Wabi Sabi

1. Wabi Sabi: Embracing Imperfection and Impermanence

Wabi sabi is a way of seeing life and the universe; its central principle is acceptance of the imperfection and temporary nature of all that resides in the world.

Core tenets. Wabi sabi is a Japanese philosophy centered on accepting the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It values simplicity, humility, and authenticity, finding beauty in the natural aging process and the unique character of objects and experiences. It is a departure from the Western ideal of striving for perfection, uniformity, and symmetry.

Historical roots. The concept evolved from Zen Buddhism, with "wabi" originally referring to the solitude of living in nature and "sabi" describing the beauty of age and experience. Over time, these terms transformed to represent tranquility, rustic simplicity, and the appreciation of anomalies and imperfections.

Three dimensions. Wabi sabi manifests as a philosophy, an aesthetic, and a way of life. It influences art, architecture, lifestyle choices, and even one's understanding of the universe. By embracing these principles, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of peace, harmony, and self-acceptance.

2. Zen Buddhism: The Spiritual Foundation of Wabi Sabi

For that reason, the only way to be happy is to accept the fact that everything flows relentlessly.

Three keys to life. Zen Buddhism provides the spiritual underpinnings of wabi sabi, emphasizing the impermanence of all things (mujō), the inevitability of suffering or dissatisfaction (dukkha), and the emptiness or absence of a fixed self (śūnyatā). Understanding these principles is crucial for embracing the wabi sabi mindset.

Impermanence. The concept of shogyō mujō highlights that everything is in a constant state of flux. Emotions, thoughts, and identity are always changing. Accepting this impermanence allows one to enjoy the present moment without being weighed down by the past or fearing the future.

Emptiness. Śūnyatā, or emptiness, refers to a state where one is no longer trapped by worldly desires. It is a fundamental component of reality and a state of mind where one feels connected to nature, neither adding nor eliminating anything, simply forming part of it. This concept is essential for wabi sabi art, where the work fits gracefully into its surroundings, without ego.

3. Rejecting Perfectionism: Finding Freedom in Flaws

The point is that in a wabi sabi life there are no mistakes.

The trap of perfection. Modern society often pushes individuals to strive for an unattainable ideal of perfection, leading to stress, dissatisfaction, and a feeling of inadequacy. Wabi sabi philosophy offers a counterpoint, encouraging acceptance of flaws and imperfections as inherent parts of life.

Individuality. No two people think or react alike, because each person is at a different point on their journey. It is impossible to be in anyone else’s shoes because each person has their own place from where they observe the universe.

Embracing uncertainty. By approaching life from a wabi sabi perspective, we embrace the utter uncertainty of existence, along with the mystery of our own abilities. It is about being the best imperfect person you can be and getting started on those things you want to accomplish before you die.

4. Nature as the Ultimate Teacher of Wabi Sabi

What a strange thing! To be alive beneath cherry blossoms.

Inspiration. Nature serves as the great master of wabi sabi, inspiring the beauty of that which is imperfect, incomplete, and perishable. Unlike human-made objects that strive for symmetry and uniformity, nature finds beauty in irregularity.

Lessons from hermits. Ancient texts, such as Yoshida Kenkō's Essays in Idleness and Kamo no Chōmei's Hōjōki, reflect the spirit of wabi sabi by praising simplicity, humility, and naturalness. These writings urge contemplation of nature and one's own mind, emphasizing the fleeting nature of all things.

Modern parallels. Henry David Thoreau's Walden offers a Western perspective on the lessons of nature, advocating for a life lived in harmony with the natural world. Thoreau's reflections on the song of the thrush and his experience in the woods highlight the importance of connecting with nature for peace and enlightenment.

5. Melancholy as a Source of Beauty and Depth

Put your soul in the palm of my hand for me to look at, like a crystal jewel.

Wabi sabi and emotion. Wabi sabi recognizes the beauty in the melancholic feeling where the beauty and the fleeting nature of life converge. It is the acceptance that happiness and sadness are intertwined, and that every loss carries an inherent gain.

