Ikigai-kan: The Practice of Living with Ikigai

Ikigai-kan" (生きがい感) refers to the feeling or emotion of having ikigai, which translates to a life worth living or a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It's not a mystical concept, but a Japanese wisdom for living a meaningful life by continually engaging in activities that resonate with you. It's not a single destination, but a continuous journey of self-exploration and positive engagement with life.

Practicing ikigai involves ongoing self-reflection, reconnecting with nature, building strong relationships, staying active, living intentionally, and embracing minimalism and a slower pace of life.

How to Practice Living with Ikigai

Living one’s ikigai is a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and growth. It is a simple yet profound practice for approaching life, often likened to a more mindful and Zen-inspired lifestyle with a focus on balance, harmony, and presence.

Importantly, ikigai is not prescriptive. There is no single “right” path; rather, it is discovered through ongoing reflection and attention to what truly matters to you.

The practice often unfolds through the following elements:

• Engage in meaningful activities: Pursue activities that bring you joy and turn these into intentional or ikigai moments, something that you look forward to.

• Practice continuous reflection: Regularly reflect on your journey and how your daily activities contribute to your sense of joy. Accept yourself for who you are and understand that Ikigai looks different for everyone and evolves over time.

• Stay active and engaged: Remain active and engaged in meaningful pursuits and physical activities, even after retirement. Practice yoga, taichi or qigong. Read, learn, exercise, meditate. Explore the Self, your natural rythyms and interconnectedness of all existence.

• Live mindfully and with gratitude: Embrace minimalism and living intentionally. Adopt a slower pace of life, be present, and give thanks for the good things in your life. We should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities.

• Reconnect with nature: Spend time in nature to find a deeper sense of connection and let the cycles of nature remind you of your own. Adopt a mindset of awareness and responsibility for the environment by making mindful choices that reduce your personal footprint.

• Pursue new experiences: Travel to new places, immerse yourself in different cultures, and embrace the unfamiliar. Taste new foods, listen to fresh sounds, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Every new experience is an opportunity to grow, expand, and discover more of who you are.

• Cultivate positive relationships: Surround yourself with good friends and people who support you unconditionally.

Ikigai-kan is not there waiting for us, it is to be created.