Don't wait, find your Ikigai | Gangadharan Menon | TEDxSIESCASC

In his talk, Gangadharan Menon traces his career over the years, and how an accidental encounter with an elephant took him back to his roots to find his Ikigai.
With a chequered career, right from delving into theater to advertising, Gangadharan Menon is an author, photographer and professor of arts who has travelled extensively in India over three decades.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Emiliapocalypse]

No matter how many pots of water you pour on the fruit tree, it will only fruit during the fruiting season. That’s a great explanation. Don’t feel bad for being a later bloomer. Everyone finds their path in their own time, so don’t compare your path to that of others and feel left behind.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Stay on your path. Stay true.

[@willmpet]

Emiliapocalypse If you compare yourself to others you will either become vain or bitter. - so give it up!

[@nl294]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@srd-srd]

It's an old hindi doha. Dheere dheere re mana, dheere sab kuch hoya . Mali seeche saw ghada , ritu aye phal hoye. Meaning - everything that happens slow actually takes it's time. No matter how much you water the tree, it will bear fruit only when its season to bloom.

[@pruzae5098]

@@srd-srd Thank you very much for the text.

[@cferracini]

This reminded me of the following story (I'm summarizing): A rich businessman went on vacation in a fishing town. He and his family enjoyed the hotel, the beaches and all else the town had to offer. One evening, observing again the fishers coming back he decided to talk with one of them, wondering why the man was so happy every day. He asked the fisher: Don't you want to get more in life? And the fisher answered: Why? I already have everything I need. The businessman explained to the fisher how the fisher could improve his business model with the time the fisher was not using. The fisher listened to all he had to say and asked why would he do all that. The man said, "So you can get more money". "What would I do with more money?", asked the fisher. The man answered he could do anything he wanted after he had enough money. So the fished asked the man what he wanted to do and the man answered: "I want to be at peace, enjoy my family and friends and maybe fish every now and then", to which the fisher said: "I already do all that."

[@khoi621]

"Don't let money dictate your career. Find your ikigai."

[@tesla416]

You are right, if you do what your passion is, money will find you!

[@robertwilsoniii2048]

Actually it won't. Ikigai is about more than finding a passion. Ikigai is about finding a passion which is specifically valued and wanted by others in society who want to pay money for what you do. You might have 5 things you're passionate about: maybe fast cars, homemade soap-making, digital photography, film and health and fitness (say). Of those five things, the only ones that are capable of being an ikigai are ones which: 1. The world needs, 2. other people in society will pay you money in exchange for them and 3. you are actually good at doing it. Now, you have no control over what the world needs and what people in society want to spend money on -- this is the crucial key to ikigai and to why it works better than self-centered passion. You can become good at doing anything through practice. But you can't force the world to want or need what you're good at. By giving up control over what other people want from you, you can find real happiness by submitting to and accepting those realities and demands. However you fan participate in this influence via give and take by finding something you love within that subset of things you don't have control over and then you dan work hard to also become good at that thing, over time, and start to see the financial rewards for learning how to do something that other people want you or someone else to do (which they also love doing on a personal level) and *that* is *the key* to ikigai. That's why ikigai is different and noteworthy and beyond the ba advice to just 'follow your passion.' It's different from that bad advice. It's the marriage of idealism and pragmatism in harmony with each other -- that's ikigai.

[@DJM77777]

As I am trying to determine my next move in my career path, I need to keep this concept in mind. If I have just "a job" then I want it to pay very well. But if I am following my IKIGAI, to have the opportunity to do that, I just want enough to live healthy and comfortably.

