Last year one of my blog themes was living simply. Going by the numbers of videos on tiny houses, some of which I posted on here, I found I was far from alone. Today, the first of January, I came across another video which I find especially inspiring. Here is the link to the video of a woman, Lulu, and her child who live in a shipping container.
Now I am aware of names for a way that has inspired me since I was a child. Wabi-sabi. Do you know it? I am guessing we will be hearing more about wabi-sabi in the year to come. According to Lulu, it is now fashionable in the west. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about wabi-sabi:
“Wabi-sabi (侘寂?) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”. It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence, specifically impermanence, the other two being suffering and emptiness or absence of self-nature.
Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity (roughness or irregularity), simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes.”
The child in me especially resonates with Lulu’s values and home. I am going to try to keep wabi-sabi in mind as inspiration throughout the year ahead.
One more thing in regards to the theme on this blog about dreams: this woman dreamed about living in a “square boat” and later recognized it after she had built her home.
Wabi-Sabi is a philosophy we could all embrace. The video is inspiring; do we ever own anything or just borrow for a time?
Thanks for sharing this Devorah.
J
Thanks Jesse. Great to hear from you! Yes, I continue to be inspired by this. There is something about it that I resonate deeply with. I know the child in me can totally relate!