Japanese culture has a word for it – ma.
According to Deeper Japan, ma is described as “a pause in time, an interval, or emptiness in space,” rooted in Zen Buddhism, with strong ties to Confucian concepts as well.
From what I understand, it is the idea that we need space to breathe – in life, in design, and more. It’s also related to the idea that things made to be elaborate are not necessarily always better, and that there is value in intentionally pulling back and letting “simple” things shine on their own.
One of my titos is an artist. He doesn’t believe in hiding the circuitry of his work behind decorated or “pretty” surfaces.
Another is a food and wine blogger and talented home chef. One of my favorites of his dishes is what he calls a “simple” Tuscan pasta. Olive oil, San Marzano tomatoes, and spaghetti noodles. Three ingredients that come together to make one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had.
Some of my favorite films are from Studio Ghibli, a studio known for scenes like these:
I think that what this tells us about life is that there is an art, and a beauty, to simplicity.
To not trying to disguise oneself behind fancy trappings and fixings.
That there is a kind of perfection that comes with all of the “flaws” and “imperfections” of being authentic to oneself – nothing more, nothing less – and that life is best when you slow down and notice those gems.
Living in the Philippines, I’ve become more conscious about the pacing of life. The “geography of time,” if you will.
In the US, we’re used to being hurried.
We’re rushing out the door to get to work or school before our eyes have fully opened.
We’ve come to expect same-day delivery and instant gratification, even in places like the BMV.
From the moment children get out of school, many are conditioned to be entertained by a full itinerary of extra-curriculars: clubs, sports, music, theater, dance, and more.
In some ways, I guess it prepares them for when they become more independent and going straight from school to clubs switches to school then work then back home to cook and cleanandbatheandlaunderandandand…
The day doesn’t end.
Things blend together.
In the US, culture and society are simply not built to make room for time. The capitalist tendency towards maximizing and centering labor in our lives is undoubtedly a driving force for this temporal reality.
And, what little “negative space” we have in our days is consumed by the doom scroll.
In the Philippines, for better or worse, things don’t always move fast.
To get your national ID or passport, you might have to begin lining up at 4 or 5 in the morning, even if you have an appointment for later in the day. It is practically guaranteed that doing so will be a full day affair, and the processing time will take weeks if not a month or more.
If you go to the local drug store, something akin to the pharmaceuticals section of CVS, you’ll be lucky if you’re only waiting in line to check out for 10-15 minutes, even if there are only a few people in the store at the time of your visit.
And while this initially bothered me, once I accepted it and changed my expectations, it made me realize that I stress out about a lot of things in the US that aren’t that serious.
It also taught me that people in the US have become so unaccustomed to boredom – one of the best catalysts for creativity and resourcefulness.
Slowing down, finding a rhythm of regular mindfulness, and stripping things bare helps you see the big picture. It reminds you that not everything is an emergency, and it’s okay to breathe.
on negative space
we're told we need
to hide the ugliness
to add frills
to make things pretty
we're told we need
to make move do
until we can't
and all our life
is gritty
and so they'll chew
and say please more
even
as their back and jaw ache
but a swallow is beautiful without clothing
and a tomato is delicious laid bare
frills aren't required for art or beauty
no, artifice is the thing that may scare
good machines
is what we're told
we need to become
good machines
is what we're told
will replace us
once we're young
but the gods don't want machines
they want art and all our rhymes
they drink them up
and feast on them
like caviar and wine
why must we self-
sabotage
and give away our minds
to unthinking
unfeeling
super-machines
that will while away our
pines
rich men will destroy this universe
for the sake of power and gold
never mind they'll one day lose it all
the day that they get old
so better yet be as a child
and see with wonder while you can
because who knows
it may be the 'morrow
the day that it is banned
1 References
Levine, R. (1998). A Geography of Time. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/robert-n-levine/a-geography-of-time/9780465026425/?lens=basic-books
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