Wabi Sabi Life is a carefully curated serving of the imperfectly beautiful and unconventional from a Western Buddhist with a love of Japanese culture and aesthetics. If you love it, consider supporting me by becoming a paid subscriber for only £1 a week. Access more in-depth content, audio meditations, and the whole archive.
Over the last year or so I’ve taken a very eclectic approach to this newsletter, so I thought it would be useful to explore a more focused approach for a while. (Don’t worry though my new monthly round up of the curious and interesting -Scintilla - will still appear in your inbox)
So for the next six months we will be taking a theme and exploring it and we are starting with the six perfections or the six paramitas. Six qualities, characteristics or ways of being.
The Six Paramitas – generosity, moral clarity or ethics, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom – also known as the Six Perfections, are fundamental virtues or qualities emphasised in many Buddhist traditions, acting as a guide for ethical and spiritual development. By embodying the qualities of the six paramitas, we learn to cultivate harmony, compassion, and wisdom.
Wait a minute, isn’t this Substack about the beauty of imperfection?
Yes, that’s right. But these virtues is quite special. They are the highest aspects of Buddhist practice. And each of us can go some way to realising them. Even if we are not Buddhists, they will enhance our lives and those around us.
You are perfect as you are and you could use a little improvement’ - Suzuki Rossi
Each month I will set the scene taking a different aspect in turn, then two weeks later you receive a guided meditation. So I suppose, in a way it becomes a course. I am particularly mindful of giving my founding members and paid subscribers more for their support as I really appreciate it and I hope this feels like a good way to do it.
This introductory post is for everyone as I want to give more of you the chance to subscribe so you can take part in this six month exploration.
What are the six perfections?
The word paramita means ‘perfection’ or ‘completeness’. The Mahayana Buddhist texts contain many references to six paramitas (or perfections) Each perfection develops a particular aspect of character or understanding.
You don’t have to be Buddhist to explore these virtues. They can be useful in all our lives.
Working with the the six perfections is a practice. But this is not a dogmatic teaching at all. They are not about right and wrong, self and other, good and bad.
The fundamental question is: how do we live a life of harmony, wisdom and compassion? The six perfections are the gateway to doing this.
A guided reflection on the six perfections
About me: I am a Western Buddhist in the Triratna tradition and have been practising since 1986. I have a love and admiration for the simplicity and beauty of Japanese culture and aesthetics which appeals to my zen minded being. I am also a mindfulness and movement teacher, writer, and creative health professional . Life - with all its beautiful imperfections and wonderful messiness - is my practice.