Ikigai: The Japanese Way of Finding Meaning, Joy and Purpose Everyday (feat. Ken Mogi)
Ikigai is a Japanese phenomenon that roughly translates to “your reason for living,” but in reality, it means so much more. It includes the small everyday things as well as big goals and achievements.
According to my guest Ken Mogi, Ikigai is the path to success and happiness in your own life. He is here to illustrate what he means by this.
Ken Mogi is a neuroscientist, writer, and broadcaster based in Tokyo. He has published over thirty papers on cognitive science and neuroscience, and over one hundred books in Japan covering popular science, essay, criticism, and self-help. His books have sold close to one million copies. He is the author of Awakening Your Ikigai and The Way of Nagomi.
During our conversation, Ken speaks about different facets of Ikigai and how each one plays out in Japanese culture. He also discusses the five pillars of Ikigai and how we can apply them to our everyday lives to create more meaning, harmony, joy and prosperity.
Interview timestamps:
03:15 ︳Ken describes what it was like writing his book on Ikigai
04:15 ︳What is Ikigai and its significance in Japanese culture
06:20 ︳Different ways that Ikigai is practiced in Japanese cultures
11:45 ︳The value of modesty and expressing our Ikigai in low-key ways
17:28 ︳The five pillars of Ikigai – starting small, releasing yourself, harmony and sustainability, the joy of little things, being in the here and now
31:30 ︳Why finding joy in your profession will make us happier than praise and recognition
36:30 ︳The importance of finding things you’re passionate about when practicing Ikigai
40:35 ︳The principle of Kodawari and how it can help us produce the highest quality of work
To learn more about Ken Mogi’s book “The Little Book of Ikigai: The secret Japanese way to live a happy and long life," visit this website.
Follow Ken Mogi on X / Twitter @kenmogi
