In times of challenge and change I often expand my search for self improvement in many different directions. This month I came across the Japanese reparation technique of Kintsugi. Although it is used to repair broken pottery pieces by mending it in lacquer dusted with gold, it was an inspiration to me to use it as a metaphor for life.
Kintsugi reminded me that most things that have been broken can be put back together. Our scars are the result of our battles & wars and our scars are a symbol of our resilience. We should not hide or try to cover them up, but instead embrace them. Whether our battles are mental, physical or spiritual, they are ours to overcome. We all fall at times in life but it is when we rise and take back what we battle for, we begin again our journey of lessons that renew our strength and spirit.
Kintsugi can be used as a philosophy, as opposed to a reparation technique. “Your scars are the design. Your attention is drawn to the cracks and how they are mended. That is what you are supposed to see. The beauty is in the brokenness”. – Justin Whitmel Earley – As we have learned from my previous poetry article, where we peeked into 13th century Sufism/mysticism on RUMI, “The wound is the place the light enters” where we open the doors to forgiveness and healing. “Kintsugi symbolizes how we must incorporate our wounds into who we are, rather than try to merely repair and forget them” – David Wong – Your progress comes from change and change can be a catalyst for living the best life you can imagine. Release your fears and welcome your flaws, your history, your life.
Think about this; You are a human vessel that flows liquid life through your veins, an unseen energy force that was breathed into you at birth. At times you have been cracked, broken, held and adorned. Where you place your energy and who you surround yourself with, directly affects how your vessel will be used. Kintsugi is the art of keeping yourself together!
Here is an exercise you may want to try:
Sit comfortably in a quiet, peaceful place – Take 3 deep long relaxing breaths – Picture a waterfall of liquid gold pouring over and into your head – Now pull that gold through your brain filling all the negative thoughts, ideas and traumas you remember. – Release and allow gold flecks to absorb – Leave some flecks behind to capture any future negative attacks that may come – Allow the gold to heal, protect, and bring your mind into a calm, peaceful positive state – Now pull this liquid gold down, slowly through each part of your body as you move from head to toe, taking a moment to ask “Do I have any cracks or brokenness here?”- Don’t forget to allow it to flow through your 6 senses (third eye, eyes, ears, nose, taste & touch) – You may also want to check in with the other parts of your body, mind and spiritual beliefs that may need a healing – Fill up with golden liquid light anything that does not resonate with you any longer. It was there to help you get to where you are now. That’s okay! you are now moving forward with greater resiliency and strength – Once you finish push this liquid gold light into the earth, to help renew the ground you now stand upon.
Finally, each time you look in the mirror, know you are a beautiful piece of pottery made by the creator’s hand. You are teetering on the edge as you continue to heal and help yourself and others move gracefully through the most challenging times of human history. You are a warrior!
Namaste Tribe
Jacqueline
TEETERING ON THE EDGE 