Ikigai: When Purpose Is the Path
There are books that are read and books that are lived. And there are days when the words of those books come to life in the middle of a forest. This was the essence of the “Connect with your Ikigai” workshop recently shared with Francesc Miralles. A day where purpose ceased to be an abstract concept and became a tangible experience, lived step by step alongside horses.
For those seeking a deeper meaning in their daily lives, Ikigai is much more than a trendy Japanese term. It is a compass. But what does it really mean?
What Is Ikigai?
Ikigai is, in essence, “the reason you wake up every morning.” It is that sweet spot where four vital dimensions converge: what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at.
It is not a distant goal or a trophy at the end of the road. It is a state of internal coherence. When you find your Ikigai, life flows with a different naturalness, away from inertia and emptiness. Francesc Miralles, through his work, taught us that we all carry that seed within, waiting to be watered.
Cavalls de Calma: My Own Ikigai
This workshop held a special meaning for me, almost circular. Years ago, reading the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life was the seed from which this entire project would eventually sprout. As Francesc reminds us:
“There is a passion within you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to give your best until the end..”
Those pages resonated at a time when I was searching for my own path. I understood that my place was not in what I had been doing since graduation, but in an honest connection with nature. Cavalls de Calma was born from that inspiration. It was the answer to my own search: to create a space where respect for the animal and human growth went hand in hand. Bringing Francesc was not just about organizing a workshop; it was about honoring the origin of this project and closing a circle of gratitude.
The Forest and Horses as Mirrors of Purpose
Ikigai is felt in the body. And that is where the presence of horses changes everything. During the Forest Bathing session through Collserola, we did not walk alone. The horses, with their slow breathing and their presence, anchored us to the “now.”
The horse does not understand the future or the past; it lives in a perpetual present. Its coherence is absolute. Walking alongside them on foot and without demands, participants were able to reduce their mental chatter. In that shared silence, many of the questions they brought from home began to answer themselves—not through logic, but through intuition.
A Day of Clarity
What we experienced was a reminder that happiness is not something to be pursued, but something to be allowed. Among the trees and under Francesc’s guidance, the group was able to explore their own “four circles.”
There were moments of silent revelation. Those who arrived with doubts left with a renewed certainty: that it is never too late to align your life with who you truly are.
Sometimes, you just need to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and let your heart, like the horses, find its own rhythm. Finding your Ikigai is not the end of the journey; it is just the beginning of the true adventure.
If you missed this edition, do not worry, because very soon we will organize another workshop together with Francesc.
About the author
Gerard Magín
Founder and director of Cavalls de Calma, a leadership and personal development consultancy located in Sant Cugat del Vallès. He holds a degree in Communication Sciences, a Master’s degree in Education, and is certified in Systemic Coaching. He has over 15 years of corporate experience in marketing, events, and team management. As an Equestrian Sports Technician and specialist in equine ethology, he integrates business methodology with animal behavior to structure high-performance training processes based on experiential learning and objective biofeedback.