IKIGAI: How to Live a Purposeful Life - Maudy Ayunda's Booklist

Summary

In this video, Maudy Ayunda shares insights from the book 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by Hector Garcia and Miralles. The book explores the Okinawan community's secrets to longevity through 100 interviews, highlighting the concept of Ikigai as a reason to live found at the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession. It also emphasizes the importance of a slow-paced life, finding 'flow' in activities, and staying active without retiring to maintain a meaningful and balanced lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 📚 The book 'Ikigai' explores the Japanese secret to a long and happy life, focusing on the Okinawan community's lifestyle.
• 🌟 Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning 'a reason to live', which is essential for happiness and peace in daily life.
• 🔍 Finding one's Ikigai involves a combination of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, and requires time and patience.
• 🎯 Okinawans believe in living meaningfully, with their Ikigai serving as 'the reason we get up in the morning'.
• 🚶‍♂️ Taking it slow and finding your flow is a key aspect of the Okinawan lifestyle, promoting a relaxed yet passionate approach to all activities.
• 🌿 Embracing the 'state of flow' leads to optimal performance and happiness, achieved by focusing solely on one activity without distraction.
• 🏃‍♀️ Okinawans value continuous activity and discourage retirement, as movement and purposeful living contribute to longevity.
• 💡 Staying active and engaged prevents the loss of Ikigai, encouraging a life of constant learning and growth.
• 🌈 The book offers relatable and easy-to-understand insights, making readers reflect on their own lives and happiness.
• 💌 Personal stories from Okinawans add an intimate touch, making the book's lessons feel more impactful.
• 🎁 The author encourages readers to share book recommendations and offers a special gift to the most interesting comment.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the book 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life'?

The main focus of the book is to explore the concept of Ikigai and how it contributes to the long and happy lives of the Okinawans, the longest living community in the world.

Who are the authors of the book 'Ikigai'?

The authors of the book 'Ikigai' are Hector Garcia and Miralles.

What does the word 'Ikigai' mean in Japanese?

'Ikigai' in Japanese means 'a reason to live'.

What are the four components that combine to form one's Ikigai according to the book?

The four components that combine to form one's Ikigai are passion (what we like), mission (what is needed by the world), vocation (what's your skill), and profession (what are the fruitful activities).

How do the Okinawans maintain a balance in their lives?

The Okinawans maintain a balance in their lives by finding their Ikigai at the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession.

What is the significance of a slow and relaxed lifestyle for the Okinawans?

A slow and relaxed lifestyle for the Okinawans means they stay passionate and do their best in everything they do without feeling pressured, allowing them to enjoy everything they do and celebrate the small happiness in life.

What is the 'State of flow' as described in the book?

The 'State of flow' is achieved when one is fully diligent and focused on one activity, to the extent that nothing else feels more important, leading to the best performance and a sense of happiness in just doing that activity.

Why do the Okinawans never stop moving and what does it mean by 'moving'?

The Okinawans never stop moving because it is key to their long lives. 'Moving' here refers to any kind of movement, not necessarily hard exercises or long runs, but can be as simple as walking around the house, gardening, or singing karaoke.

What is the Okinawan perspective on retirement?

In Okinawa, there's no concept of retirement as even the elderly continue to lead active, purposeful lives filled with activities, feeling needed, important, and contributing to their community.

How does the book suggest we should approach our lives and retirement?

The book suggests that instead of focusing on earning money for early retirement, we should change our mindset and focus on building a fantastic life while we still have time, keeping active, learning, and growing.

What makes the testimonies and stories from the people of Okinawa in the book particularly impactful?

The testimonies and stories from the people of Okinawa add a sense of intimacy and personal touch, making the concepts and insights more relatable and impactful for the reader.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Discovering Ikigai: The Path to a Long and Happy Life

This paragraph introduces Maudy Ayunda's booklist video, focusing on the book 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by Hector Garcia and Miralles. The authors, who have a deep understanding of Japanese culture, explore the Okinawan community's secrets to longevity and happiness through interviews and stories. The concept of Ikigai, a reason to live, is introduced as a combination of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, emphasizing the importance of finding balance in life.

05:03

🌿 Embracing Slow Living and the Flow State

The second paragraph delves into the Okinawan way of life, highlighting their slow and relaxed pace without losing passion and dedication. The concept of 'flow' is introduced, where being fully engaged in an activity leads to happiness and peak performance. The paragraph encourages viewers to reduce distractions and seek more flow moments in their lives, as the happiest people are those who spend more time in this state of complete focus and immersion.

🏃‍♀️ Staying Active and the Anti-Retirement Mindset

The final paragraph discusses the Okinawan approach to staying active and the absence of retirement, where continuous movement and meaningful activities contribute to longevity. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining an active and purposeful life, regardless of age, to keep the brain growing and revitalized. The author shares personal reflections on the book's insights, relating them to her own search for happiness and life meaning, and invites viewers to engage by suggesting books and offering a giveaway.

