Improve Quality of Life?

Swap the pursuit of self-improvement for a quest for soul-enrichment. Think purpose-driven Japanese philosophies, Scandinavian social codes, and an Indian religion rooted in non-violence.

Angela Lindvall in Dolce & Gabbana, Fall 2000 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Photograph by JB Villareal / Shoot Digital, shared via Vogue

For centuries, humanity has been chasing perfection: eternal youth, beauty, and glory. Never content with the ordinary, always striving for something better. Yet, in this relentless quest, it's surprising how little progress we've made. Obsessed with media, entertainment, and fleeting pleasures, people have settled for these distractions in their search for fulfillment. For those still unsatisfied, the drive for improvement has morphed into an obsession, raising questions about whether these pursuits truly enhance our lives. Pilates, matcha, 5 a.m. routines—though I’m a fan of all of the above—have become more than activities. They’ve turned into lifestyles, yet remain focused on self-improvement rather than shaping mindsets and guiding behavior. However, there exists an ocean of life-enriching philosophies to explore, from the Scandinavian Janteloven to Japanese life principles and Indian Jainism. These offer the promise of true improvement, not just surface-level changes, but a good dose of genuine soul-enrichment.

Let’s start with one you may have already heard of. Before we embark on the journey of improvement, let's begin with the foundation—our reason for being or purpose in life—Ikigai (生き甲斐). This Japanese concept represents the idea that finding one’s purpose and meaning brings happiness and fulfillment. It’s about uncovering your true passions, the real reason you wake up in the morning. Ikigai encourages aligning our passions, talents, and values with what the world needs—a grand collaboration and synergy that leads to a life of satisfaction and balance. The four key areas of Ikigai, often depicted as overlapping circles, are:

• What you love (your passion)

• What you’re good at (your skills or strengths)

• What the world needs (how you can contribute to society)

• What you can be paid for (your profession)

Where these areas intersect is where your ikigai lies, and the goal is to live a life of fulfillment by operating at this core. This means doing something you're skilled at and enjoy while bringing value to the world—and ideally, supporting yourself financially in the process. This can be a bit of a mouthful, so try mapping out these categories on paper. You might find you're already living in alignment with your ikigai, or you may discover areas that could use fine-tuning. But it doesn't just apply to your career—hobbies, relationships, and other passions can all be mapped too. Ikigai fosters purpose and motivation, leading to a deeper sense of well-being and longevity. Now that’s true self-enrichment.

You might already be familiar with the next one. Unlike philosophies centered on the individual, this one shifts focus towards the community. A law that has stirred the waters—Scandinavian waters, to be exact. As a Scandinavian myself, I often encounter people who either embrace it wholeheartedly or dismiss it entirely. You’ve probably guessed by now: it’s Janteloven, or The Law of Jante. This set of ten rules, which functions like an unwritten social code, can seem, well, intense at first glance. The laws are as follows:

1. You're not to think you are anything special.

2. You're not to think you're as good as we are.

3. You're not to think you are smarter than we are.

4. You're not to imagine yourself better than we are.

5. You're not to think you know more than we do.

6. You're not to think you are more important than we are.

7. You're not to think you are good at anything.

8. You're not to laugh at us.

9. You're not to think anyone cares about you.

10. You're not to think you can teach us anything.

That is indeed quite a mouthful. However, let’s unpack its meaning. Rather than solely aiming to humble or diminish the individual, which one might assume at first glance, these rules promote modesty, humility, and equality, rather than encouraging individual success and conspicuousness. Importantly, the law does permit individual success and achievement; it simply encourages these in a humble manner instead of fostering arrogance and vanity. You can achieve success without it altering your perception of yourself, all while remaining mindful. The core message of these rules can be summarized as follows: you should not consider yourself superior to anyone else. This illustrates a value for the collective over the individual and has come to symbolize social harmony and equality. Interestingly, the author, Sandemose, penned these laws in a critical, almost ironic tone, yet they have evolved into a significant symbol. The key takeaway here is about finding a balance between humility and personal achievement, as well as considering how you present yourself to both the world and your community. In the quest for soul-enrichment, it’s essential to look beyond our immediate surroundings and recognize the broader picture.

Finally, a mindset that effectively brings everything together—the real cherry on top—is Jainism. This complex Indian religion is one I cannot fully articulate or describe in depth, but I will highlight its core beliefs in a way that relates to our focus on soul-enrichment. Jainism emphasizes non-violence, truth, and asceticism. It represents a path of spiritual development aimed at purifying the soul through ethical living and self-discipline. The religion teaches that the journey to enlightenment is achieved through non-violence and minimizing harm to all living beings. While there are various fundamental tenets of Jainism, we will concentrate on non-violence and truth. Non-violence forms one of the core foundations and extends beyond just physical harm. It encompasses non-violence in thoughts, actions, and words—a comprehensive approach to the concept. As such, Jains—those who adhere to this faith—are typically vegetarian and strive to avoid causing harm to all forms of life, including insects. Truth is another vital principle, with Jains aiming to always speak honestly while minimizing harm to others. This reflects a genuine commitment to choosing words carefully. This focus encourages honesty, integrity, and thoughtful communication. Although we are merely scratching the surface of this religion, the lessons it offers are profound. Jainism can teach us valuable lessons about self-discipline, compassion, and personal responsibility, all while promoting respect for all forms of life, which fosters harmony and true soul-enrichment. While I am not suggesting that you change your religion—that is an entirely personal choice—I do encourage you to draw inspiration from these core beliefs. Consider how they might apply to your daily life and embrace a mindset that prioritizes non-violence.

So, that was a substantial exploration of a diverse range of philosophies, laws, and religions, all of which offer unique perspectives on how to elevate our joy and overall well-being without fixating on self-enhancement. Instead, they delve deeper and can influence our mindsets daily, shaping the way we approach our lives. And if it all becomes a bit overwhelming, there’s a wonderfully simple Japanese philosophy that truly resonates: Shikata ga nai (仕方がない). This phrase translates to “it can’t be helped” or “there is no other way.” Essentially, it embodies the idea of accepting situations beyond our control with grace, encouraging us to move forward without resentment or frustration. This is a valuable lesson from which we can all benefit. Ultimately, there are numerous ways to enhance our quality of life. My suggestion is to focus on our souls and our true selves. I hope this has been a great dose of inspiration. How will you proceed, incorporating these ideas or drawing inspiration from them in your daily life?