Positive Psychology (Book Review & Summary)
Ikigai - The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Long time no see. It's been weeks? Months? How have you all been? I hope you are all doing well and life is not stressing you? Don't be too hard on yourself please. You are just human. I hope you are eager to read what I have specially for you today. I recently got gifted Ikigai by an amazing person (please pray for this person) and there are so much gems here that I found beneficial and stood out for me. I would be highlighting them as key points and sharing excerpts.
Everyone has an Ikigai - some have found theirs while others are still looking. Finding it requires a patient search. The purpose of the book Ikigai is to help find your Ikigai and to share insights from Japanese philosophy on the lasting health of body, mind and soul.
The key to longevity are diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life and forming strong social ties (family and friends).
1. Having an active mind: having a youthful mind and maintaining an active mind is a key factor in staying young and living a healthy lifestyle. Give your brain a workout- simply interacting with others, playing game, puzzle, learning something new.
2. Stress: most health problems are caused by stress. It has a degenerative effect over time. It could cause depression, irritability, insomnia, anxiety and blood pressure. Practice mindfulness- breathing exercises, body scans, go for walks, participate in social activities, reduce screen time, replace your junk foods with fruits, get the right amount of sleep, be conscious of your daily routine.
People who live the longest have a positive attitude and a high degree of emotional awareness. Those who face challenges with a positive outlook and are able to mange their emotions are on their way towards longevity.
3. Principles of Morita Therapy: Accept your feelings - 'we don't create our feelings, they simply come to us and we have to accept them'. Do what you should be doing - focus on the present moment, avoid intellectualizing the situation. Discover your life's purpose- have a clear sense of purpose (What do we need to be doing right now? What actions should we be taking?).
4. Find flow in everything you do: Flow is the pleasure, delight, creativity and process when you are completely immersed in life. Focus on increasing the time spent on activities that bring this flow. When you flow, your mind is in order and can concentrate on a task without distraction. Having a clear objective without obsessing over it, concentrating on one thing at a time is important in achieving flow.
5. Using flow to find your Ikigai: write down all the activities in your life that makes you enter flow. Ask yourself questions (Why do these activities drive you to flow? Do you flow more when you practice with people or alone?). In the answers to these questions you might find the underlying ikigai that drives your life. If you don't, keep searching by going deeper. Also try new things that are not on your list. The more you train your flow, the closer you will be to your Ikigai. Like I said earlier, it requires patient search.
Be water, be like a leaf in the wind. There is no magic recipe for finding happiness.
Japanese Phrases
1. Ikigai - the Japanese Secret to a Long life and happy life.
2. Ichiraba chode - Treat everyone like a brother even if you have never met them before.
3. Yuimaaru - teamwork.
4. Hara hachibu - Fill your belly to 80 percent.
5. Ganbaru- to persevere or stay firm by doing one's best
I am just halfway through the book and I wish I could literally share everything the authors mentioned. I highly recommend you get the book. I would be reviewing the other half soon in the next newsletter. If you would like to have a discussion about this, or you need further clarification or my service, you could reply to this newsletter.
See you soon, Ciao!