"Mono No Aware"

Today I learnt about this beautiful Japanese concept of "Mono No Aware". My understanding of it is derived just from English interpretation of it but it's such a beautiful concept that regardless of words or their essence to capture it I think I know quite well the feeling those words are trying to capture.

Literally, it can be translated as "the 'ahh-ness' of things", life, and love. The feeling it tries to convey is the feeling of wistfulness, the deep joy touched by that hint of sadness at the awareness of impermanence of things. The awareness that the joy and beauty in the current moment is transient - and in a way that makes that moment even more special, but also knowing that the moment is going to pass and the best you can do is live that moment and cherish it to the most.

There are moments where you come across something - a term, an explanation, a description - and your first reaction is "Yes, that's happened to me before!" And that initial feeling of pleasant surprise of learning a term, an 'explanation' a reaffirmation of what you've been feeling soon gives way to a mind boggling realization of the depth, the profoundness of something that simple.

And in your mind - a window opens, an seed is sown, and the way you think will never be the same again because of that awareness. And this moment, the one I'm writing in, and that moment, the one you're reading this in, will never come again too - close your eyes, savour the thought, the moment, and live it.

Mono no Aware :)

Comments

Anonymous said…
hi Satyendra,
i was searching one of my friend by name of satyendra and got to see your blog...and i am really impressed by your way of expressing day today thngs and happenings..

Aarti
10:44 AM
neo said…
Hi Aarti,

I just came across your message. Thank you so much for the sweet words of encouragement. They are really appreciated and mean a lot. If you write I'd love to read some of your work too :)
take care,
- Satyendra
9:35 AM
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