Ikigai

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

By: Héctor García, Francesc Miralles

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Bring meaning and joy to all your days with this internationally best-selling guide to the Japanese concept of ikigai - the happiness of always being busy - as revealed by the daily habits of the world's longest-living people.

"Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years." (Japanese proverb)

According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai - a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world's longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai - the place where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect - means that each day is infused with meaning. It's the reason we get up in the morning. It's also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there's no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they've found a real purpose in life - the happiness of always being busy. In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds - one of the world's Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and - their best-kept secret - how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn't want to find happiness in every day?

©2017 Héctor García and Francesc Miralles (P)2017 Gildan Media LLC

Just Okay

A very simple book of non-evidence based information with anecdotal and philosophical guidance for living a longer more fulfilling life. Could have been half as long. Somewhat enjoyable but not very informative.

Wonderful narration of a nation's Ikigai

Common to all human beings, I took all learning personally and was happy to know that I'm very close to my Ikigai. Very engaging.

Very interesting health and philosophy book.

I enjoyed all phases of this book. It is an easy mix of Zen, Stoicism, history and health. When walking in the morning, it’s a good multi time listen. I will listen to this book again and again. The reader had a very pleasant manner.

I've adapted this lifestyle after reading this boo

There are many lifestyles, even too many for us. We would die before we get to try all of them. The lifestyle described in this book resonated the most with the values I believe it, and I've started to incorporate it into my daily life, to the best I can despite not living in Okinawa. This speaks to the potential impact of this book.

Always keep changing and enjoy life.

Simple and informative. Rules to help focus more on living life than controlling life. Recommend.