A whole new way of looking at the world - and your life - inspired by centuries-old Japanese wisdom.
Wabi sabi ("wah-bi sah-bi") is a captivating concept from Japanese aesthetics, which helps us to see beauty in imperfection, appreciate simplicity and accept the transient nature of all things. With roots in Zen and the Way of Tea, the timeless wisdom of wabi sabi is more relevant than ever for modern life, as we search for new ways to approach life's challenges and seek meaning beyond materialism.
Wabi sabi is a refreshing antidote to our fast-paced, consumption-driven world, which will encourage you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and be gentler on yourself. It will help you simplify everything, and concentrate on what really matters.
From honouring the rhythm of the seasons to creating a welcoming home, from reframing failure to ageing with grace, wabi sabi will teach you find more joy and inspiration throughout your perfectly imperfect life.
This book is the definitive guide to applying the principles of wabi sabi to transform every area of your life, and finding happiness right where you are.
Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into 24 languages, who loves uncovering life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words and ritual.
Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has spent many years living and working in Japan, which she considers her second home. Over the years she has studied Japanese papermaking, flower arranging, pottery, noren-making, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and weaving. Collectively these experiences have led to a deep love of the country and a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She has been inhaling the magic and mystery of Japan - and been influenced by its philosophy and aesthetics - for over two decades.
A qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master trained in Tokyo, she also has an incurable addiction to chocolate and Japanese stationery. Beth lives a slow-ish life near the sea in Devon, England, and is currently working on her fifth book, ‘Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well-lived’, a follow up her earlier bestseller ‘Wabi Sabi’
Beth is the mother of two small girls who fill her with joy every single day.
Well researched but the quality of the writing feels cluttered and confused at times. Is this an academic style treatment or a self help book tinged with Japanese philosophy, or something in-between? I worry it's a little too complex for the average reader that'd normally pick up this kind of book lured in by the beautiful binding and cover art. The book starts decently with a good d scriptions of wabi-sabi but eventually becomes bogged down in the usual self-help excesses. But what put me off is how shamelessly self-promotional the book is - constantly talking about 'I... I... I...' with many mentions of the author's other projects, sites and personal connections. I feel like a good editing cull could have shortened this book down to half its length and made it feel much more focused and consistent. As it is, I'd recommend the recent 'Japonsime' book over this one any day of the week - especially as it also comes with beautiful photography that actually illustrates a lot of what is being talked about (and is cheaper too).
A book less about a Japanese design or art style than on a way of living. The four concepts of Japanese style, from gaudy flashy to subdued earth colour palette like (where I am somewhere between Hade and Iki, so quite far from the Wabi Sabi subduedness) was interesting.
But this book is more something to experience, not much into content itself, inviting the reader to contemplate while speaking kind of soothingly to him or her. Normally I find self help books slightly annoying and shallow. Kempton however has a style and a clear sense of formulation, that led me to enjoy the book, all though I found the book rather a slow read that didn’t really urge me onwards to finish it.
Still three stars, since it was inspirational to read how I could work on my own perfectly imperfect (and transient and impermanent to boot) life.
I like really a lot of quotes from Wabi Sabi and hope to return to them later:
“All things, including life itself, are impermanent, incomplete and imperfect. Therefore, perfection is impossible, and imperfection is the natural state of everything, including ourselves.”
“Letting go of what you think should be does not mean giving up on what could be. Importantly, accepting imperfection doesn’t mean having to lower standards or drop out of life.”
“And there are at least fifty ways to describe rain in the Japanese language. Onomatopoeia is used extensively, including to convey sounds related to nature. Zāzā describes rain pouring down heavily, kopokopo suggests the gentle bubbling of water and hyūhyū is the sound of a whooshing wind.”
“First, we experience. Then we reflect. There are things that can’t be learned without being directly experienced. On the mountain, the mountain is the teacher.”
“Imperfection is not a compromise. We need to trust and accept and be willing to say, I don’t know it all, but I don’t need to know it all. I know enough. I don’t have it all, but I don’t need to have it all. I have enough. And I am not all things to all people, but I don’t need to be all things to all people. I am doing my best to be all I can be to those who really matter. I am enough. This does not mean having no goals or ambition and giving up, nor is it to suggest that striving for something is a bad thing. It’s about getting really clear on why we want what we really want, outside of materialistic desires for the accumulation of stuff and the pressure of expectation from others.”
