Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I thought it provided a lot of insightful information on living a happy and healthy life

The book is easy to read, and it makes sense

kigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life is a beautifully written book that offers a thoughtful and encouraging look at how finding your purpose can influence happiness and longevity. The authors blend Japanese philosophy with practical advice, real stories, and simple reflections that are easy to relate to. Some parts are more philosophical than actionable, so if you’re looking for strict step-by-step instructions, this might feel a bit abstract.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life offers a gentle, inspiring exploration of the Japanese concept of “ikigai” — one’s reason for being. The book blends insights from Okinawan centenarians, lifestyle practices, and philosophical reflections. Its strength lies in its simplicity: short chapters, relatable ideas, and practical reminders about balance, community, and living with purpose.

A thoughtful guide for finding your purpose in life that has sustained generations of Japanese and enriched their lives. Wonderful advice!

The rather exotic sounding name of this book, ikigai, as the authors explain, is relatively straightforward. “This Japanese concept, which translates roughly as “the happiness of always being busy,” is, “like logotherapy, but it goes a step beyond.” Logotherapy, they explain, “…helps people find their purpose in life.” It is a good book. My overall rating of the book has little to do with the quality of the writing or the underlying concept. The former is quite good and the latter is valid. My rating is strictly personal and relates more to who might be considering adding it to their reading list. Not a “don’t,” for sure. More like, “understand it for what it is.” For those who are ardent fans of all things philosophical and psychological, as I am, this is a good book that plows relatively little new ground. Finding purpose in life, keeping busy, eating well, and finding connection to the world around you is important. It’s ground, however, that has been covered by many authors over the years. If you haven’t sampled of these past triumphs you will enjoy this book very much. It is a great and easily read introduction to the topics of longevity and the benefits of living in the moment. And it chronicles many of the philosophies and prior contributions to the topic, from Buddhism to Stoicism, with a stop at the Serenity Prayer. Eastern, and particularly Japanese, contributions are given extra attention. Wabi-sabi and ichi-go ischi-e, for example, are explained in some detail, but remain an overview. Relatively newer concepts like antifragility are also explained. It even covers the Six Healing Sounds introduced by Sun Simiao in the sixth century. (This one was new to me.) A lot of the book turns on Ogimi, in the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan, which holds the distinction of being the oldest village on the planet. (In that many of the residents have lived very long lives.) It’s a delightful visit. Having lived in China for nine years and having visited Japan many times over the course of more than three decades, I have a deep fondness for places like Ogimi. I’m not sure, however, that they aren’t byproducts of the totality of Japanese culture. Could they take seed in places like California or Virginia, for example? Part of my ikigai is to be a nice person and not think disparagingly of anyone. And I am not here. This book was an interesting read for me, and may be a revelational read for you. I make no judgment on that. I just give you my experience as a reader. This book would, in my opinion, make an excellent gift for anyone in your life that might need a little boost or is otherwise hard to buy for. There is absolutely nothing here that could meet with controversy or resistance. It is decidedly upbeat throughout. And that is saying a lot of good things about any book.

Imagine a life where your passion, profession, vocation, and mission all converge, leading you to discover your "ikigai" - your reason for being. In essence, it's your life's purpose, and finding it can be transformative. Identifying your "ikigai" involves exploring crucial factors that overlap, allowing you to unlock the secrets to a fulfilling existence. To embark on this journey, start by asking yourself these simple yet profound questions: What activities do you genuinely love to do? What are your innate strengths and talents? What can you do that others are willing to compensate you for? How can you contribute to the needs of the world around you? Though seemingly straightforward, answering these questions requires deep introspection. It may take time to uncover the layers and truly understand what ignites your passion and aligns with your core values. Diving into the essence of "ikigai," this book offers remarkable insights into a culture that embraces joy and purpose as integral elements of their existence. It reveals how this harmonious outlook keeps them youthful and motivated. By delving into these principles, you can learn how to adopt this serene and meaningful way of life. Reading this book can be a transformative experience, guiding you toward understanding your purpose, living with intention, and leading a long and fulfilling life - supported by research and commentary by the authors. Embrace the wisdom of "ikigai," and embark on a path that intertwines passion, fulfillment, and purpose.

