The Art of Imperfection ~ Good Enough…
Maintaining "Inner Peace" through Wabi-sabi
I've been learning to embrace Wabi sabi, the Japanese art of appreciating beauty in the naturally imperfect world. Wabi sabi is an ancient aesthetic philosophy rooted in Zen Buddhism - deliberate imperfection.
Wabi-sabi represents both fortunes and misfortunes, and bears them with dignity and grace. It is also a way of life. It's about accepting things as they are, specifically when you can't change them, rather than wishing for something better, training yourself to look for the positives in less-than-ideal situations. It's also about being grounded and appreciating life's simplest pleasures. Wabi-sabi, the Japanese concept of accepting imperfection.
Alter your mindset, change your perception. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on appreciating what you have. Finding beauty with the flaws, in imperfection, in the incomplete - abandon “perfect”, Let things be ‘good enough’. Get rid of unnecessary clutter and make room for the things that truly matter in your life.
This will cause a shift, you will be grateful for what you have rather than constantly yearning for something new, something better. The mentality which promotes inner peace, serenity, and tranquility in your daily live. It's an ideal framework for modern life that will also help you improve your mental health.
Five tips of adding Wabi-sabi to your life:
Get rid of it. De-clutter your home, and you'll free up some mental space.
Embrace your personal story. Reflect on the path you have traveled. Each person has a unique story with its own authentic and particular beauty. Love yourself and others with their flaws and shortcomings.
Savor the present moment. The art of living in the present. Training our minds to be in the hear and now. Focus on breathing, body sensations, or emotions.
Extract Learning. When things do not go as we expect or we are surprised by events that alter the order of our lives, what can we learn from them? Learning shifts us from victims to creators, allowing us to adapt and cultivate a resilient attitutde toward change, loss, and transition.
Take pleasure in your feelings. You don't have to be happy all the time, so don't worry about it.
Are you ready to Wabi-sabi your life?
Like this column? Click to download a self-guided one-day retreat.
For more information, visit www.integratedbalance.org.