Benefits of melancholy:

• It is a path to self-knowledge, since sadness is a mirror that allows us to see into the depths within ourselves which are normally beyond our reach.
• It increases our empathy toward others.
• It makes us more artistic.

Western parallels. Poets like Fernando Pessoa and Hermann Hesse have expressed similar sentiments in their works, exploring the themes of emptiness, impermanence, and the beauty of fragility. These examples demonstrate that the wabi sabi approach to life and beauty can be found across cultures.

6. Spontaneity and Flexibility: Flowing with Life's Changes

Relax and be kind, you don’t need to prove anything.

Acceptance. A vital lesson of wabi sabi is that things are what they are, not what we would like them to be. The Buddha warned that a sure-fire source of human suffering is to wish for that which is by nature transitory to be permanent.

Being like water. Bruce Lee's philosophy of "being like water" aligns with the wabi sabi mindset, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and flexibility. This implies breaking down prejudices, being transparent, following intuition, and trusting in the process more than in the objectives.

The path to wisdom. A traditional tale recounts how a pilgrim tirelessly toured the eighty-eight temples of Shikoku in search of the truth. He would meditate and make offerings at each monastery, wearing out his sandals along the way. However, having completed over half the trip, he had found no answer.

7. Creativity Unleashed: Imperfection as Inspiration

Learn to cultivate the trait of humility. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes — both in our personal lives and our artistic creations.

Creativity and incompleteness. There is a close link between creativity and incompleteness, which is one of the characteristics of wabi sabi philosophy. The artist tries to compensate for the shortcomings in their own life through their work.

The creative act. The creative act is a challenge to death and decadence—a kind of resurrection. Franz Kafka, for example, found a masterful way of filling the emptiness of what he regarded to be a meaningless life through his writing.

Wabi sabi diary. To unlock your creativity, keep a wabi sabi diary. Each day write a list of whatever wabi sabi experiences you had. Analyze your day through the three dimensions of wabi sabi: philosophy, art, and practice.

8. Minimalism: Creating Space for What Truly Matters

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

The trap of materialism. The author's experience of living in Tokyo highlights the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of external validation. Accumulating possessions did not bring happiness but instead became a burden on the soul.

Creating space. To create space in our lives, we must empty our lives of everything we do not need and free up space, before adding new knowledge, duties or commitments. That calls for discipline and will force us to change certain habits. It is all about having the right mindset.

Danshari. Danshari is the philosophy that encourages us to get rid of the possessions we no longer need. Oftentimes, what we hoard becomes an albatross around our necks rather than a source of happiness or security. Because the more we have, the more we have to maintain, protect and take care of.

9. Resilience: Finding Strength in Brokenness

All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story.

The art of navigation. Resilience is the art of navigating the streams of life, without letting past traumas condition your present and future. We all suffer life’s ups and downs but if we are resilient, we will have the tools to overcome adversity.

Lessons of kintsugi:

• Scars are not to be hidden— they are part of our story.
• What we have survived to get this far is our greatest treasure.
• Accidents are enlightening.

The big question. The big question, as the Israeli violinist said, is what to do with what we have left. In the face of the blows dealt by fate, we can basically take one of two existential stances: curse our ill luck or engage with our own fate.

10. Wabi Sabi as a Holistic Way of Life

The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

Three dimensions. Wabi sabi is not merely an aesthetic or a philosophy but a holistic way of life that permeates all aspects of existence. It is about living in harmony with oneself, with others, and with the natural world.

Daily practice. To integrate wabi sabi into daily life, one can focus on:

• Using old objects and caring for them like old friends
• Saying "no" to social or business propositions that do not align with one's values
• Avoiding frustration with life's imperfections
• Living in tune with nature

A transformative journey. By embracing the principles of wabi sabi, individuals can embark on a transformative journey toward a more authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling life. It is a path that leads to greater self-awareness, compassion, and appreciation for the beauty that exists in the world around us.

Last updated: March 14, 2025