Ikigai – A Self-Discovery Journey - by Motoki

COURSE

Ikigai – A Self-Discovery Journey

With Motoki

The Japanese concept of "Ikigai" represents a holistic philosophy for life, encompassing much more than the well-known Venn diagram, which was originally crafted by a Spanish astrologer. This course will immerse you in the deeper meanings of Ikigai. The word "Ikigai" combines two elements: "Iki," derived from "Ikiru," meaning "to live," and "Kai," which can be translated as "reason, value, or benefit." Essentially, Ikigai is what makes life worth living. Course Highlights: The Life and Legacy of Mieko Kamiya: Explore the pioneering work of Mieko Kamiya, a distinguished psychiatrist who lived in the US and Europe and dedicated her life to treating Hansen's disease patients. She developed and authored the first comprehensive book on Ikigai. Ikigai Compass and Core Japanese Values: Delve into the Ikigai compass and understand the core values in Japanese culture that foster Ikigai. The 7-Dimensions of Ikigai by Mieko Kamiya: Learn about the seven dimensions that Kamiya outlined and how to integrate them into daily life. Ken Mogi's 5 (Actually 6) Pillars of Ikigai: Apply Ken Mogi's practical pillars to enhance your experience of Ikigai in everyday activities. This course will help you discover your personal Ikigai, whether it manifests as a calling, a vocation, or is found in the simple joys of daily life. Are you ready to embark on this journey?

AuthenticityHappinessPresenceSecular MindfulnessInsight MeditationHealth & HappinessSecularMindfulness

Meet your Teacher

Motoki
Lisbon, Portugal

Motoki Tonn is an entrepreneur, lifelong learner and certified coach and facilitator specialising in Ikigai and other transformative programmes. He has published The Secret of the Small Things (German edition) with Penguin Random House and is passionate about bringing Japanese philosophies such as Ikigai and Kintsugi to organisations and individuals through courses, seminars and publications. He is a trained mindfulness trainer, Search Inside Yourself and Time To Think instructor, and educated in trauma-informed practices.

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5 Days

281 students

4.8 stars

12 min / day

Authenticity

English

Lesson 1

Ikigai Course Intro & Start

Please make yourself comfortable as we embark on this journey. Before we begin, it's important to clear up some misconceptions. Starting with a "beginner's mind" is always beneficial. If you haven't heard of Ikigai before, there's no need to worry. However, many people have come across a Venn diagram often labeled as "Ikigai." This diagram is not actually Ikigai. It is called "Próposito," developed by the Spanish astrologer Andrés Zuzunaga about 12 years ago. Ikigai is a term deeply rooted in Japanese culture and has been found in Japanese literature dating back to the 14th century. The word Ikigai is composed of two parts: "Iki" and "Gai," meaning "life" and "worth" or "value," respectively. In essence, Ikigai translates to "life + meaning." Discover the so-called little moments of your life. Reflecting on the last few hours and days, what moments—big or small—have brought you a sense of fulfillment or joy? Consider experiences, interactions, or simple pleasures that made you think, "Life is worth living." Take your time to write about these moments and explore why they felt meaningful to you.

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Lesson 2

Discovering Ikigai: Embracing Gratitude For Life's Riches

“There is nothing greater for people to live life to the full than IKIGAI. Therefore, there is no greater cruelty than depriving people of their Ikigai, and no greater love than giving people their Ikigai.” – Mieko Kamiya, Ikigai ni Tsuite In this second session, we delve into the meaning of Ikigai and will engage in a short meditation, reflecting on what it means to embrace the true essence of Ikigai. Ikigai is not about "what to do" but about "how to live life." Ikigai is not about "doing" per se – but an invitation to explore the many ways of "being". „When we wake up from sleep, we are greeted by the morning. We did not create the morning; it somehow came to give us the chance to live another day. We wake up and discover the morning. The meaning of life is like the morning.” – Mieko Kamiya

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Lesson 3

Exploring Ikigai And Ikigai-kan – The Source And Feeling Of Ikigai

Please have pen and paper available for this session. Now we delve deeper into the concept of Ikigai, exploring its origins and the sensation known as Ikigai-kan—the inner sense of purpose and fulfillment. We will discuss how recognizing and nurturing these feelings can lead to a more meaningful and enriched life. Through reflective exercises, including journaling about your "Ikigai moments," you'll learn to identify and connect with the sources and emotions of your own Ikigai, enhancing your everyday experience.

