IKIGAI and RUNNING!!!

I picked up 'Ikigai', by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, on a whim and read the book twice while on an outstation trip (the fact that the book is less than 200 pages and shaped like a small diary helped). As I was flipping through the pages, especially the second time, I paused to think at intervals and began reflecting upon the applicability of this philosophy, or way of life, to my life. Just so that we are on the same page, Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy, which means ' reason for being', or the 'a reason to jump out of bed every morning'. One more expression that comes close is the French expression 'raison d' etre'. According to the Japanese, everyone has an Ikigai. Some people have found theirs, while others are still looking. There is an island called Okinawa in Japan, where the the life expectancy is amongst the highest in the world. There are 24.5 people above 100 years of age for every 100,000. This is way higher than the international average. The book describes the authors' journey of meeting these people, getting to understand them, understand their lives and way of living and then come up a list of do's and don'ts that can help one achieve one's Ikigai.

Coming back, the thing that appealed to me the most Ikigai, is the concept of 'Flow'. This means that I have to be completely absorbed in whatever I am doing, without bothering about the environment, or the surroundings or any other background noises. It's as if, the world ceases to exist and what matters at that moment is the activity that I am involved in. In reading the biographies of great men - Leonardo da Vinci, Napolean Bonaparte, Albert Einstein, Mozart, Gandhi, Steve Jobs, Michaelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and many others - I have come across this phenomenon numerous times. It's not just the power of lazer sharp focus. It's something more than that. Da Vinci used to enjoy his work immensely, Steve Jobs had an almost maniacal obsession with design and used to love his work, Michaelangelo created many works of art in the same way. Also, all of these accomplished personalities used to work ridiculously long hours. Not just work, but Deep Work. Hard Work. The ability to lose oneself in the task that one is doing and derive joy from the process, is what, to my mind, 'Flow' means. A worker who is working on the shop floor, a gardener tending to his plants, an entrepreneur trying to create a business, a lawyer preparing a brief and then arguing it in the court and many other activities qualify as well. Depends on the person who is engaged in that activity.

'Flow' is what I am experiencing now! This, and while Running!! It gives me immense joy, happiness and satisfaction to put my words on 'paper' (or on a screen, if you will!) and also to Run! I write for the sheer pleasure it brings to me, and by that logic, can do it for free!! I obviously do it FOR free! I won't call this 'cathartic'. Nothing of the sort. But writing does offer a 'release'. All the pent up thoughts and emotions come tumbling out of the closet. By the end of the article, I feel a wee bit drained, but I also heave a sigh of relief! The feelings are mixed, its a bit of sadness - that I no longer have to write - as well as satisfaction - that the task is finally over! Truth be told, what is most gratifying and satisfying is the PROCESS of writing. The end result is something I leave to people who read the piece. I have done my job, and have had fun doing it! I have been in the 'Flow'! That's my mini Ikigai! (reminds me of the Japanese samurai leader Katsumoto in 'The Last Samurai' - a must watch! If not for the learning, then for the sheer visual treat and some great performances by Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise!)

And Running, I do because it makes me one with nature (The weather has become better in Delhi now and the early morning temperatures are comfortable from a Running standpoint. A light jacket is all that's needed. That and a Flat Cap to cover the head. Pollution levels are down and the air quality is better too). The morning sun shines over the top of the trees and I can see the golden hues of the sun over their tops. While turning on a corner, sun rays glint through the leaves, blinding me for a split second! Leaves rustle in the wind and the branches sway gently with the breeze, as if relieved, that the harsh winters are finally over and spring is around the corner! I can hear the soft chirping of the birds, children walking to school, other morning walkers/runners and the occasional street dog!! And while I am aware of all this and feeling generally happy and content, I am, in the background, aware of my stiff hamstrings and calves - groaning and protesting due to the pounding they're getting, the gentle tickle and warmth of the sweat that I can feel below my cap, a little (but not uncomfortable) shortness of breath and the relief that the intermittent sip of water brings, as I take a swig from my sipper. I have mentioned this before as well, Running, to me, is like meditation. It's an addiction (in the positive sense, of course). Weather permitting, and assuming there are at least 45 min to 50 min (ideally 60 min), I just love to lace up and Run! The time is important since I like to run at least 7 km - 8 km at one go. Ideal is 10 km! I have been told by my fellow runners (and I have read interviews of various corporate honchos and celebrity runners) that they can solve business problems and work related issues while running and that running gives them a perspective. For me, while the latter might be true to an extent, work is the last thing on my mind when I am on the road! So, Running is also my mini Ikigai!

What about work, one might ask? Do I get the same joy, and am I in the 'Flow' when I am at work? Well, Yes and No! There are certain parts of my job that I can say approach the 'Flow' state, while there are other aspects that I don't particularly fancy. On the plus side, whenever I am putting together a proposal for the client ( I am into Wealth Management) and when I am with the client - face to face - discussing about the presentation - these are the two situations that come close. As I am writing this, I realize, that here again, it's not so much the result, but the Process, which makes me happier. Of course, I understand that the world does not reward for effort, but for results. But, if the process is robust, both - results and rewards - follow. Sooner than later!

I had mentioned about my trip earlier? Well, it just so happened that I, very fortuitously, met a young woman from Russia and we had a very pleasant and interesting conversation! I realized then, the extent of my ignorance, and how, despite all my training to the contrary, all my travels, I was guilty of stereotyping things. But more about that next time!

Till we meet again! Stay happy, and stay positive!

Ciao!