Shadab Peerzada
Life has an uncanny ability to break us. We face trials, tribulations, losses, and heartbreaks that leave us feeling shattered and incomplete. However, being broken does not mean we are over. Just as Kintsugi transforms shattered pottery into something more beautiful, we too can embrace our brokenness, finding strength and beauty in our imperfections. “Kintsugi”, meaning “golden joinery” or “golden repair,” is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than hiding the flaws, Kintsugi highlights them, creating a unique and beautiful piece of pottery. Kintsugi dates back to the 15th century when it is believed that the practice began when shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs. When it returned with metal staples, he was dissatisfied and asked Japanese craftsmen to find a more aesthetically pleasing solution. This led to the development of Kintsugi.
Grief is a natural response to loss, and philosophers have long explored its depths and significance. Seneca, a Stoic philosopher, wrote extensively on grief. He believed that grief should be faced head-on and not suppressed. In his letter to Marcia, he advised, “We should not try to dry our tears faster than nature wants; the best and the only way is to endure them with patience and forbearance.” Jalali ud Din Rumi, a Persian poet and mystic, saw grief as a doorway to deeper understanding and compassion. He wrote, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” Rumi’s perspective invites us to view our sorrow as an opportunity for spiritual growth and enlightenment. Brené Brown, a contemporary researcher on vulnerability and empathy, states, “Empathy is not connecting to an experience, it’s connecting to the emotions that underpin an experience.” Our own grief can make us more attuned to the suffering of others, fostering a sense of shared humanity. Kahlil Gibran, in his book The Prophet, writes, “The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” Gibran suggests that experiencing deep sorrow can expand our capacity for joy, making us more appreciative of the beauty and happiness that life offers. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a transcendentalist philosopher, believed in the power of individual resilience. He wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Friedrich Nietzsche famously said, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Nietzsche’s philosophy encourages us to view suffering as a catalyst for growth and transformation.
This philosophy celebrates imperfection, transience, and the beauty of the natural world. Kintsugi exemplifies wabi-sabi by embracing the flaws and history of an object. “Mushin” meaning no mind, mushin is a Zen Buddhist concept of acceptance of change and fate. It reflects the acceptance of the damaged and repaired states of the object. Kintsugi teaches that breakage and repair are part of the history of an object, and instead of disguising the damage, one should embrace it as a symbol of resilience and transformation. It encourages individuals to accept their flaws and the imperfections of others, promoting a more compassionate and forgiving attitude. The philosophy of Kintsugi teaches that healing and repair can create something even more beautiful and valuable than before. It serves as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience after trauma or hardship. By focusing on the process of repair and transformation, Kintsugi fosters mindfulness and a deeper appreciation for the present moment and the beauty in imperfections. The concept of embracing imperfections and focusing on healing can be a powerful tool in psychotherapy and mental health practices. Kintsugi promotes the idea of repair over disposal, aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly practices by encouraging the reuse and upcycling of broken items. The aesthetic and philosophical principles of Kintsugi can inspire innovative design solutions in architecture, fashion, and product design, where flaws and repairs are celebrated rather than hidden.
Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, taught that “The reality of the vessel is the shape of the void within.” This profound statement suggests that our value comes not just from our external form but from our inner capacity to hold and withstand experiences, even the painful ones. In a world that often values perfection and seamlessness, it is essential to remember that our brokenness does not define us. Instead, it is our response to being broken that shapes our true character. Embracing our imperfections, finding strength in our resilience, and cultivating empathy through our sorrow allows us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives. As we mend our broken pieces with the gold of experience, we become more beautiful and valuable, not despite our flaws, but because of them.
Broken people can be mended, cared for, and transformed into beautiful beings through the embrace of compassion, understanding, and resilience. Just as a shattered vase is meticulously restored with golden lacquer in the art of Kintsugi, human hearts and spirits can be healed through love and empathy. It is in our brokenness that we find the potential for profound growth and transformation. A single bad day does not define the entirety of our existence; it is merely a moment in the vast tapestry of our lives. Through support, patience, and the recognition that our scars tell stories of survival and strength, we can emerge from our struggles more resilient and radiant than before. Our imperfections become the unique marks that make us authentically and beautifully human. By fostering an environment of acceptance and kindness, we allow those who are broken to feel safe and valued, enabling them to rebuild their confidence and self-worth. This nurturing process is not about erasing the past but integrating it into a stronger, more enlightened self. Just as the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi finds beauty in imperfection, we too can learn to see the beauty in our own and others’ flawed experiences. This perspective shift empowers us to view challenges not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and transformation. The journey of healing and self-discovery teaches us resilience, deepens our empathy, and enhances our capacity for joy. As we mend our broken pieces with the gold of experience, we come to understand that each fracture adds to our uniqueness and beauty. Life’s hardships and adversities are not the end but rather stepping stones to a more profound and enriched existence. Embracing this philosophy, we can transform not only ourselves but also inspire others to see the potential for beauty and strength in their brokenness. Through this collective journey, we cultivate a world where everyone is valued for their authentic selves, and where brokenness is celebrated as a testament to the human spirit’s extraordinary capacity for resilience and renewal.
The author is a Politician, Writer, and Technologist and can be reached at shadabpeerzada@yahoo.com
