In Zen philosophy, there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi. The signatures of nature can be so subtle that it takes a quiet mind and a cultivated eye to discern them. In this, beauty is an altered state of consciousness and can be seen in the mundane and simple. As things come and go, they show signs of their coming or going, and these signs are considered to be beautiful. Things in bud, or things in decay, as it were, are more evocative of wabi-sabi than things in full bloom because they suggest the transience of things. Over time their meanings overlapped and converged into Wabi-Sabi, the aesthetic defined as the beauty of things ‘imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete’. Wabi and Sabi refers to a mindful approach to everyday life. Japanese aesthetics now encompass a variety of ideals-some traditional and others modern, and sometimes influenced by other cultures. Thus, while seen as a philosophy in Western societies, the concept of aesthetics in Japan is seen as an integral part of daily life. These ideals, and others, underpin much of Japanese cultural and aesthetic norms on what is considered tasteful or beautiful. The Japanese aesthetic is a set of ancient ideals that include wabi (transient and stark beauty), sabi (the beauty of natural patina and aging), and yūgen (profound grace and subtlety). The modern study of Japanese aesthetics only started a little over two hundred years ago in the West. Can decluttering lead to an awakened mind? Can profound life philosophy be combined with style? You might be familiar with Wabi-Sabi and its influences on design, but the ancient Japanese wisdom of Kanso is growing in popularity.
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