This movie is a masterclass in mindfulness: Perfect Days
Let’s talk about something that’s become both a buzzword and a burden:
Purpose / Ikigai.
We’re told to find it.
To monetize it.
To align everything in our life with it.
To optimize for it.
To never waste it.
And while there’s value in having goals and dreams (I’m not here to kill ambition), I’ve come across something that’s completely shifted how I see the idea of “life purpose.”
It’s the Japanese concept of Ikigai — which roughly translates to “a reason for being.”
Maybe you’ve seen the famous diagram floating around:
That which you love
That which you’re good at
That which the world needs
That which you can be paid for
= Your Ikigai
Except… that’s not actually Ikigai.
🧭 The Truth About Ikigai
This Westernized diagram — widely shared in TED Talks and books — was created by a Spanish author (Andrés Zuzunaga) as a career framework. Helpful? Sure.
Authentic? Not really.
In its original Japanese context, Ikigai isn’t something you chase, build, or turn into a business.
It’s something you notice.
Something that arises.
It’s found in your morning tea. In taking care of your grandmother. In quietly sweeping the porch. In walking your dog. In that small moment when you laugh with someone you love.
The Okinawan elders, who famously live long, meaningful lives, don’t talk about “finding their purpose.”
They live it — gently, daily, in small ways that add up.
🧘♂️ The Subtle Power of Presence
This isn’t just poetic — it’s deeply practical.
In breathwork and mindfulness, we don’t force transformation. We create the conditions for awareness, aliveness, and emotional clarity to show up.
Ikigai works the same way.
You don’t need to pursue it. You need to pay attention to it.
To feel it showing up when you:
• take a full breath after a long day
• help someone without needing anything back
• move your body in a way that feels just right
• notice a tiny joy in the middle of an ordinary moment
This is a radical shift in how we relate to life:
The meaning of life is not something to chase or perform — it’s something to witness and experience.
I talked about a similar concept in this video about the life of Hirayama.
🔍 A Simple Practice
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure of your purpose, or stuck in the “not enough” loop, try this:
At the end of the day, ask yourself:
• What gave me a sense of connection today?
• What small moment made me feel alive?
• What did I look forward to?
These little reflections can uncover your true, personal Ikigai — not the one printed on a diagram, but the one that lives quietly in your breath, your presence, and your relationships.
In a world that tells us we’re never enough unless we’re achieving something, maybe the most radical thing we can do is notice what’s already meaningful.
Keep breathing,
Kitaro
