Looking to deepen your understanding of the ikigai concept?
Nick Kemp’s book, Ikigai-kan: Feel a Life Worth Living, delves deeply into the true essence of ikigai, honouring its Japanese roots. He challenges common misconceptions and encourages readers to explore what genuinely makes them feel alive.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, join our AI companions as they summarise Nick Kemp’s book, unveiling how it provides a fresh and culturally enriched perspective on the ikigai concept.
Podcast Highlights
- The works of Mieko Kamiya. They delve into the works of Mieko Kamiya on ikigai.
- Framing the seven needs of ikigai. They discuss how Nick tied together all of Kamiya’s seven needs.
- Finding ikigai in everyday life. They discuss Nick's insights on discovering ikigai in daily life.
- A deeper perspective on ikigai. They explore a more profound understanding of the concept of ikigai.
- Feeling more ikigai in our lives. They discuss how Nick provides examples of ways people can experience more ikigai in their lives.
- Harmony between personal fulfilment and making a positive social impact. They discuss how people can find a balance between individual fulfilment and contributing to the collective good.
Nicholas Kemp
Nicholas Kemp is a father, husband, Japanologist, researcher, solopreneur, and author of IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living. He is the founder and head coach of Ikigai Tribe, a small community of educators, psychologists, coaches, and trainers who serve their personal communities using the ikigai concept.
The works of Mieko Kamiya
Mieko Kamiya identified seven psychological needs that contribute to the sense of ikigai-kan, or feeling that life is worth living. These needs include:
Life Satisfaction – Feeling that life is on the right track.
Bright Future – Maintaining hope and optimism, setting meaningful goals.
Resonance – Experiencing a sense of belonging and connection to others.
Freedom – Having autonomy and the ability to make personal choices.
Joy – Finding delight in simple, pleasurable moments.
Self-Development – Continual growth, learning, and personal evolution.
Meaning – Feeling that one’s life has purpose and contributes positively to the world.
Together, these needs create a holistic sense of fulfilment, extending beyond personal achievement to connections and contributions.
Framing the seven needs of ikigai
Nick frames the seven needs of ikigai as a framework to understand its facets. He links these needs to Japanese concepts, particularly ibasho, meaning "a place to be." Ibasho goes beyond a physical location, embodying a space—physical or social—where one feels belonging, security, and purpose. Nick illustrates this by sharing his own ibasho experiences with family, nature, and his Ikigai Tribe community.
Finding ikigai in everyday life
Nick emphasises finding ikigai in everyday life by focusing on action and mindfulness. He introduces concepts like chanto suru, meaning to do things properly and with attention to detail, which brings purpose and satisfaction even to small tasks.
A deeper perspective on ikigai
Nick challenges popular Western interpretations of ikigai, particularly the myth that it’s solely a longevity secret from Okinawa and the widely shared Venn diagram linking ikigai to passion, mission, profession, and vocation. He traces this diagram back to a 2014 blog post, arguing it oversimplifies the culturally rich concept.
Feeling more ikigai in our lives
Nick’s book on ikigai provides practical guidance for cultivating ikigai through work, hobbies, relationships, and acts of kindness. Rather than presenting a rigid formula, he encourages readers to find what uniquely resonates with them, emphasising that ikigai is a journey, not a destination.
Harmony between personal fulfilment and making a positive social impact
Nick explores the balance between individual fulfilment and contributing to the collective good through the Japanese practice of Naikan. This self-reflection technique emphasises our interconnectedness with others and the impact we have on them, fostering gratitude and appreciation for their support. Nick believes this shift from a self-centred to an other-oriented perspective can be transformative, enhancing our sense of ikigai.
In this book, Nick also emphasises the importance of the Japanese concept of yutori, which involves creating time for reflection, relaxation, and connecting with nature. He shares his personal experiences of finding yutori in nature and the benefits of disconnecting from technology to recharge and find peace.
Conclusion
Nick’s book, Ikigai-kan: Feel a Life Worth Living presents a more nuanced and culturally rich understanding of ikigai. His book challenges misconceptions and encourages a holistic perspective. Ikigai isn’t just about finding a dream job; it’s about cultivating a meaningful life filled with purpose and connection, discovering what makes you feel alive, and sharing that joy with others.
The audio is generated by AI. While AI serves as a valuable tool for streamlining our tasks, it is essential to use it responsibly and ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of misinformation.
