The 3 facets to unlocking Your IKIGAI Blueprint: A Comprehensive success guide to achieving Longevity or Health, Wealth and Happiness

Welcome to the ultimate one-stop guide for success in every aspect of your life. This comprehensive article delves deep into the essential components that contribute to a fulfilling existence wholistically cover the aspects of health, wealth and happiness. Our primary focus is to assist you in uncovering your IKIGAI—the Japanese concept of finding purpose—and leveraging it to cultivate a life brimming with happiness, longevity, and prosperity. From optimizing your diet and exercise regimen to mastering meditation and finding your ideal career path, we leave no stone unturned.

Additionally, we explore the realm of personal finance, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to build a solid financial foundation, including emergency funds, insurance, investment strategies, and wealth-building techniques. Join us on this transformative journey as we empower you to unlock your true potential and create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

What is IKIGAI?

It is easier to understand IKIGAI using a diagram rather than lengthy paragraphs

Now try to put yourself into any of these compartments based on your present work or a job. For example, assume you are an accountant, passionate about cooking. Then you are in a “comfortable but feeling of emptiness” zone.

The aim is to ensure you drift towards the IKIGAI zone in your life with or without switching your current line of work or a job, more like a second job/work. For example, the accountant started his own cooking YouTube channel to showcase his passion for cooking or volunteered to cook in an orphanage at weekends for a social cause. If the accountant is good enough and passionate about cooking, then maybe one day he could open his restaurant where he is the head chef cum accountant of the restaurant while at the same time regularly sponsoring food for the homeless or nearby orphanage.

Longevity

Longevity is the natural corollary to IKIGAI. Imagine you found your IKIGAI at the age of 60 and the life expectancy is just 65. Therefore it makes a lot of sense to learn from around the world especially Japan, the country with the highest life expectancy. Longevity is the outcome of a good diet, moderate exercise and a happy life or IKIGAI. Since IKIGAI has been already covered we will look into the Good diet and exercise practiced in the places of high life expectancy.

Longevity Diet

The basis of a longevity diet is based on the following knowledge

1. Calorific restriction or Fasting leading to Autophagy
2. A well-balanced antioxidant-rich diet void of sugar and processed foods
3. Following a routine, practices and diet mentioned in ayurvedic scriptures on logevity and healthy living

1. Calorific restriction / Fasting / Autophagy

• It has been scientifically proven that calorific restriction ( Around 1800 calories/day) aids longevity.
• Fasting for a prolonged period (Around 18 hrs) can create a favourable condition for Autophagy(cancerous cell eating mechanism by our own body)
• 5:2 split also works in achieving the benefits of calorific restriction and autophagy. Eat normally 5 days a week and fast for two days by consuming less than 500 calories on those two days.
• Always consume only 80% of maximum capacity in every meal.
• Consuming two meals daily is advised to achieve the twin goal of an 18-hour fasting window and the 1800-calorie target per day.

2. Balanced antioxidant-rich food

• The food should have lots of variety. It is advised to consume 18 different fruits, vegetables and grains. The thumb rule is to have a variety of colours on your plate.
• One should consume different colours of fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Intake of fish should be regular esp fatty ones like salmon, sardines, tuna, and mackerel.
• One should limit meat, dairy and its derivatives.
• One should also completely avoid refined sugar and processed foods.
• The salt intake should also be limited to 75gm/day.
• Green tea, Jasmine tea and moringa tea are consumed regularly (at least 3 times daily). These are rich in antioxidants which fight ageing.
• Aiming to have 30% of daily calorific needs (~600 calories) from vegetables are recommended.

Ayurvedic Anti-aging routine, process and diet

1. Purification (Detoxification)

• Virechana (Cleansing the Gut): Using herbal laxatives to remove toxins.
• Nasya (Nasal Therapy): Oil application in nostrils to nourish the brain.
• Basti (Colon Cleansing): Herbal enemas for deep detoxification.

2. Ojas Preservation (Vital Energy Enhancement)

• Brahmacharya (Energy Conservation): Control of vital fluids and sexual energy.
• Ojas-Building Diet: Rich in ghee, milk, dates, almonds, and sattvic foods.
• Shilajit & Rasayanas: Taking rejuvenative herbs like Ashwagandha, Amla, and Guduchi.

3. Pranayama (Breathwork for Longevity)

• Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Purifies energy channels.
• Bhastrika (Bellows Breath): Boosts oxygenation and metabolism.
• Bhramari (Bee Breath): Calms the nervous system.

4. Physical & Internal Exercises

• Angamardhana: Strengthens the body and enhances pranic flow.
• 108 Surya Namaskars: Energizes and keeps the spine youthful.
• Bandhas (Energy Locks): Moola Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha for internal organ health.

5. Meditation & Mantras

• Trataka (Gazing Meditation): Enhances mental focus and vision.
• Nada Yoga (Sound Meditation): Using vibrations for cellular rejuvenation.
• Soham Meditation: Aligning breath with cosmic rhythms.

