Once upon a time, the Chinese system of Feng Shui was unknown in the West. Now, many people understand how one’s environment either augments inner harmony or impedes it.
In Japan, there’s a philosophy of design focusing on the beauty of imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent things. It is called Wabi-Sabi.
Like the famous Gestalt head that looks like a vase one minute and two profiles the next, interior and exterior are in flux. On the most basic level, we inhale air, use its components and exhale the residue. Likewise, our interior self effects and reflects on our exterior, and vice-versa. Hence the value in uncluttering one’s rooms.
Wabi-Sabi enjoins you to appreciate life, and all its decaying artifacts, including your chipped tea cup, as it is. By adopting the following principles to your living space you will unconsciously introject them and find a gentle reverence for accepting all that is, as it is.
The following precepts are taken from a wonderful book: WABI-SABI FOR ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, POETS & PHILOSOPHERS by Leonard Koren.
Get rid of all that is unnecessary.
Focus on the intrinsic.
Accept the inevitable.
Appreciate cosmic order.
Understand that things are either devolving toward, or evolving from nothingness.
Truth comes form observing nature.
Greatness exists in the inconspicuous and overlooked details.
Beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness.
Copyright Nicole S. Urdang
