How does one begin to self-actualise?Self-actualization starts with acceptance: acceptance of yourself, of others, and of the world you live in. This is articulated by the Japanese word arugamama, which literally translates to ‘as it is’. Arugamama means the acceptance of the true nature of things.This is the foundation of Morita therapy, a psychotherapy developed […]
Arugamama – as it is. Read More »
Omoiyari is regarded as ideal communication in Japanese society.Omoiyari is a noun formed from a compound of two verbs. Omoi- comes from the verb omou, which means ‘to think or have concern for others’, while -yari is from the verb yaru that means ‘to do’ or ‘to send’.Omou + yaru = OmoiyariOmou = to think,
Omoiyari – ideal communication in Japanese society. Read More »
If there is one phrase in Japanese that you should memorise and use as a daily mantra, it is this: Yarigai ga aru.Yaru is a verb meaning ‘to do’, so yarigai means ‘something worth doing’. Aru means ‘is’ or ‘exists’, and ga acts as a subject marker. Thus, the phrase yarigai ga aru indicates that something holds value
Yarigai – What is Worth Doing? Read More »
Everyone wants to be the best version of themselves; some would think that to achieve that, it is vital to go after bigger goals. In Japan, however, people focus on having better relationships and reflecting on their lives rather than going after something grand. Morita therapy and Naikan are some of the Japanese psychology that may help people contemplate their lives and understand what really matters.
49 – The Benefits Naikan and Mortia Therapy of with Carly Taylor Read More »
There are millions of Japanese who don’t feel ikigai. Many of these people suffer greatly from unwanted loneliness and experience a feeling of not being needed.
The Lack of Ikigai in Japan Read More »
Dō literally translates to ‘road’, ‘path’, ‘passage’. It is never a destination or end goal. Instead, dō indicates a ‘way’ or rules for conducting oneself.
Dō – the Path, the Way Read More »
The book IKIGAI concludes with 10 ten rules of ikigai that the author’s distilled from the wisdom of long-living residents of Ogami in Okinawa.
The 10 Rules of IKIGAI: The Japanese Secrets To a Long and Happy Life Read More »
While pleasant to imagine, romanticising ikigai as merely a tranquil lifestyle restricted to one Japanese island prevents us from discovering what ikigai truly is.
The Ikigai Longevity Myth Read More »
One way we could feel hatarakigai-kan, the feeling of work worth doing, is by leaving the workplace in a better condition than we were in when we arrived. This is the goal of Bob Emiliani, an expert in the practice of kaizen – a Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement.
In Japanese, the verb for work is hataraku, written as 働く. The phrase hatarakigai, 働きがい, is used to indicate ‘work that is worth doing’ or ‘work motivation’. We can understand this word as work-related sources of ikigai. What is important to understand is that this often involves engaging in work that is both challenging and demanding; not always enjoyable, but ultimately satisfying.
Ikigai at Work – Hatarakigai Read More »
