Perfect Imperfection - a journey to inner harmony
Since the beginning of time the earth has been moving on its axis at almost the same speed. Human beings, on the other hand, have been moving at an accelerated pace with no signs of slowing down, until recently.
The forced global pause, due to the pandemic highlighted the stress and anxiety we had been ignoring and gave us no choice but to face our thoughts and feelings and take the time to listen to our inner selves, to be in the moment, to be aware.
Developing self-awareness
An invaluable skill, awareness, can be developed by taking a few moments to be still and to reflect on our feelings, thoughts and physical sensations at that time. Being able to step out of ourselves and observe from the outside, impassionately and objectively, can help us see ourselves in a different, and a more honest light.
One of the best known ways of developing awareness is through meditation. But meditation is not everyone’s cup of tea. Keeping our bodies still is hard enough, keeping our mind still seems impossible. So how does one stay in the moment, how does one become self aware?
Any activity done with complete focus (passion) on what you are doing allows your mind to slow down and eventually become aware of feelings, thoughts, sensations that you didn’t know were there.
To study the way of enlightenment is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. -Dogen Zenji, founder of the Sōtō school of Zen
Painting an ensō is therapeutic, it is an "expression of the moment", an exercise in mindfulness, a moment when the mind is free to simply let the spirit create. Ensō(円相), is a Japanese word meaning "circle" and a concept strongly associated with Zen.
A simple circle drawn with a single brushstroke, it symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and the void. The simplicity of this single brushstroke circle invites us to look deep within, fostering self-awareness and acceptance of our unique imperfections as perfect reflections of ourselves.
Imperfection as a Path to Enlightenment
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Ensō is its representation of imperfection. The open circle, with its slight gap, signifies room for movement and development—and is related to the idea of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection. In embracing imperfection, we find a unique avenue towards enlightenment.
The Closed Circle: Perfection in Wholeness
The closed circle represents the totality of experience and life - perfection - though not in the traditional sense of the word. It is a reminder that perfection, in the Zen context, isn't about flawlessness but about embracing the completeness of the present moment. The closed circle encourages us to find perfection in our journey, accepting every twist and turn as an integral part of our existence.
The circle is like vast emptiness
Nothing lacking,
Nothing superfluous.
The Ensō reminds us to live in the present and find harmony within our true selves. Take a moment to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and our place within it.
Today, let us start our journey towards self-discovery, look deep within, make peace with who we are and accept our imperfections as perfect.
