Wabi Sabi

All things in life, including you, are in an imperfect state of flux, so strive not for perfection, but for excellence instead…Appreciate the beauty of all things, especially the great beauty that hides beneath the surface of what seems to be broken. (Source: https://www.omaritani.com/blog/wabi-sabi-philosophy-teachings)

I was first introduced to wabi-sabi through interior design. Interestingly enough, it was the name of a fabric pattern I liked. Curious about the source of its name, I investigated further and discovered this wonderful philosophy. I wish I could dedicate an entire post to the philosophy but unfortunately I would likely do a disservice to it given my novice understanding, plus I have more pressing thoughts to which the concept of wabi sabi may thoughtfully apply at a very basic level.

As the first paragraph implies, the philosophy of wabi-sabi involves, at a most basic level, the acceptance of imperfection. Imperfection is the natural state of life and therefore we must learn to accept it and celebrate it as the natural way things are. Perfection, as we invent it, simply does not exist. My own take is that striving for excellence is noble, but seeking perfection is inherently crazy-making. You can imagine my delight in discovering there is a more complete, ancient wisdom to support that very specific belief.

This leads me to another, more pressing thought that reminded me of this ancient wisdom. Tomorrow, citizens of the United States will have their last opportunity to cast a vote in the midterm elections. I have battled feelings of dread I have been experiencing for weeks surrounding this election. It’s not a feeling of win-lose, but rather a deeper dread as we are struggling to preserve our democracy. Election denials, autocratic sentiment, gross denial of human dignity and rights–to name a few–are literally on the ballot as espoused by a set of candidates embraced by one major political party.

Even absent the outcome of these elections, our democracy feels broken by the very presence of such anti-democratic behavior on the scale that exists today. Is there something beautiful hidden underneath that which appears to be broken? I would say that democracy is a beautiful thing, despite its apparent imperfections. It is closer than anything else to a natural state of being in governance, where diverse people can co-exist and co-create for a better future. Naturally, it is messy.

Many have grown impatient with process and compromise, as required in democracy, to achieve excellence as one diverse nation. One party in particular has abandoned both in favor of one person’s idea of a ‘perfect union,’ conjured from a past that simply never existed. It could never be anything but crazy-making to think our best future is derived from a non-existent past, and we have ample evidence to prove that point. Today I dread we will lose our last best chance for a better future together because wabi-sabi in democracy is not something we understand. Instead, we are being sickened by an obsession with a false idea about ‘perfection’ that is simultaneously predicated on the absence of our ‘imperfect’ democracy.

So I look to the ancients to give me some wisdom at this decisive moment. No doubt life will go on and we will go forward. Can we find beauty? Can we find joy and happiness? Can we continue to strive for excellence? I will keep on this path as I have for years now, and today thankfully I can find true meaning and joy in that search. Best to all in your search, and please VOTE if you can.