Wabi-Sabi Time

Anyone who doesn’t see that we are living in an uncertain, turbulent time has her head too deep in the sand. I even avoid reading or watching the news on and off, because whenever I do, the world and our country look like they are on fire. Do humans thrive on chaos? I suspect some do. Why can’t we, as a smart species, try to live together peacefully, knowing most of us don’t last but a short time in this world? Not everyone takes time to think or care about it.

I have practiced Transcendental Meditation (TM) since the Covid pandemic, and have followed
the twice daily group meditation by Zoom led by Bob Roth, the CEO of the David Lynch Foundation. The routine starts with Roth giving a 5 minute talk, a fascinating talk, about the “genius of nature,” followed by a 20 minute silent meditation. Then he recites a quote or poem from many wise figures including Mother Teresa, MLK, the poets Maya Angelou or Mary Oliver, and the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. One of my favorite figures whom Bob Roth often quotes is Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Roman Emperor who connected his inner and outer world through his book Meditations, and used this understanding as a wise and compassionate ruler. Aurelius was known for his virtues, a role model for leadership by focusing on society’s common good, not on self preservation or personal gain.

During one of his recent five minute talks, Bob Roth reviewed the Japanese concept Wabi-Sabi, which centers on the appreciation of beauty in imperfection, how everything is impermanent because of the passage of time. Like the practice of meditation, this concept focuses on the present moment, to see and accept an object as it is, in its natural state. The Wabi-Sabi concept, although used more in certain fields like the arts or technology, can be applied philosophically to every aspect of life, even in mental health to treat patients obsessed with perfectionism.

Wabi finds beauty in its natural state instead of looking for its “imperfections.” Sabi further helps
us recognize hidden beauty despite the passage of time. It could be a crack in a vase that we have owned for decades, or wrinkles on an elderly woman’s face that symbolize experience and wisdom.

The Wabi-Sabi is a way of life that centers us on simplicity, modesty, inner depth, and the ability to focus on the present moment. It helps to shift our fear during these troubled times to a more hopeful mood, by reminding us of the impermanence of everything and everyone. Under all the external chaos, there’s still a society with many kind citizens waiting to rebuild. Things might look drastically different to us, but internally, their essence still exists. When an event triggers a reaction from your amygdala and builds up your anxiety, like a wise Japanese philosopher, simply shrug your shoulders, take a deep breath and say to yourself “It’s Wabi-Sabi. All things shall pass!”