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Lesson 4

Dealing Better With Stress Through Ikigai

In this session, we explore how to manage stress using the principles of Ikigai. The exercise involves identifying sources of Ikigai and stressors in your life and learning how to effectively manage them. Exercise Steps: Identify Ikigai Sources: Take a piece of paper and spend 4 minutes writing down as many Ikigai sources as you can think of—these are activities, relationships, or values that bring you joy and purpose. Identify Stressors: On a new piece of paper, draw a large circle. > Write down all the things currently stressing you on another piece of paper. > Sort these stressors by placing those within your control inside the circle and those outside of your control outside the circle. Connect the Ikigai sources to the stressors in your life. > Reflect on what is connected and what is not. > For the stressors inside your sphere of control but not connected to your Ikigai sources, consider whether to change, accept, or remove them from your life.

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Lesson 5

Exploring Ikigai In Your Daily Life

In the fifth and final session of our audio course, we explored how to integrate the principles of Ikigai into our daily lives by using a combined model of Mieko Kamiya's seven dimensions and Ken Mogi's six pillars. This session aimed to help you identify key areas of your life where you can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. We began by introducing the seven dimensions outlined by Mieko Kamiya, which serve as a comprehensive framework for understanding different aspects of Ikigai. These dimensions include life satisfaction, growth and change, a positive future, deep relationships, resonance, freedom (and self-actualization), and value and meaning. You were encouraged to select one dimension that resonates most with you to focus on during this session. We then delved into Ken Mogi's six pillars, each offering practical ways to enhance your daily life: Starting Small - Emphasizing the power of small, manageable actions to begin your journey towards a more fulfilling life. Being in the Here and Now - Encouraging mindfulness and presence to fully experience and appreciate each moment. Finding Joy in Small Things - Highlighting the importance of noticing and savoring simple pleasures. Harmony - Fostering balance and peace in your relationships and environment. Sustainability - Simplifying your life to focus on what truly matters and living mindfully. Releasing Yourself - Letting go of unnecessary burdens and constraints, both external and internal, to cultivate a mindset of freedom and openness. Throughout the session, you were guided to reflect on these pillars in relation to the dimension you selected from Kamiya's framework. This reflection aimed to help you identify practical steps you can take to integrate these principles into your daily routine, thereby enhancing your overall well-being and sense of Ikigai.

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4.8 (24)

Recent Reviews

Sioelan

January 12, 2026

Simple, yet powerful!

Lucia

October 30, 2025

Very clear and concise teaching of Ikigai. Arigatou Motoki-san. With gratitude. 🙏💚

Alison

June 28, 2025

I really appreciated this course and the slow, gentle, soothing pace. Very informative and uplifting.

Teresa

March 27, 2025

Thank you for guiding me so beautifully on my life’s journey and for reminding me so gently and lovingly that the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step !

Barbara

September 25, 2024

I so loved this course! I have gone through it a few times and plan to do so again, as I get a deeper understanding each time. Session 4 about how Ikigai can help in dealing with stress was a good daily exercise for me. Now retired, finding my Ikigai is very meaningful to me. As I learn more about Reiki, Naikan and Ikigai, I am discovering a sense of peace and contentment that has previously been elusive. Thank you Motoki, for making the deeper meaning of Ikigai so accessible. 🙏☯️🌸

Kathi

September 10, 2024

This course was enlightening. Thank you.

Robin

August 12, 2024

I still feel like I don’t really know or understand all of the concepts having to do with this, but I enjoyed the class and it has peaked my interest. Appreciate you so so much.

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