This year, we took a deep dive into our Ikigai data, analyzing over 7,500 responses from around the world. What stood out was the universal longing for meaning, with people finding strength in relationships, small joys, and sources like nature, art, and spirituality. In 2024, we see Ikigai as a bridge that connects personal growth with a deeper sense of purpose and collective hope.

Our monthly IKIGAI Gatherings: Every 3rd Thursday at 3:00 PM

Discover the Essence of IKIGAI Beyond the Venn Diagram

This monthly circle invites you to explore IKIGAI as a deeply rooted Japanese concept that transcends the simplicity of a diagram. It is a practice and philosophy that asks us to engage with what makes life truly meaningful.

This article is for you if you’re seeking a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in your daily life. If you’re curious about how to find meaning in small moments, align your actions with your values, and move beyond fleeting pleasures to lasting happiness, the Japanese concept of Ikigai offers valuable insights. Whether you’re looking for practical ways to embrace mindfulness, gratitude, or a greater connection to others, this article provides a thoughtful guide to living with intention and joy.

Kintsugi 金継ぎ is the Japanese art of putting broken things back together. It literally means "putting together in gold." Kintsugi is an intricate repair technique in which ceramic pieces are put back together to form a new whole - the "scars" are then covered with real gold. Behind this is the idea that all things are unique - and breakage is not the end.

Discover our new interactive Gratitude Journal, designed to help you express and cultivate gratitude in just a few minutes each day. Research by experts like Sonja Lyubomirsky and Robert Emmons shows that regular gratitude practices can boost well-being, reduce stress, and improve health. Our journal guides you through thoughtful questions to enhance your daily gratitude rituals and strengthen your connections with others.

Empathy allows us to understand the feelings of others and build deep connections, but it can also lead to stress and bias. Compassion goes beyond empathy by including the active desire to alleviate suffering and can be strengthened through training and mindfulness techniques, which promote prosocial behavior and emotional regulation. The Japanese concept of Ikigai, which promotes a fulfilling and meaningful life, can provide a foundation for compassion and altruism, as demonstrated by Mieko Kamiya's work.

Dr. Mieko Kamiya, renowned for her foundational contributions to Ikigai Psychology and her devoted work with leprosy patients, was honored by Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, a distinguished Japanese physician, during the 20th anniversary of the National Hansen's Disease Museum. Her efforts extended beyond medical treatment to include psychological support and social integration, aiming to give those affected a sense of purpose and belonging. Dr. Hinohara, who passed away at the age of 105, exemplified longevity and dedication, basing his life philosophy on staying active, enjoying life, and contributing to society. The recognition of Kamiya's life by Hinohara highlights the importance of compassion and commitment to others' well-being in the medical and psychological fields.

Morita therapy, developed by Dr Shoma Morita (1874-1938) in 1919, is a profound Japanese psychotherapy that invites people to accept so-called ‘negative’ feelings as natural and unavoidable human reactions to circumstances. It encourages acceptance of these feelings without judging them as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

In our pursuit of happiness and fulfillment, we often overlook the significance of the little things—the small encounters and connections we have with others throughout our lives. These seemingly inconsequential moments can have a profound impact on our overall well-being and happiness, especially as we reach the later stages of life.

Why do you get up in the morning? This simple yet profound question lies at the heart of Ikigai, as we explore the true essence of this concept in the lives of the people of Okinawa. But is the question entirely accurate? Our ikigai tests, with over 3000 participants, have yielded diverse responses.

When we sense danger, we look around - we try to spot it in the visible. However, much transpires beneath the surface.

Discover insights from over 3,500 ikigai test entries, revealing profound reflections on personal joy, life-changing events, gratitude, self-expression, and visions for the future. Dive into the collective consciousness of individuals exploring their purpose, passions, and aspirations. From childhood memories to future dreams, this analysis offers a deep dive into what truly matters to people today.

Kintsugi is everywhere.

In the cracks of our city,

under our feet,

in our lives,

in our faith,

in our dreams,

in our tears,

in our relationships

in ourselves,

in others.

Gold connects,

gold changes,

gold awakens,

and renews

the cracks of the past.

The Ikigai blessings, in this context, serve as a form of self-awareness practice. They remind us of our strengths, aspirations, and the qualities we wish to develop. They are gentle nudges that keep us grounded, grateful, and focused on our Ikigai. Blessings are a conscious acknowledgement of our journey, a way of setting intentions, and a method of practising humility.

In this article, we explore the relationship between love and ikigai through the life and work of Mieko Kamiya. Kamiya's experiences shaped her understanding of ikigai's seven dimensions. The article also connects Kamiya's ideas with those of Henri Nouwen, focusing on the "wounded healer" concept, emphasizing how personal pain can lead to empathy and self-realization. It underscores the importance of personal experiences in finding purpose and love, serving as a guide to discovering one's ikigai.

Make your free Ikigai-Test today: The Ikigai-9 Test. Discover the scientifically validated method to measure your sense of purpose and well-being. Explore the dimensions of Ikigai and find your path to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Take the Ikigai-9 test and unlock your true potential today.

Explore the profound philosophy of Ikigai and its implications on mental resilience. The article delves into how the pursuit of meaning, as emphasized by Viktor E. Frankl, guides us to our existential origins. We explore how Ikigai transcends social status and career aspirations, focusing on enriching our lives beyond material wealth. The narrative also highlights key insights from Motoki Tonn on Ikigai and resilience. It outlines how Ikigai can bolster our resilience, emphasizing its alignment with logotherapy principles. It further delves into the health benefits of Ikigai, backed by scientific research demonstrating its positive impact on physical, mental, and spiritual health. We also discuss the value of establishing meaningful rituals, embodying Ikigai in daily activities, and fostering mental resilience by utilizing our inherent gifts and talents. In summary, the content provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of Ikigai, its role in promoting mental resilience, and the diverse benefits it offers for overall well-being.

The Inner Development Goals (IDG) offer a framework designed to support personal growth and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With pillars focusing on Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting, the IDG framework emphasizes essential skills and mindsets for individual development and positive societal impact. Aligned with the seven dimensions of Ikigai, such as life satisfaction, change and growth, a bright future, resonance and relationships, freedom, self-actualization, and meaning and value, the IDG framework provides a path to unlocking one's potential while making a meaningful difference. Explore the 23 skills and qualities within the IDG framework and their connection to the SDGs, and embark on a journey of personal growth and global progress.

Mieko Kamiya was a remarkable woman of the last century. She translated works by Marcus Aurelius, Michel Foucault, Virginia Woolf, and Khalil Gibran. Fluent in German, French, and English, she studied in the U.S. and Geneva, attended Bible school, and later worked as a clinical psychiatrist treating leprosy patients.

Check out our manga video, where we had fun experimenting with artificial intelligence voices. It's an interesting project!