What is ikigai?

“Ikigai” asks you “What is your purpose of living?”

“Ikigai (生き甲斐)” is a Japanese concept refers to the “purpose of living” or “reason for being.” It combines two words: “iki (生き),” meaning living or life, and “gai (甲斐),” meaning value or worth.

Because there are no words that can be translated into ikigai in the English-speaking world, the term or the concept of ikigai has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent days. The bestselling book “Ikigai (2017)” written by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles has sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy, that asks you “What brings you joy that helps you get through struggles or difficult times?” while Western interpretation takes ikigai as a method of finding your dream career.

The Western ikigai has four essential elements

According to the Westernized interpretation, there are four components that are essential to ikigai, and ikigai resides at the intersection of these four components (See below).

-What you love: It can be hobbies, dream careers and something you get inspiration from.
-What you are good at: It involves your skills, talents and strength.
-What you can be paid for: It relates to the economic aspect and often refers to your job.
-What the world needs: It focuses on your contribution to making the world a better place.

If you have something (it can be anything such as jobs, hobbies or community services) in your mind that covers all of the elements, you could say it is your ikigai.

The Japanese ikigai refers to joy or happiness

However, the Japanese interpret the term differently; ikigai is anything that gives you joy or happiness so that you can overcome tough days. According to a survey by Domani, a popular magazine for women in their 30s and 40s, the largest number of respondents say that child-rearing is their ikigai. The second largest is family, hobby comes in third place, and no one answers that job is their ikigai. Even when considering that this magazine is targeted at housewives, this result demonstrates that the concept of ikigai varies between Japan and the West.

What’s your ikigai? and its definition?

It is true that ikigai makes your job more meaningful and valuable to your life, but it doesn’t always have to be related to earning money in the Japanese way of thinking. Although all of the Japanese know the term ikigai, few of them actually can define it. One philosopher once thought one’s ikigai can be found through the time axis of past, present and future, while some thought it shouldn’t be limited to hobbies or work, but should be complex and abstract.

Ikigai is also closely linked to longevity and well-being. Some studies suggest that individuals who have a strong sense of purpose and meaning in their lives tend to be happier and live longer.

Whether you resonate more with the Japanese or Western concept, ask yourself, “What brings you joy or fulfillment?” and discover your ikigai that money can hardly provide.