Book Review! Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

 

Book Information

Book Tittle : Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Author : Hector Garcia & Fransecsc Miralles

Pages : 194 Pages

Publisher :  Penguin Books

Year of Publish : 2016

Image Source: archive.org

“Life is about how you live it, not about what you will get.”

Sometimes the parameters we use in our lives make us even more confused, and dependence on certain situations or conditions becomes an obstacle to understanding and interpreting our identity.

Unrealistic ideals become the main factor in our downfall and failure, leading to destruction. We cannot become happy individuals who can give meaning to their own lives.

In this book, we will learn how to give meaning to life, how to be happy, and how to live a long life.

The book begins with an explanation of “Ikigai,” its origin being “the reason to wake up in the morning—a meaning of life that drives us to keep moving forward, even when faced with problems or burdens.”

When I read this book, I was very interested in understanding and interpreting Ikigai. Personally, I interpret Ikigai as something simple that becomes the reason you stay happy, the reason you keep striving to live, thereason you do something.

My simple logic tells me that when you are happy, your lifespan will be longer. Why? Because happiness is a weapon to combat the factors that make us sick and prevent us from living life as it should be.

The next part of the book explains to us, as readers, the secrets to maintaining happiness, which is the foundation of a long life. Such as the power of hope, social harmony, staying active, and consistently practicing a healthy lifestyle, such as eating in moderation.

There is also an explanation about flow, which is a state where someone is immersed and feels happy because they are doing an activity they enjoy.

In its detailed explanation of how to achieve a long life and maintain happiness, this book has several strengths: its light and inspiring language, rich cultural values, relevance and practicality, and the combination of science and real-life stories.

However, despite its strengths, the book also has some weaknesses, such as a lack of in-depth exploration and repetition.

This book is highly recommended for students, teachers, and parents seeking the meaning of life, aiming to live healthier lives, and interested in Japanese culture.