The Art Of Zen In Western Civilization
It seems to be a familiar theme in western countries to go 'zen', and we sagely nod just like we know exactly what that is. Aside from a faint idea of a kind of peaceful state, gardens of sand and stone and images of a Buddha, most of us don't honestly know. Even those of us that say we do tend to misread the significance. 'Zen' itself is derived from from the word in Chinese Ch'an, which is in turn originated from the Sanskrit word dhyana, meaning 'meditation'. So far so good, but now the definition of meditation opens up another can of worms, and can mean somewhat different things for various people. In the main, the concept is that someone sits quietly and tries to concentrate on ... nothing! naturally, this isn't possible, so the act of meditating itself brings us a little conundrum for the inexperienced. Suffice to say that practitioners are trying to accomplish a peaceful emotional state that is beyond thought, angriness or desire. Precisely how this happens is not clear.
What is apparent is that occidental society has on the one hand tried to use the practice to try and achieve this mystical state of bliss, and on another, has shamelessly used its name as a means of promoting products in the material world! It's currently really fashionable to be zen or leastwise to give that appearance, which is a bit bizarre as genuine inner peacefulness has nothing at all to do with things that we can buy or trade. Paradoxically, it doesn't have anything to do with not possessing these objects either. Even though we may take a jaundiced view of this practice, its correct that certain objects and pieces of zen furniture can help promote a calmer life-style and inescapably many of these items tend to be of Chinese, and especially Japanese, ancestry, such as Japanese tables.
An item of zen furniture is ideally of a very simple form. Actually, the design of furniture takes into account material, the shape and function. The material chosen for a piece of furniture exhibiting 'zen-ness' should ideally be from nature, such as wood, bamboo or stone. Steel and plastic, even though producing robust basic shapes, is a little devoid of life for our purposes. A raw material taken from nature is imbued with life-force and is a constant reminder of our place in the universe. It's necessary to bear this in mind. The shape should be strong, with flowing lines, as in nature. Lastly, the furniture has to do what it is designed to do.
About the Author
Peter Bruce is a freelance journalist operating out of Toulouse in France. Subject covered range from shiatsu to chess.
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