Wabi Sabi - Positive Psychology & Storytelling - Module 10

 Wabi Sabi

Video : https://youtu.be/eYrQXUkOVtY (Links to an external site.)

 

 

 

Story 10 –The Cracked Pot - Indian Folktale

Story Reflection Task:

Who is the water bearer in your life? A person who sees your flaws but accepts you unconditionally.

Are you a water bearer in someone else's life?

 

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 Knowing Wabi Sabi :     

                                                            Forget the bells that still can ring 

                                                                 Forget your perfect offering 

                                                                There is a crack in everything 

                                                                    That is how the light gets in. 

                                                         {Leonard Cohen (songwriter/ poet/ author)} 

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Wabi Sabi - The view that Nothing is perfect, Nothing lasts and Nothing is finished underlies this concept which is a Japanese Philosophy for life. It is a world view, where one learns to accept Imperfection and the Transience of life. 

1. Wabi is the appreciation of simplicity and Sabi refers to serenity and maturity that comes with age. Though this word cannot be directly translated in to English. Simply put Wabi is simple and rustic, Sabi is old and weathered!

   Western world has started using this concept that has historical significance in Japanese culture, influencing design culture and more. Pottery like kintsugi and flower arrangement like Ikebana are also have taken inspiration from this idea.

   The students of Wabi Sabi find beauty in the simplest of things and also view brokenness as beautiful. At a time when we replace anything that is even slightly damaged or torn by purchasing brand new items, it is important to understand this principle. If you watch children you may notice them playing with old cardboard cartons, disregarding the brand-new toy that came inside it. 

   Wabi sabi basically challenges our view of perfection. We are also constantly projecting a picture of perfection to the world. Hiding our flaws, not taking help when needed and hiding our vulnerability behind a face of perfection, all are holding us back from leading a flourishing life.

   Appreciating the small things in life, even the things that were imperfect and flawed helps build a more positive world view.

   Three ways in which we can practise Wabi Sabi :

2. Be present in the moment and enjoy it
3. Accept your past and all the stories that it holds
4. Take every opportunity as a learning 
5. Find beauty in simple things.

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Self Compassion :

Self compassion is important to understand in order to embrace imperfection. Showing compassion to oneself at times of inadequacy and suffering can contribute to better wellbeing.

Dr. Kristin Neff is widely known for her in-depth study of Self compassion. She defines Self compassion as :

self – kindness , common humanity, and mindfulness. 

Here we don’t judge ourselves harshly and extend kindness to ourselves at times of struggle ( self Kindness), we also pause to understand that suffering is common and find support in the community ( common humanity), while also becoming present to all emotions, not labelling, or judging them, but allowing them to inform us without suppressing or denying them ( mindfulness).

Studies show that practising self-compassion increases optimism, self-efficacy, and mindfulness.

Some of the ways to practise self compassion 

1. Change your mindset – label behaviours and not self
2. Be kind to yourself- quieten the self critic
3. Forgive your mistakes
4. Find communities, groups where you feel happy to belong
5. Don’t judge yourself or make assumptions
6. Follow your passions
7. Be accepting of your flaws

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Highlights of the topic:

1) Wabi Sabi is a world view from Japanese Philosophy

2) It means Wabi - Simplicity and Sabi - Serenity/ maturity that comes with age

3) Practise Wabi - Sabi by being present in the moment, accept the past, learn at every opportunity, find beauty around you.

4) Self Compassion has been studied extensively by Dr. Kristin Neff

5) 3 components of self compassion - Self Kindness, Common Humanity, Mindfullness

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Topic Reflection Task :

1)  What Flaws do you see in yourself?

     What Gifts do these flaws offer to you? Journal it.  

2) Have you repurposed something recently? Repurpose a torn cloth – make into a napkin or a covering cloth …repurpose a chipped cup etc. How about converting CDs into coasters?  

Old Dupatta made into a curtain with pieces of cloth:

  

 

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Research:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-compassion