6. Secret Rasayana Practices (Advanced Techniques)

• Kaya Kalpa Herbs: Use of specialized Siddha formulations like Navapashanam.
• Isolation & Fasting: Some traditions recommend solitude and a specific diet.
• Kechari Mudra (Tongue Lock): Said to enhance longevity and activate higher consciousness.

7. Sleep & Recovery

• Brahma Muhurta Awakening (Waking up before Sunrise): Aligns with natural bio-rhythms.
• Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Using sesame or Brahmi oil for full-body massage.
• Sun Gazing & Moon Gazing: Absorbing pranic energy from natural elements.

This system is highly advanced and requires discipline and many anectodal evidence that it works.

How to achieve wealth

There are in general two lanes to wealth creation

• Fastlane
• Slow lane

Fast Lane way of wealth creation

Fastlane wealth creation is a concept popularized by MJ DeMarco in his book The Millionaire Fastlane. It describes a mindset and strategy for achieving financial freedom quickly, rather than following the conventional “Slowlane” approach of working a 9-to-5 job, saving, and retiring at 60.

Key Ideas of Fastlane Wealth Creation

1. Control (Be the Producer, Not Just the Consumer)
   • Instead of relying on a job or employer, create a business, product, or system that generates income.
   • Own assets that appreciate and produce cash flow.
2. Leverage (Multiply Time and Money)
   • Use systems, automation, or employees to scale your earnings.
   • Avoid trading time for money directly (e.g., a salaried job).
3. Solve Big Problems for Many People
   • Businesses that provide value to a large audience scale faster than those that serve only a few.
4. Speed and Scale
   • Instead of waiting 40 years for compound interest to work, create something that can generate wealth within years.
5. Use the “CENTS” Framework
   • Control: Own your business, don’t depend on others.
   • Entry: Avoid businesses that are too easy to enter (high competition).
   • Need: Solve real problems, don’t just chase money.
   • Time: Create a system that runs without constant work.
   • Scale: The business should be able to grow beyond your personal effort.

Examples of Fastlane Businesses

• Tech startups (scalable software, AI, automation)
• E-commerce brands (unique products, high demand)
• Content-based businesses (YouTube, digital courses, books)
• Real estate investing (rental income, flipping properties)
• Product licensing or patents (one-time effort, continuous earnings)

Slowlane vs. Fastlane

Is Fastlane Right for You?

If you prefer financial freedom within 5-10 years rather than 30+, the Fastlane mindset is ideal. However, it requires risk-taking, discipline, diverse skill sets ranging from problem-solving skills, decision making, man management and full time dedication.

Slow Lane way of creation of wealth

Slowlane Wealth Creation: The Smart & Steady Approach

The Slowlane is a practical and proven path to financial independence, focusing on earning steadily, investing wisely, and letting wealth grow over time. It involves either working in a stable salaried job or running a small business while consistently investing in appreciating assets like equities, bonds, gold, and real estate. Over the years, compounding works its magic, and occasionally, one or two asset classes turn into multibaggers, accelerating wealth creation.

Key Principles of the Slowlane Approach

1. Earn Steadily Through Business or Salary
   • Running a small, profitable business or holding a stable job ensures a reliable income stream.
   • The focus is on financial discipline, ensuring that a portion of earnings is regularly saved and invested.
2. Invest in Diverse Asset Classes
   • Equities (Stocks & Mutual Funds): Offer long-term appreciation, with some stocks turning into multibaggers.
   • Bonds & Fixed Income Instruments: Provide stability and passive income.
   • Gold: Acts as a hedge against inflation and economic downturns.
   • Real Estate: Appreciates over time while also generating rental income.
3. Let Time & Compounding Work in Your Favor
   • The power of compounding ensures that wealth grows exponentially over decades.
   • Patience is key, as certain assets will outperform expectations over time.
4. Occasional Multibagger Growth
   • While most investments provide steady returns, one or two investments may yield exceptional gains.
   • A well-diversified portfolio ensures that when a multibagger asset emerges, it significantly boosts overall wealth.
5. Achieve Financial Independence Without High Risk
   • No need to take extreme financial risks or sacrifice peace of mind.
   • Wealth builds gradually and securely, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle and a strong financial foundation.

Examples of Slowlane Wealth Strategies

• Running a profitable small business and reinvesting earnings.
• Having a salaried job while periodically investing in equities, gold, bonds, and real estate.
• Systematic SIP investments in mutual funds, allowing compounding to take effect.
• Buying real estate properties in emerging areas for long-term appreciation.
• Keeping a mix of growth and stability in investments, so occasional multibaggers boost wealth.

Why Choose the Slowlane?

The Slowlane is ideal for those who want a balanced approach to wealth creation—combining stability and growth without excessive risk. With smart investing and patience, it ensures a financially secure future, where some investments eventually multiply wealth significantly.

This is also achievable skill unlike fastlane. Only skill is learning to create a high quality diversified portfolio and right mindset to manage the ups and downs of the portfolio.