Keywords

💡Ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to 'a reason to live'. It is central to the book's theme, representing the driving force behind a long and happy life. In the context of the video, Ikigai is described as the intersection of four elements: passion, mission, vocation, and profession. It is the reason Okinawans have for waking up in the morning and living meaningfully, contributing to their longevity and contentment.

💡Longevity

Longevity refers to living a long life, often in good health. In the video, it is associated with the Okinawan community, known for having one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The book 'Ikigai' explores the secrets behind their long and happy lives, including their lifestyle, diet, and mindset.

💡Happiness

Happiness is a state of well-being and contentment. The video emphasizes the pursuit of happiness through the discovery of one's Ikigai, suggesting that it is not about achieving the most but about spending time in a state of flow and living a balanced life. The Okinawans' approach to life is presented as a model for achieving happiness.

💡Flow

Flow is a mental state in which a person is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In the context of the video, it is suggested that achieving a state of flow is a key to happiness and optimal performance. The Okinawans are portrayed as being in this state often, which is linked to their happiness and longevity.

💡Retirement

Retirement is the period of life after one stops working, typically due to age. In the video, it is noted that there is no concept of retirement in Okinawa, and the elderly continue to lead active, purposeful lives. This continuous engagement is suggested to contribute to their longevity and sense of purpose.

💡Activity

Activity refers to the act of being physically or mentally engaged in doing something. The video emphasizes the importance of staying active for maintaining health and happiness, as seen in the Okinawan lifestyle, which includes walking, gardening, and other forms of light exercise.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a person's established set of beliefs, attitudes, and ways of thinking. In the video, the Okinawan mindset is highlighted as being open-minded and focused on the present, which is linked to their happiness and longevity. The book encourages viewers to adopt a similar mindset to find their Ikigai and live a balanced life.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something. In the context of the video, passion is one of the four elements that contribute to one's Ikigai. It is what an individual likes and is naturally drawn to, and it is essential for leading a meaningful and happy life.

💡Mission

Mission refers to a specific task or purpose. In the video, it is part of the Ikigai concept, representing what is needed by the world. It suggests that one's life purpose should align with the broader needs of society, contributing to personal happiness and fulfillment.

💡Vocation

Vocation refers to a person's occupation or trade, often associated with a strong sense of suitability or aptitude for a particular job. In the video, vocation is one of the components of Ikigai, highlighting the importance of aligning one's skills with their career path to achieve a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

💡Profession

Profession refers to one's paid occupation or career. In the context of the video, it is part of the Ikigai framework, indicating the activities that one is paid for and that can contribute to their overall reason for living. It suggests that a harmonious blend of passion, mission, vocation, and profession leads to a fulfilling life.

Highlights

The book 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by Hector Garcia and Miralles explores the secrets behind long and happy living.

The authors conducted 100 interviews with Okinawans, who have one of the world's longest life expectancies, to understand their lifestyle and mindset.

Ikigai, a Japanese term meaning 'a reason to live', is central to the Okinawan way of life and is believed to contribute to their happiness and longevity.

Finding one's Ikigai involves a combination of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, which leads to a balanced and harmonious life.

Okinawans are known for their slow-paced and relaxed lifestyle, which doesn't equate to laziness but rather a mindful and passionate approach to all activities.

The concept of 'flow' is introduced as a state of being fully engaged in an activity, leading to peak performance and happiness.

Okinawans emphasize the importance of staying active and avoiding retirement to maintain a sense of purpose and contribution to society.

The book suggests that continuous activity and learning, rather than focusing on early retirement, can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The author, Maudy Ayunda, finds the book's insights personally meaningful as she reflects on her own life and happiness.

The book's stories and testimonies from Okinawans add a personal touch, making the concepts more relatable and impactful.

Readers are encouraged to find their own Ikigai and apply the principles of flow and active living to improve their quality of life.

The book challenges the conventional idea of retirement and promotes staying active and engaged as a means to maintain mental and physical health.

Maundy Ayunda invites readers to share book recommendations and engage with her content for more insights into living a long and happy life.

The book emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and enjoying the small joys in life.

Technology and social media are identified as potential distractions that can prevent us from achieving a state of flow and true happiness.

The book's insights are presented in a way that is easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience seeking to improve their lives.

By avoiding distractions and staying active, individuals can maintain their Ikigai and continue to grow and revitalize their minds.

The book serves as a guide for readers to build a fantastic life while they still have the time and opportunity.

Transcripts

Hi Curious People! Maudy Ayunda, here.

Welcome to my booklist,

where I'll share some interesting insights from the books that I read.

Of all the contents from the book, I'll be sharing 3 insights that are personally interesting for me.

