Introduction:
Have you heard of the Japanese concept known as Ikigai (pronounced: Icky-guy). It translates as "a reason for being." Ikigai offers a powerful framework for an important aspect of life coaching. It provides a simple model for discovering your life passions and achieving a deeper, more meaningful life. In this blog post, I discuss the essence of Ikigai and its role in facilitating the discovery of passions and a balanced, harmonious life.
The Essence of Ikigai:
The concept of Ikigai is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy, representing the intersection of four fundamental elements:
What you love: This is where your true passions reside – the activities that ignite your soul and bring boundless joy and enthusiasm.
What you are good at: This element celebrates your unique talents, skills, and strengths, guiding you to recognize what sets you apart from the rest.
What the world needs: Your life's purpose extends beyond personal satisfaction to making a meaningful impact on the world or your community, answering the call of a greater good.
What you can be paid for: Practicality and financial stability are integral aspects of Ikigai, ensuring that your pursuit of purpose aligns with the means to sustain yourself.
The Overlapping Zones:
Ikigai flourishes at the convergence of these four elements, as shown in the diagram below:
The intersection of what you love and what you are good at leads to your Passion, a key aspect of Ikigai that fuels your inner fire.
The overlap of what you are good at and what the world needs represents your Profession, allowing you to make a valuable contribution to society.
Where what the world needs and what you can be paid for intersect is your Vocation, ensuring that your life's purpose is practical and sustainable.
The sweet spot where all elements converge is your Ikigai, your true "reason for being."
Facilitating Passion and Sacred Geometry:
Ikigai not only acts as a compass for discovering your life passions but also as a blueprint for a balanced and harmonious existence. This balance can be likened to the concept of sacred geometry, where each aspect of your life aligns perfectly with the others, creating a harmonious whole.
In sacred geometry, balance and harmony result from the precise alignment of shapes and proportions, forming an aesthetically pleasing and functional whole. Similarly, when you align your passions, talents, purpose, and practicality in line with Ikigai, your life takes on the geometric precision of sacred harmony. You experience a deeper sense of purpose, a stronger connection with yourself, and a balanced life that exudes both beauty and functionality.
As you embark on your journey to discover your Ikigai, remember that the balance and harmony you achieve have a profound effect on your overall well-being. If you'd like to explore Ikigai within the context of life coaching and understand how it can help you discover your passions and create a sacred geometry in your life, please reach out to our practice. We're here to guide you toward a life that's balanced, meaningful, and harmonious.
