Tiêu đề RIG_Ikigai Text Summary.pdf ✅

KEY QUOTES A ReadinGraphics production • Copyright © 2024 Skool of Happiness Pte Ltd. • All Rights Reserved. IKIGAI Yukari Mitsuhashi Giving Every Day Meaning And Joy The Big “So What” Introduction 1 “Ikigai can be about the joy a person finds in living day-today, without which their life as a whole would not be a happy one.” “Whatever gets you up in the morning is your ikigai – and no one can tell you otherwise.” “‘What is your ikigai?’ is not a straightforward question with one right answer but an abstract one, to which an infinite number of responses are possible.” Ikigai is a traditional Japanese concept that has been popularized as a way to bring value and joy to life, with positive effects on mental and physical health. In this book, Yukari Mitsuhashi—who grew up in Japan before moving to the USA—explains what ikigai truly means to the Japanese people, and how you can discover your personal ikigai. The Japanese word “ikigai” is formed from 2 Japanese characters: iki” [生き] which means “life”, and “gai” [甲斐] which means worth or value. In simple terms, ikigai refers to that which brings value and joy to life. • Ikigai is deeply personal. It is whatever brings happiness and value to your life, or the reason you get out of bed each morning. • It doesn’t have to be a grand ambition or a noble life purpose. It can be as simple and humble as tending your garden, sharing a hobby with others, or watching your child grow up. • This concept can be complex and abstract, even for a Japanese. It’s hard to explain because it’s an integral part of the Japanese culture, not something explicitly taught in textbooks. In this book, Mitsuhashi draws on insights from experts, as well as inspiring stories from individuals who have found their ikigai, to explore: The nature of ikigai and how it can enrich your life; and How you can embark on your own exploration, discover your ikigai, and live a fulfilling life. (i) (ii)
KEY QUOTES A ReadinGraphics production • Copyright © 2024 Skool of Happiness Pte Ltd. • All Rights Reserved. 2 At the core, ikigai is about the joys and values that make life worth living. It’s rooted in the daily pleasures and pursuits that give us satisfaction. • The term ikigai originates from the Heian period (794–1185 CE), and it encompasses the idea of finding value in living. • This goes beyond material wealth to include personal fulfillment through various aspects of life—such as family, work, hobbies, or even seemingly-trivial things like feeling the breeze in your face, or enjoying nice cup of coffee. Mitsuhashi challenges the common Western interpretation of ikigai, which is career-focused. • The Western perspective is captured in by this popular Venn diagram, which was first conceptualized by Mark Winn. It shows ikigai as the intersection between one’s professional and personal aspirations. “In our everyday lives... paying attention to detail grabs our focus onto what is right in front of us instead of wondering about our to- do lists in our head... paying attention to detail allows us to enjoy individual moments in our lives, permitting us to find joy and ikigai in simple, everyday things.” In this summary, we’ll be presenting the key ideas in 2 parts: • What ikigai is and isn’t; and • How to discover your ikigai. Part 1: What ikigai Is and Isn’t What is Ikigai? What the world needs Profession What you are good at What you love What you can be paid for IKIGAI Passion Mission Adapted from diagram by Mark Winn
KEY QUOTES A ReadinGraphics production • Copyright © 2024 Skool of Happiness Pte Ltd. • All Rights Reserved. 3 • In the Japanese culture, ikigai does not necessarily involve one’s career, professional skills, financial rewards, nor an overarching purpose. In a 2010 survey, most Japanese men and women associated their ikigai with a hobby or leisure interest, followed by family and pets. Only 31% indicated work-related ikigai. Ikigai is also not about having an overarching purpose or a grand vision in life. Mitsuhashi explains that it is more about finding joy in the everyday aspects of life, without which you cannot have a happy life. To understand ikigai, we must first appreciate the related values and ideas in Japanese culture. • Unlike shiawase or kōfuku—the Japanese notion of happiness—ikigai is forward-looking in nature. When you have something to look forward to, it’s easier to confront existing challenges in life. • There’s now a lot of self-help material on the importance of mindfulness and appreciating the present. These ideas are already deeply-embedded in the Japanese culture, which places a strong emphasis on savoring life’s fleeting joys, and recognizing the beauty in transience. • The Japanese’s attention to detail further enhances their awareness of their surroundings and their ability to appreciate small joys in daily life. For example: The Japanese language has specific words for different days beyond “tomorrow”, such as “asatte” for the day after tomorrow, and “shiasatte” for 2 days from now. They also have specific words for the start, middle, and end of the month. This detailed way of referring to time reflects how they pay attention to each moment. Haiku, a traditional form of Japanese poetry, also captures fleeting moments in nature within 17 syllables. These poems often include a seasonal word (kigo) to evoke a specific time of year. They’re celebrated for their ability to highlight the transient beauty of the natural world, like the sound of a cicada penetrating the silence of rocks. (ii) (i) (ii) (i) “Ikigai allows me to feel alive and gives my life a sense of purpose.” — Dai Tamesue “If you have a goal or something to look forward to, then – even if you feel that you’re not in a good place right now – you are more likely to be able to see your current situation or circumstances as a pathway towards that future and to find value in the present moment.” “Ikigai is about focusing on individual moments, not just on the big journey of life. This attention to and appreciation of the present moment can be found in Japanese culture in many forms.”
KEY QUOTES A ReadinGraphics production • Copyright © 2024 Skool of Happiness Pte Ltd. • All Rights Reserved. 4 “Remember this when you are exploring your ikigai – it is something that will grow and change with you.” “Ultimately, knowing your ikigai is about knowing yourself, which takes time and effort.” “We are bombarded with endless decisions to be made day after day, but knowing your ikigai will eliminate your insecurities about your decisions and allow you to make better ones.” The concept of ikigai needs to be understood against this cultural inclination towards mindfulness and finding joy in the minutiae of life. It’s built on the idea that happiness and purpose are found not in grand achievements, but in the everyday experiences and connections that enrich our lives. Ikigai is a highly-personal, fluid, and multifaceted concept. Different people have different ikigai. We can have multiple ikigai at any point in life, and our ikigai tends to evolve as our interests and life circumstances change. • For example, it’s common for new parents to experience a shift in focus and ikigai, away from self-focused pleasures toward prioritizing the needs and happiness of the new family member. • Ikigai cannot be learned from textbooks. It can only be understood from living and experiencing life itself. Understanding your ikigai is akin to understanding yourself and your desires. • This takes time and effort, but it’s worth it because your ikigai can serve as a guiding light or an anchor, to provide focus and direction in life. • Such self-awareness also helps you to synergize seemingly-unrelated aspects of your life. • As a result, an ikigai can bring several benefits, including: Feelings of happiness and contentment; Peace and stability of mind; Greater control over your daily life; A sense of purpose and fulfillment; and Motivation and vitality to keep growing and moving forward. The Nature of Ikigai (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)