[@thelearner4305]

@@DJM77777 Simply I am confused at your one saying i.e. If you have the opportunity to follow your Ikigai then "you just want to live healthy and comfortably"........ WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 🤔 &YAA, I have one more question if you will answer I will be glad 😊.... My question is........ Ikigai is not only for money... Fine! but if you are asking yourself :Will you be paid for it? Then you are questioning about money aspects..... Right? I will be thankful if you try to answer me👍🏽🙂

[@DJM77777]

@@thelearner4305 what I was trying to say in that comment, is if I follow my life's purpose/Ikigai, then I am okay to let go of the need/desire for LARGE quantities of money. As long as my basic needs are met, giving me the opportunity to live a healthy and comfortable life, money should not be my number one focus. If I choose a path where I sell my soul for the mighty dollar, then it better be for a lot of them! You are correct, money is an important factor of Ikigai, and life, as we cannot survive off of nothing. But finding greater alignment in "Love, Needs & What you are good at" may leave one with greater satisfaction then money. Thank you for asking : )

[@jenniferfanny5]

The universe at times also decides which video one should be watching at what point of that person's life. Much needed. If you are reading this Mr. Menon or anyone who knows him kindly convey this message to him that he saved a soul today. Thanks so much!

[@mcb4608]

Truth.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

I consider myself blessed if I have touched your life in any way. Stay blessed, Jennifer.

[@TheNewLemurian]

@@c.gangadharanmenon2849 I found out about ikigai today from another TedTalk video and I watched yours too. Thank you for inspiring so many ncluding myself. I found my ikigai at age 51 also. I consider myself very fortunate. Blessings.

[@stillwatersnightsky6533]

Jennifer Shaheen Hussain I agree. I saw this vid in my KZbin feed this past week .... Ignored it, then saved it to watch later this past weekend, and now amidst stuff I was thinking about what to do next with my life, this persistently popped up again... And here I am responding and resonating to your comment.... There is always a reason for delays is what I concluded with, after watching this beautiful vid.. Thank you Mr Menon for the reminder..

[@saravanann6617]

I watched today...

[@yuzhagray]

"Don't wait for the elephant!" Thank you for your kind words of wisdom and encouragement . Namaste

[@ajayayyanar1606]

Yeah its a fantastic finish of the video. It made us laugh, think and aware.

[@jacquelinecharles9963]

"Don't wait for the elephant" Good talk. Greetings from Tanzania, where you found "Zebra Crossing'

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

One of my favourite places on earth.

[@nerdybuddha]

I just saw a photo of the ven diagram explaining ikigai and it inspired me to start the process of making my KZbin Channel somewhat public after seeking guidance from a mentor. VERY EXCITED about LIONS for Justice in Garland, TX

[@mikaeldupuyaamark6374]

If we use ikigai to guide us in our career choice, the world will be a better place. Inspiring talk.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Mikael. It's a Japanese concept. I merely borrowed it. :)

[@melperez]

Indeed! ❤

[@JennyB957]

I wish i could say to this guy you are an awesome photographer.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Gloria.

[@godblessyou30]

8:47🙏 *"धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय,माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ॠतु आए फल होय॥"*

[@belenespinoza269]

DON'T wait for the elephant :) wowwww nice TALK!!! Love it!! hope to find mi IKIGAI

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thank you, Belen.

[@BharatSingh-fb6vz]

May you find ur ikigai❤️

[@lizziestiadle71]

I’m glad

[@narasubramaniam9132]

Lovely talk and interesting history by Gangadharan Menon. "Don't wait for the elephant. Find your Ikigai"!

[@cindychiew832]

Greetings & Love from Malaysia! Fantastic talk...Thank YOU!

[@yashomani]

Exceptional....today it was in my destiny to watch this vedio....❤

[@bollywoodtalks3043]

Very MEANINGFUL speech!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@nsingh3009]

A beautiful and simple talk! Thanks alot!

[@sbspeak]

a great talk from the deepest heart.

[@chhandamandal6798]

So true. Don't wait for the elephant . Wonderful story .

[@gezenterehan9495]

I found some Tranquility in your speech sir.. Thank you very much to share with us thats kind of life experience... "If you want some thing, go get it"

[@balanpnb1]

Wonderful! Thank You, Mr Menon!

