(Taj Mahal, India)
Wabi Sabi And Imperfect Travel
When I was 19 I went on a surf trip with some friends into Mainland Mexico expecting amazing waves, incredible food, and to experience the perfect tropical vacation. Instead, the ocean was flat, our bowels were ravaged with montezuma's revenge, we got arrested at gunpoint, and were mercilessly ravaged by insects while camping on the beach.
Yet, looking back it was one of the best trips of my life.
Travel is not perfect. It is these imperfections that make it so beautiful and is best illustrated by the aesthetic philosophy of wabi sabi.
Wabi Sabi is a uniquely Japanese ideal. Emerging in the 15th century as a reaction to the prevailing aesthetic of lavishness, ornamentation, and rich materials, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and revering authenticity above all.
The aesthetic of of wabi sabi is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and is exemplified by legendary master of the Japanese tea ceremony Sen no Rikyu.
As a young man he sought to learn the elaborate set of customs known as the Way of Tea from tea-master Takeeno Joo. Takenno tested the younger man by asking him to tend the garden. Rikyu diligently tended the grounds and raked the debris until it was perfect, then scrutinized the immaculate garden. Before presenting his work to the master, he gently shook a cherry tree, causing a few flowers to spill randomly onto the ground.
Wabi sabi celebrates cracks and crevices over the pristine and new. Glorifies the authentic over the contrived. According to author Leonard Koren, wabi-sabi can be defined as “treading lightly on the planet and knowing how to appreciate whatever is encountered, no matter how trifling, whenever it is encountered.”
The beauty of travel is in the imperfections. As traveler, climber, and founder of Patagonia Yvon Chouinard says, “It’s not an adventure until something goes wrong.”
If you travel extensively or even adventure a bit, there are bound to be troubles. Lost wallet, delayed flight, blown budgets, or worse. These mishaps create an authenticity to your trip, a deeper sense of ownership that is uniquely yours.
The worse trips are the best stories. They remind us that life isn’t perfect, but it’s the troubles that make everyday so much richer. The aesthetic of wabi sabi and the imperfection of travel makes the experience an invaluable commodity.
Over the years the photos from my surf adventure into Mexico have been lost or accidently deleted. I hope to find them. Even if I never do, I know that that stories of the adventure will live on and my appreciation for the memories will continue to grow.
Phil Luza is a professional dharma bum and Adventure Capitalists on an endless pursuit of a life worth lived. Recommend below and be sure to also follow on Instagram and Twitter
