For those who are looking for a heroic book to read ravenously, I highly recommend Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. I learnt about this page-turner when I visited Kapsabet Girls School in Nandi County.
After addressing 2022 candidate class, we humbly ambled into the office with the Chief Principal, Mrs. Mary Kiprop. While confabbing with the winsome woman, our chit-chat revolved around what as scribe, I describe: Conversation concerning classics.
The deft administrator instructed me spare some time, and pore over “Ikigai”. I did not dare to dither. When I set foot in the trendiest town, Nairobi, the jungle of concrete, I scouted for the heroic book. Serendipitously, I got it. I bought it. I read it. I read it for the umpteenth time. Lending credence to wise words of Nassim Taleb, “A good book gets better at the second reading, a great book at the third reading. No book is quite the same when you read it again.”
Actually, I longed to know the meaning of “ikigai‘. I thought about it. As I started reading the prolegomenon part. Then, I realised, in Japan, “iki” means life, while “gai” means value. Therefore, “ikigai” is a profound philosophy, which abuts on life rife with worth.
Life complete and replete with purpose: reason of existence. Mainly, finding the intent to bolt out of bed, daily. Consequently, “ikigai” focuses on four fascinating factors: Passion, mission, profession and vocation. Moreover, the iconic book talks about Blue Zones, logotherapy, ‘tai chi’, yoga, flow and resilience or anti-fragility. Above all, its nub centres on sweet secret to long life – longevity.
Apparently, there are five regions in this wide old world, where people live long. There is Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Loma Linda in California, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and Ikaria in Greece.
Largely, flow is a state in which we are deeply involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. The experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at a great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it. Aptly put, yoga in Sanskrit is “yoke”, which refers to the cross-piece that binds draft animals to one another and to the cart they are pulling. ‘Tai chi’ also known as “t’ai chi chuan” or “taijiquan” is a Chinese martial art connected to Buddhism and Confucianism. It is an internal martial focusing on personal growth, self-defence, agility, alacrity, alertness, attention and concentration.
In addition, Japanese rank second in the world in matters life expectancy. Most women live up to 88, and men 81. Okinawa Island, South of the mainland, has the highest proportion of people who live beyond 100 years. God’s great grace and “ikigai” – play an integral role in their heroic culture. Spiritual disciplines such as meditation, contribute to their longevity.
Apart from being a source of spiritual strength, wit and wisdom, it strengthens the immune system, and promotes natural production of insulin. It does something to the grey matter in the brain. It also prevents body weakness, sickness and osteoporosis — feebleness of bones. Again, there is Morita Therapy, which focuses on training patients to accept their emotions without trying to control them, since their feelings will change due to their actions.
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Then, there is logotherapy, a psychological concept whose proponent was Viktor Frankl, the putative author of Man’s Search for Meaning. In logotherapy, patients sit straight and listen to things that are, in most cases, hard to hear. Through it all, they find reasons to live, re-discover purpose of life, and confront their neuroses. Likewise, there is the healthy eating habit as a secret to happy and long life. Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”
Therefore, Japanese eat good food. They do not eat junk food. There is a sagacious saying in Japan “Hara hachi bu”, repeated before or after eating. It means, “Fill your belly to 80%.” Avarice is a vice. So, Okinawans stop eating when they feel they are 80% satiated.
In fact, they do not over-eat because it weakens bodies with long digestive processes, which in turn accelerates cellular oxidation. They know that melatonin enhances youthfulness. Although, its production decreases after age 30. People compensate for it by eating balanced diet, getting more calcium, soaking up a moderate amount of sun each day, getting quality sleep, avoiding stress, alcohol and tobacco. Eating plant proteins and vegetables.
Okinawans consume at least seven types of fruits and vegetables on daily basis. Finally, keeping the mind agile is an anti-aging secret. Neurons start aging in our 20s. However, intellectual activity and agility, such as curiosity, reading, writing and deep desire to learn, enhances happiness and long life.
By Victor Ochieng’.
The writer is an avid reader. He rolls out talks and training services.
vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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