Ikigai: Finding Calm and Purpose

The Japanese term Ikigai has no direct English translation, but explained simply, means ‘value in living’ or ‘reason for living’. A purpose. Even in Japanese, where the term is commonly used, there are a variety of meanings. These include: ‘joy and wellbeing from living’, ‘the value of being alive’ and ‘a subjective feeling of happiness’. What we can take from this, is that though the definitions may vary slightly, Ikigai is defined by a sense of personal happiness and fulfilment.

So, how can we gain this sense of fulfilment, when so often our lives are consumed by 9-5 roles or other personal commitments. Finding time for activities that bring us joy is challenging, but so is the monotony of living lives we are unfulfilled by. They key to Ikigai, explains Japanese psychiatrist Mieko Kamiya, is achieving things that align with your true nature. Fulfilling the end goal, Justyn Barnes suggests, is relatively unimportant, but taking steps in your own personal direction is what counts.

Rather than simply seeking the end goal of happiness, Ikigai suggests that we should learn to appreciate the highs and lows of the process. Appreciating how we reach a destination allows us to reflect on our personal growth and see what we have individually achieved. It rejects the inadequacy we feel in comparison and teaches us to find perfection in imperfection. As Nikkyo Niwano noted in his 1969 book ‘Ningen no Ikigai’ (The Meaningful Life), ‘a meaningful life is one lived with a sense of fulfilment…it is […] a profound, joyful awareness of the innermost reality of life.’ The important focus in this being the acceptance of reality in everyday life. Rather than aspiring for perfection, enjoying the ups and downs of everyday life. So, if you’ve had a bad day, let the notion that there will be a better day tomorrow comfort you. Knowing that there is good and bad in everything allows us to lead a more fulfilling life, without an unattainable expectation of things always going smoothly.