Thoughts on 'Ikigai' (Garcia, Miralles, 2016)

First and foremost, let me remind myself that learning should be fun. Learning should not be spurred by urgency. Of course, some urgency but I'll refrain from using that word. We should be efficient with our learning, so that we do not procrastinate but inherently, procrastination is also part of the human process.

This book focuses on one's Raison D'etre, one's absolute purpose to live: and we all need that. I believe we understand this, although there is much dissonance within. Unresolved or even unidentified childhood issues would be a serious hindrance to uncovering this too.

Anyway. I read this book on the flight to Europe a month ago. There has been much alignment as I hiked in Switzerland and Germany. I spoke before about the slowing down of our day to day and identifying and re-evaluating what we stress over and perceive as threats. The book labels this succinctly as "we are in the epidemic of multi-tasking, our minds are switching back and forth all the time and there lies many inefficiencies and more harm." We stress so much these days, some of the things we stress over our more primal ancestors would baffle at. What truly matters? I play the sensible Devil's Advocate too though, what about the bills?! Such is the strive for balance.

The book is very simple, and I believe for the right reason. Laugh more. Be positive. Find a good community and collaborate. Ideally where the $ figure is not so important. We only know what we know, as we get older and older (late 60s I reckon), many begin to realise what truly matters. Appreciate the mundane tasks more, for many in Japan, it can be just making Tofu, or making shoe laces. Depth not width.

Use hyper-intention, hyper-focus (where you are so in the zone) selectively. It should not be something you use throughout most of your waking hours. Re-evaluate what you are hyper-focusing on and reconsider whether it truly needs such intensity. "Reflect on the negative without the worry."

The book reinforces what I wrote previously about acceptance of impermanence: accept things for what they are whether it is good or bad. Don't even stress out about labelling whether something is good or bad (this will be the ultimate form of acceptance).

Life's rendition to me: stop rushing.