Today, we're going to review a book titled, Ikigai.

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

by Hector Garcia and Miralles,

which depicts the secret behind a long and happy life.

Hector Garcia is an author who has lived in Japan for a long time

and Miralles is a best-selling author,

who's especially recognized for her works in the self-help genre.

Well, in this book, they do a research towards a community who live in Okinawa, Japan,

where we can find the longest living community in the world.

By conducting 100 interviews and listening to the stories of Okinawans,

they gain a deep understanding of the secret to a long and happy life.

And in every chapter of the book, there are stories about the lifestyle,

attitudes, mindset, diet and routines of the Okinawans.

Let's continue to the insights!

Insight 1: Find and Follow Your Ikigai.

The people of Okinawa believe that in order to be happy and peaceful,

we have to live our daily lives meaningfully.

Hence, we need to find and have our own Ikigai,

a Japanese word that means "a reason to live".

According to this book, everyone has their own Ikigai,

and to be able to find it, it takes time and patience.

For Okinawans, our Ikigai is kind of “the reason we get up in the morning”,

and a combination of these 4 things:

First, passion or what we like.

Second, mission: what is needed by the world.

Third, vocation: what's your skill?

And fourth, profession: what are the fruitful activities?

According to this book, life balance is found at the intersection of these 4 things.

So, to find our Ikigai,

may be we can reflect and ask ourselves:

What are the things you like?

What are things you're skillful at?

And what are the activities that could become a career or being paid?

And what is needed by this world?

If we can find our Ikigai, we can live our day to day in balance and harmony.

Insight No.2,

Take It Slow and Find Your Flow.

The people of Okinawa are known for their relatively slow and relax lifestyle.

But it doesn't mean that they're being lazy.

They stay passionate about everything that they do,

no matter how small it is.

Instead, they try to do their best in everything they do.

As they have found their Ikigai,

the Okinawans seldom feel pressured and could enjoy everything that they do.

For instance, they're celebrating the times that they have,

even the small happiness in life.

They believe that we should live in the now

and have a very open minded mindset.

I do understand that

these days, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life

and we might forget to slow down and think.

Whether it's because of technology, social media, or many other distractions out there.

But just imagine,

in the life of more “taking it slow” as mentioned earlier,

we can spend time to enjoy the morning,

spend time to enjoy anything that you do,

appreciate the nature,

and focus while talking to people.

Slowing down is not easy,

but it can bring bigger happiness.

Then, inspired by the Okinawans,

we are also suggested to look for as many “flow” moments as possible in our lives.

What's this "State of flow"?

This can be achieved when we are fully diligent

and focus only to one activity and everything feels "flowing"

to the extent that there's nothing out there that is more important.

When we are in this state,

we'll reach our best performance and certainly we will be happy in just doing that.

With this "flow",

there is a new sense of enthusiasm, a sense of life, and there is peace that permeates us.

And we are completely in the present moment.

We don't think about the past.

We don't think about the future.

Only the present and now.

Usually this can be achieved when there's no distraction at all,

and we just focus in doing one thing.

According to the author,

“The happiest people are not those who achieved the most.

But those who spend more time in this state of flow."

So find these moments of flow,

and guys, please avoid

these distractions that may get us out of the flow.

Insight No.3: Keep on being active and never retire.

The people of Okinawa never stop moving.

Well, "moving" here doesn't mean you have to do hard exercises or have to run long miles,

but as simple as walking around your house,

gardening,

or sing karaoke.

The point is, don't let us be intimidated by exercise,

because in reality any kind of movement

is the key to long live of the Okinawans.

Another interesting point is that, there's no retirement in Okinawa.

So even the elderly,

still face their days full with activities and meaningfully.

They live intentional, purposeful lives.

So, everyone feels needed, feels important and feels contributing.

That's why they live longer than the others.

According to the author, when we take care of our mind

or even our body to always be active meaningfully,

Our brain also constantly grow and revitalize.

And probably we see retirement as a moment to rest,

and the stop from our tiring work.

but don't let retirement kill our Ikigai.

According to the book, from now on,

don't get too busy in earning money for early retirement,

change the mindset instead,

We have to focus on building a fantastic life while we still have time.

So guys, keep on being active, keep on learning and keep on growing.

As always, for my favorite part,

so what?

I'm really reading this book,

because there are nuggets of information that are very easy to understand,

and at the time when I'm also looking for the meaning of

happiness in life,

and also building of life that feels right for me,

a lot of the points made me reflect about my own life.

Moreover, the book contains testimonies and stories from the people of Okinawa

that really adds the sense of intimacy and personal touch.

Okay, thanks for listening curious people.

If you want me to read a book

and share with you my favorite insights,

give book recommendations in the comment section below.

Also, for the most interesting comment

I will give you this Ikigai book with a special message from me.

So, don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications :)

Bye~