23 Comments
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Mandy Lyons's avatar

This is such a lovely reflection. I especially appreciated the way you framed these as invitations rather than rules. There is something deeply calming about the idea of living in rhythm — staying connected, moving gently, giving thanks, slowing down, and listening to what the body and heart already know.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you - I’m really glad that came through.

That shift from “rules” to “invitations” felt important to me while writing it. The moment something becomes rigid, it loses that sense of ease that these ideas are actually pointing toward.

And I love how you described rhythm. It’s not something you force, it’s something you fall back into when you start listening a bit more closely.

What you said about the body and heart already knowing… that’s probably where it all begins.

Mandy Lyons's avatar

Thank you, Alexandra. Yes, that feels so true. When we slow down enough to listen, the body and heart often seem to remember a quieter wisdom before the mind catches up.

Man With No Name's avatar

I really like this piece.

I’ve actually never heard of Ogimi, but the lifestyle and philosophy you described make complete, intuitive sense.

In a world demanding we move faster, do more, and optimize every second,it’s a geat reminder that true wellness lies in the quiet, ordinary moments.

The 10 rules don’t look like a rigid to-do list and more an invitation to reconnect- slow down, move with purpose, and stay grounded.

Thanks you for sharing this. ; it certainly should give people a lot to reflect upon.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

I really like how you described it as an invitation rather than a list - that’s exactly how it feels to me too.

There’s something about those ideas that doesn’t need to be pushed or followed strictly. They just quietly make sense when you slow down enough to notice them.

And I agree with you… in a world that keeps speeding things up, that return to ordinary moments can feel almost unfamiliar, but also very grounding at the same time.

I’m really glad it gave you something to reflect on.

Man With No Name's avatar

100% agree re those ideas -

Scott Symz's avatar

I love this book so much ❤️

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you 🙏

Cynthia Bender's avatar

Perfect..., the topic is incredibly timely and you organized the information in such an “ easy to understand” way that makes it inspiring and motivating! Thank you! 😌

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you - I’m really glad it felt easy to follow.

That’s always what I hope for… not just that it makes sense, but that it feels like something you can actually take into your day without overthinking it.

Appreciate you taking the time to say this 😌

Sincerely Seb's avatar

This is very beautiful work that you're doing. It's very interesting that we have similar messages and seeing how they are transmitted in different ways. I must admit, I think your approach will be more effective for people. Wonderful stuff Alexandra.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you - I really appreciate that.

And I like what you said about similar messages being shared in different ways. I think that’s probably how they reach more people… not because one is “better,” but because different approaches land with different people at different moments.

It sounds like you’re doing something meaningful in your own way too.

Glad our paths crossed here.

Sincerely Seb's avatar

I completely agree. I am simply of the opinion that the world will be a better place if more people are happy. That is the goal I set out with when writing my scriptures, and I'm glad to see there are other people who are sharing the same information in different ways. If we all work together, humanity can be truly beautiful.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Indeed. I agree with you

Terod Naej's avatar

Not everyone wakes up with a divine mission glowing over the bed. Sometimes Ikigai is smaller: feeding your child, watering a plant, finishing one page, making one person feel seen.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

I really like this.

It brings it back down to something real and lived, not something we have to chase or define perfectly. Those small things you mentioned… they’re easy to overlook, but they’re often what carries a day quietly forward.

And maybe that’s the part that gets missed - that meaning doesn’t always arrive as something big, it’s already there in what we’re doing when we’re paying attention.

This felt very honest.

Tiba de Koning's avatar

Love this so much! Thank you for sharing this, I really feel like the world would be a better place if we’d all practice this 🤍

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you - that really means a lot.

I’ve had the same thought at times… not in a big, idealistic way, but just imagining what everyday interactions would feel like if more people moved through life like this.

It would probably look quieter, simpler… but also a lot more human.

Really glad it resonated with you 🤍

Johanna G's avatar

I learned about Okinawa, and Ikigai several years ago through The Blue Zones research. What a lovely summary of the concepts. Thank you.

Alexandra P.'s avatar

I’m really glad you connected it to that - The Blue Zones research is such a beautiful entry point into these ideas.

There’s something about Okinawa in particular that stays with you, isn’t there? Not just the concepts, but how naturally they seem to be lived rather than followed.

I’m happy the summary felt true to that.

Since you like Blue Zones, I wrote about them in this article. I would be curious to know if this aligns with your view too.

https://wisdomlibrary.substack.com/p/quiet-art-of-living-long-blue-zones?r=2r3u84&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

VioletFemme1's avatar

Thanks for this article 🙌

I appreciate the gentle way you formatted it too ... line spacing for ease of reading and succinct simple language. Very Ma. 💮

Alexandra P.'s avatar

Thank you - I really appreciate you noticing that.

I’ve been trying to keep the format as simple and spacious as possible, so it’s easier to actually sit with the ideas rather than rush through them. That “Ma” feeling you mentioned… that quiet space between things… it’s something I’m learning to value more, not just in writing but in life as well.

Glad it came through for you 💮

Lee D. Gibbs Horror Author's avatar

Very Zen in concept. Just secular. I never realized the overlap until I read this—thank you! ps I smoke a cannabis strain named Ikigai. It helps with mindfulness too ;)