vlog

How would you define ikigai? For Dr. Yasuhiro Kotera, ikigai doesn’t have to be something lavish; it is more on the daily experiences that we have that provide joy into our lives. Nick: So let’s touch on your definition. I think it’s funny because I’ve just said earlier, we need to let go of definitions, […]

What’s the best way to explain the concept of ikigai? As for Yasuhiro Kotera, ikigai is an experiential concept — it cannot be explained without experience. Nick: So when you saw the westernized interpretation of Ikigai, the four circle Venn diagram that has Ikigai as the center sweet spot of doing something that you love

How do we find balance in an unbalanced world? Nick and Saori Okada explore this question and talk about the term hodo-hodo ni (just do enough): knowing when to know when your cup is full. Nick: So another interesting point you raised when we were talking is a question: how do you find balance in

The Japanese concept of ikigai is gaining attention in the West, where they define it as a framework of something that you love, something that you’re good at, something that the world needs, and something that you get paid for. But if we would ask a Japanese person, is that how they would define ikigai?

What is the connection of the soul to ikigai? Where does it fit into the concept of ikigai? Saori Okada explains the need to understand our soul to live a life of ikigai — a life worth living. Nick: That’s something that’s not really talked about in the West. And as you found out ikigai

For some Japanese people, daily living is difficult, some have to work excessively to make ends meet — it is something that even other cultures can relate to. Is having ikigai a solution for these tough times? Nick and Saori Okada discuss how having ikigai can be beneficial when we are faced with difficult situations.

What does it feel like to be able to experience the best of both Japanese and Western cultures? Saori Okada shares her realizations upon having been able to live and experience both cultures, and how it helped her to embrace more her being Japanese. Nick: So this goes into our next point really about you

Have you ever contemplated the things that you really value in life? Is it vital for us to establish our values? Dr. Caitlin Kight talks about the importance of having values in our lives and how ikigai gives people a way of putting their values in the center of all things and understanding them. Nick:

With her passion to find creative ways to educate people, Dr. Caitlin Kight stumbled upon the Japanese concept of ikigai. She shares how she was able to incorporate ikigai during one of her sessions, and how the students responded well with the concept, which led her to explore more about it. Nick: I did some research

If your ikigai is to teach, the Japanese have another term for that: oshiegai (worth teaching). Do you feel a sense of ikigai by sharing your knowledge with others? Dr. Caitlin Kight shares how she ends up becoming an educator: sharing her knowledge with other people and considering it as her ikigai. Nick: I think