EASE YOUR LIFE WITH WABI SABI

wabi-sabi beauty in broken things
Developed out of the aesthetic philosophy of cha-no-yu (the tea ceremony) in fifteenth-century Japan, wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetics that finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. Two people are the “founders” of wabi sabi: 足利義政 (Ashikaga Yoshimasa, 1436-1490) and 千利休 (Sen no Rikyu, 1522-1591). 

As they were almost 100 years apart, it will be safe to say that Yoshimasa started the wabi sabi movement, and Rikyu cemented it.  

Wabi sabi is often considered one of the oldest manifestations of minimalism in art. At its simplest, Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic design ideal that stresses the authentic over the artificial, the worn over the new, and the imperfect over the ideal. 

Wabi-sabi is a concept that motions us to constantly search for the beauty in imperfection and accept the more natural cycle of life. Taking inspiration from Zen Buddhist teachings on the three marks of existence – emptiness, suffering and impermanence – Wabi Sabi encourages us to recognize the beauty in simplicity, authenticity and imperfection. Loosely translated, "wabi" means simplicity, while "sabi" means 'the beauty in age and use'.

Together, these two concepts create an overarching philosophy for approaching life: Accept what is, stay in the present moment, and appreciate the simple, transient stages of life. The Wabi-Sabi can show you how to harness ancient teachings to help relieve stress and anxiety in your daily life.  

5 TEACHINGS OF PHILOSOPHY OF WABI SABI 

Uketamo means acceptance to the core : Through acceptance, you find freedom; out of acceptance, you find growth. The Yamabushi monks of Japan since 8th century, understood that the sooner you can accept all the good and bad things life throws at you, the lighter you will feel. 

The first teaching of the wabi-sabi philosophy, then, is to practice gratitude and acceptance. It’s not about giving up. It’s about surrendering to the gravity of the situation at hand and then actively playing a role in deciding what happens next. 

wabi sabi philosophy
The core philosophy of their training can be summed in one word, Uketamo, which means "I humbly accept with an open heart." The idea is quite simple: As you continue to resist, so will you continue to compound your suffering. 

The first teaching of the wabi-sabi philosophy, then, is to practice gratitude and acceptance. It’s not about giving up. It’s about surrendering to the gravity of the situation at hand and then actively playing a role in deciding what happens next. 

Strive not for perfection, but for excellence instead : Perfectionism is on the rise and its consequences for mental health can be devastating. The Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi helps us appreciate our imperfections. By accepting our faults as part of our journey toward improvement, we can better approach life with greater humility and self-worth.

All things in life, including you, are in an imperfect state of flux, so strive not for perfection, but for excellence instead. If everything in nature is always changing, then nothing can ever be absolutely complete. And since perfection is a state of completeness, then nothing can ever be perfect. 

Perfection does not exist because imperfection is the natural state of life—you are whole, the entirety of you, as you are. Hence, the wabi-sabi philosophy teaches us that all things, including us and life itself, are impermanent, incomplete, and imperfect. In other words, simply do your best to be the best that you can be.

wabi sabi perfection rule

Kintsugi—that broken objects are not to be hidden, they are to be displayed with pride: Kintsugi is the general concept of highlighting or emphasizing imperfections, visualizing mends and seams as an additive or an area to celebrate or focus on, rather than absence or missing pieces. 

Appreciate the beauty of all things, especially the great beauty that hides beneath the surface of what seems to be broken. Kintsugi teaches us the art of forgiveness and acceptance. Just as the broken pottery is lovingly repaired with golden lacquer, we can choose to repair our relationships with compassion and forgiveness. 

An ancient form of art stems from wabi-sabi, whereby you mend broken objects with gold fillings, giving them “golden scars.” It’s known as Kintsugi. 

wabi sabi broken philosophy

Kintsugi reminds us that there is great beauty in broken things because scars tell a story. They demonstrate fortitude, wisdom, and resilience, earned through the passage of time. There will be many times in your life when you will feel broken. 

There will be events that will leave you with emotional or physical scars. Do not hide in the shadow of your own sunshine. Instead, let those scars be redrawn with gold. 

Slow and simple, is the only way, to feel the joy of what it means to be alive: Slowing down is the antidote to living in a rhythm of rush. Simplifying your life is the antidote to living a complex one. 

Slowing down is what helps you become a more observant person. as soon as you slow down, you begin creating the space for you to pause and reflect, to wonder and ask questions. You naturally become more present.

At any point in time, as soon as you seek to change something in your life, you will, time and again, realize that the first step is not to ask, “what do I need to add,” but “what do I need to remove?” Decluttering is an integral part of the journey to growth and change. 

wabi sabi slow down

Letting of what no longer serves you is how you allow room for what will. low down, simplify your life, and concentrate on what really matters to you. Become more intentional if you wish to experience the joy of everyday living. 

Be Content: To be content exactly where you are with all that you already have, is to be happy. You see, the root of all unhappiness is born from being discontent with where you are and what you have. 

The root of all unhappiness is born from spending all your waking hours casting your gaze out into the distant future and looking outside your life, instead of opening your eyes to the present and looking inside it. 

To be content with what you have and where you are is to be grateful. To be content with what you have and where you are, while working toward what you want, and fully trusting that you can achieve it, is to be intentional. And through gratitude, intention, and action, you find happiness. 

wabi sabi contentment philosophy

Wabi-sabi is an uplifting philosophy that is deeply thoughtful about the nature of life and all the things we hold dear. Its teachings highlight the importance of appreciating every moment, every being, and every thing as their transient, imperfect nature makes them beautiful. 

Embracing wabi sabi can help us cultivate a sense of acceptance and compassion towards ourselves and others, which can in turn help to reduce stress and improve our overall well-being.  

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