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Bala!

[@vandanarao8235]

So beautiful,u are so calm and kind!Bless u dear soul! Such a beautiful story!,,,

[@amitsharmasketches9948]

great speech and an incredible message..

[@geetasubramanyam8468]

Beautifully narrated sir.

[@lakshminarayanannarasimhan9211]

Great story to get motivated to find our calling. 11 mins spent well..

[@quentinfernandez4673]

Very interesting talk. All this boils down to we are all here for a unique purpose in life and we have to seek from within, which will bring us utmost satisfaction.

[@allurambabu220]

Simply beautiful.. 👍👌 pleasant narration..

[@parameshwaranmohankumar8612]

The key point probably is to do what you enjoy intensely. A good advice for young.

[@gandalfthegrey5321]

No, you must be good in that along with getting enough money for survival and that work must be needed by the world too.

[@Enatural_7]

This Ted Talk really resonated with me. Thank you.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Eric.

[@kgnikhil]

Nice, Ganga sir. This one I found before sitara. Don't wait for things to happen and don't prevent when things happen too. Liked that !!

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Yes Nikhil. Sitarakkutty did tell me how you stumbled upon it.

[@sonalipuranik6215]

Beautifully explained. Thank you Sir😊😊🙇🏻‍♀️

[@cosmicstudio786]

Soooooo Brilliant.... God bless

[@amitapmishra110]

Loved the talk n you are wonderful Sir

[@jcliffang]

Isn't it so awesome that a Japanese term and concept (even if it might be originally theirs, idk) is able to reach this person from a different culture. Man.

[@JyoSco007]

Yes, What's Ikigai in Japanese is Svadharma in Sanskrit (Indian language).

[@manojchittayil3326]

govindettan thank you for this ..

[@calmdown4647]

Thank you for your valuable guidance sir.

[@mallickm6949]

Great lessons. Thanks a lot sir 🙏

[@nehaverma1386]

So beautifully narrated your Ikigai story Sir. Thank you for sharing

[@milna8486]

Thank you to introduce me to such a beautiful poem..

[@ANGEL-mb9yx]

Hey

[@jyotichugani2996]

Very inspiring!

[@SubieDiecastCustoms]

We can find our ikigai in strange ways

[@tilakkumarsinha9762]

Thank you Mr. Menon for such a life changing session

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

My pleasure, Tilak Kumar.

[@krishiyer3990]

You have a. Nice voice sir. Good message. Find the passion that will also feed you.

[@chitrapillai3711]

True Krish Iyer, but not to the point of gluttony.....do you see what I mean? ONLY money should never be the reason of the choice of one's work, even if it may have started out being so, in the beginning. While money does provide us with creature comforts and the fulfilment of basic requirements, it should ALWAYS be secondary to the kind of work that addresses your passions...... whatever age one may realise this. Agree? 🤗

[@nandakumar-qs5sr]

Excellent boss. Remember we used to meet at place in Chembur Naka fairly frequently

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Yes of course. :)

[@seanmccarthy8311]

Excellent talk.

[@ethanquirke4954]

This is what i always say when i go onto youtube when im looking for lofi

[@lunasea4309]

lofi?

[@curious6190]

Wonderful!

[@rowansadasivan403]

this was a very beautiful ted talk. hats off to you sir. :)

[@nirmalakani2129]

Stunning images

[@baiak7586]

Great❣

[@tilakkumarsinha9762]

it was a really great lesson from the speaker....

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Tilak Kumar.

[@imanshaf8429]

He mentions Osho

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Iman.

[@chooha]

@@c.gangadharanmenon2849 whoa, didn't expect to see you here.

[@wisdomcompassion5060]

Happiness(bliss) is altimate ikigai of all people and that bliss come from giving(loving) nature.

[@unnikrishnan1965]

very interesting.. very genuine tone . thanks..

