The concept of Wabi Sabi originated in Japan in the 16th century. It started with their tea ceremony, when you stepped away from the chaos of daily life for a few moments to experience something simple and tranquil. Over time, it came to mean an approach to life that is in harmony with nature, one that values homemade and rustic and recognizes the impermanence of life. It emphasizes respecting age, both in other things and in ourselves, and teaches that we should be content with what we have, rather than always striving for more. It actually describes the beauty to be found in imperfection. In Japan, artists will often leave a rough surface on a bowl or subtle fractures in the glaze of a vase as a reminder of the wabi-sabi nature of life; the fact that all life is in a constant state of change, and that decay is as much a part of life as growth.
I think it's a wonderful concept. One that maybe we should embrace a little more, especially as we get older. We all want a little more balance and contentment in our lives.
Lori Erickson, in an article titled "Life's not perfect...and that's fine with me: What the Japanese art of wabi sabi taught me" in the April 17th issue of Woman's Day magazine, listed eight suggestions to incorporate wabi sabi into our lives: 1) Use what you have, 2) Make wabi-sabi friends, 3) Do your best at work--within reason, 4) Cook recipes from your childhood, 5) Relax your housekeeping standards, 6) Practice the art of hanging out, 7) When you drink tea, drink tea, and 8) Remember that life doesn't go on forever.
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