“Imperfection is the other side of perfection, like night is to day. Taste of imperfection brings a touch of humility and sense of not knowing and letting go which is unique. Striving for perfection is an added effort. When the striving is without ambition there is a sense of ease in simply doing and being.” says Gita Gayatri
I was walking down the street towards down town. It was the early hours of dawn. Mystic hue of colors was painted on the sky. There was a nip in the air as the cold draft touched the skin. Stillness of the night held a silence that was breaking with the waking of the chirping birds.
Someone called out from behind greeting out loud. Turned around I found a pile of blankets spread out. Tucked up against a wall was a homeless man waking with the breaking new day. He lay awake beneath the worn out torn blankets like a king on a royal bed. His home was the wide earth and the star studded sky his roof. His voice resonated as I turned back and walked on – “Have a perfect day”! There was an imperfection hidden somewhere. This story about Confucius and his disciples comes to mind. What is imperfection?
Firewood becomes ash, and it does not become firewood again. Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.
A person named Zixia once asked Confucius about each of his close disciples.
‘What kind of a person is Yenhui?’
‘Yenhui is more compassionate than I’!
‘What about Zilu?’
‘Zilu is more courageous than I’!
‘What about Zigong?’
‘Zigong is more eloquent than I’!
Zixia further inquired, ‘What about Zizhang? What kind of a person is he?’
‘He is more solemn than I’!
The disciples were by now confused and embarrassed.
Zixia was bewildered and said – ‘How could they be more compassionate, more courageous, more eloquent and more solemn than the master?’
Confucius explained – ‘Yenhui is compassionate, but does not know when not to be compassionate. Zilu is courageous, but does not know when to be afraid. Zigong is articulate, but does not know when to be silent. Zizhang is serious and dignified, but does not know when to accommodate and compromise. If you add up all their strengths together in exchange for all my imperfections, I would not take them!’
The Master was teaching them the essence of moderation.
Imperfection is the other side of perfection, like night is to day. Taste of imperfection brings a touch of humility and sense of not knowing and letting go which is unique. Striving for perfection is an added effort. When the striving is without ambition there is a sense of ease in simply doing and being. Artisans and artists in Asia leave a signature of imperfection after having successfully completed a work. The Japanese created art around imperfection called wabi sabi.
A rose is a rose with all its beauty and the thorns. Zen master Dogen Zenji says in Genjo Koan :- Firewood becomes ash, and it does not become firewood again. Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.
What do we see in ourselves now? What are our hidden potentials that we fail to see because we are lost in distraction that veils it? Let us hold hands and walk together. Let us share our thoughts that unveil as we contemplate and open out.
Can we accept things as they are?
What is our strength?
What are our limitations?
What are the potentials and possibilities that enhance our life?
What is our personal Dharma ?
What is it that makes life meaningful?
What are the realms that hold our interest?
“You are perfect as you are, but you could use a little improvement!”
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– Shyunru Suzuki Roshi
“Better stop short than fill to the brim.
Over sharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of Heaven.”
Tao Te Ching – Lao Tsu
Harmony and rhythm are in the very blood of man. In all aesthetic creation the primeval seed is harmony –
Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati