Brilio.net - The book "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Hctor Garca and Francesc Miralles is more of a case study of the lives of elderly residents in Ogimi, a small village in Okinawa. The book concludes 10 rules of ikigai that are extracted from the wisdom of the elderly residents. These rules can be interpreted as lifestyle habits that allow the elderly in Ogimi to live long and enjoy their ikigai.
Ones lifestyle may be very different from the centenarians (over 100 years old) in Ogimi. Perhaps working, living in the city, having many responsibilities, financial stress, relationship problems, and many other things on ones mind. While it may be difficult to adopt all 10 of these rules, some of them are very easy to implement.
These rules are not mandatory to follow in order to achieve ikigai, but rather suggestions or habits that can be adopted to improve health and well-being so that one can find and live ikigai.
Here are 10 rules of ikigai that can help in everyday life:
1. Stay Active; Don't Retire
"Those who stop doing the things they love and do well lose their purpose in life. That is why it is so important to continue doing things that are valuable, making progress, bringing beauty or usefulness to others, helping and shaping the world around, even after the 'official' professional activity is over."
2. Take Time to Relax
"Rushing is the antithesis of good quality of life. As the old saying goes, 'Go slowly and you'll go far.' When we abandon urgency, life and time take on new meaning." Taking your time means being more conscious of your decisions, being more in control, and doing the things you want more often.
3. Don't fill your stomach completely
According to the rule, to stay healthy longer, we should eat a little less than desired rather than filling the stomach completely."
Hara hachi bun me ni isha irazu. This Japanese proverb means Eating until 80% full keeps the doctor away. Hara hachi bun me is a 2,500-year-old Japanese Confucian concept that means eight-parts-full stomach. It is a wisdom-based form of calorie restriction that has been practiced by the Japanese for hundreds of years.
4. Surround Yourself with Good Friends
"Friends are the best medicine, there to share worries, share stories that brighten the day, get advice, have fun, dream... in other words, live."
"Young people often say 'My life has no ikigai'. This is clear. People who isolate themselves cannot have ikigai meaning or purpose. Ikigai is found only in interpersonal relationships." Ishikawa Tatsuz.
5. Stay Fit for Your Next Birthday
"Water moves; it is at its best when it is flowing fresh and not stagnant. The body you move through life needs a little daily maintenance to keep it going for long. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy."
6. Smile
"A cheerful attitude is not only calming it also helps make friends. It's important to recognize the not-so-good things, but we should never forget how lucky it is to be here and now in a world full of possibilities."
7. Back to Nature
Although most people now live in cities, humans were created to be part of the natural world. We need to get back to nature to recharge. "Are you familiar with the Japanese word shinrin-yoku? It means 'forest bathing' and involves connecting with nature using the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. It is a mindfulness practice to help you reconnect with nature so you can rejuvenate your body and give your mind a moment of peace."
8. Be grateful
"To the ancestors, to nature that provides the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your day and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Take time every day to be grateful, and you will see your happiness increase."
9. Live in the Moment
"Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering." The present moment is all you ever have. There is never a time when your life is not 'this moment.' Is this not a fact? Eckhart Tolle "The present moment is all you ever have. There is never a time when your life is not 'this moment.' Is this not a fact?" Eckhart Tolle
10. Follow Your Ikigai
"There is a passion within you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the end. If you don't know what your ikigai is yet, as Viktor Frankl said, your mission is to find it."
Ikigai doesnt have to be a unique talent that drives you to share the best of yourself to the end. Japanese author Ken Mogi describes ikigai as a spectrum, and that you can have several ikigais, from enjoying your morning coffee to working toward a defining life purpose.
The last rule can be changed to 'Develop Purpose'. Purpose is a central element of ikigai and something that can be developed and felt when doing things with mindfulness and working to contribute to those around you. You don't have to be the best version of yourself, just be honest and authentic in all moments of your life.