A gut feeling: Finding beauty in the wabi-sabi way

Leonard Koren, the author of Wabi-Sabi for artists, designers, poets and philosophers came up with a rather poignant definition for the term, “Wabi-Sabi is the beauty of all things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. The words 'Wabi 'and ‘Sabi’ are conceived separately and mean different things. Wabi is referred to as living a quiet, rustic, simple life close to the elements of nature. The word Sabi is more descriptive; it refers to a beauty that comes with weathering and ageing, it’s an appreciation of the circle of life. Wabi-Sabi embraces the idea of finding beauty in subtle imperfections, asymmetry and chaos.”

It is often described as a feeling that is experienced rather than a concept with a rational definition. Perhaps the closest English synonyms to describe the idea of wabi-sabi would be ‘simple,’ ‘rustic,’ ‘unconventional beauty’ or ‘unsophisticated.’

The Japanese lifestyle, at a glance, may appear to be filled with precision and perfection. However, the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi is all about experiencing the pleasure of embracing the imperfect beauty around us.

The subtle influence of wabi-sabi is seen in the Japanese Zen gardens, in their pottery and even in their famous Sakura or cherry blossoms. Every year, folks in and around Japan wait with bated breath for the beautiful sakura blooms. The silent magic of the changing seasons weaves through the strings of Sakura, taking us on a merry-go-round of emotions. Usually, March to April is considered the peak season for these beautiful blooms. At times, the Sakura will bloom a little too early, or they may be quickly washed away by the rain. Sometimes they take a little longer to bloom. But they seldom last longer than a week or so once they do. The beauty of the Sakura blossoms is not just their bright and vibrant colours, it’s also their elusiveness. These flowers not only usher in spring, but they are also embodiments of the wabi-sabi philosophy. They teach us to appreciate the transient and fleeting beauty of changing seasons.

The aesthetics of wabi-sabi are also observed in the Japanese tea ceremony. The tools and utensils used in the tea ceremony are often rustic, imperfect and mismatched. Another Japanese practice, which perhaps is the quintessential example of wabi-sabi, is kintsugi. Kintsugi is the art of piecing together broken shards of ceramic or pottery with gold-dusted lacquer. Kintsugi cherishes the broken pieces and appreciates the beauty of the flaws.

Wabi-sabi is a way of life, with emphasis on experiencing and listening to the beauty around us without cascading into the abyss of perfection.

This idea of imperfection and chaos may not be to everyone’s liking. However, if we look around, it’s hard to ignore that we all thrive in a world of wabi–sabi. A world of uncertainties, imperfections and vagueness. I believe this concept of wabi-sabi closely resembles the aesthetics of the human body, more specifically our gastrointestinal tract or the gut for short.

The importance of the gut microbiome became a subject of discussion when the human microbiome project was established in 2008 by NIH (National Institute of Health), USA. A series of research studies conducted as part of this project showed a strong correlation between the gut microbiome and our brains, referred to as the gut-brain axis. These studies have shown that the number, composition, and type of bacteria can significantly influence our metabolism, moods, and ability to fight diseases. The microorganisms in our gut release chemicals known as neurochemicals. These neurochemicals are processed by our brains and used to regulate basic physiological processes like mood and memory.

Serotonin is one such neurochemical that acts as our body’s natural mood stabilizer. It regulates our emotions, keeps us calm and focused, and reduces anxiety. It also helps in maintaining a normal sleep cycle, aids in digestion and maintenance of regular bowel movements. Serotonin levels are found to be reduced in people suffering from depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Nearly 95 per cent of our body’s serotonin levels are maintained in our gut, and the gut microbiome regulates these levels. Research studies conducted in mice have identified a specific bacterial species in the gut called Turicibacter sanguinis, which stimulates the gut to secrete serotonin.

Our feelings are tethered to the artistry of our microbiome. This cornucopia of emotions and microbes lingering in the nooks and crannies of our gut paint a picture of elusive beauty, which is the very essence of wabi-sabi.

Our gut microbiome continues to evolve throughout our life. It changes depending on whether you are on a vegan diet or a protein-rich diet. Based on the environment you live in, your surroundings and the weather patterns in your area, your microbiome continues to evolve.

The micro artists of our microbiome help break down the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates from our diet into essential nutrients our body needs. In the process of breaking down the food we consume, the micro-artists in our gut generate a versatile palette of by-products. The nature of these by-products depends on the type of food we consume. Let us take the example of the lactobacillus which is found in most probiotics and dairy products. The byproducts generated by lactobacillus can boost our immune responses and even help us combat viral infections.

Not all by-products are beneficial, some bacteria can generate harmful toxins. A diet rich in saturated fats will shift the balance in our gut. Intake of high-fat diets favours the growth of harmful bacteria as opposed to a low fat-high fibre diet. Therefore, maintaining a diverse, imperfect yet thriving population of beneficial microbes in the gut is important for our well-being. Several studies have shown that an imbalance in the beneficial and harmful gut bacteria can lead to what is referred to as gut dysbiosis. This gut dysbiosis or imbalance in the microbiome is also associated with weight gain.

Diet and lifestyle choices have a direct impact on how our microbiome and its artists thrive. We should be mindful of what we eat, how we prepare our food and how much of it we consume. Celebrating different flavours in our food, embracing the benefits of a healthy diet and being conscious of the emotional energy in our food allows us to experience culinary bliss; and bring in the spirit of wabi-sabi into our lives.

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