Being a melting pot of languages, English is a language of description – insert Tab B and fold etc. In my ‘word-travels’ I have discovered that other languages seem to concentrate more on the essence of a word than the descriptive nature, leaving the listener to ‘fill in the blanks’, often in a most zen way.
Komorebi is one of those words. The literal meaning is the shafts of light that penetrate through the canopy of a forest. But the essence of the word is much, much more. Komorebi is about stopping to contemplate the dance of the shafts of light penetrating the canopy, the patterns, the colours, and in so becoming more in tune with the forest and ourselves.
Komorebi is akin to Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) allowing ourselves to step outside our fast paced life, if only for a few moments, to tune in to the large pattern of life. Combining with an ‘attitude of gratitude’ is a great way to reset yourself, especially when the stress of everthing else seems to be crushing you.
Growing up in a rainforest I can relate. A Summer-time hike in the woods was very zen for me. The patterns of light on the trees, the steaming ferns, the smell of the firs, pines and cedars all contributing to the sigh of Ahhh and joy just to block out the sounds of life. Even now, so many years later, in the city, I can smell the smells and see the forest in my mind’s eye.
The closest I expect we could come to Komorebi in English would be the phrase ‘Slow down and smell the coffee’. Sadly it is the ‘smell the coffee’ part we more relate to.
And on that note it is time for me to hurry up, Sunday’s are busy here. But first time to refill my coffee.
Cheers,
Mark
(original image by Rihaij at pixabay.com)