IKIGAI – TRUE PURPOSE – A Reason for Being

In more recent years, I have developed a keen interest in the practice of IKIGAI. A pathway towards achieving good health and longevity, through purpose and meaning.

There are many parallels with IKIGAI and the PIVOTALS of my journey in pursuit of mastery.

As a ‘visual model’, IKIGAI takes the form of a four leaf clover, with leaves intersected. This Venn diagram, served to inspire the FOCUS ON PROCESS video visualisation of my process of practice.

In essence, IKIGAI is a practice. It assists with the origination of strategies to generate flow, to work in unison with the order in one’s life, and create a new balance. Realisation is achieved through discovery of enduring purpose, abandoning urgency, exploring passions, and nurturing relationships.

organisation towards IKIGAI:

• eat a balanced diet including calcium
• take daily exercise with moderate exposure to sunlight
• sleep eight hours per night
• live at a measured pace – slow and relaxed
• avoid stress and adopt mindfulness
• do not take yourself too seriously
• socialise regularly – nurturing connections
• enjoy wine in moderation
• perpetuate order and routine
• set out to achieve flow
• focus on clear objectives driven by process
• perpetuate single-mindedness & single tasking

benefits of single-mindedness and single tasking:

• allows for calm retention
• brings incremental advancement to process
• increases manners and awareness of others
• enhances productivity and flow

to assist with advancing a state of flow:

• complete scopes of practice slightly outside the comfort zone
• focus on increased time spent at pure practice
• practice gradual immersion into flow
• understand that flow exists only in the present  
• surrender to the rhythms of flow
• maintain mind balance through order and routine

the power of flow:

• advances the sense of “this is what I should be doing”
• focuses on the sense of the present
• gives calmness and clarity of thought
• enhances feelings of control and enjoyment of simplicity
• increases abilities with attention to detail
• fosters a ritualistic ‘practice-place’ environment

benefits of rituals:

• offer clear rules and objectives
• have process and repetition at their core
• allow for focus on enjoyment
• lead to outcomes that are gradual and natural
• serve to strengthen entrances into a state of flow

‘stations’ to visit en route to one’s “raison d’etre” include:

• Practice patience perseverance and implement the positive – receive feedback from those trusted – seek mentorship – imitate – share – move beyond comfort – ‘brand’ strategies and activities – recover childhood dreams + use the past to understand the present – identify life’s ‘greatest hits’ – give greater attention to positive friendships – write on a daily basis, and include Haiku [three line verse] – embrace ‘slow life’+ avoid any multi-tasking – distance from sources of negativity . . .

additional points to assist:

• the calmness typical of seasoned travellers, who flow with their various journeys
• the willingness of spirit is an essential companion, to move us beyond our comfort zones, with uncertainty ahead, but towards new horizons
• being on good terms with the past, and connecting the dots of previous experiences
• The Shinto Shrine at ISE in Japan is rebuilt every 20 years, bringing the past and future together to honour an ‘eternal present’.

analogy | KYUDO – the art of archery

• a practice to exercise the soul, body mind and spirit simultaneously
• be patient – practice without force
• be humble – first fail in order to improve
• be flexible – grasping lightly
• allow the mind to think without obsession
• Kyudo practice requires balance, patience, marksmanship + physical and mental ‘stability’
• creating the ability to see through a prism of serenity and sharpness
• the important thing is not the exterior target, but what is inside
• the Kyudo archer IS the target!
• practicing towards spirituality and the inner self