Wabi-sabi and Ichi-go ichi-e...words to live by

So what are Wabi-sabi and Ichi-go Ichi-e?

Wabi-sabi

We often strive for perfection and often times I say that perfection is an imperfection because it is very difficult to attain and can be most frustrating. A word I was introduced to recently was ‘Wabi-sabi’. It is a Japanese word that focuses on looking for the beauty in the imperfect and I love this word. I was recently in Tokyo and what I appreciated is that I now have an appreciation for Wabi-sabi where it is about looking for the beauty of the imperfection. It resonates because with the woodworking I do, the curved lines and knots add beauty to the wood and makes it unique. How can this relate to us as individuals?

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The word is precisely what happened recently before I even knew about Wabi-sabi. I was online and purchased this brass standing Buddha. What appealed to me was not the sale price because it was flawed but rather because of the flaws. I am sure many looked at it and saw the flaws and thought it was not worth it. When I saw this piece and the write up said it had flaws such as small dings from shipping, one of the base legs was shorter and there were blemishes…great! After it arrived, I saw it and immediately loved the piece and there was one reason and one reason only…the imperfections were very reflective of my imperfections. Every time I see it, it reminds me that I too am not perfect but there is beauty in each of us. We must look beyond trying to be perfect.

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Ichi-go ichi-e

This Japanese word is a reminder of the ‘here and now’ and what we encounter is not to be repeated so what we need to do is appreciate and savour the moment. This could be with the people we are with or the things we are doing. It reminds me to not dwell on the past or worry about the future. We can consider them, but do not hold on to either of them and instead, live in Ichi-go ichi-e. This was repeated to me in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony where the person who was sharing the significance of the ceremony stressed the Ichi-go ichi-e…to savour the moment. Her words rung true because in that moment, the people I was with, the things I was doing, what I was wearing, would not be repeated. The activity might if I go back but not in the exact moment.

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The two words of Wabi-sabi and Ichi-go ichi-e strongly resonate with me because of the reminder to see the beauty if what may not be and to appreciate who I am with and what I am doing. Both go hand in hand for a more purposeful life. I hope you too embrace Wabi-sabi and Ichi-go ichi-e. My writing may not be Wabi-sabi and you reading this might create Ichi-go ichi-e but what this has created is a small memory that I got to share with you.