Upon first inspection, I thought that “The Four-Way Path” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles would be a similar read to their book Ikigai.
But, to my surprise, the core message was vastly different. While Ikigai focuses on uncovering your “reason for being,” “The Four Way Path” digs deeper into how to balance the many layers of life.
The book introduced me to four practical and relevant universal goals which are drawn from Hindu philosophy; virtue (dharma), prosperity (artha), love (kama), and freedom (moksha).
Balance is a recurring theme in the book, urging the reader to give thought and intention to their goals.
These universal goals are grounded in easy-to-understand steps where the authors nudge you toward taking deliberate actions. One of the exercises allowed me to map out where I stood on “The Four-Way Path” compared to where I would desire to be. It was clear that some areas are lacking when you focus on one goal at a time.
While Ikigai serves as a guide to finding one's purpose, “The Four-Way Path” guides you to deliberately live your purpose every day. Both reads complement each other and they bring thought-provoking ideas on how to better live a life aligned with achieving your personal goals.
The discussion on virtue as the foundation for everything else is a lesson that stayed with me long after turning the last page. It’s described as living in alignment with both your values and the natural world. The lines between success and integrity are often blurred and the authors do a stellar job of reminding the reader that one’s intention should be reflected in your actions.
My takeaway from reading this book was that life's richness lies not in pursuing singular goals but in embracing a holistic approach to personal growth. We often focus on one thing, thinking; ‘If I just get that promotion, if I just lose that weight, if I just buy that property, then I would be happy.’
But, as the authors write: “True fulfilment comes not from choosing a single path but from embracing all four with intention and balance.
The Four-Way Path by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles is available on loot.co.za
Cape Times
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