I was very excited to read this book as in the recent months I discovered the concept of "ikigai". Since then, I have been reading as much as I can on the topic. The cover art and title drew me to this book and I was excited to read it. It was a well written book and I commend the authors on their dedication to doing the research and work to bring this book to life. That said it really does focus on what the secret to a long and happy life. Not necessarily on how to determine what your ikigai is. However, it had plenty of background on how to live in the moment, what habits one should adopt in order to have a long and full life (includes even a dietary section), how to keep the mind, body and soul moving, and just good advice on how to grow old without growing old. The book talks about resilience and anti fragility and how in combination with everything else mentioned above will help in living a long life. The last few pages of the epilogue give a recap of the 10 steps and honestly are incredibly helpful. All this said, find what you love to do and do more of it. That's really what finding your meaning/passion/ikigai is all about. As a result of making this discovery, you'll probably unlock the ability to live a much longer life. I give this book 4 stars since it is a very easy read and doesn't delve too deep into how you should find your ikigai, but it does demonstrate in good detail how to live a long and happy life.

So I blessed to have come across this book and quickly deciding to buy and read. The materials and references only reinforced as I listen to Stoicism podcasts. I've seen several times Dan Buettner, Blue Zones Live to 100 and the references to Okinawa. Purpose or Ikigai is life's energy. Health, well being , gratitude appreciating all that we have here and now. Living a simple minimalist life with focus on experience and the things that bring us JOY. Life force, as reference by the book with the same emphasis by Tony Robbins and connecting and recognizing the patterns. Appreciation for wisdom and practice of centuries, Indian, Chinese, Japanese cultures and way of life that have lasted so long and that will endure as the way of life and balance. Wonderful compendium and expression. Highly recommend.

Amazing book 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

Very good book. Based on actual and practical way of life. I enjoyed every aspect

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life is a beautifully written and insightful book that explores the Japanese concept of ikigai, which translates to "a reason for being." This book delves into how embracing this philosophy can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, offering both wisdom and practical advice for finding your own ikigai. The book is easy to read, with a thoughtful structure that weaves together stories, insights, and lessons from Japan’s culture and philosophy. The writing is clear, engaging, and accessible, making it perfect for anyone interested in personal development or those looking to explore a new approach to happiness and well-being. What makes this book so appealing is its focus on the idea that finding purpose is a key ingredient to a long and happy life. Through interviews with centenarians from Okinawa (one of the world’s Blue Zones), where people live longer lives, the authors explore how the concept of ikigai plays a significant role in health, happiness, and longevity. The book highlights how having a sense of purpose not only enhances one’s mental and emotional health but also contributes to physical well-being. The authors also provide actionable steps on how readers can discover their own ikigai. It’s about aligning what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This combination leads to a sense of fulfilment and direction that can significantly improve the quality of life. The book encourages reflection, helping you think about what brings joy and meaning to your life. Whether it’s your career, relationships, or personal hobbies, Ikigai provides a framework to help you integrate these aspects into your daily life, so you can live with more intention and passion. The exercises and practical tips on how to identify your ikigai are thoughtful and will inspire anyone looking to find more purpose in their life. Ikigai offers incredible value for anyone seeking inspiration or looking to live a more meaningful life. It’s an easy read that leaves you feeling motivated and thoughtful. The combination of Japanese philosophy and practical advice makes it an enriching experience that’s worth every penny. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to find more purpose in their life, whether you’re in the middle of your career, facing a life transition, or simply looking for ways to live with more intention. It’s especially valuable for people seeking balance, happiness, or longevity through mindful living. Overall, Ikigai is a heart-warming and practical guide to living a longer, happier, and more meaningful life. It encourages readers to slow down, reflect, and take small steps towards aligning their passions and purpose with their daily life. I highly recommend this book for anyone on the journey to self-discovery and personal fulfilment.

I found inspiration and practical advice in this book. I want to live 100 years like the people in the book, don’t you as well?, so read it!