Ichi-go, ichi-e:
The art of living intentionally
The Japanese language is full of philosophical words and phrases that serve as motivation to constantly seek opportunities to improve one’s life, and reminders to embrace life’s lessons. One of my favorites is “ichi-go, ichi-e” ( 一期一会), which translated literally means, “one time, one meeting”. In essence, it’s a call to treasure every moment as it can never be repeated. I like cherry blossoms for the same reason. Their brief lifespan and delicate beauty reflect the ephemerality of life and the necessity of being fully in the moment because all things eventually pass away.
The art of mindfulness is an important habit to develop because it can increase our ability to create a healthy outlook, decrease stress levels, and manage our emotions, which in turn can help those who deal with anxiety and depression attain a more peaceful state of mind. This Japanese idiom reportedly dates back to 16th century Japan and is attributed to Sen no Rikyū, a historical figure who had a great impact on chanoyu (茶の湯), more commonly known as the Japanese tea ceremony.
Yamanoue Sōji, a Japanese tea master and disciple of Sen no Rikyū, chronicled Rikyū's teachings and his own observations about chanoyu in Yamanoue Sōji ki (The Recordings of Soji Yamanoue) (山上宗二記). In this written commentary, Yamanoue expounds on Rikyū’s expression, "ichigo ni ichido" (one chance in a lifetime) (一期に一度), instructing practitioners of chanoyu to honor their host "as though it were a meeting that could occur only once in the lifetime". With that adage in mind, great care is taken to ensure that every aspect of the event is uniquely pleasant and memorable.
Now that we’ve had that brief history lesson, it’s time to explore the art of intentional living a little bit more, as well as its possible applications to the way we live according to the ten principles that sum up ichi-go, ichi-e.
Client /Belle Kalista Beauty
Role / Writer
Year / 2021
“Don’t Postpone Special Moments”
Every opportunity is presented only once. You must seize it, because no matter how hard you may try to recreate a moment, what’s past is truly gone. It’s like the kids were saying a few years ago, YOLO - you only live once. With all the distractions of the world, we tend to forget how precious the time we have is.
“Live as if this were going to happen only once in your life”
Memento Mori, a phrase that reminds us of our mortality, is an encouraging lesson to make the most of our lives, as we never know which moment will be our last, rather than a scary reminder of looming death. A lot of our interactions with people occur only once in a lifetime, but we walk through each day not thinking about it much. Should we have been kinder to that stranger who we might never see again? Can we commit to being a bright spot in the days of the people we encounter?
“Dwell in the present”
This is a problem area for me. I frequently worry about future events, even when I have no control over them. This habit steals away time that could have been spent appreciating the good things in my life or working on actual solutions that I could possibly provide. “If it’s out of your hands, your mind should have freedom from it too”. Work on the things you can actually affect. Que será, será.
“Do something you’ve never done before”
Have you ever been really excited about trying something and then let it sit on a list with a bunch of other unfulfilled dreams for years and years? Familiarity feels safe and comfortable, but we can’t spend our lives cocooned in a shell. Why spend time experiencing the same things over and over, when there is so much more to discover? Exploration just might yield the perfect career, life-enhancing lessons, life-altering opportunities, etc.
“Practice zazen”
After the last year, you should have a bit of experience with sitting in silence or having nothing but our thoughts to occupy you. If you find meditating difficult because of the stillness, start with a type of reflection that’s more enjoyable for you, like relaxing with some ambient music for an hour, perhaps with a book. Enjoying a picnic outside, breakfast in the morning light, or some music while you cook are other things you could try, eventually working your way towards zazen.
“Apply mindfulness to your five senses”
Our five senses are a gift, and we shouldn’t wait until we are threatened with the loss of one or more of them, to appreciate the others. Take in the beauty around you intentionally, observing the variety of flora and fauna surrounding us. Inhale the rich scents of your favorite foods, appreciate the scent of fresh air after being cooped up indoors for a while. Hear the music in the birdsong, and feel the rush of excitement when you hear the ice-cream truck come down your street. Feel the differences in the fabrics that make up our clothing and the warmth of the sun on your face. Enjoy the clean, delicious taste of good pho broth. Apply this mindfulness in your interactions with others as well, as this will help you develop a greater sense of empathy. Strive to be memorable to others in the ways that matter. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“Notice coincidences”
As mentioned previously, the daily ins and outs of life provide us with a wealth of distractions that prevent us from truly taking in the things that life has to offer. Living harmoniously and paying close attention to spot coincidences could help us develop better decision-making skills, as we are better able to spot patterns that may favor us. Keeping a journal of the magical moments in our lives can also serve as a progress report that will encourage us to continue to aspire to be better.
“Make every gathering a party”
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to create a memorable event. Make every dinner you eat with your family a special one. Take a trip with your friends, even if it’s only to the next town over. Seize each and every day and aim to make the most out of it.
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Wake up.
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Kick ass.
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Be kind.
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Repeat.
“If you don’t like what there is, make something different”
I believe in finding a niche that can be filled and doing so, no matter how many solutions already exist, because yours might be the one that answers the question that so many people have been struggling with. Embrace the innate ability to innovate and transmogrify that humans possess, and make life not only better for yourself but possibly for others too. This can be one of the most selfless indirect gifts that we can give the world.
“Be a hunter of special moments”
When you work on your own fulfillment, you attain a state of harmony that radiates out to others, affecting them inadvertently or intentionally. When you’re happy and content, kindness is effortless, unlike when we are too preoccupied with our own worries to truly empathize with others. Give meaning to each moment in your life, and let your buoyancy be an inspiration to the people you engage with on your journey through life. The more you practice, the better, easier, and bountiful your endeavor will be.