In Search of Ikigai

Among the eternal questions of humanity, such as “Who is to blame?”, “What is to be done?” and “Is there life on Mars?”, the question “What is the meaning of life?” occupies a special place.

Everyone faces this existential problem. Some sooner, some later. You can live for half a century without ever considering the philosophical significance of your own existence, and then, out of the blue, a so-called midlife crisis strikes. You stop, confused, looking around, trying to figure out, “What’s the point of all this?”

Philosophy, in this sense, is a tricky thing. It pretends to be accessible only to dedicated sages, but in reality, it’s merely a set of questions that everyone must ponder, whether they want to or not. And the success of this personal confrontation with humanity’s “eternal” questions depends on whether a person is prepared for deep reflection, able to reason, and trained in analysis.

You can turn to authority and read what classical philosophers, from Socrates to Kant, from Thomas Aquinas to Søren Kierkegaard, thought about the meaning of life. Or you can try out the ready-made answers offered by religious denominations. Or you can try to uncover the truth yourself. In any case, there’s a good chance that in this search for a universal answer, a person will sooner or later realize that such an answer, applicable to everyone, objective, and definitive, simply doesn’t exist. This isn’t a problem from a school textbook, the solution to which can be found in the back of the book. Each person must formulate the answer themselves.

It’s like with clothing. You can go to a ready-to-wear store and choose, say, a coat from the selection they have. But there’s no guarantee it’ll fit you perfectly. And suddenly you notice a slight pressure under your arms, the sleeves are a bit long, and the pocket is in an awkward place.

Uncomfortable? Then it’s time for a tailor! A custom-made coat, yours and yours alone, will feel perfectly tailored to your figure.

It’s the same with philosophical questions. Today, there’s a huge selection of ready-made, mass-produced answers available, from which people can choose the one that best suits them. But, unlike clothing, you can’t alter buttons; you have to wear them as is. Yes, not everyone can afford a personal tailor. But when it comes to ideas and ways of life, there’s no dependence on your wallet; we’re all on equal terms. And the extent to which your answer to the meaning of life is personalized, tailored to your measurements, will determine, nothing less than, your chances of happiness.

What does the wise East think about this? After all, we often turn our gaze to Asia when it comes to problems unsolved or inadequately addressed by European civilization. Thus, classical “chemical” medicine competes with Eastern holistic concepts, and Western philosophy consults traditional Eastern wisdom.

The closest thing to the European concept of “meaning in life” is a phenomenon called “ikigai” in Japan. The Japanese themselves, if asked what it means, will say something like: “Why do I wake up in the morning? Why do I get up and live the entire day? What fills me with joyful anticipation? What colors my daily life, what gives meaning to each unique moment?” We might call this self-identification or purpose, but unlike in the Western consciousness, where people typically ponder such questions only at certain moments in their lives, ikigai for the Japanese is a necessary, obligatory part of their lives.

Ikigai simultaneously answers the question, “What gives me the greatest satisfaction in this life?” and suggests, “What can I do that is most helpful to others?” It’s both a vector that leads you to happiness in life and a way to harmoniously exist in society.

A professional traveler I know was once talking to the chief of an Amazonian tribe. “Who are you?” the Native Indian asked him. He told him his name.

– But I didn’t ask what your name was.
– I am Russian
– But I didn’t ask where you were from.
– I am a husband, a father of two children.
– But I didn’t ask who your relative are.
– I am a journalist, a researcher.
– But I didn’t ask what you do. Who are you?

For many years after that meeting, my friend struggled to find an answer to this seemingly simple question. Try answering it yourself.

The Japanese “ikigai” helps us formulate our most important idea. “Every morning I wake up to…” Try to continue this phrase by analyzing your life. Weed out all the unnecessary, superficial, and routine things and identify what truly matters—the core, the meaning of your life.

Numerous surveys and studies are being conducted in Japan on this topic. How does the ikigai of older people differ from that of younger people? How does ikigai differ between men and women, between rural and urban residents, between rich and poor, between representatives of different professions and regions? After all, there are as many answers to this question as there are people.

Ikigai is your personal “suit,” tailored to your unique measurements, so despite similar aspirations and ideals, each person has their own unique ikigai.

A person who has formulated and realized their ikigai acquires a different, new quality of life. Inspiration and excitement, inner balance and harmony with the world. Isn’t this what we call happiness? According to Japanese researchers, the ikigai phenomenon influences not only the quality of life but also the length of life. For example, on the island of Okinawa, where ikigai is traditionally treated with the utmost responsibility, considering it an integral part of life, the highest percentage of centenarians in Japan is found!

Want to forget that Monday is a tough day, that work is difficult, and instead rush to work like it’s a holiday? Understand your ikigai! After all, for some, digging a garden bed is a chore, while for others, it’s a pleasure and relaxation. Think about what activities you enjoy, what you can do tirelessly? What do your favorite books, films, and TV shows have in common? Surely there’s a theme that invariably draws you in? What events do you eagerly await, and what memories linger with pleasure? These are all simple questions that will bring you closer to understanding your personal ikigai.

Every morning I wake up to seek out and discover unknown places on the planet and tell people about them. This is how a traveler friend of mine formulated his ikigai after visiting Japan and learning about the concept. Now he has something to answer the Native American chief. But most importantly, he has something to answer for himself. To the eternal questions of humanity: “Who am I? Why do I live? Why did I come into this world? What is the meaning of life?”

Or, to put it in Japanese: “Why do I wake up every morning? What is my ikigai?”