Ikigai — what is it and how to learn to be happy?
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The literal translation of this term is the meaning of life. However, if you try to understand how Japan fulfills this meaning, it becomes clear how Japanese culture and philosophy differs from other civilizations.
Contents of the article:
If you want to be happy, be it
The title phrase, contained in the collection of aphorisms of Kozma Prutkov, is recognized by us, modern people with a Slavic mentality, as it was believed: a general share of skepticism. For thinkers are clear: the desire for happiness is not enough.
Indeed, we all know that the path to happiness is inevitably not easy — and the person who comes to it is happy as a horse, unharnessed and filled with oats in a manger. The only difference is that he himself pours the feed, unharnesses and harnesses.
But the Japanese, if they had come up with this phrase, would have had a slightly different philosophical content. They use themselves all their lives. And in those few minutes when they manage to send the tourniquet, these people are trembling.
How to learn to enjoy the little things
Japanese ingenuity is, among other things, a willingness to subject everything that happens on the island to severe natural conditions, especially in ancient times. In these latitudes they are not the most affectionate. Some tsunamis and earthquakes are worth it.
But if they did not exist, it would still not be what we call these lands on Earth. Everything that people received here was given with great difficulty.
Therefore, from time immemorial, the Japanese have learned to enjoy everything possible — flowers, rain and sun. And such intelligent joy became part of philosophical life.
Only those who have once reached the elements can understand the Japanese people, whose right to exist is from the elements. And in between the constant struggle for life and death, people learned to find beauty in little things and be content with little. After all, life only for them is already happiness.
Perhaps the ikigai philosophy is the quintessence of minimalism, which is genetically predetermined in each of the few areas suitable for settlement (volcanic islands, nothing needs to be done), poor mineral resources, limited opportunities for agriculture.
And they learned to live in houses with paper walls in villages or in the cities of huge human dynasties (skyscrapers are built to take up as little land as possible). Be delighted by any weather and the simplest food.
In a nutshell, true Japanese ikigai is that true joy is a brief break from the continuous bleakness of life that can be filled with beauty and tranquility.
Japanese happiness
Happiness, however, is not something that is characteristic of the Japanese and lazy slackers. The broad concept of ikigai combines both spiritual harmony and an entirely practical one. In other words, it is not just one sacrament.
Read also: Features of single life: are single men and women happy?
Yes, a bachelor”s degree is good! As the main character of the film for girls said: “I want halva, I want gingerbread!” Indeed, the problem is choosing food.
It still defines consciousness. The ability to properly combine forced labor and meditative rest is an essential element of ikigai. As well as the ability to conform to the strictest hierarchy of Japanese society, starting from the first day of school.
The peculiarity of the Japanese mentality is that until the age of five (until the child goes to school), almost everything is allowed to the offspring. As he learns at a child”s level to distinguish, as far as possible, between good and evil. The most effective way is to teach this mistake.
Thus, children go to school and already have their own life experiences. Then they continue to accumulate it, live in society, are part of it, are accustomed to observing all its laws — and receive the benefits that accompany compliance with the rules of life.
Self-discipline is the key to success in Japanese life. It is believed (and quite correctly) that if a person cannot bring himself to do something, then no one else will force him to do it. And if they force, then what is forced is done inadequately.
In general, ikigai is a rather complex fabric of deep philosophies and familiar concepts, but the result is a crystal clear product called Japanese happiness. In general, there are five elements of the meaning of life for the Japanese.
The latter is of particular importance. Living with the ability to interrupt natural disasters at any time is highly valued and especially felt. As the philosopher said, yesterday has already passed and will never return, tomorrow has not yet come — there is only now.
Ikigai received a second wind after the end of World War II. This further confirmed the value of life and the joy of momentary existence.
The Japanese Ikigai Principle of Happiness to Follow
Beauty is in everything
The Japanese know: beauty doesn’t have to exist, but it must be visible. Organized mass hospitalization of cherry blossoms is very Japanese. They come to the park with their families and protect the beauty of the trees with their decorations.
On the other hand, the people of Japan try to create beauty whenever possible (beauty in the understanding of this country is, like everything else, cleansing of everything unnecessary and minimalism).
This is especially evident in Japanese cuisine. Only in our country are autumn soups served in beautiful, simple bowls. This is a clear soup in which only pieces of carrots float in the form of red and yellow maple leaves.
The art of ikebana originated here. In special schools it is beautiful to create compositions from flowers, branches and other materials. Europeans, accustomed to bouquets of ordinary flowers, like the beauty of wonders — like miniature bonsai trees (another tribute to the philosophy of minimalism).
The meaning of life for the Japanese inevitably includes beauty. This is either as close to nature as possible, or a very unique case where it is part of the sign system of Japanese culture. For example, the National Kabuki Theater with masks.
Tanka and haiku poetry are a special part of Japanese culture. And here is a crystal example of minimalism: three (hockey) or five (tank) lines contain a surprisingly complete picture and atmospheric atmosphere.
Longevity as a way of life
Scientists who have studied the phenomenon of the Japanese presence have come to some interesting conclusions. The long-standing class of the largest per capita population in the world is mainly due to the philosophy of Ikigai. A balanced diet with a predominance of rice, vegetables and fish also plays an important role.
In general, rational perception and conscious action, positioning social interests over private ones, appears to have a beneficial effect on quality of life and expectations.
Interestingly, at the same time, Japan is one of the most smoking countries in the world.
People over 100 in Japan recognize that thinking rationally about the world and having the right set of priorities can help them live longer, which changes with age, as with all people.
The Japanese maintain a clear mind into old age, remain active, including in social life, and do not give up habits acquired in the past. They sacredly honor traditions, but at the same time are open to new knowledge. It”s also a way of life.
