So, in the land of the Rising Sun, it teaches us to live in harmony with our aspirations and values, while ensuring the sustainability of our impact on the world around us! As I often say, we're all interconnected!...
4. Haaaaaaaaaaaaa the joy of little things, God I love this part, because life is so simple, just like the Japanese, who have this wonderful ability to find happiness in the simple details of life!
It's a tribute to the culture that, for example, values the morning sun, just a cup of coffee, a ray of sunshine, and so many more examples that are infinite because even a grain of sand has its importance.
It's a reminder that we should be teaching at school, and even at kindergarten, that true RICHESS is hidden in these little everyday experiences...
5. And for the last part, being in the here and now, I know you hear it everywhere but I assure you it's fantastic just like meditation I did a blog about it everything brings us back to here and now for those who manage to let go of the mind and be in the heart...My favorite author Ken Mogi mentions it too who says it's a key to living fully....
It's a call to savor every moment, to focus on what you're doing in the moment, and to develop yourself to the fullest. After all, the true essence of Ikigai, like everything else in life, lies in these simple moments, in this deep connection with the present moment...
Well, my friend, I'm delighted to have shared these fundamentals with you. Far too vast to be detailed here, you have nevertheless had a glimpse of this exploration of the teachings. I sincerely hope you discover your own Ikigai and embrace a life rich in meaning and happiness. Life takes on a whole new dimension when we understand why we are on this earth. It goes far beyond the simple act of sleeping and eating, things which, though necessary, are far from exhausting all its beauty...
My dearest wish is that you may reach this higher level, become the magician, the architect of your own life, following your own decisions, not a victim but a creator. May each day be a canvas on which you paint your future with passion and determination...
Fraternally,
Moon, 🌙
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