My Ikigai is ‘To Share’! – Sharing My Journey in Finding it!

Tabla master of Devesh and Niranjana,  is settled at Dharamshala living his Ikigai – playing and teaching tabla all the time! He was a famous tabla player cum teacher and his family is in some other country. He is 70 plus and has settled alone here living a very simple, beautiful life! Niranjana used to wonder that whenever they went to his place he would either be teaching a student or playing on one or the other tabla(he has many)!  

Shri Ganesh Ji, who was instrumental in bringing Universal Human Values into mainstream education, is known for his dedication and simplicity. I can say that he is yet another person who has realized his Ikigai and is living it thoroughly! He is known worldwide for his persistent efforts in disseminating UHV, the realization of ‘What to do’(value education) rather than ‘How to do’(skill education), to all people, starting with higher education students!

Dr. Sharmila, a pediatrician, has left her profession dedicating herself to UHV journey, Shri. Rajul Asthana, Shri. Umesh and many other people who are involved in this movement, I can say, of UHV, all are living their Ikigai! The simplicity, the patience, the way they respond, etc., show that they are living their life’s purpose! Now, I can see many such lovely people living their Ikigai, living their life purposefully and making the lives of their dear & near ones and even others, also beautiful! 

Now, I think, I have started observing people whether they are living their Ikigai or just randomly living! Inspired by reading the book ‘How to Ikigai’ by Tim, Yes, I decided to do in-depth research and find out my Ikigai!  

Tim suggests starting with Half Ikigai. When you start doing what you love and what you are good at, the benefits are immediate. Do what you love and do what you are good at as often as possible. That is the first half of the Ikigai. 

As an experiment in finding my Ikigai, I would like to follow what Tim suggests,

“Find something that you are interested in and sink some time and energy into it, maybe as a side hustle!. As you put energy into your side hustle, you’ll gain more of an idea of what your Ikigai is all about”. 

I see in me an interest to share the recipes for healthy food, particularly millet recipes and some general writings on values, our traditional knowledge, and motivational messages to the younger generation! Also, I love to give dresses, new and used to others, and help monetarily also!

A side hustle is a way to do what you are passionate about, isn’t it? So, I have started to share the recipes and blogs on my website spavai.com.

Actually, I literally followed Tim in my search for my Ikigai! 

I asked my friends reading my earlier blog on searching my Ikigai those two questions,  https://spavai.com/in-search-of-my-ikigai-the-purpose-of-my-life/ :

1. What do I love?
2. What am I good at?

And got many responses in the comments and as well in person also! I made it a table for analysis purposes: 

As he says, not all Ikigai is based on making money, I do not expect any money for my Ikigai. Let me experience what it is like firsthand to feel the energy and satisfaction from my strengths, and my passion in action. I don’t have to earn an income from it. The rewarding feeling of satisfaction is already built in! 

So, from the research based on my half Ikigai, I narrowed it down to share the recipes for healthy food, particularly millet recipes, and my thoughts on Values, our traditional knowledge, and motivational messages to the younger generation!

“Prioritize your Ikigai daily. Be mindful to include it as an important aspect of your day.” – Tim says. Yes, that is very important to make it a habit. Mindful meditation is a tool that can help you understand and embrace your Ikigai. There are various schools of mindful meditation. I was introduced to Vipassana, a Buddhist meditation, by Devesh which I found as a good path for mindful meditation. There was a big gap in my daily practice and now as a part of searching for my Ikigai, I have revived the habit of my meditation again.

Another simple way of seeing Ikigai – to know why you get out of bed in the morning! Full Ikigai has a power unlike anything else in your life. It’s a profound opportunity to follow what you are supposed to do each day. It gives you confidence in your daily endeavors. Your reason for getting out of bed every day is clear to you. You know that you can just be yourself. When you realize your full Ikigai, it is apparent to you and anyone who comes near you.

He even suggests a new habit of Ikigai

1. Set a goal to  do thirty days of half Ikigai
2. Experiment or start a side hustle. Start your half Ikigai immediately. Make time daily to do what you love and what you are good at.
3. Set a time to do daily mindfulness meditation.
4. Be mindful of how you are feeling. Keep a journal.
5. At the end of thirty days, how does Ikigai feel?

Ikigai is a worthwhile practice that has enormous potential to bring meaning to your life!

After a long search, I have found my Ikigai! Started to do my Ikigai as a side hustle! Mindfully, I include my Ikigai in my daily routine! Let me see how far it takes me to realize my full Ikigai, my life’s purpose!