KINTSUGI and the art of repair
Kintsugi, or "join with gold," is the Zen Buddhist approach to ceramics. According to this philosophy, broken pots or vases should not be thrown away or forgotten about in an impulsive and careless manner. Instead, they can be repaired, and their usefulness and beauty can continue to exist, even more markedly after the repair. Kintsugi emphasizes the importance of carefully repairing broken ceramics, embodying a deeper meaning than what is visible on the surface. It is about keeping one's composure and calmness in the midst of rupture and life's inevitable challenges. It is about the ability to repair a ruptured relationship and the capacity to collect the pieces from the ground and assemble them again.
Kintsugi embodies the concept that "what does not kill us makes us stronger." As a malleable organism on a journey through emotional and physical rapture and repair, it is not the world around you that changes, but rather yourself who evolves. Mindfully reassembled ceramic pieces serve as a symbol of resilience against the unknown, the frightening, or even the life-threatening. They remind us that there is a way out, and that life has a greater meaning that cannot be completely hindered by even catastrophic events.
"There should be no attempt to disguise the damage. The point is to render the fault-lines beautiful and strong. The precious veins of gold emphasize that breaks have a philosophically-rich merit all of their own." — Kintsugi | The School of Life
Kintsugi can offer insight into the philosophical and psychological belief that things in our lives have a deeper meaning beyond mere practicality. For example, our environment is not just a place where things are organized in patterns but can also provide a point of entry into our psyche and intrinsic mechanisms. This argument can also apply to habit-building. The environment is a key element that can significantly impact our chances of successfully mastering a new habit. This is because what surrounds us is more than just a set of inanimate objects; it represents our mind, state of life, emotions, and intentions.
“What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.” — EPICTETUS, 1st-2nd century