Wabi- Sabi comes from traditional Japanese culture. Originally the Japanese words "wabi" and "sabi" had quite different meanings.
Sabi originally meant "chill, lean or withered"
Wabi originally meant the misery of living alone in nature, away from society and suggested a cheerless emotional state.
It wasn't until the 14th Century that the meaning of both words began to evolve in a direction of more positive aesthetic values.
The self-imposed isolation and voluntary poverty come to be considered opportunities for spiritual richness. This kind of life fostered art appreciation of the minor details of everyday life and insights into the beauty of the overlooked aspects of nature. Thus, simply put wabi-sabi took on a new meaning as the basis for new, pure, beauty.
Once we try to see the world in this way one may realize the wisdom of wabi-sabi:
-all things are impermanent
-all things are imperfect
-all things are incomplete
For a person to experience wabi-sabi one must slow way down, be patient and look very closely because greatness exists in the inconspicuous and overlooked details.
Wabi-sabi is about the delicate balance between the pleasure we get from things and the pleasure we get from the freedom of things.
In our yoga practice taking wabi-sabi to mind can be very uplifting and encouraging because we are taking the time to slow down, be present in the moment and accept the beauty of each moment and each asana.
If nothing else wabi-sabi can be a great way to end a frustration day ...because it is really fun to say!
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