“But this is what we do. The better we get at something the more we widen our field of vision. We move from puddle to pond, from pond to sea. The ideal is always changing, and as long as we use that as motivation to do more quality, heart-and-soul work, that’s fine. But when it becomes an exercise in comparison it’s a dangerous place to be. I’m not saying you should settle for the puddle. I’m saying you might be happy in the pond, and that’s OK if that’s where you do your best. You might feel destined for the sea, and that’s fine too. Just be sure you go there for the right reasons.”
“The true beauty is not in the achievement of some kind of perfection, but rather in the sharing of the creation itself.”
“But let’s also be mindful of all that we celebrate – who we are, not just what we achieve, giving credit to the effort, as well as the wins.”
“The thing to remember is this: someone else’s success does not hinder your chances of achieving what you want. Their success may even open up new opportunities for you and others. They will walk their path; you are supposed to walk yours.”
با عشق و حس سرشار بودن از خوندن این کتاب بهش ۵ ستاره میدم.به نظرم این کتابو باید چندبار دیگه بخونم که خط فکریا و آگاهی هایی که میده برام درونی سازی شه. به نظرم بهترین توصیف از این کتاب روی جلد نوشته شده: بینشی ژاپنی در مورد زندگی نه چندان بی نقص ولی کامل. این کتاب بهتون کمک میکنه توی ریتم سریع و تند زندگی امروزی که خیلی از اهداف و ارزشها از بیرون به آدما القا میشه و خیلی وقتا فرصت فکر کردنو میگیره ، ریتم زندگی رو آهسته کنید و ببیند واقعن فردیت شما چیه،چه چیزی احساس زنده بودن و ارزش رو به زندگیتون میده و راهکارایی درانتهای کتاب ارائه میکنه که این اهداف واقعی و شخصی خودتونو توی زندگیتون بارز تر کنید.
خوندن این کتاب منجر شد سرشار از حس لذت بشم. سرعت زندگیم رو کم کنم و به جزییات توجه کنم و حتی از چیزهای کوچک هم لذت ببرم.قدردان داشته هام باشم و بدونم هیچ چیز تو دنیا نه بینقصه نه همیشگی.
At the risk of sounding harsh and unfair, I am giving this book a lukewarm 2 stars... The core philosophy of the book is interesting, and I enjoyed the author's Japanese pronunciation very much (yes random and weird comment, I know) but other than that, I was left unimpressed. I had 3 main issues with this book: 1) Its approach to the "imperfect is perfect" philosophy is too superficial, with frequent repetitions of the phrase but little in depth exploration of the concept. I may be biased since I am not unfamiliar with the Japanese culture myself, and maybe expected too much out of a book whose purpose seems to be to introduce westerners to an eastern culture. 2) The Japanese references (which were way too many and way too specific) made this book sound like a fan girl's serenade to Japan and Japanese culture, adding little to the actual content. 3) The advice and "tools" provided to implement the "imperfection is perfection" philosophy are almost non existent limited to 2-3 generic questions at a time, and yet frustratingly the author keeps referring back to them in every chapter (as if they are the most helpful part of the book)!
This is a book that seduced me with the cover and has inspired me with the contents!!
I found this to be a little gem of a book full of wonderful little anecdotes and genuinely useful hints and advice on how to achieve your own little piece of 'wabi sabi' in your day to day life - even the smallest of chores can bring joy if you look at them differently and that is a big theme running throughout this little book - it seems to be about how you look at a situation and how then to deal with it. Life isn't going to be perfect all the time, and I think a lot of self help books talk down to the reader by getting them to try and achieve this fantasy lifestyle. But that wasn't the message I gleamed from this book - it looks in to the Japanese way of life and the people, their affinity with nature and the slower pace of life that seems to bring happiness to their lives through the smallest things that many of us take for granted, or even miss noticing altogether.
There are personal stories from the author about their time in Japan which gives a good insight into living there day to day, alongside helpful hints on making your life work a little better for you by slowing down and to stop trying to live the perfect 'unreal life' - humans get pleasure from many different things so find what makes you happy and do more of that!
There are also tips on how to declutter - much needed for me and hopefully will help me learn to let go of things more easily - as well as looking at the subjects of finance, work, relationships and home and applying 'wabi sabi' to those elements of your life.
نقطه مقابل depression کلمه connection هست…یعنی برای گذر از افسردگی که قطع شدن ارتباط فرد از زندگی و حال هست ،باید به زندگی وصل شد،به حال و اتفاقات روزمره هرچند کوچک و بی اهمیت…وصل شد و زندگی کرد 🩵این کتاب یاداور خوبی بود که زیبایی در نقص هست…
Wabi Sabi is to see life, yourself and eachother for the perfectly imperfect treasures that we are, this peaceful gentle little book teaches you all you need to know about this Japanese way of life and brings a little peace and a calming effect onto your soul as you read it.