[@boodsarahellen2240]

Motivating!!! Thank you :)

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Welcome, Bood.

[@ericeengies]

It's my full time activity ... i am 59 yo with no success for now !! i am so envious toward people having an ikigai

[@pieceofcakeproductionsmega8451]

wow! Ganga, lovely talk. I am 52 and even I have found my Ikigai now, thanks to your video that has served as the elephant gorging me !

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks for thanking me for saving you from the elephant's wild ways!

[@chooha]

Ganga is a really cute nickname,

[@rajulchitre5284]

proud to have u as our teacher :):):):)

[@SDBR]

what subject does he teach?

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Rajul. Equally my pleasure to have you as my student.

[@iiit5]

Great!!!...

[@aswathip1043]

Loved it☺️

[@vatikasharma5621]

Loved the ending.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks.

[@scottyjoeful]

Thank you

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Welcome.

[@judepriya]

Awesome talk Sir. Thank you so much for sharing. ഞാൻ എന്റെ ഈ 38ാം വയസ്സിലും എന്റെ ഇക്കിഗയ് തേടി നടക്കുന്നു. ഇനി അതിനു മുന്നേ വല്ല കൊമ്പന്റെയും ചവിട്ടു കിട്ടി ഞാൻ പടം ആവുമോ ആവോ...😀

[@drnaturopathy2006]

LOVE YOU OSHO.N OSHODHARA.JAI OSHO

[@deepak7tak]

Good job done sir.

[@AmitKumar-hb4zj]

Great sir

[@chitrapillai3711]

Awesome topic and fantastic talk Oppa.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Chithu.

[@abheetnigam]

Lovely

[@ardofnoise]

Very nice

[@nare3482]

well said!

[@Jacob-nr9dn]

On my way to Ikigai.

[@adilelavia1911]

GM sir i Love it

[@amarsinha]

Nice talk

[@vishu3040]

Don't wait for an elephant 😀😀😘😘🤗

[@RaviShekharMumbai]

Wah Ganga!

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thanks Ravi.

[@gomasso]

cool

[@maheshstar]

en route Ikigai...

[@vijayalakshmisawant671]

Very beautiful ikigai👌👌👌

[@ajayayyanar1606]

Very nice speech and useful informations also😊❤👌👍☺👏👏

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Thank you, Ajay.

[@ajayayyanar1606]

@@c.gangadharanmenon2849 Thank you so much for your reply to this ordinary man sir

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

@@ajayayyanar1606 Ajay, nobody is ordinary. Everyone is born for a purpose. Find yours. Love and regards.

[@ajayayyanar1606]

@@c.gangadharanmenon2849 Ok sir.Thank you. I will find.

[@jaddajaswanthkumar1164]

Don't let money choose your career👍👍

[@abhishekverma4173]

I am 38 , born in a small city in india , never run for money , but I got everything more than , much much more than that , tried from producing a movie , photography in earlier days , family business etc , now living in spain and travelling European countries and very much into write a book on my life . Lets see what happens , any suggestions from you sir ,and yes interested to enter in big boss for some good msgs , not to win or be in bollywood , also a osho sanyasi . Prem kabir LOVE

[@DP-bl7nh]

"Dont let money dictate your career" this is very difficult to do in India , because of tiger mom's in India , Which has made India a Industry outputting Engineers ,doctors and lawyers.

[@missimplytruthful]

What is,where is,&how is my ikigai?still searching.very fearful to face an elephant (risk),?

[@darshanagupta9741]

"Don't wait for the elephant" "Don't resist when things are happening" "What will you do when you give up" Thank you

[@AmalaMusti]

How to find our ikigai??

[@Youmatter2boo]

What is the form in the tree?

[@lilihyasakimaki2724]

My ikigai is to play games.. But i will die if i follow my ikigai.

[@rien3201]

you are destined to be a game tester !

