Ikigai is a Japanese phenomenon that roughly translates to “your reason for living,” but in reality, it means so much more. It includes the small everyday things as well as big goals and achievements.

According to my guest Ken Mogi, Ikigai is the path to success and happiness in your own life. He is here to illustrate what he means by this.

Ken Mogi is a neuroscientist, writer, and broadcaster based in Tokyo. He has published over thirty papers on cognitive science and neuroscience, and over one hundred books in Japan covering popular science, essay, criticism, and self-help. His books have sold close to one million copies. He is the author of Awakening Your Ikigai and The Way of Nagomi.

During our conversation, Ken speaks about different facets of Ikigai and how each one plays out in Japanese culture. He also discusses the five pillars of Ikigai and how we can apply them to our everyday lives to create more meaning, harmony, joy and prosperity.