In the U.S., the “American dream” is widely accepted as the image of success.
It is an ethos that prides itself on upward mobility and autonomy.
While there are many positive things that have come from this, there are also many downsides.
How your belongings compare to your neighbors' determines your value.
This sense of individualistic materialism is one of the greatest differences between Western and Eastern philosophy.
Collectivism is the tendency to look at things as an interconnected whole rather than splintered into parts.
This philosophy promotes less competition between people and greater unity.
One particular Japanese philosophy that branches from this foundation is known as “wabi sabi.”
Tzu writes, “True perfection seems imperfect, / yet it is perfectly itself.
/ True fullness seems empty, yet it is fully present.
According toStanford’s Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Japan began embracing these minimalistic ideas in the 1400s.
Instead, they began turning towards Taoism’s appreciation for the simple and naturally flawed.
As a result, “wabi sabi” was popularized.
“Wabi” praises emptiness, while “sabi” honors decay.
However, in Japanese culture, these two qualities add value rather than retract it.
An example of “wabi” would be the silence of solitude or the bareness of winter.
Recent studies have proven that many people are currently struggling with this issue.
In fact, the BBC reports that, in Taoism, death is synonymous with perfection.
This is because perfection implies that everything is complete and there is no room to grow.
However, the defining characteristic of life is that it is always changing.
‘Material poverty, spiritual richness’ are wabi-sabi bywords.”
With this philosophy in mind,common causes of stresswill relinquish.
you’ve got the option to begin to accept that you and your life are good enough.
Scott recommends that you begin recording your negative self talk and pessimism when it comes up.
