Wabi-Sabi : The Art of being imperfectly perfect
The concept used in Japan of Wabi-Sabi is not a set of norms or rules, but rather it is a mindset. It is the art of finding beauty and hapiness in the imperfection of things, it is a combination of two things: Wabi - which stands for - simplicity and humility - and Sabi - the run of time and the beauty that comes with the age. It pays hommage to all the old things that are imperfect and it is a state of being that shows love for all things. It is more less an ancient aesthetic philosophy rooted in Zen Buddhism, particularly to the tea ceremony, a ritual of purity and simplicity in which masters prized trays and bowls that were irregularly shaped, with uneven glaze, cracks, and a perverse beauty in their deliberate imperfection.
Practising Wabi-Sabi in a living place, focuses more on the people who live in the space than anything else. Possessions and other items are pared down to the essentials based on utility, beauty, or nostalgia.
Author Julie Pointer beautifully points in her book ‘Wabi-Sabi Welcome’ : ‘‘A wabi-sabi point of view encourages us to treat flaws as a beautiful part of the whole—a natural part of life—and to even bring them to the forefront as potential strengths rather than weaknesses.”
In your home, you are free to experiment and find the thing that works for you. Just keep everything natural and effortless.
Some tips how to practise wasabi in your home:
Value and appreciate the imperfection of the old furniture. Cherish the old scratches and love the cracks that symbolise the passage of time!
Appreciate nature and bring into your home natural options like wood and stone.
Get rid of the unnecessary and clutter. Allow the things that matter to stand out.
Go for muted lighting by using candles and table lamps.
Honor the environment.Reduce consumption, buy less and fall in love with imperfect things.
Practice gratitude. Feel more peaceful in the present moment and become more aware of the natural cycle of growth and decay.You become more conscious, in that way, of nature and life !
