IKIGAI & Creativity

Flow, Ikigai and Creativity

Towards the end we have to offerings for you: Michael’s music and an interview with Michael on the First International IKIGAI Summit. Motoki spoke with Michael about his life, facing challenges and finding passion, refuge and IKIGAI in his arts. Enjoy the talk:

Choose which piece Michael can accompany you with as you fill your book and get to the bottom of your ikigai. Before you start, take a minute of silence.

 
 

Ikigai, Flow, and Sense of Coherence

Did you know that there is a study on Tai Chi practitioners that connects Ikigai, Flow, and Sense of Coherence?

A fascinating study conducted by researchers at Keio University explored how Tai Chi practice influences mental well-being through these three interconnected concepts:

  • Ikigai – The Japanese concept of a “life worth living,” bringing meaning and fulfillment.

  • Flow – The state of being fully immersed in an activity, where time disappears, and effort feels effortless.

  • Sense of Coherence (SOC) – A framework by Antonovsky that defines how well individuals perceive their lives as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.

This study reveals a very interesting relationship:

  • Experiencing Flow over time leads to a stronger sense of Ikigai.

  • Ikigai then enhances Sense of Coherence (SOC), improving overall resilience and life satisfaction.

  • Long-term Tai Chi practitioners experience higher levels of Flow, which strengthens both Ikigai and SOC.

This isn’t just relevant for Tai Chi practitioners—it applies to all forms of deep, immersive practice like artists, musicians, writers, and athletes.

Flow: The Power of Full Engagement

Flow is often described as being "in the zone"—when challenges and skills align perfectly, leading to a deep sense of engagement and enjoyment. In Tai Chi, Flow emerges when movements become second nature, allowing practitioners to move in harmony with their body and breath.

Artists, athletes, and musicians experience the same phenomenon:

  • A painter lost in brushstrokes

  • A violinist deeply attuned to the music

  • An athlete fully present in their movement

Flow reduces self-consciousness and stress while enhancing creativity, performance, and inner peace.

Ikigai: A Meaningful Life

Ikigai goes beyond passion or career success—it represents deep, intrinsic fulfillment. Tai Chi practitioners develop Ikigai through:

  • Mastery of the art

  • Deep connection to the practice

  • A sense of contribution to their community

Ikigai isn’t just for Tai Chi masters—it’s for anyone who engages in an activity that brings deep satisfaction.

Sense of Coherence (SOC): The Anchor of Well-Being

SOC consists of three parts:

  • Comprehensibility – Understanding life’s events and feeling prepared for them

  • Manageability – Feeling capable of handling life’s challenges

  • Meaningfulness – Seeing value and purpose in daily experiences

The study found that Ikigai plays a crucial role in strengthening SOC. People with strong SOC are better at coping with stress, uncertainty, and adversity.

For Tai Chi practitioners, artists, and creatives, SOC helps them navigate challenges with clarity, resilience, and joy.

The Golden Ikigai Triangle by Ken Mogi

Kenchiro Mogi, Neuroscientist and Author

Ken Mogi, a neuroscientist and best-selling author, describes Ikigai as both small everyday joys and large, life-defining goals. He states:

*"There are many ways to define Ikigai. One way is to say that Ikigai is the reason you get up in the morning. It can be something very small, like a cup of coffee or a piece of chocolate—something that keeps your day going.

On the other hand, Ikigai can be a life-defining, very big goal, like flying to Mars, winning the Nobel Prize, or becoming the prime minister of a country. In short, Ikigai is a spectrum. And the complexity of Ikigai actually reflects the complexity of life itself."* – Ken Mogi

Ken Mogi emphasizes that the Japanese culture fosters Ikigai because it values a wide variety of perspectives. In contrast to singular, rigid belief systems, the Japanese approach acknowledges that life is made up of many small, meaningful things.

Ikigai is not about winning on a global scale or achieving massive success—those are just bonuses. The true essence of Ikigai lies in small joys, daily accomplishments, and self-reflection.

To cultivate Ikigai, one must explore what brings personal meaning and fulfillment. This process is not isolated but deeply connected to others. Through interactions with different people, we see ourselves more clearly, refining our sense of purpose.

Ken Mogi’s Golden Ikigai Triangle links:

  • Creativity

  • Flow

  • Ikigai

These three elements reinforce one another, creating a powerful cycle of fulfillment and engagement.