Lessons and quotes to be learned from this book: Be content with less Less stuff, more soul Less hustle, more ease Less chaos more calm Less mass consumption more unique creation Less complexity more clarity Less judgment more forgiveness Less bravado more truth Less resistance more resilience Less control more surrender Less head more heart . Wabi sabi represents a precious cash of wisdom that values tranquility harmony beauty and imperfection.
The forest doesn't care what your hair looks like, the mountains don't move for any job title, the rivers keep running regardless of your social media following, your salary or your popularity, the flowers keep on blooming weather or not you make mistakes. Nature just is and welcomes you just as you are.
We don't need to push all the time, every push needs a pull, every expansion needs a contraction, every effort needs a rest. There are times for creating and times for seeking inspiration, times for noise and times for silence, times to focus and times to dream ebb and flow, wax and wane.
I don't have it all, but I don't need to have it all, I have enough, and I'm notall things to all people but I don't need to be all things to all people, I'm doing my best to be all I can to those who really matter.
Sometimes when the head cannot find the answer the heart knows the way.
Humility and gentleness are met with Humility and gentleness, no drama, no stress Just kindness.
Set intentions, show up to practice and do our best and then trust. (Sometimes after all your training your body knows what to do but your mind won't allow it to do, that's why you need to let go, it's when we let go and trust that the magic really begins to happen). We can set intentions and show up for practice but there comes a point where we just have to trust and allow things to fall into place in good time. Surrender
There's no one percent career path, your path might contain several different careers each supporting your priorities as you move through the cycle of your life.
The way you get to your results matters more than the results you get.
Beth's wonderful book Wabi Sabi allows you to invite some authentic Japanese pearls of wisdom into your life without having to shell out for the airfare. Wabi Sabi is well-researched and insightful, full of wonderful personal anecdotes and experiences, and is written by someone who has clearly immersed herself into Japanese culture far beyond a typical western visitor might do. This book gives practical information and ideas on accepting imperfection, embracing nature, and lots of lovely tips to make you pause and appreciate things just the way they are. It's a delightful read. Highly recommended!
هر وقت کتاب رو میخوندم یه آرامش خاصی بهم میداد.. اینکه هر چیزی همونجور که هست زیباست.. اینکه لزومی نداره انقدر سریع بری که برسی. لذتبردن از مسیر و گذر زمان هم قشنگه!
"Pause, attention, tune in and be open to wonder" - @bethkempton | Wabi Sabi
☕ In my personal experience, since I read Ikigai, a doorway of simplistic learning has opened up in my life and I constantly find myself attracted books in this category, I read The little book of Hugge last year and now I came across Wabi Sabi n immediately decided this to be my 1st book of the year.
☕ The book starts with the concept introduction, moving to the instances where you may experience Wabi Sabi, to a transactional path that can help yourself be aware enough to recognise them in your day to day life.
☕ The writing is short n smooth enough for you to grasp the concept. There are also clearly defined questions that you can ask yourself and get a kickstart into this journey. Specially related to ones career.
☕ A part that left a lasting impression: The sections of how you actually react to people you hate - how out mind creates an opinion and then starts looking for instances to support that opinion as a proof that yes, we were right!
An interesting way of looking at life but I feel some bits kinda dragged on where it wasn't needed. I also wasn't sure if this book was meant to be a self help kinda book or something else entirely? Still, it was a book that made me sit and ponder at times.
ما ناپایدار و میرا هستیم درست مثل همه کسانی که دوستشان داریم و هرچیزی که در دنیای اطرافمان وجود دارد. ما تا ابد زنده نخواهیم ماند. حتی ممکن است عمر طولانی هم نداشته باشیم. زندگی بسیار ارزشمند است اما گذراست. این بر عهده ماست که در هربرهه از زمان بهترین خودمان را نشان دهیم و بیشترین بهره را از آن ببریم. بیاید از همین جایی که همین الان حضور داریم شروع کنیم.
