Douze Points for the Doctor
Part 5 of 5 exploring Ken Mogi’s five pillars of ikigai; “Being in the Here and Now”
🌸 ikigai is a reason for being, your purpose - from the Japanese iki 生き meaning life and kai 甲斐 meaning worth 🌸
Intersections fascinate me.
I’m sure that’s no shocker coming from the girl with a side project sparked from her obsession with a Venn Diagram.
Two huge items from my THINGS THAT I LOVE bucket, collide this evening, and I am SO excited! Tonight’s double feature of epic proportions is the airing of Ncuti Gatwa's first series in Doctor Who and the Eurovision final.
I know that as I think about how to score each song, with the afterglow of excitement from a shiny new Doctor, I’ll be completely absorbed in the pure joy of the moment. It is a beautiful thing to be fully present.
There is also something so special about sharing passion with fellow fans. Watch parties and cosy corners of the web that foster a sense of community and connection, enhancing our live viewing experience.
We can feel dominated by past regrets and future anxieties, so finding joy in the present moment can seem like an elusive art. Yet, it is within this very moment that the feeling of ikigai, our reason for being, is most strong. Ken Mogi's fifth pillar of ikigai, Being in the Here and Now, invites us to embrace life as it unfolds, grounding us in the reality that life's truest pleasures and deepest meaning, are always available here and now.
What do we mean by Being in the Here and Now?
Being in the here and now means engaging with the present with all our senses, acknowledging our thoughts and feelings without judgement.
It is about stopping our habitual rush toward the future or retreat into the past, and instead, recognising the profound wonder of the moment we are in. Immersing ourselves in the current task, sensation, or experience, fostering a deeper connection with our actions and surroundings.
I talked about Ken Mogi’s 5 pillars of ikigai in my Back to the Drawing Board post recently, each pillar providing a unique lens through which we can view our lives;
Being in the Here and Now (今を生きる): This pillar is about focusing on the present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. In practice, this could mean mindfulness or meditation, being fully engaged in your current activity, and appreciating the current moment.
Practical Examples and Insights
John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." This poignant reflection captures a universal truth: often, we miss the richness of life because we are elsewhere—in the past or the future. Yet, the core of ikigai, teaches us that our true purpose and happiness are rooted not in distant dreams or bygone days, but right here, in the present.
Mindfulness Meditation: Thich Nhat Hanh emphasises, "The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." His teachings encourage practising mindfulness to recognize the abundant joy available right now.
Focused Breathing: Jon Kabat-Zinn, who brought mindfulness to the mainstream through his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, advocates for focused breathing as a method to return to the present moment. "Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts."
Engaging in Flow Activities: Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes flow as a state where one becomes fully immersed in an activity, leading to a sense of ecstasy and clarity. Whether painting, writing, or even coding, activities that challenge and engage us can keep us firmly rooted in the present.
Digital Detoxes: In today’s always-connected world, digital detoxes can help us reclaim our attention from the demands of persistent notifications and reconnect with the immediate world around us, enhancing our presence.
Benefits of Being Present
Research consistently shows the clear advantages of living in the moment. People who focus on the present tend to be happier and less prone to depression. Mindfulness meditation, a key way to practise this, can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, and improve how well we pay attention and concentrate.
These benefits aren't just about feeling better. They also mean we can handle daily challenges more effectively and make smarter decisions. On top of this, being present helps us connect more deeply with others, improving our relationships and increasing empathy.
By focusing less on past mistakes and future worries, we can enjoy the little things in life more, leading to greater overall satisfaction. Adopting a mindful approach to everyday living can genuinely enrich our lives, making it a worthwhile pursuit for anyone looking to enhance their mental well-being and overall happiness.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Presence
Set Daily Reminders to take short, mindful breaks focusing on your breath or surroundings.
Digital-Free Zones: Establish times and places where electronic devices are off-limits.
Incorporate Mindfulness Practices into your daily routine, even if for only five minutes a day.
Flow Activities: Regularly engage in hobbies that challenge and absorb you.
Practise Active Listening in your conversations to enhance your relational presence and connections.
Encore! Living in the Timeless Now
Just as the Doctor travels through time and space, appreciating the universe moment by moment, we too have the opportunity to journey through the everyday with the same sense of wonder and discovery. Tonight, as Eurovision's awesomeness fills the air, each song becomes a temporal gateway, leading us to the 'here and now'. A place where every performance has the potential to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether brilliant, surreal or brilliantly awful, it’s always memorable.
We find our ikigai, not in distant stars or future dreams, but in the melodies woven into the fabric of our immediate experiences.
As the final notes of tonight's final echo into the night and the credits roll on another thrilling adventure with the Doctor, let's carry their spirit with us.
Share your own 'present moments,' be they musical, magical, or wonderfully mundane, and join a chorus of voices celebrating now.
Together, let's explore our universe, filled with boundless opportunities for joy and discovery, and make every moment count.
Our very own contest of life where every point is douze!
Sarah, Seeking ikigai xxx
PS - it could only be Sam Ryder for tonight’s essay *grin*
Oh my God, I loved Eurovision so much. I used to watch it every single year.
It’s honestly so sad that Hungary is no longer participating. We don’t know why. Except maybe we do. Anyway.
I know exactly what I’m doing tonight now. 🩷🦩