Edition 19: Celebrating imperfection and impermanence

We live in a world where symmetry and perfection are often touted as our north stars. There is constant pressure to become more efficient and productive in our personal and professional lives. Apps tempt us to eliminate errors from our lives and promise to keep us on our toes with continuous alerts and notifications. Everything needs to run smoothly without any deviations!

This may become a problem, though.

We are oblivious that we are increasingly becoming addicted to a life where there is no room for suffering. Our gadget friendly lifestyle tricks us to believe that we can live a life of perpetual bliss, devoid of stress and inconveniences.

I consider myself blessed to be born and brought up in India. Amidst all the chaos and eccentricities, I learned the value of impermanence and how to find beauty in small things. India taught me to appreciate the reality of transience and accept that imperfections exist in our everyday lives. My travels through remote areas in the country helped me develop a sense of appreciation for elements that are often perceived as inconsequential. For example, the sight of the ruins of a man-made structure being reclaimed by nature in a remote village in the Himalayas evoked in me the realization that our existence is temporary and ever-changing.

Against this background, it is perhaps not surprising that I would be attracted to the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi which celebrates imperfection, impermanence and simplicity as our natural state of being. The seven principles of Wabi Sabi are:

1. Kanso – Simplicity
2. Fukinsei – Irregularity
3. Shibumi – Effortless elegance
4. Shizen – Nature or naturalness
5. Yugen – Profound and mysterious
6. Datsuzoku – Freedom from the commonplace
7. Seijaku – Tranquillity or solitude

The seven principles are glued together by the virtue of authenticity, which highlights the need to express and appreciate the flaws of ourselves and others. The Wabi Sabi mindset is focused on acceptance rather than on eradication. So, can we adopt a lifestyle that is guided by the principles stated above? My quest has begun and here are a few things that I have introduced to my life.

• Declutter – I am determined to stick to the basics and maintain calm in my life. Over a period of time, I have started to realize that I don’t need much to function optimally. Less is indeed the key to maintain the serene state of my mind
• Slow down – People often ask me why I take the trouble to walk from the MRT station to my office under the blazing sun when there is an alternative and more convenient route available. The reason is pretty simple. The walk through the beautiful boulevards flanked by tall trees lifts my wellbeing level and helps me get ready for the day ahead. The harsh sun is the imperfection but unless I accept it, I lose out on the opportunity to take the blissful walk and my daily dose of tranquillity
• Passage of time – Time is unstoppable. While I cannot control the process of ageing, I have decided to continue to nurture my ability to become more matured, add depth to my existence and embrace the joy of learning new things
• Mindful savouring – Physical activities have stimulated me since I was a child. However, my current activities have evolved into opportunities to nourish my soul as my body. Every time I start an activity, I try to immerse into my surroundings and acknowledge how lucky I am to continue with my running, cycling and swimming. Most of my activities are solitary, and they offer me ample time to ponder on the sense of meaning to keep living life as if it is my last day

"It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple." - Rabindranath Tagore

I take ‘happiness’ seriously, as I believe every one of us has the right to exercise the choice to be happy. Wabi Sabi provides us with simple yet effective reminders that life after all is simple and uncomplicated. Here are a few things for your consideration:

• Impermanence – There are times when life feels unbearable. If you are feeling down, embrace impermanence as a way of life and tell yourself that no matter how difficult things are, they shall pass
• Naturalness – Despite the temptation, do not hide your flaws. Remove the mask and express yourself as you are. Embrace your imperfection, and you will be rewarded for your honesty through positive relationships with people who matter
• Asymmetry – As you embark on a journey called life, you will experience changes that appear to disrupt the carefully curated symmetry that you have created. Accept the deviations and stay away from comparisons. Give yourself the permission to be human and be an authentic human being

Thank you for reading and I will leave you with this beautiful quote to inspire yourself to embrace Wabi Sabi in your life:

“Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance.” Buddha