“Seek always to progress rather than to perfect.”

                                                                                                Taro Gold

A few years ago as I researched and explored the world of Geishas for a new series of paintings, I developed a fascination in Japanese culture and all things ‘Zen’. Through my studies of tea ceremonies, I came across and was very intrigued by the term ‘Wabi Sabi’. I have since purchased many books, studied and have applied it to my art. I am also presently incorporating it in my everyday life, and often ask myself: “what would be the Wabi Sabi way in this situation? By questioning its principles, I frequently do find straightforward and uncomplicated answers which honor and validate my reality.

So what is Wabi Sabi? Although there is no accurate translation in the English language, Wikipedia describes it as: “(it) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view centered on the acceptance of transience (fleeting).” Architect Tadao Ando explains it as: “…the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection…it is simple, slow and uncluttered-and it reveres authenticity above all.” At its most basic, Wabi Sabi symbolizes all things ‘imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.’ Sound familiar?

It sure makes sense to me. The way I see it, each and every one of us represents the amazing altogether imperfect essence of life itself. Leonard Cohen said “There is a crack, a crack in everything. That is how the light gets in.” I happen to agree. Furthermore, that is also how our light emerges and broadens. Without that ‘break’, how would our uniqueness find its way out into the world – to gleam and shine on ourselves and others?

A beautiful example on the essence of Wabi Sabi comes to mind: The Pearl! Pearls are created from sand, parasites and sediments within a shell… and it is the oyster’s reaction to these intruders to immerse and bathe them with layers upon layers of a balming blanket - thereby conceiving a valuable jewel.

Wabi Sabi can teach us:

· to relax…

· to realize that change is to be expected…

· to ‘go with the flow’…and most importantly…

· to appreciate what we are at our very core – perfectly imperfect!

Even though this awareness can free us from an endless quest for perfection, it does not necessarily mean that we are to stop striving to improve our lives. On the contrary, it is about doing all in our power to better ourselves, based on the belief that our individual ‘flaws’ indicate the pathway to our hidden treasures and strengths.

The word Wabi stems from the root WA, which refers to harmony, peace, tranquility and balance. It represents the ‘inner’ or ‘spiritual’ experiences of our lives, and it suggests a natural process. Are we not ultimately seeking precisely what Wabi stands for? Sabi, on the other hand, outlines the ‘outer’ or ‘material’ aspects of life…our aspirations and ambitions, where our endurance is regularly tested and affected by external circumstances which are beyond our control. Would it not be to our benefit if we could manage these marginal situations to our advantage?

Uniting Wabi and Sabi would create an ideal aura of acceptance and contentment, and this would begin our transformation into empowerment – the Wabi Sabi way. By unveiling our inner values and passions, as we fuse them with our outer objectives, we can aim to find a higher purpose and actualize success as we achieve our goals… keeping in mind that bumps on the road to betterment are temporary, will prompt deeper learning, and are a progression on our way to ‘becoming’.

As we delight in the Wabi Sabi way of living, by escaping the pressures of ‘having to be perfect’, we will be able to:

• welcome the opportunity to gain a stronger sense of self and confidence…
• celebrate our true worth…
• accept responsibility for our choices, and…
• experience the infinity of our inner world…

What an awakening it will be, when we can stand before a mirror to perceive our exquisite reflection as it manifests its full potential – a reflection which knows that the course of the world is indeed the course of our lives…and indeed our existence in endless transition…

Ellie

August 4, 2009