Book Review - Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Hector Garcia Puigcerver (Goodreads Author), Francesc Miralles

 

Ikigai is one of the simplest self help books that I have read so far. I thought the book would help me in providing steps to figure out my ikigai (Purpose of life) but did not meet the expectation completely. 

The book focuses more on the Japanese culture and how people of Okinawa are able to live longer compared of other regions in the world. 

Here are few of the statements that caught my attention:

• Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you. 
• Appreciate the beauty of imperfection as an opportunity for growth.
• Laugh. Laughter is the most important thing. I laugh wherever I go.
• The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
• In Okinawa’s religious practice, women are considered spiritually superior to men.<Quite unusual as compared to most of the other parts of the world>
• Rituals give us clear rules and objectives, which help us enter a state of flow.
• The happiest people are not the ones who achieve the most. They are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow.
• Add a little something extra, something that takes you out of your comfort zone.

One of the important point that the author stress about in the book is that the secret to live longer is to stay busy(or occupied with something you love) and stay with people who make you happy. 

I agree that we humans should stay active and keep ourselves moving to stay fit but Japanese culture is also one of the few places which has the word "Karoshi"(Death by overwork) 

The entire book is summarized in the last page of the book with the following 10 words.

Stay active; don’t retire | Take it slow | Don’t fill your stomach | Surround yourself with good friends | Get in shape for your next birthday | Smile | Reconnect with nature | Give thanks | Live in the moment | Follow your Ikigai.

Good things:

• Book tells you to identify your passion/purpose of life.
• Fill your stomach upto 80%
• Tips to stay happy.
• Importance of side hustle. 

Not so good things:

• Too much of detailing about lifestyle of Okinawa.
• Telling readers to stay active like Japanese(Not recommended as Japanese are not the most productive people on planet and it increases stress if you don't like what you do.)

I would rate this 3.5/5. Good book for beginners.

Regards

TheAverageBookReader