Book Review: Ikigai-Purpose, Well-Being, Healthy Ageing, and Meaningful Living
Figure 1 Mr. Sharif Khan, author of the Diverse Dream blog, receiving a copy of Ikigai from Mr. Naiknam Karim, Minister for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Gulmit, Gojal, Hunza, on October 7, 2026. During the recognition ceremony, books were distributed among recipients instead of shields or certificates to acknowledge teachers' dedication and achievements. The selection of Ikigai as a token of recognition underscores the symbolic value of learning, purpose, and service within educational settings, aligning the ceremony's ethos with the book's central themes. Introduction What makes life meaningful? Is happiness determined by wealth, professional success, social status, or a clear sense of purpose? These questions have long concerned philosophers, psychologists, educators, and researchers. In contemporary society-marked by stress, uncertainty, and pressure to succeed-the search for meaning and well-bei...