خوندن این کتاب تقریبا ۴ ماه طول کشید اما میتونم بگم سختی ماجرا اویلش بود که درواقع سه ماه طول کشید تا فقط دو فصل اولو بخونم، یجوری پیش میرفت که اصلا فکر نمیکردم ازش خوشم بیاد، اما جالب اینکه از فصل ۳ تا ۸ رو تو کمتر از یه ماه خوندم. راستش از جایی که اشنایی با طبیعت شروع شد شیفته ش شدم. شیفته کتاب و سبک زندگی ژاپنی ها، واقعا بیراه نیست که میزان رضایت از زندگی توی ژاپنی ها انقدر بالاست. شاید یکی از دلایل اصلیش همین باشه، زندگی در حال، لذت بردن از داشته های کوچیک و بزرگ، مغتنم شمردن لحظات، وابسته نبودن به هیچ چیز و سادگی…
بهش ۳ امتیاز میدم بخاطر شروع سختش اما ادامه جذابش و درسای جالبی که بهم یاد داد.
Wabi sabi is a feeling, not a style. Wabisabi -styled-home does not make sense to me.
I agree with the idea that everyone is capable of feeling wabisabi, but wabisabi I feel is mostly in the context of and reference in Japan. Isn't it just 'feeling content' rather than 'wabisabi'? Without historical/cultural relation, I find it hard to feel wabisabi, personally.(I am Japanese.)
Well researched. It's much better than famous Ikigai book, at least.
Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton is a self-help book that tries to explain how a Japanese philosophy can help people look at their own lives from a different perspective. Kempton spends the first half of the book providing context and explanations. The second half spends more time on the self-help aspects.
I enjoyed the personal stories Kempton included, which I thought helped build some credibility. Cultural ideas can get easily distorted during the translation process, so it helps to see that the author had more than a tourist's understanding of Japanese culture. The idea of wabi-sabi is not new, but Kempton's way of presenting it helped remind me to be less critical of myself and the world around me. I particularly like her emphasis on nature and time. I tend to move at the pace of technology instead of the other way around, but while I was reading, I was reminded to slow down. I remembered that silence and contemplation can be more impactful than many explanations. And, each moment is valuable because it will not come again. Overall, I liked it for a self-help book because it helped me reflect rather than follow a to-do list.
In this year of lockdowns, the two things I have missed the most are meeting my parents and traveling. Often, I find myself scrolling through my album to savour a moment from an evening in Koya San, or a shivering afternoon in Khiva. Somehow, life has continued to remain fast paced even in a small room with a desk. The 13” screen has managed to hold the speed, perhaps has even increased it. Reading wabi sabi was a reminder to slow down and smell the flowers, or the air, even the cup of tea in front of me. While reading it, I checked myself from giving in to senseless distractions, or buying something I didn’t need. But I treasured it less for the reminders and more for transporting me back to Kyoto. To its magical gardens and the magnificent shrines. And long walks on the philosopher’s way. The moments are described in clarity, and somehow Beth also captures the transience of those moments, which make them dearer. There are a few interesting stories, even some questions for reflections. It is a good introduction to the philosophy of wabi sabi, or consider it a ride for armchair travel to Japan.
"A wabi sabi lens can inspire us to embrace soulful simplicity and treasure what we already have"
Um livro sobre a cultura japonesa e sobre uma maneira bonita de ver e viver.
Confesso que sou apaixonada pela cultura japonesa e ter sido essa a razão que me levou a ler este livro. Foi o livro que mais gostei de ler este ano e, sem dúvida, o que mais me marcou. É um bom companheiro para a pausa do almoço, ou para uma tarde de inverno. É o livro que nos ensina a diferença entre o olhar e o ver; o ouvir e o escutar; e o encontrar a beleza em tudo os que nos rodeia.
Bem estruturado e organizado, possibilita o leitor a lê-lo como um todo ou a utilizá-lo como livro de consulta. Mesmo lendo em inglês, achei a leitura fluída e fácil de entender.
"Nothing last; nothing is finished; nothing is perfect."
Apaixonante, simples e envolvente. E o melhor? É bonito da capa à contracapa. Uma obra de arte na nossa estante.
Objectively this is a very interesting book, but I think my anthropology brain makes me see the short comings in many of her analyses. It feels over-generalized, and there is little talk of structural problems (i.e. capitalism and consumerism) that are the root cause of Japanese culture straying away from the essence of wabi-sabi.
However, I think it is valuable as a more culturally rich form of self-help book. I definitely find myself thinking of ways of changing my spaces, my schedule, and even what I wear to be closer to nature, the seasons, and what I'm feeling.
من حدود چهل پنجاه صفحه از این کتاب را خواندم و نتوانستم آن را ادامه دهم. برایم ملال آور بود. احساس کردم از آن کتاب هاست که اگر تا آخرش هم بخوانم چیز زیادی دستگیرم نمی شود.