[@elenaneens1326]

Lilihya Sakimaki Stop dying everyday lolz

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Try. It's not so easy to die! ;)

[@SocialHigh]

We're not fruit trees. Dynamics is about DYNAMICS! Be Dynamic! Be Spectacular! Be Truthful! Rooting yourself will make one thing true; you'll only produce fruit for somebody elses pleasure who will discard the seeds of your labour making your intent FRUITLESS!

[@sagarasuranga9272]

Indian guy talking about Japanese ikigai . Thanks

[@elianeleticia6100]

Como gostaria que estivesse em português

[@elianeleticia6100]

🇧🇷

[@_theeverydayitachifan_]

Zebra crossing 😂😂 that was good

[@jacquelinecharles9963]

From Tanzania 😂

[@rishijain6710]

Don't wait for the elephant 😄

[@mudabirsbiologyclub6951]

Don't wait for an elephant to find your Ikigia.

[@livcassidy6639]

amazing talk but hard to relate to for the average person!

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Even I thought that when I spoke. But surprised to know that close to 80,000 people heard this talk in two years. :)

[@niloyjitpaul3068]

How do i found my ikigai at 30's???

[@bestashok]

Personally nothing against this method. I would have sworn by this logical method, finding your Ikigai. However I would like to TRANSCEND the whole process, job, career, success, marriage, spouse, failure, death, debts, legal issues, in trouble, handicapped, life, HAPPINESS, illness, Sadness whatever or anything that all human can experience in their lives. I am not saying don't live a worldly life, I am saying you wanna smoke, enjoy, have fun, be in the fast lane, goto a job, get married, have kids, fight injustice, off course your human occasionally you might do things that are not right, lie etc. But point is are you carry on with life and abble to TRANSCEND all these in life ASAP. Becoz by delaying, thinking smart, following Philosophy, astrology or whatever grand plans you have it will only get you in the same cycle. Point is first Transcend ASAP (As soon as possible) off course I know you have commitments. So with your existing commitment see how Fast, ASAP you can TRANSCEND this whole cycle life. Coz once you Have broken the cycle of and death ASAP, it doesn't matter if you fail, succeed or just be a nothing person...nothing can affect you... whole creation has no START or END. Let's First understand concept.. This is nature of entire Cosmos or Existence. No END or START.. This is an process, everything in cosmos (planets, animals, stars, creatures, time itself) never ends or starts. But in this bigger cycle, once you get a chance to become a human by birth, it’s the human becoming the Divine is the final step, It is the PEAK, and not everyone on earth will resonate with it. When one dies, you are no more but the SPIRIT which was in your body is Out. You maintain your astral body. The laws of karma or say your actions will dictate when you return to earth, and what your experiences will be & what you will be born as become a rock, star, grass, mud, or just become empty space. Poor actions in past life will be born as animal or lower life...no God conscious...but God's essence is there in that animal as well. *When you have transformed the body into light or leave your body at will, or attain mahasamadhi, you are free to choose and go anywhere.* You will be able to choose if and when to return, and what you will experience….you are free. You are no longer subjected to the wheel of birth and death, unless you choose to have this experience again. This is what God is. This is least hurting way of playing life again and again. Coz you know what you are playing. So it's good to be confident as well. But Clarity is the key. It's like now that you know the whole game, just play on...off course it will hurt as you have the emotions but remember including you, everything in cosmos keeps happening again and again... Beat the cycle of life and death and choose what you want your experience to be...being human is the best shot you got...Nobody can stop you from this...not even Odds or God himself. In short no matter how much better you get at life, you will always be caught wanting... That's becoz you are being a part of life, may be at most role of top notch successful human applauded by the whole world...but you still have to keep at it, else you will down and out of league before you realize... Get it, instead TRANSCEND all that any human can get from Birth to death. Right now whatever we speak of life or how to lead life is based on external SITUATION. JUST imagine if you are the only person alive on earth and you are most intelligence, highest IQ, fittest, strongest, beautiful, richest and all that best a human can be.. But what is the use..get it.. I M saying if you are only person on the earth, then, get it...else cycle repeats till you TRANSCEND.. So yes keep doing what you are doing in life, it's important to stay alive, keep running things, but ASAP TRANSCEND the whole process of life & death. Once you do this - you will be GOD of your life.

