IKIGAI "The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by HECTOR GARICA and FRANCESC MIRALLES.

Book- IKIGAI

Author- Hector Garica and Francesc Miralles 

Published- April 2016

Length- 194 pages.

BRIEF OF AUTHORS:-

Hector Garica and Francesc Miralles are the coauthors of the book "IKIGAI". It was published on April 2016. It was published in so many languages. Hector Garica is a citizen of Japan. He was born in 1981. He is the author of several books about japanese culture. Two books were worldwide bestsellers. A greek in japan and Ikigai. Francesc Miralles is a spanish writer, translator and musician. He was born on 27th August 1986 in Barcelona Spain. He is the author of the books like Ichigo Ichie, Love is small letter, Ikigai and many more.

SUMMARY :-

Ikigai is the japanese secret to live happy and long life."Iki" means to live and "gai" means reason. Okinawa is the place in Japan where people follow Ikigai. There people live 90 to 100 years long.

Their motto of living is not to take retirement. I would never think about it.But people in Okinawa follows this. Staying busy and doing what you love will increase your life span can you believe that !! 

Although the concept if Ikigai has long been in Japanese culture, it was first popularised by Japanese psychiatrist and academic Mieko kamiya in her 1966 book. ( Ikigai ni suite, on the meaning of life). The book has not yet been translated into english.

Eat till you are 80% full !!

They believe that keeping your tummy 20% empty will give you a healthy living. 

Eat until you are 80% full never over do it this will help you to overcome your obesity.

In Japan they serve 5 plates of meal. TOO MUCH RIGHT !! as the secret is they serve small plates. Serving 5 plates will make you full. This assumption helps you to keep 20 % empty tummy. I am definitely gonna try it. 

Little stress is healthy !!Little load of work is healthy for longivity.Keeping yourself busy in with what you love will help you keep healthy and happy. This book says that doing what you love will reduce the speed of aging and will give you a healthy life.Enough sleep is important but proper sleep can give you glowing and flawless skin as well.

Japanese people believe that Daily exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, sleep of 8-9 hours but not more then that will make you lethargic, keep positive attitude in difficult times, keep yourself busy in the work you love to do.

In Japan there is a concept of logotherapy. I have heard about psychotherapy but logotherapy is totally different. In psychotherapy doctor would ask you about your the past memories and would give you solution. But in logotherapy doctor would ask you about your future expectations. It will give you a purpose to live.This logotherapy is been explained beautifully with the help of the examples.

In this book there is another therapy called "MORITA THERAPY" is mentioned.

Shoma Morita have invented it. In this he describes this therapy with emotions. Shoma Morita says don't control your emotions. Let your emotion come and observe it how it changes. Don't try to control it. Morita Therapy have 4 phases. 

Find flow in whatever you do will help you complete the work in time. If your work would not have flow you will be bored soon. So try taking everything as a challenge which will interest you.

This book has another interesting point about not doing multitasking. I was actually surprised at first as I use to feel proud about my multitasking skills !! but after reading this book I changed my mind. Multitasking will reduce your brain function by 60%. You will not able to do any of the work perfectly. It will waste your time rather then saving. 

There are number of people in Okinawa who are above 100 years as they follow their ikigai and which helps them to live happy and long life. 

As we all wonder about what do Japanese people eat and drink :-

They do meditation regularly for the mind peace. For them vegetable and fruits are very important. They consume 30% of there daily food from vegetables and fruits.For drink they consume green tea and Sanpincha ( Jasmine tea ) 3 times a day.

Japanese people avoid sugar and chocolates for a healthy living.

                                           

Why to read this book ?

The language is really easy to understand. It is not too lengthy so beginner can also pick it up. It is a self-help book which will help you learn new things and change you life. Beautifully elaborate. Every point is been explained with an example which makes it easy to understand. Worth giving it time. I personally have learned lot of new things. It is a must read book no wonder it is an international bestseller.