Wabi-sabi is an idea that comes from Zen Buddhism. A Japanese term, Wabi means humble and sabi is recognizing the beauty of age. Feng-shui helps me in placing things in my home for ease and many other benefits while Wabi-Sabi lets me recognize beauty and enjoy being there. Feng-shui is an ancient system of aesthetics blending the laws of heaven and earth to improve the flow of positive energy in the place we spend our lives. The opposite of feng shui is wabi sabi. The orderly correction of chi (or qi, flow, energy life force, prana) through mirrors, plants, furniture and even the very placement of buildings is feng shui. It is arranging all in life so that energy flows more freely and it said to make your life go more easily.
The opposite of that is wabi sabi. Wabi-sabi is allowing. Wabi-sabi is letting something fall in the way that is does and relaxing into that. It is finding beauty in imperfection. In that state of not exact-ness we find a smile, or a compelling vignette. The verdigris patina on your copper is a perfect example. One of my friends installed copper gutters on her house. Although they were beautiful she thought they looked like “bad jewelry” until time gave them more character. This is the idea behind wabi-sabi.
While our culture seems to demand a fixing up of everything; wrinkles get botox, tummies get liposuction and lips get collagen injections, wabi-sabi says relax. As your hair goes gray, it is just a reminder that we are all in a constant source of change and we will all pass; a visual invitation to enjoy this moment.
When you embrace the theory of wabi-sabi, doing with less is an art form. Using less and recyling, living in smaller ways, being humble by choice. It seems many of us living in today’s acquisitive society could use a bit of Wabi-Sabi in our days. The best image that explains that to me is the humble smiling monk in his tattered robe.
While Wabi Sabi allows us to relax, exhale, and appreciate the moment for what it is, it is important to maintain a balance. Think of a museum. White walls, clean floors. The most beautiful antiques look best in a surrounding that is maintained. So we can try the balance of having and not having. Paring down is liberating. I find having less to maintain and the Wabi-Sabi philosophy makes it easier to appreciate what I do have. One practice in my quest for balance is to throw out or donate 5 things daily. Feng-shui has helped me in placing things in my home for ease and benefit and Wabi-Sabi lets me enjoy being there.
sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
http://nobleharbor.com/tea/chado/WhatIsWabi-Sabi.htm