As popular as mindfulness has become, the path can be elusive.
Stealing a quiet moment may help us recharge, until we succumb again to our social media feeds. We cling to the next bit of information, fueled by anxiety and a near obsessive need to consume more. Any true mindfulness is fleeting. Caffeine is the only flow we know.
We need another path.
Among the ancient arts of the East, I’ve found the Japanese tradition of shibumi offers intriguing alternatives to the overcharged mindsets that thrive in the West. Together, the seven elements of shibumi paint a warming silhouette of a simpler, more grounded way of thinking. With a calm and open mind, we start to see shibumi around us. The process is like opening seven gates, each exposing the nuances and subtle interdependencies of nature.