Living with purpose over perfection is understanding what you value and
recognizing how your pursuits may not always align with what everyone else is
doing.
We may be told stories through the media of what we need to live a happy
life including owning a big home,
Having a perfect relationship,
Having stability,
Predictability and working for a large company.
Deep down we all have a sense of
knowing what our life is worth living for.
It can be both the small and the big
things that excites us about getting out of bed in the morning.
Ikigai can be a
feeling we have towards the meaningful experiences in our lives that lights us
up and makes us feel joy.
Mieko Kamiyama,
One of the first researchers to study Ikigai extensively
proposed that being aware of Ikigai is like a type of happiness.
Kamiyama
distinguishes the three elements of being aware of your Ikigai as having
hope for the future,
Experience a feeling of self-worth and knowing what
you value.
Now I'll begin to guide you on a journey of connecting to your Ikigai.
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can sit or lie down,
Close your eyes
and take a few deep breaths.
Inhaling slowly through your nose and exhaling
slowly through your mouth.
As you continue to breathe bring awareness to the sensations in your body.
Notice any areas of tension or discomfort and with each exhale allow
yourself to release the tension.
Now shift your focus to your breath.
Feel the rise and fall of your chest with
each inhalation and exhalation.
Imagine that with each breath you're inhaling
calmness and exhaling tension.
If your mind starts to wander or you begin to
feel distracted,
Acknowledge them without judgment and gently bring your focus
back to your breath.
Slowly allow yourself to sink deeper into a state of
relaxation with each breath.
Know that you can calm your mind and body during
stress,
Confusion and tension with your breath.
At some point in your life you may experience an internal conflict and ask
yourself questions like,
What do I value in life?
Who am I doing this for and why
am I here?
It can feel painful asking yourself these questions.
Trying to seek
answers to existential questions in life may lead to even more confusion.
When
you're wondering which direction to go in life,
Ikigai can be a helpful
concept to guide you towards following your inner purpose,
Your inner compass.
I want you to take a moment and ask yourself,
What makes you feel joy?
What
lights you up?
What makes you feel excited about getting up out of bed each
day?
Pause for a moment and begin to imagine what that activity is.
It could
be traveling,
Walking in nature,
Playing an instrument,
Making art,
Cooking or
eating a favorite meal.
It could be sitting still in a safe space or laughing
with your favorite person.
Really imagine what makes you feel at peace with
yourself.
Now I want you to ask yourself,
What makes your life worth living for?
Now I want you to ask yourself,
Who makes your life worth living for?
Is it a family
member,
A partner,
A friend,
A pet,
A teacher or a stranger that you haven't
met yet?
Bring this person to mind.
Bring every detail of this person to mind.
Their aura,
Posture,
Smell,
Skin texture,
Hair,
Eyes,
Nose,
Smile and ears.
You cannot live in this world alone.
Being isolated for long periods can make
you feel disconnected.
Ikigai is knowing what your life is worth living for and
who your life is worth living with.
While sitting or lying down with this person's energy in mind,
I want you to
imagine a large white beaming light around you.
This light is here to guide
you.
This light is always accessible to you.
This light is the energy of all the
people you love in your life.
You are here to experience life and make
memories with people you love.
To connect to the sensations of being alive.
To
experience moments of joy.
When you feel ready,
Start to notice your breath again.
Experience your breath
moving naturally with every inhalation and exhalation.
Re-engage with the physical body and space it is in and slowly open your eyes.
You are not alone in this world.
You can bring this white shining light around
you anytime that you wish.
Living with purpose over perfection is to be able to
connect to that internal energy of being alive.
The life force that is in you.
That
life force that is shared with people around you.
