Book Review- Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton

 

I owned a T-shirt with the term wabi sabi - 侘寂 written on it.

Although this book review and the text on my T-shirt may not have a direct connection, they served as a gentle reminder for me to learn more about this fascinating Japanese concept.

As you know, I am a big fan of improving and learning new things. At many times, I have believed that life is simple and we all make it complex with our deeds and thoughts. This book, Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life, by Beth Kempton, echoed my thoughts.

Beth Kempton explores the origin of wabi sabi, defining each word and examining its connection with tea. Wabi sabi consists of four components: tranquillity, harmony, beauty, and imperfection. The book weaves around the idea that imperfection does not imply lower standards- instead, it means accepting ourselves as perfectly imperfect.

From honouring the rhythm of the seasons to creating a welcoming home, from reframing failure to ageing with grace, this book teaches us to find more joy and inspiration throughout our imperfect lives.

My Reflection- Living simply and practicing such simplicity is challenging and requires ongoing presence and acceptance. The vastness of the concepts that inspired the wabi sabi style is difficult to express in words. However, based on my-life-limited-experience so far, I conclude that living a simple and peaceful life involves these three important reminders-

1. This is what is happening (observe it, don’t resist it).

2. This is how much it really matters (if at all).

3. This is the beginning of all that is to come, and this is what I am going to do next.


Quotes from the book-

"All things, including life itself, are impermanent, incomplete and imperfect. Therefore, perfection is impossible, and imperfection is the natural state of everything, including ourselves.”

"Letting go of what you think should be does not mean giving up on what could be. Importantly, accepting imperfection doesn’t mean having to lower standards or drop out of life."

"And there are at least fifty ways to describe rain in the Japanese language. Onomatopoeia is used extensively, including to convey sounds related to nature. Zāzā describes rain pouring down heavily, kopokopo suggests the gentle bubbling of water and hyūhyū is the sound of a whooshing wind."

"First, we experience. Then we reflect. There are things that can’t be learned without being directly experienced. On the mountain, the mountain is the teacher."

"The true beauty is not in the achievement of some kind of perfection, but rather in the sharing of the creation itself."