[@bestashok]

@Ashish Mishra Hope you are not joking, but anyway if you are one of those seriously looking for answer, else ignore buddy, go one Njoi, have fun... don't bother all this... Here's shorter version - Whole creation, including Atoms, Humans, Planets, Stars, Animals, Air, Water, Plastic, Blackholes, Everything living, everything non living, all physical and non physical entity - only form changes, nothing in cosmos ever gets completely destroyed. The cosmos has no START or END. Let's First understand concept.. This is nature of entire Cosmos or Existence. No END or START.. This is an process, everything in cosmos (planets, animals, stars, creatures, time itself) never ends or starts. But in this bigger cycle, once you get a chance to become a human by birth, it’s the human becoming the Divine is the final step, It is the PEAK, and not everyone on earth will resonate with it. When one dies, you are no more but the SPIRIT which was in your body is Out. You maintain your astral body. The laws of karma or say your actions will dictate when you return to earth, and what your experiences will be & what you will be born as become a rock, star, grass, mud, or just become empty space. Poor actions in past life will be born as animal or lower life...no God conscious...but God's essence is there in that animal as well. *When you have transformed the body into light or leave your body at will, or attain mahasamadhi, you are free to choose and go anywhere.* You will be able to choose if and when to return, and what you will experience….you are free. You are no longer subjected to the wheel of birth and death, unless you choose to have this experience again. This is what God is. This is least hurting way of playing life again and again. Coz you know what you are playing.

[@youngoldman1762]

How?

[@tekiero]

@@bestashok can you elaborate? its too hard to understand. What is ASAP and TRANSCEND? What should I do with my life>?

[@bestashok]

@@tekiero See hope you are not pulling my leg n joking. But considering ur a sincere seeker. Btw - ASAP is as soon as possible. See TRANSCEND means going Beyond. What to do with ur life? See imagine you are the most successful person on earth right now? But will it make any sense if your the only person alive on earth. Let me repeat, Say ur the richest person on earth, but you are the only person alive, there are no humans at all on earth. Say ur the smartest, intelligent person on earth, but there is no other human existing on planet earth? Say okay you achieved everything in life after years of toil, became successful, and from now onwards you will start to enjoy your life. Now just when you are about enjoy the success from next day on wards, you died. Can happen right? Get it. See tomorrow morning whole planet can stop existing and there is no more planet earth itself. Can happen right? It's possible by accident for entire earth to be stop existing or even be destroyed completely by some nut cracks, get it. Think. Whole planet and everything on it can be not only destroyed, but completely be made to not exist at all. So even if you want become God or if you are GOD, it doesn't matter. What will God do, if there is no planet Earth itself. There is something more to you. So do whatever that keeps you realise your mortality everyday yet makes you realise every second that even if entire planet is destroyed there is something in you, every human, everything in the creation which cannot be destroyed at all.

[@tekiero]

@@bestashok what is it, that can't be destroyed? I understood mortality part.

[@jayminshah8641]

My Ikigai is to grow a beard like him

[@counselorchandru]

Don't let money dictate your career. But most definitely make sure you are paid your worth. Ask for it. Demand it. Or else, that will be your elephant.

[@dominic2446]

2:16 Is Ruia in India?

[@rojarosy8975]

Yes Ruia College in Mumbai city,India.

[@c.gangadharanmenon2849]

Yes. In Mumbai, in India.

[@Jo-oq8zg]

In short : Hey guy...find your Ikigai 😉

[@siripuramvenkataramana3317]

Ikigai ?

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

A japanese term for "The reason of being or Meaning of once existence".