Awakening Your Ikigai: How the Japanese Wake Up to Joy and Purpose Every Day

I could not believe my eyes when I found this book in a bookstore in the United States (Georgia). Mogi has finally published a book in English! I was thrilled.So, who is Ken Mogi? In my opinion, he is one of the top intellectuals in the world, let alone in Japan. He is a neuroscientist, but not a typical one by any means.His knowledge seems to encompass everything---science, philosophy, art, literature, history, law, etc. He has written nearly a hundred books in Japanese (I have read at least half of Mogi's books).This book is about "Ikigai", which is a Japanese word for describing the pleasures and meanings of life.The key message of this book: As long as you have your own ikigai, you can live happily---no matter which part of the world you live in.Mogi describes "the Five Pillars", which are the key factors that lead you to ikigai:1. Starting small2. Releasing yourself3. Harmony and sustainability4. The joy of small things5. Being in the here and nowThe book is replete with examples of Japanese professionals---sushi chefs, sumo wrestlers, anime creators, Zen Buddhists, and many others. Don't be thrown off by these "local" (i.e., Japanese) examples---if you think Mogi is bragging about the "coolness" of the Japanese culture, you have missed his point. These examples, although seemingly "local", are at the same time "universal": anyone in the world can learn from these examples to understand how “ikigai” works in real life.This book is a hidden gem in the English-speaking world. Although it is a short read, it has a significant profundity and practicality.Mogi is not only ridiculously smart but also warm-hearted. I can tell that Mogi truly wishes the readers to grasp the concept of ikigai so that we can live a happier life.I can't wait to read his second book in English.

A small, well-written work with feet planted in the Buddhist tenet of mindfulness. Author Ken Mogi explains how the Japanese practice self-awareness as the starting point for a more meaningful daily life. Much of this is "educated" common sense: starting small, releasing yourself, harmony and sustainability, the joy of small things and being in the here and now.His interesting illustrations/examples include people ranging from potters to candy makers to sumo wrestlers. Exotic as these are, they actually connect easily with the American (and other Western) contexts rather easily. His observations about the need to release oneself from enmeshment in daily routines and self-imposed limits as well as on the enjoyment of small things resonated particularly with me.This is a thoughtful and interesting "self-help" book that gets beyond the crunchy element and is actually full of real wisdom.

Short read but good reinforcement of many other principles just called something different. Some small variations allow for personalization of the Pillars.

Generally liked it. A few too many stories that did not seem to further or illustrate points. The examples at times seemed forced. Yet, there is enough here to take away that makes this very worthwhile.

I read this book at a time I was trying to figure out how to live a cohesive life. This book does a good job of covering different aspects of life and how they can all be related back to one’s Ikigai. I found it to be helpful in thinking about what motivates me both in life long term and on a day-to-day basis and how to get those motivations aligned. Beautiful.

I found this more to be an overview of Japanese culture as opposed to a real deep dive into the primary topic.

I was fascinated to learn about the Japanese concept of Ikigai, “a reason for being,” and the strategies for developing Ikigai in our lives. As a psychologist, I am very familiar with Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of “flow” - a state of concentration or complete absorption with an optimally challenging activity so that nothing else matters. In a flow state, people are happiest and the goal of Ikigai is to lead us to this experience by “being in the here and now.”.

Got as a gift and they love it!

Good read

Schönes Hardcover, das man auch gut verschenken könnte. Und wie gesagt, ein schöner Ansatz, den Sinn des Lebens mal in den kleineren Dingen zu suchen und in einem normalen Leben. Angenehme Abwechslung zu den ganzen westlichen Büchern, die sich in eher reißerischen Sprüchen gegenseitig überbieten.

Not much in English on Ikigai and this one is very helpful