discovering wabi-sabi

I figured out today (in my attempt to take little breaks between my monotonous project at work) that my obsession with imperfection is intimately tied to the concept of impermanence. I always found earthy, asymmetric, obviously hand-made style of art and craft strikingly beautiful, as well as untouched allure of people in an ordinary light with all of their quirky, endearing glitches.
It has been sometime since I realized that I was on the path to find (or create) peace in my mind, in my heart, in my soul, and in my life with a hope that it will somehow transcend to the rest of the world. I’ve gained a better understanding of the concept of impermanence in the process (elicited by Pratt’s “anicca” tattoo with which I was fascinated), and here I am again trying to come to terms with my decision to let myself live moment to moment; to be fine and grounded with the unknowns in my life, with a complete absence of expectations, with being open to all possibilities, and thus being able to indulge in the joy of what’s in my hand at this very moment.

And in my search for deeper understanding of this basic Buddhist paradigm, I came across this article on Wikipedia that resonated greatly with a sense I get when I discover work of art or music or a lover that REALLY shakes me:

“Wabi-sabi” represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience. The phrase comes from the two words wabi and sabi. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" (according to Leonard Koren in his book Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers). It is a concept derived from the Buddhist assertion of the Three marks of existence, specifically impermanence. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and suggest a natural process.

The article goes on to describe the sensation that one may experience when encountering such art work:

"if an object or expression can bring about, within us, a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing, then that object could be said to be wabi-sabi"……"It (wabi-sabi) nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."

And finally, what each part of the word means, and how it relates to the human emotion or philosophy in the context of Buddhism:

Wabi now connotes rustic simplicity, freshness or quietness, and can be applied to both natural and human-made objects, or understated elegance. It can also refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction, which add uniqueness and elegance to the object. Sabi is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object and its impermanence are evidenced in its patina and wear, or in any visible repairs.

Wabi and sabi both suggest sentiments of desolation and solitude. In the Mahayana Buddhist view of the universe, these may be viewed as positive characteristics, representing liberation from a material world and transcendence to a simpler life. Mahayana philosophy itself, however, warns that genuine understanding cannot be achieved through words or language, so accepting wabi-sabi on nonverbal terms may be the most appropriate approach.

It is wonderful to know that I am born into a culture that has a term to describe this beautifully, delightfully “melancholic” sentimentality, and that it has its karmic connection with the concept of impermanence. I actually just ordered the book that’s mentioned in the article. I’m so into it. Ha.