Today both Dhyana and its English equivalent Meditation are used in mutually exclusive dual senses. In spiritual context, or in the context of reaching higher state of consciousness, meditation means a state of pure awareness devoid of any thought or judgement. In ancient times Dhyana was used in that context only. But today the popular … Continue reading India : The Zen Connection
Tag: Japan
part 3: The Japanese sense of Aesthetics
The concept of mono no aware that I discussed in part 2 finds expression in Japanese art and literature including in the works of the latest Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro. Even though the concept originated in the Heian Era (8th-12th century), it started gaining prominence in Japanese culture with the works of the 18th century … Continue reading part 3: The Japanese sense of Aesthetics
Part-2: The Japanese sense of Aesthetics
The Japanese sense of aesthetics is a fine combination of the awareness about the impermanence of things on one hand and appreciation of the inherent beauty of the moment on the other hand. The emphasis on the element of transience or the changing nature of things in Japanese culture and art comes from not only … Continue reading Part-2: The Japanese sense of Aesthetics
The Japanese Sense of Aesthetics
The word Haiku reminds me of millions of awful micro poetic compositions that pass for as haikus in the blogosphere. The other day I came across a couple of such alleged haikus. I don't remember the wordings but one was about the miserable office wage and another was about the boss who was an asshole. … Continue reading The Japanese Sense of Aesthetics
PEBBLES AND WAVES 