by Lisa Moeller

Created on: September 12, 2009

Do the Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi. Ever heard of it? I have, but don't feel bad if you haven't. It is still making it's slow impression on the primarily greedy, materialistic American consciousness. Sadly, I believe it is going to take a long while for many of us to extract ourselves from the multitude of distractions to consider the incredible value of embracing such a way of life. Ever-bombarded by the media's brainwashing that the value of a person is proven only by their ability to possess other people, the latest and greatest material wealth, and unending youth, getting to a wabi sabi state of mind is like being a salmon in the river during spawning season.

Just the thought of living in a wabi sabi way gives me goosebumps. The stunning simplicity of it, the absence of succumbing to pressure, conformity, and judgement combined with the tantalizing idea of reidentifying beauty and value to the everyday things; appreciating the soul and character of things visibly used; releasing everything unnecessary to your life except those things which bring you joy and peace. I want that. Bad. The good news is, we can all enjoy wabi sabi. We simply have to choose it every day.

I encourage you to take 10 minutes and familiarize yourself with the following wabi sabi concepts. I challenge you to not feel the peace that washes over you when you consider a life lived in such a rich and freeing way. In future articles, I will share with you how I try to incorporate the concepts into my life so that hopefully, you can too...if you choose.

Key Wabi Sabi Ideas (from Chi Energy, EW56Bhttp://www.chienergy.co.uk/freeinformationws.ht mWH6PDhttp://www.chienergy.co.uk/freeinformationws.h tmZ6EFP)

Living in the moment - escaping unnecessary thoughts of the past and future. Simplicity - putting the greatest attention into the few things that are most important to you. Emptiness - leaving the space for new things to come into your life. Sobriety - retaining dignity, self control, common sense and level headedness. Intuition - to be able to understand without analytical or logic reasoning. Transient beauty - an appreciation of beauty that comes and goes. Nothing is complete - understanding that life is a process without clear beginnings and ends. Acceptance - to adapt to changing circumstances and make the best of any situation. Imperfection - embracing and loving people, things, nature as they are. Asymmetry - to be free from trying to make objects and layout symmetrical or in regimented patterns. Appreciation - to cultivate an attitude of endless appreciation for ourselves and the world we live in. Seeing the best in everything. Tranquillity - to free ourselves from all the unnecessary noise, clutter and distractions that distract us from find that inner peace. Naturalness - living close to nature, using natural materials. Nothing contrived - to express yourself freely without trying to satisfy superficial trends or fashions. Non attachment - freedom from doctrines, concepts and beliefs. Humbleness - being yourself without projecting your ego. Leading an unassuming, unpretentious, unostentatious life. Modesty - to live a life that is varied without indulging in excesses or extremes. Austerity - to be free from pandering to luxuries and making the most of very little. Embracing change - enjoying the idea that everyday is new and different, that our world is full of variables and that nothing is static.

Be honest. Just reading that list gives you wabi sabi lust, doesn't it? Spread the word. Better yet, live by example. Maybe we can become a wabi sabi nation sooner rather than later.

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