Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia PuigcerverMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book has a lot of things going for it - it is concise, packages best known & appreciated theories on a long life & happiness and provides examples from Japan on a fulfilling life.
Ikigai is the Japanese concept of a purposeful life where what you love, are good at intersects with what the world really needs and is willing to pay for making it a winning combination which you as an individual enjoy pursuing. The authors start with Logotherapy pioneered by Victor Frankl, who after a painful period of internment at a Nazi concentration camp, outlines this concept of finding purpose to life. In contrast to traditional psychotherapy which is concerned with finding a problem, Logotherapy offers a positive outlook.
The book later explores the concept of Ikigai with a narrative on how the longest living communities in Japan spend their lives. There is a common pattern among those who live long - they mostly eat plant based food, have strong community bonds, are physically very active (primarily with light exercises like walking) and pursue hobbies or careers they are passionate about. Most of them do not have a concept of retirement and continue these practices well into old age. There is material devoted to yoga, meditation, and other practices which help strengthen the mind and lend balance to life.
This is a book which summarizes important very well. Only, I did not find too much new information except for the descriptions and voices of a new communities in Japan.
A recommended read for the importance of the subject it covers.
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